The Minors: Joel | Rev. Seann Duffin

Well, happy summer everybody. We're deep Well, happy summer everybody. We're deep into it here in Houston. It's a zillion into it here in Houston. It's a zillion into it here in Houston. It's a zillion degrees outside. And and my favorite degrees outside. And and my favorite degrees outside. And and my favorite part about it is that not only is the part about it is that not only is the part about it is that not only is the air hot from above, the ground gets hot air hot from above, the ground gets hot air hot from above, the ground gets hot from below and it radiates on you. And from below and it radiates on you. And from below and it radiates on you. And as soon as you walk outside, it's like as soon as you walk outside, it's like as soon as you walk outside, it's like you're a turkey cooking in an oven. It's you're a turkey cooking in an oven. It's you're a turkey cooking in an oven. It's just the worst. just the worst. just the worst. But there's a lot that's going right. But there's a lot that's going right. But there's a lot that's going right. Kids have been off to summer camp. Youth Kids have been off to summer camp. Youth Kids have been off to summer camp. Youth have been on mission trips. The World have been on mission trips. The World have been on mission trips. The World Cup has given us a taste of what it's Cup has given us a taste of what it's Cup has given us a taste of what it's like for nations to come together in like for nations to come together in like for nations to come together in friendly competition. The Astros are friendly competition. The Astros are friendly competition. The Astros are only two and a half games back as we only two and a half games back as we only two and a half games back as we approach the All-Star break. And this approach the All-Star break. And this approach the All-Star break. And this summer, of course, is a special summer summer, of course, is a special summer summer, of course, is a special summer in the US. It's our semiquincentennial. in the US. It's our semiquincentennial. in the US. It's our semiquincentennial. Love that word. Uh celebrating our 250th Love that word. Uh celebrating our 250th Love that word. Uh celebrating our 250th anniversary as a nation. It's not the anniversary as a nation. It's not the anniversary as a nation. It's not the only reason we're having lunch as a only reason we're having lunch as a only reason we're having lunch as a church together today, but it's church together today, but it's church together today, but it's something we can celebrate as we share something we can celebrate as we share something we can celebrate as we share hamburgers and hot dogs after worship.

hamburgers and hot dogs after worship. hamburgers and hot dogs after worship. And here in worship, we're starting a And here in worship, we're starting a And here in worship, we're starting a series called the minors. Each week, series called the minors. Each week, series called the minors. Each week, we'll look at one of the minor prophets we'll look at one of the minor prophets we'll look at one of the minor prophets from the Old Testament. We'll start this from the Old Testament. We'll start this from the Old Testament. We'll start this morning from the book of Joel, and we'll morning from the book of Joel, and we'll morning from the book of Joel, and we'll go on um to talk about Amos and Jonah go on um to talk about Amos and Jonah go on um to talk about Amos and Jonah and Hosea and Haggi. We won't talk about and Hosea and Haggi. We won't talk about and Hosea and Haggi. We won't talk about them all, but there are 12 total of them all, but there are 12 total of them all, but there are 12 total of these minor prophets. And we call them these minor prophets. And we call them these minor prophets. And we call them minor prophets not because there's minor prophets not because there's minor prophets not because there's something less than about them. It's not something less than about them. It's not something less than about them. It's not like baseball where if they get good like baseball where if they get good like baseball where if they get good enough, they'll become a major league enough, they'll become a major league enough, they'll become a major league prophet. The minor in this case just prophet. The minor in this case just prophet. The minor in this case just refers to the relatively short length of refers to the relatively short length of refers to the relatively short length of the book when compared to major prophets the book when compared to major prophets the book when compared to major prophets like Jeremiah or Isaiah. But before we like Jeremiah or Isaiah. But before we like Jeremiah or Isaiah. But before we get to our scripture reading this get to our scripture reading this get to our scripture reading this morning, let's talk about prophets in morning, let's talk about prophets in morning, let's talk about prophets in general. There are 17 books of the Old general. There are 17 books of the Old general. There are 17 books of the Old Testament that are named after a Testament that are named after a Testament that are named after a prophet. 12 minor prophets, those short prophet. 12 minor prophets, those short prophet. 12 minor prophets, those short books, five major prophets, the long books, five major prophets, the long books, five major prophets, the long books. And by definition, a prophet in books. And by definition, a prophet in books. And by definition, a prophet in the Bible, is someone who delivers a the Bible, is someone who delivers a the Bible, is someone who delivers a message from God to God's people.

