We've all been hurt. We all carry scars. We can all overcome these things and be
healed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Let's build that relationship
together right here. Welcome to Healing Scars with Pastor Burton. Hey everybody
welcome back to the sanctuary. It is so good to have you here and if this is
your first time joining us, welcome! So right now we are working our way through
the book of Joel as we finish off the 10 least preached books in the Bible which
I absolutely love because there's so much here that just gets forgotten about.
It's skimmed over. You know a lot of people they go through and I've talked
about this in the past they'll pick certain things and unfortunately quite
often a lot of those things get taken out of context which is why we
go through the Bible the way we do here so that the context is there. You get the
whole piece of it not just a sentence or two that can be twisted or misunderstood
or misinterpreted. We see the entire piece of it here. Now with that said have
you ever noticed how people love to post the memes that talk about how Noah had
warned people about the impending flood and nobody listened to him then just
like nobody's listening again to the warnings today? It's pretty regular isn't
it and if it's not that meme then it's something very similar to it you know
and while it gets pitched like a slogan it does hold a certain amount of weight.
Throughout the Bible and especially as we've seen as we've explored these ten
books it is a theme that is ongoing. People start to enjoy themselves and
they get caught up in the world. They get complacent and what happens is they
start taking things for granted. They start taking God for granted and all of
his blessings but as the Bible's told us as we've learned from his word the
day is coming and we are closer now than ever before when God's about to say I've
had it and it's time for a reckoning. Enough is enough and it is time for a
change. God has given us warning after warning. As we saw last week he even said
to make sure that it's passed on from one generation to the next. See we're
coming up the line into that excuse me we're coming up to that line that's been
drawn in the sand and once we cross that there's no turning back and that's
exactly what we're looking at here. However for those who believe the
faithful the followers of Christ Christians you know we're we're also
looking at the hope that we have and God's promise to take care of us and to
forgive us. So with that said let's pick back up where we left off last week for
those who follow with their Bible and for those taking notes we're diving into
Joel chapter 2. This week I'm gonna read from a slightly different translation
mix it up a little bit. This week I'll be reading from the NASB of course you know
stick with what you're comfortable with that is part of the beauty of having so
many translations out there and if you have a question about a certain
translation let me know. Alright so diving in here Joel chapter 2 verses 1
through 3 the Bible says
blow a trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm on my holy mountain let all the
inhabitants of the land tremble for the day of the Lord is coming indeed it is
near a day of darkness and gloom a day of clouds and thick darkness as dawn is
spread over the mountains so there is a great and mighty people there has never
been anything like it nor will there be again after it to the years of many
generations a fire consumes before them and behind them a flame devours the land
is like the Garden of Eden before them but a desolate wilderness behind them
and nothing at all escapes them the imagery here is changing the scenery
really quick and it is it means very literally what's gonna happen all right
the word is telling us of a darkness that's going to be covering the land
covering the world and it's going all the way back to Genesis to show the
contrast see and if you look at it here in verse 3 it mentions Eden Eden of
course we know as the glorious garden where everything began for mankind that
was a start for us right here on this earth you know a place of absolute
beauty however what we're headed for is a complete 180 degree opposite it is the
opposite and we you know we need to be prepared darkness and fire consuming
everything so we've gone from that beauty to something just absolutely just
dark and bleak right and if you get the fires that we just saw in Hawaii and the
devastation there and that's just a scratch of the surface of what's to come
now I'm not comparing what happened there to what's going to come I just I
mean the fires in general and the devastation that it left in its wake
right see we we've already started to see the beauty of this world being
stripped away in many places however the problem is people have become numb to it
people you know people just kind of got like that's just the way it is that's
life yet to people like you and to me we're looking at it as hey we're one day
closer to the end but for them it's Tuesday and time people time is running
out it's running out fleeting isn't the word if you haven't made a choice about
whether or not you want to follow Jesus you need to now is the time you can't
wait it out to see where things are going to go to make that choice because
in doing so whether you realize or not you've already made that choice and that
choice is one that's going to lead you to ruin and damnation revelations
chapter 3 verses 15 and 16 the Bible says I know your deeds that you are
neither cold nor hot I wish you were either one or the other so because you
are Luke lukewarm neither hot nor cold I am about to spit you out of my mouth you
see by not taking the side you don't know Jesus and because you don't know
him you don't have a relationship with him so in doing that you're leaving him
with no choice but to send you away you're making the decision for him the
Bible tells us in Luke 13 verse 27 but he will reply I don't know you or where
you come from away from me all you evildoers the word is saying that we
have to make a choice to follow now or it's going to be too late that if we
don't get to know Jesus now then he won't know us when we stand before the
father and let me tell you it's getting real dark out there people real dark
continuing on in Joel chapter 2 verse 4 through verse 11 the Bible says their
appearance is like the appearance of horses and like war horses so they run
with a noise of as of chariots they leap about on the tops of the mountains like
the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble like a mighty
