"TURN TO GOD"
Intro: Text begins with therefore, but therefore is never a beginning.
Joel has been prophesying of the great day of the Lord when the
mighty Northern Army invades the land.
I. "TURN TO ME."
A. When should a person turn to God.
1. If you are wise, you will turn right now.
2. Anytime is a good time.
a. We have so much to gain.
b. I have never yet met the man who was sorry he
turned to God.
3. When there is no place else to turn.
a. Unfortunately many wait till then.
b. Better then than not at all.
c. Howard Goff.
B. How are we to turn to God?
1. With all your heart.
a. Some only seek a solution to their problem,
they do not truly seek God.
b. Once God has rescued them, they say it would
have happened anyhow, and they forget God.
1. Little boy sliding down barn roof.
c. God said to Jeremiah, "You will find Me when
you search with all your heart."
d. Many come to God with a half-hearted approach.
"If He wants to help, that's cool."
2. "With fasting, weeping and mourning."
a. When we get desperate enough, we'll do
anything.
b. Mourning indicates sorrow and "Godly sorrow
will lead to repentance," a real change in your
life.
3. Rend your hearts and not your garments.
a. To show great grief or emotion, they used to
tear their clothes.
1. It was an outward display of grief.
b. God looks on the heart, He would rather see a
heart that is torn.
C. Why should we turn to God?
1. For He is gracious and merciful.
a. It matters not how unworthy we are.
b. We humans react differently from God.
1. He's getting what he's got coming.
2. He deserves better than that.
3. But God is gracious and gives to all
that call upon Him alike.
c. Again remember the difference between grace and
mercy. They both spring from love.
1. Mercy is not getting what you deserve.
2. Grace is getting what you don't
deserve.
2. "He is of great kindness."
a. Words are pictures in the mind. They are
sometimes difficult to define.
b. We say, "He is such a kind man," I get a
picture in my mind - gentle, sweet, loving.
c. The kindest man who ever lived would appear
cruel standing next to God.
3. "It repents Him of the evil," or He doesn't want to use
harsh means to draw us to Himself.
a. It is of utmost importance that I come to God.
A. matter of life and death.
b. God, because He is gracious and kind, want me
to come a seek by all means to draw me.
1. He woos me with love, tells me the joys
and beauty He has for me.
2. He will use tragedy and heartbreak. He
does not like to. It repents Him.
4. Who knows what God in His grace and kindness will do
for you.
a. Others have ventured out on a "who knows?"
1. King of Assyria at time of Jonah.
2. Four leprous men outside Samaria.
Be the first to react on this!
Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.