message from God to God's people. message from God to God's people. delivers a message from God to God's delivers a message from God to God's delivers a message from God to God's people. And the prophets that we'll talk people. And the prophets that we'll talk people. And the prophets that we'll talk about this summer all have different about this summer all have different about this summer all have different messages that they're delivering to messages that they're delivering to messages that they're delivering to God's people because they're talking to God's people because they're talking to God's people because they're talking to a particular people in a particular a particular people in a particular a particular people in a particular place at a particular time. But every place at a particular time. But every place at a particular time. But every prophet in the Old Testament, minor and prophet in the Old Testament, minor and prophet in the Old Testament, minor and major, every prophet aims to do the same major, every prophet aims to do the same major, every prophet aims to do the same thing, and that's to remind God's people thing, and that's to remind God's people thing, and that's to remind God's people to be faithful. to be faithful. to be faithful. More specifically, prophets call the More specifically, prophets call the More specifically, prophets call the people to faithfulness people to faithfulness people to faithfulness by recalling God's faithfulness. This is by recalling God's faithfulness. This is by recalling God's faithfulness. This is the aim of every prophet in the Old the aim of every prophet in the Old the aim of every prophet in the Old Testament to call people to faithfulness Testament to call people to faithfulness Testament to call people to faithfulness by recalling God's faithfulness. So, by recalling God's faithfulness. So, by recalling God's faithfulness. So, every prophet in the Old Testament in every prophet in the Old Testament in every prophet in the Old Testament in some way will speak about the some way will speak about the some way will speak about the faithfulness of God. How God is patient faithfulness of God. How God is patient faithfulness of God. How God is patient and kind and forgiving. How God has led and kind and forgiving. How God has led and kind and forgiving. How God has led the people out of slavery in Egypt and the people out of slavery in Egypt and the people out of slavery in Egypt and into freedom in the promised land. How into freedom in the promised land. How into freedom in the promised land. How God has protected and provided and loved God has protected and provided and loved God has protected and provided and loved and guided. This is the story of the and guided. This is the story of the and guided. This is the story of the Bible. God is faithful to God's people Bible. God is faithful to God's people Bible. God is faithful to God's people even when God's people are not faithful even when God's people are not faithful even when God's people are not faithful to God. And thus, the prophets recall to God. And thus, the prophets recall to God. And thus, the prophets recall God's faithfulness as a way to call us God's faithfulness as a way to call us God's faithfulness as a way to call us all back to faithful living. Whatever all back to faithful living. Whatever all back to faithful living. Whatever ways we've sinned against God, whatever ways we've sinned against God, whatever ways we've sinned against God, whatever ways we've neglected the work God has ways we've neglected the work God has ways we've neglected the work God has given us, whatever ways we've drifted given us, whatever ways we've drifted given us, whatever ways we've drifted off course, it's time, the prophets say,

