INTRODUCTION
• SLIDE #1
• As we have entered the New Year, we are exploring the theme of Building a New You.
• Last week we explored the thought of having eyes that can see, this week we progress to the next step by examining the need for a transformation of the heart.
• In the book of Joel, the nation of Israel was in dire need of serious change.
• The background details for the book of Joel as sketchy enough to make it hard to pin down the historical events that surround the writing of the book.
• In the book of Joel, the writer is seeking to motivate the people towards repentance by proclaiming the Day of the Lord is near as evidenced by the coming invasion.
• Joel speaks of the invasion as locusts, in which he could be speaking of a literal invasion of locusts or locust could be a metaphor referring to an invading army.
• Joel realizes the nation is on a collision course with disaster unless they have a transformation of the heart.
• When one examines their own life, we come to realize the need to make some changes.
• If all were perfect, there would be no need to change.
• Last week as we examined the need to have eyes that were open to see the need for change, this week we dig a bit deeper to see that in order to change, a transformation of the heart is required.
• Without a transformed heart, one will continue to long for the actions and attitudes which plague them and which drag them down.
• Change can be a scary thing. Today we are going to examine three actions and attitudes which one needs to possess in order to be able to allow God to work on our heart transformation.
• Let us begin our journey in Joel 2:12
• SLIDE #2
• Joel 2:12 (HCSB) 2 Even now— this is the LORD’s declaration— turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
For a transformation of the heart to materialize…
I. Turn to the Lord with all one’s heart.
• If one is going to have any hope of a successful transformation in life, one must turn to the Lord with all one’s heart.
• In the context of the passage, the nation of Israel had apparently turned away from the Lord and they were about to pay a serious price for doing so.
• We need to understand that when God’s judgment is involved it is not simply about punishing the bad people; it is about waking them up to the need to change.
• Any parent who looks at discipline as simply punishment may win the battle but they will eventually lose the war.
• When we do anything half-heartedly, what is the usual result? We do what we do with no passion, and when we do something with half of a heart, in truth we are doing it with no heart.
• We see this all the time in the workplace, in the home with marriages as well as with parenting.
• If you have ever done anything half-heartedly, you know what I am speaking of.
• When one does not give it there all what they are doing sucks the life out of them.
• Half of an effort in truth is NO EFFORT.
• I have seen way too many people live their faith out in this manner, I had hit some spots where I allowed that to happen to me early in my walk.
• God takes what is happening with the people personal. Notice through the prophet Joel, the Lord says TURN TO ME! God desires a right relationship with His people. Later this is the reason He will send Jesus to die for our sins!
• Here is the issue we all deal with at one time or another in life. WE THINK we are heading in the right direction when in truth; we need to honestly TURN back toward God.
• The word translated RETURN in the Hebrew means to TURN BACK, or to repent.
• The implication is that one will turn their backs on the old direction they were traveling to head into the new direction.
• For one to be able to repent they must have a change of will. Repentance is not about being sorry you got caught or sorry that things went wrong, but rather it involves a change of the will.
• The change of will encourages us to focus on the right path, the change of will gives ones the strength to carry on in the midst of difficult temptations.
• Joel wanted to punctuate the point he is making by sharing with the people their need for public actions that reflect their inward change of heart.
• He speaks of fasting, weeping, as well as mourning. These things were done in the Old Testament when a person was seeking forgiveness and direction from God.
• Fasting would be giving up food in light of seeking God’s direction and/or forgiveness.
• The weeping is not dropping empty crocodile tears, but rather real tears of both repentance and joy.
• So if one is going to be able to have a transformation of the heart, one needs to turn to God.
• Next let us examine verse 13.
• SLIDE #4
• Joel 2:13 (HCSB) 13 Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.
• SLIDE #5
For a transformation of the heart to materialize…
II. Tear one’s heart out and return to the Lord.
• This seems a little bit extreme, Joel is telling the people not only do they need to turn toward God, they need to tear out their hearts!