people drawn up for battle before them the people are in anguish all faces
turn pale they run like warriors they climb the wall like soldiers and each of
them marches in line nor do they lose their way they do not crowd each other
every warrior I'm sorry yeah every warrior of them marches in his path when
they burst through the defenses they do not break ranks they storm this city
they run on the wall they climb into the houses they enter through the windows
like a thief before them the earthquakes that heavens tremble the Sun and the
moon become dark and the stars lose their brightness the Lord utters his
voice before his army his camp is indeed very great for mighty is one who carries
out his word the day of the Lord is indeed great and very awesome and who
can endure it you know I love the imagery here I don't know about you if
you've ever read it but just the way the way it talks about you know it this army
coming through the mountains and everything it reminds me of those old
you know literature a Beowulf you ever had to read that in school you know just
that that fire army just kind of sneak and its way through to the fort now if
you recall back in chapter one I said that the invading army is more likely to
be an army as opposed to locust and we're seeing more of why that makes more
sense now you know war horses this is not your typical horse the braids that
have been chosen over the centuries have been very specific you know much like
troops in the field they have certain traits that are needed in order to
fulfill their missions you know speed and agility you know those are the
traits you think you'd find however you'd be wrong unlike the movies these horses
need to have strength in size you know they're they're they're very they're
huge there you know they're truly work horses you know pardon the pun but I
mean they are they're massive and you know the ability to act properly under
stress the desire to work hard for the writer or you know master you know to
to learn things quickly on the fly because typically they're not trained you
know for very long because it takes a long time to train a horse in addition
that you know that to carry other essential duties even if their rider ends
up being hurt or even killed you know and on top of that loyalty loyalty you
know these are just some of the most important things that are sought after
in the horses that are chosen to be war horses so they have a certain appearance
to be sure you know just the sight of them coming let alone you know an army
so you know there's there's a sound that comes with that you know you would see
them and you would hear them before you could even make out their riders you
know that in itself is enough to just strike fear into those who see them in
the distance or hear them and recognize the sound you know because there's
certain things you know you you come accustomed to in life especially in the
military where you can hear something you just you know the sound you know
that things have very distinct sounds all right now the army that's coming with
them this isn't one that's going to be stopped either you know this is Lord's
army he sent them and they're coming straight at you I mean you can close the
door and you can try to hide this army doesn't care about that they're out to
win at all cost there is no win lose or draw it is just win and they're going
through you know even if that means sneaking through the window like a thief
as it says here one way or another everyone will face the onslaught of this
army when God says something's gonna happen you can bet your bottom dollar
that that is exactly what is going to happen and there is nothing nothing
anyone can do about that there is nothing anyone can do to change that
because God's Word doesn't change for those who stand in the Lord's crosshairs
destruction utter destruction yet for those who know him and follow him will
be witness to his victory and his glory however as Joel is starting to tell us
and will continue on to tell us the land drying up was just the start this
invasion will be even you know it's gonna be a bigger shock than anyone will
ever realize we're talking shock and awe like never before you know people
people are gonna be starving thirsty you know their fortunes dwindling away
trying to figure out how to feed their families or kids and then this is gonna
come at him and that's just wow continuing on in Joel chapter 2 verses
12 through 14 the Bible says yet even now declares the Lord return to me with
all your heart and with fasting weeping and mourning and tear your heart and not
merely your garments now return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and
compassionate slow to anger abounding in mercy and relenting of catastrophe who
knows he might turn and relent and leave a blessing behind him resulting in a
grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God see God tells us right
here that people need to turn back to him before it's too late repent of your
sin before it's too late see we're told to fast remember a fast this is about
self-sacrifice and to truly you know not you know it shows that you truly mean
and that you're showing that you're sorry for your sin it's not about the
lip service it is an inward and outward demonstration that you need God in your
life and you need God to help you you know even look here it says the tearing
of clothing you know that is right you know the tearing of clothing is
mentioned right here and we see this a lot in the Bible and it is literally
talking about tearing the very clothes you have on you know we see we see this
in like an old movies and stuff they're just like oh my lord and they're just
you know hulking out right tearing that stuff off you know it's that moment when
you're so distraught you feel that you're not even worthy of that very
clothes on your back and like I said you just start tearing at them you know like
Hulk Hogan just ripping that shirt off just right God doesn't want us to be
condemned to hell but we need to be the ones who make the choice he's given that
to us that is our power that is our decision to make not his we need we have
to choose him or we have to choose the pit those are our two choices there's
nothing in between there's nothing else God or hell at times ticking time is
ticking all right going back into our reading here Joel chapter 2 verses 15
through 17 the Bible says blow a trumpet in Zion consecrate a fast proclaim a
solemn assembly gather the people sanctify the congregation assemble the