off course, it's time, the prophets say, off course, it's time, the prophets say, to get back on track. That's the clear to get back on track. That's the clear to get back on track. That's the clear message we'll hear today from the message we'll hear today from the message we'll hear today from the prophet Joel. And and Joel, as we've prophet Joel. And and Joel, as we've prophet Joel. And and Joel, as we've mentioned, is one of the minor prophets mentioned, is one of the minor prophets mentioned, is one of the minor prophets of the Old Testament. But that's of the Old Testament. But that's of the Old Testament. But that's basically all we know about him. And the basically all we know about him. And the basically all we know about him. And the book that bears his name is pretty book that bears his name is pretty book that bears his name is pretty short. It's only three chapters long. short. It's only three chapters long. short. It's only three chapters long. It's also pretty non-specific, It's also pretty non-specific, It's also pretty non-specific, meaning that he never clearly names the meaning that he never clearly names the meaning that he never clearly names the problem. Some of the prophets are very problem. Some of the prophets are very problem. Some of the prophets are very specific about what's gone wrong. They specific about what's gone wrong. They specific about what's gone wrong. They they say that the rich have cheated the they say that the rich have cheated the they say that the rich have cheated the poor. They say that the people have poor. They say that the people have poor. They say that the people have neglected their God-given responsibility neglected their God-given responsibility neglected their God-given responsibility to care for those in need, and thus a to care for those in need, and thus a to care for those in need, and thus a disaster has fallen upon you. Joel disaster has fallen upon you. Joel disaster has fallen upon you. Joel doesn't do that. He never names exactly doesn't do that. He never names exactly doesn't do that. He never names exactly what the people have done wrong. what the people have done wrong. what the people have done wrong. But it's clear that he thinks the people But it's clear that he thinks the people But it's clear that he thinks the people have strayed very far from the life God have strayed very far from the life God have strayed very far from the life God intends for them to live. And I kind of intends for them to live. And I kind of intends for them to live. And I kind of like this lack of specificity because it like this lack of specificity because it like this lack of specificity because it leaves room for all of us to find leaves room for all of us to find leaves room for all of us to find ourselves in the story to search our own ourselves in the story to search our own ourselves in the story to search our own hearts and discover the ways that that hearts and discover the ways that that hearts and discover the ways that that we have fallen short. The ways that we have fallen short. The ways that we have fallen short. The ways that we've neglected our God-given we've neglected our God-given we've neglected our God-given responsibilities, the way that we have responsibilities, the way that we have responsibilities, the way that we have failed to live faithfully.

failed to live faithfully. failed to live faithfully. What Joel is clear about is that there's What Joel is clear about is that there's What Joel is clear about is that there's disaster in the land. And something even disaster in the land. And something even disaster in the land. And something even worse is on its way. The disaster that's worse is on its way. The disaster that's worse is on its way. The disaster that's already befallen the people is a plague already befallen the people is a plague already befallen the people is a plague of locusts. Locusts, if you're not of locusts. Locusts, if you're not of locusts. Locusts, if you're not familiar, they're like big grasshoppers. familiar, they're like big grasshoppers. familiar, they're like big grasshoppers. And they sometimes gather in these huge And they sometimes gather in these huge And they sometimes gather in these huge swarms. And when they do, they devour swarms. And when they do, they devour swarms. And when they do, they devour everything. If they land in a field of everything. If they land in a field of everything. If they land in a field of crops, the next day it's all gone. Bare crops, the next day it's all gone. Bare crops, the next day it's all gone. Bare dirt. Somebody calls them the Rambo of dirt. Somebody calls them the Rambo of dirt. Somebody calls them the Rambo of insects. Total destruction. This is what insects. Total destruction. This is what insects. Total destruction. This is what happened throughout the region where happened throughout the region where happened throughout the region where Joel lives. Utter destruction of the Joel lives. Utter destruction of the Joel lives. Utter destruction of the fields. And so they're facing an fields. And so they're facing an fields. And so they're facing an economic disaster, a humanitarian economic disaster, a humanitarian economic disaster, a humanitarian crisis, an ecological crisis. And it's crisis, an ecological crisis. And it's crisis, an ecological crisis. And it's just the beginning, says Joel. There's just the beginning, says Joel. There's just the beginning, says Joel. There's so much worse to come in this land that so much worse to come in this land that so much worse to come in this land that they love unless they love unless they love unless unless God intervenes. Unless God unless God intervenes. Unless God unless God intervenes. Unless God intervenes in the world, unless God does intervenes in the world, unless God does intervenes in the world, unless God does something to save them, there is no something to save them, there is no something to save them, there is no hope. That's the context. So, let's read hope. That's the context. So, let's read hope. That's the context. So, let's read what Joel has to say. We'll read from what Joel has to say. We'll read from what Joel has to say. We'll read from Joel 2:es 12-17. We'll have the words on Joel 2:es 12-17. We'll have the words on Joel 2:es 12-17. We'll have the words on the screen as well. Listen for the word the screen as well. Listen for the word the screen as well. Listen for the word of God. Yet, even now, says the Lord, of God. Yet, even now, says the Lord, of God. Yet, even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with return to me with all your heart, with return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with fasting, with weeping, and with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Rend your hearts and not your mourning. Rend your hearts and not your mourning. Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God, clothing. Return to the Lord your God, clothing. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to for he is gracious and merciful, slow to for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love