• Kind of need that to live don’t you?
• When he tells them to tear out their heart, not just their clothes, Joel is digging at the heart of what had been ailing them. Symbolism over substance. Ritual over true repentance.
• The tearing of one’s clothes was done in cases of extreme anguish and grief over some calamity or misfortune.
• It was an outward sign of what was supposed to reflect the pain found in one’s heart.
• The process of true repentance involves a broken heat. Being sorry to save one’s skin is will not lead to repentance.
• SLIDE #6
• 2 Corinthians 7:9–10 (HCSB) Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death.
• Joel not only wants the people to turn to the Lord in verse 12, but he wants them to RETURN to the Lord.
• The return was not to the empty rituals of the past. Empty rituals deaden the heart of the worshipper; it lulls them into a false sense of security.
• External religion that does not penetrate to the depths of the heart and soul is worthless.
• The Lord was not looking for people to be externally religious, but rather He seeks the hearts of people.
• Look at what King David writes in Psalm 51:17
• SLIDE #7
• Psalm 51:17 (HCSB) The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
• THE LORD is all about the heart. The heart is both thoughts and actions. What one thinks, they either do, desire to do, or will do eventually.
• Consider this example. Have you ever had a person tell you bad things about a person you did not know?
• How did you react to them once you had the opportunity to meet them? I am sure you put on a fake smile and shook their hand, but what were you thinking about them in your heart?
• Were your thoughts kind thoughts? I kind of doubt it.
• Then without giving the person a change you really never warmed up to them.
• This is but one illustration as to how the heart works and it punctuates the need for one to approach or return to the Lord truly broken-hearted.
• Why would one return or even turn to the Lord?
• Isn’t God just about guilt as well as shaming you? I know there are times when we feel bad enough without getting heaped with more guilt. So why turn to the Lord?
• Let’s look at verse 13 one more time.
• SLIDE #8
• Joel 2:13 (HCSB) 13 Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.
• SLIDE #9
For a transformation of the heart to materialize…
III. Grasp the true character of the Lord.
• The last part of verse 13 explains WHY one can turn to and return to the Lord.
• He is not a God who wants to rub your face in your failure.
• We saw that displayed with Peter. Peter who denied Jesus three times, yet when he returned to Jesus, the Lord did not make an example of Peter.
• Joel states the Lord is gracious. A gracious person does not rub your face into your defeat. They give you a way out so that you can save face.
• The Lord is compassionate. Compassion in part is the ability to sympathize with another person because you can relate to them. Instead of laughing at their failure, you feel a deep sadness for them that should motivate you to help them out.
• The Lord is slow to anger. This is important to know because this implies that God is not some hothead who blows up over the slightest provocation.
• WHY DOESN’T GOD SIMPLY WIPE OUT ALL THE BAD IN THE WORLD? 2 Peter 3:9 unlocks the key as to why.
• SLIDE #10
• 2 Peter 3:9 (HCSB) The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
• Have you ever done anything bad; has your wife, children or anyone else you love done anything bad?
• Well, if God simply eradicated the bad in the world, not one of us would be here!
• Joel says God is rich in FAITHFUL love. He has plenty to go around. His love never fails! The Lord’s love is not simply love, it is FAITHFUL love!
• Finally Joel says God relents from sending disaster.
• In other words, if one will return to God with a repentant, broken heart, God will be there with arms open wide.
• My friends, THIS IS WHY WE CAN TURN BACK TO THE LORD AND RETURN TO HIM.
• HE IS NOT OUT TO GET YOU! He loves you.
• Those with problem children have somewhat of an understanding of this.
• Your child might be the worst human on the planet, yet if they came back to you with broken, repentant heart, you would be there for them!
CONCLUSION
• In order to truly build a new you, one must experience a transformation of the Heart!
• We can become a new creation in Jesus! What is holding you back? God love you!
• Come forward today!