elders gather the children and the nursing infants have the groom come out
of his room and the bride out of her bridal chamber let the priest the Lord's
ministers weep between the porch and the altar and let them say spare your people
Lord and do not make your inheritance a disgrace with the nations jeering at
them why should those among the people say where is their God this right here
this is one of the many great places in the Bible where we're being told to come
together as the church you know there's those out there who say oh I you know I
don't need the church God knows my heart you know things like that they're
missing the point God is telling us right here in his word to come together
as the church I'm not talking about just going to some building in Matthew 18
verse 20 the Bible says for where two or three have gathered in my name I am
there in their midst not alone not where one is together as the church now again
I'm not talking about just cruising down the road to a building that they call
the church that's not a church it's a place of worship right I'm talking about
gathering with other believers that that's where the church is that's what
churches not some religious place of worship not someplace that is out there
trying to sell Jesus actually coming together this is talking about coming
together any place where believers gather and fellowship together all God's
people together a family gathering if you would God's family worshiping it
together repenting praying for help praying for forgiveness praying for
mercy and being a light to the rest of the world showing that Jesus is our Lord
and our Savior being that beacon to those without hope and those who don't
know him so that we can make that introduction
continuing on God provides an answer to these prayers and verses 18 through 20
Bible says then the Lord will be zealous for his land and will have compassion
for his people sorry we're back in Joel so Joel 2 verses 18 through 20 then the
Lord will be zealous for his land and will have compassion for his people the
Lord will answer and say to his people behold I am going to send you grain new
wine and oil and you will be satisfied in full with them and I will never again
make you a disgrace among the nations but I will remove the northern army far
from you and I will drive it into a dry and desolate land its advanced guard
into the eastern sea and its rear guard into the Western Sea and its stench will
ascend and its odor of decay will come up because it has done great things see
God loves his people his children right here Joel he's changing gears he's going
from the damnation of those who turn their backs on God to the outpouring of
love on those who turn towards God when people turn from their sin and lean into
him this is why having a relationship with him is so important think about it
some people they make you angry frustrated and while you may forgive her
you know forgive forgive whatever it is that upset you you still don't want
anything to do with them right however when it comes to family we are all a lot
quicker to forgive and move forward together and that's not only what God
has asked us to do but what he's doing for us as well he'll take care of us and
he'll see to our needs the promise that God will forgive us if we turn to him
this shouldn't just bring hope but it should encourage us as well and this in
itself is an example of how we what truth I should say what this is an
example of what true forgiveness really is you know you know we forgive you
stay away from me right a lot of divorced people like that you know what
I forgive you you know spent some times gone by but just stay away you know what
you're still holding on to that grudge right and it's an easy one to hold on to
forgive them wish them well pray for them
doesn't mean you have to interact with them or anything any further right but
true forgiveness it's like you know what let me pray for them pray for their best
and then move on in life on the path that God has for you that's true
forgiveness you can't keep harboring that hate I know easier said than done
but it is the truth alright so let's look at this a little bit more Joel
chapter 2 verses 21 through 27 the Bible says do not fear land shout for joy and
rejoice for the Lord has done great things do not fear animals of the field
for the pastures of the wilderness have turned green for the tree has produced
its fruit the fig tree and the vine have yielded in full so shout for joy you
sons of Zion and rejoice in the Lord your God for he has given you the early
rain for your vindication and he has brought down for you the rain the early
and latter rain as before the threshing floors will be full of grain and the
vats will overflow with the new wine and oil then I will compensate you for the
years that this warming locust is eaten the creeping locust the stripping locust
and a nine locust my great army which I sent among you you will have plenty
to eat and be satisfied you will praise the name of the Lord your God who has
dealt with you excuse me who has dealt wondrously with you then my people will
never be put to shame so you will know that I am in the midst of Israel and
that I am the Lord your God and there is no other and my people will never be put
to shame well the day of the Lord you know it's this is something for
unbelievers to fear to be scared of and they absolutely should be however for
believers this is something to look forward to while those who don't follow
Christ will face judgment and justice those of the faith will find the
Father's forgiveness love mercy and grace now what God forgives those who
follow him I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you that this does not give you
me or any of us the free rein to just do as we please the whole if it feels good
do it nope can't do it see that is what leads to complacency and of course
complacency leads us into sins rather we need to draw closer to God and continue
to do as he has asked us to do see God pardoning our sins God pardoning my
sins God pardoning your sins it is a sign that our relationship with him has
been restored what it does not do is give us a hall pass to just do whatever
we please it does not mean that our lives will be without struggle it does
not mean we will be financially wealthy anyone who says otherwise really needs
to go back and read the Bible again because the Bible actually tells us that
there will be hardships in life like it or not that is a fact that is biblical
fact we are promised that God will love us provide for us give us direction and