anger and abounding in steadfast love anger and abounding in steadfast love and relents from punishing. Now, let's and relents from punishing. Now, let's and relents from punishing. Now, let's pause right there. Do you see what Joel pause right there. Do you see what Joel pause right there. Do you see what Joel is doing? He's doing what all prophets is doing? He's doing what all prophets is doing? He's doing what all prophets do, calling the people to faithfulness. do, calling the people to faithfulness. do, calling the people to faithfulness. Return to me with all your heart. Return to me with all your heart. Return to me with all your heart. Calling the people to faithfulness by Calling the people to faithfulness by Calling the people to faithfulness by recalling God's faithfulness. Because recalling God's faithfulness. Because recalling God's faithfulness. Because God is gracious and merciful, slow to God is gracious and merciful, slow to God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love anger and abounding in steadfast love anger and abounding in steadfast love and relents from punishing. Let's keep and relents from punishing. Let's keep and relents from punishing. Let's keep going. Verse 14. Who knows whether he going. Verse 14. Who knows whether he going. Verse 14. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent? And leave a will not turn and relent? And leave a will not turn and relent? And leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering, blessing behind him, a grain offering, blessing behind him, a grain offering, and a drink offering for the Lord your and a drink offering for the Lord your and a drink offering for the Lord your God. Blow the trumpet in Zion. Sanctify God. Blow the trumpet in Zion. Sanctify God. Blow the trumpet in Zion. Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly. Gather a fast. Call a solemn assembly. Gather a fast. Call a solemn assembly. Gather the people. Sanctify the congregation. the people. Sanctify the congregation. the people. Sanctify the congregation. Assemble the aged. Gather the children. Assemble the aged. Gather the children. Assemble the aged. Gather the children. Even infants at the breast. Let the Even infants at the breast. Let the Even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride bridegroom leave his room and the bride bridegroom leave his room and the bride her canopy. Between the vestable and the her canopy. Between the vestable and the her canopy. Between the vestable and the altar, let the priests, the ministers of altar, let the priests, the ministers of altar, let the priests, the ministers of the Lord weep. Let them say, "Spare your the Lord weep. Let them say, "Spare your the Lord weep. Let them say, "Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your people, O Lord, and do not make your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the heritage a mockery, a byword among the heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the nations. Why should it be said among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples? Where is their God? This is the peoples? Where is their God? This is the peoples? Where is their God? This is the word of God for the people of God.

word of God for the people of God. word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God." So, as we've Thanks be to God." So, as we've Thanks be to God." So, as we've mentioned, things are bad in Judah. mentioned, things are bad in Judah. mentioned, things are bad in Judah. And Joel doesn't promise that they'll And Joel doesn't promise that they'll And Joel doesn't promise that they'll get better. Joel doesn't promise that da get better. Joel doesn't promise that da get better. Joel doesn't promise that da disaster will be averted. He doesn't disaster will be averted. He doesn't disaster will be averted. He doesn't promise that if we change our ways, promise that if we change our ways, promise that if we change our ways, it'll change our future. He doesn't it'll change our future. He doesn't it'll change our future. He doesn't promise, but he knows it's possible. He promise, but he knows it's possible. He promise, but he knows it's possible. He knows it's possible that God will step knows it's possible that God will step knows it's possible that God will step in, that God will intervene in the human in, that God will intervene in the human in, that God will intervene in the human world because God is gracious and world because God is gracious and world because God is gracious and merciful. God is slow to anger and merciful. God is slow to anger and merciful. God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Joel abounding in steadfast love. Joel abounding in steadfast love. Joel doesn't promise, but he knows it's doesn't promise, but he knows it's doesn't promise, but he knows it's possible. And the way he says it is possible. And the way he says it is possible. And the way he says it is this. It's in verse 14. Who knows? Who this. It's in verse 14. Who knows? Who this. It's in verse 14. Who knows? Who knows whether God will not relent, turn knows whether God will not relent, turn knows whether God will not relent, turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind and relent, and leave a blessing behind and relent, and leave a blessing behind him? Who knows? him? Who knows? him? Who knows? There's a humble hope in that phrase. There's a humble hope in that phrase. There's a humble hope in that phrase. Who knows? Who knows? Who knows? Joel knows that we can't control the Joel knows that we can't control the Joel knows that we can't control the future. Joel knows that we can't future. Joel knows that we can't future. Joel knows that we can't manipulate God into doing what we want.