purpose and forgive us that's what his word promises us see God's promises that
even after this judgment comes his people will be restored this section
holds another message of hope for us that no sin is so great that he can't
restore you whatever your sin is whatever your circumstance is if you
come to the Lord repent and truly open yourself to him not only can he but he
will restore you when you become a true believer and a true follower of Christ
your past is forgiven right then and there you're not bound as a slave to
that sin or sins or your history anymore you are free and the Bible tells us that
when the Sun sets you free you are free indeed see whatever's kept you bound
wherever's kept you chained it's been removed from you completely it's on you
to walk away from it at that point and that's often the problem isn't it we get
set free from stuff we know we're set free it's kind of scary though doesn't
it and what happens well when it comes to sin it's the same thing that you see
in with jails you know with the beliefs called recidivism people get out it can
be overwhelming so what happens they go right back and get themselves locked back
up and sin is no different we're we're set free we know we're free of that sin
and then what happens things get tough and we go right back and try to get
reattached because we know what that sin is and and we get confused for it being
the lesser evil instead what we should be doing is going to the Father for
guidance and listening to what he tells us following the path that he has set
for us because that for all of its obstacles all of its bumps all of its
potholes and everything else that path you stay loyal and you forge through it
and it will lead each and every one of us you me all of us to a bright and new
future with him all that loss all that loneliness that you feel it can be
filled but only with Jesus nothing else is gonna fill it nothing else is gonna
satisfy you other things might satisfy you for a very short time but only for a
short time and then you're gonna find yourself wanting again see without Jesus
you'll never find the fulfillment that you're looking for so now we're gonna
move into the promise of the Holy Spirit join me now in Joel 2 verses 28 through
32 and the Bible says it will come about after this that I will pour my spirit on
all mankind and your sons and your daughters will prophesy your old men
will have dreams your young men will see visions and even on the male and female
servants I will pour out my spirit in those days I will display wonders in the
sky and on the earth blood fire and columns of smoke the Sun will be turned
into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and awesome day of the
Lord comes and it will come about that everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord will be saved for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who
escape just as the Lord has said even among the survivors whom the Lord calls
for those keeping the score this is talking about the Holy Spirit Old
Testament knew you know we're told about the Holy Spirit you know some people get
caught up with the term Holy Spirit's not used here right here is saying my
spirit there's a lot of things you know if people got caught up as a what show
me where that's at you know what even in the Bible it doesn't call it the Bible
there's a lot of stuff in here that people get hung up on that they
shouldn't it's petty and it shows how they lack in faith see this passage in
particular it's important to note because it's what Peter referenced in
his sermon at Pentecost and and we can we can see that in Acts chapter 2 verses
16 through 21 at a time when the spirit becomes available to everyone which he
now is sent by Jesus after he died was resurrected and then went to be with the
Father the Holy Spirit is with us at all times you don't have to wait to talk to
him you don't have to go to a specific person you don't have to do certain
rituals none of that stuff has to be done it doesn't matter what your status
is it doesn't matter what your class is in life God has poured his spirit out on
each and every single one of us and we can all call on the Spirit at any moment
we can call on him any time anytime how glorious is that that God loves us so
much that he removed the middleman from the equation he took the door off the
hinges and said hey let's chat and you think about it goes all the way back you
know when when Jesus was crucified and the curtain was torn or the veil was
torn all that having to go to a certain priest or anything all that ritual and
all that where only a certain person could go in and they had to tie a rope
around all that stuff done we have direct access now and that's not all as
we see in verse 30 the Holy Spirit also blesses us with gifts gifts meaning
talents not everyone is going to have the same talents and that's good that is
a good thing we don't all need to have the same stuff there's a reason for
these gifts they aren't just menial things nor are they intended to be just
for us these gifts they're tools and these are tools that we we are supposed
to use in response and in answering the Great Commission one to share the good
news of the gospel with others two to introduce others to Christ and three to
praise and worship the Father everything is to his glory and we should always
have that at the front and center for everyone to see everyone now if what
we've covered here scares you good because if you're not a believer this is
this is a wake-up call this is calling you to check your own heart that's the
intention there's no better time than now to profess Jesus as Lord and begin
following him and if you are a believer this should not only bring peace to you
in any struggle that you're dealing with but it should also serve as a reminder
of our calling as Christians God loves you and he wants to have a relationship
with you why because you matter to him you are somebody you are somebody we're
dying for which is what Jesus did that's why Jesus accepted the cross because you
are worthy and you are somebody you are loved and you are blessed now go and be
the church thank you all for joining us here today at healing scars with pastor
Burton please like subscribe and share our podcast on any platform it is that
you tune in to us on if you do have any questions any prayer requests or would
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how to contact us there whether it's direct message or email we look forward
to hearing from you all God bless