manipulate God into doing what we want. manipulate God into doing what we want. But Joel also knows how long-suffering But Joel also knows how long-suffering But Joel also knows how long-suffering and patient our God has been with us. and patient our God has been with us. and patient our God has been with us. Joel knows that God has always yearned Joel knows that God has always yearned Joel knows that God has always yearned to give life instead of death. That God to give life instead of death. That God to give life instead of death. That God is determined to forgive us and welcome is determined to forgive us and welcome is determined to forgive us and welcome us back no matter what we've done. He us back no matter what we've done. He us back no matter what we've done. He doesn't promise, but he knows it's doesn't promise, but he knows it's doesn't promise, but he knows it's possible. That just as God has done in possible. That just as God has done in possible. That just as God has done in the past, God could also do for us now. the past, God could also do for us now. the past, God could also do for us now. Who knows? Maybe God will. Maybe God, Who knows? Maybe God will. Maybe God, Who knows? Maybe God will. Maybe God, who always goes before us, will leave a who always goes before us, will leave a who always goes before us, will leave a blessing behind. blessing behind. blessing behind. So Joel is confident that we can't So Joel is confident that we can't So Joel is confident that we can't control the future, but he's equally control the future, but he's equally control the future, but he's equally confident that we can control what we do confident that we can control what we do confident that we can control what we do now. And what we're going to do now, now. And what we're going to do now, now. And what we're going to do now, Joel says, is live faithfully. We are Joel says, is live faithfully. We are Joel says, is live faithfully. We are going to return to God. All of us, young going to return to God. All of us, young going to return to God. All of us, young and old, and everyone in between. The and old, and everyone in between. The and old, and everyone in between. The weak, the strong, and everyone in weak, the strong, and everyone in weak, the strong, and everyone in between. Those who are rejoicing, those between. Those who are rejoicing, those between. Those who are rejoicing, those who are weeping, and everyone in who are weeping, and everyone in who are weeping, and everyone in between. We're going to return to God between. We're going to return to God between. We're going to return to God together. We're going to live the way together. We're going to live the way together. We're going to live the way God wants us to live. And not because God wants us to live. And not because God wants us to live. And not because it's going to get us anything, not it's going to get us anything, not it's going to get us anything, not because it's going to earn us anything, because it's going to earn us anything, because it's going to earn us anything, not because it's going to make things not because it's going to make things not because it's going to make things better for us.

better for us. better for us. We're going to do these things because We're going to do these things because We're going to do these things because they're the right thing to do. It is the they're the right thing to do. It is the they're the right thing to do. It is the right thing for those who love God to be right thing for those who love God to be right thing for those who love God to be faithful to God. God's been faithful to faithful to God. God's been faithful to faithful to God. God's been faithful to us. Joel says we will be faithful to God us. Joel says we will be faithful to God us. Joel says we will be faithful to God in return. And the way he summons the in return. And the way he summons the in return. And the way he summons the people is important. It's verse 12. And people is important. It's verse 12. And people is important. It's verse 12. And this is where we'll spend the rest of this is where we'll spend the rest of this is where we'll spend the rest of our time this morning. Here's what he our time this morning. Here's what he our time this morning. Here's what he says. Yet even now, says the Lord, says. Yet even now, says the Lord, says. Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart. The return to me with all your heart. The return to me with all your heart. The key part, even now. key part, even now. key part, even now. You might know that the books of the Old You might know that the books of the Old You might know that the books of the Old Testament were originally written in Testament were originally written in Testament were originally written in Hebrew and that we've translated them Hebrew and that we've translated them Hebrew and that we've translated them into English. And one of the wonderful into English. And one of the wonderful into English. And one of the wonderful things about the Hebrew language is that things about the Hebrew language is that things about the Hebrew language is that it's this beautiful poetic multi-layered it's this beautiful poetic multi-layered it's this beautiful poetic multi-layered language. And the phrase that we're language. And the phrase that we're language. And the phrase that we're talking about here in English, it's even talking about here in English, it's even talking about here in English, it's even now. In Hebrew, it's gamata. It means now. In Hebrew, it's gamata. It means now. In Hebrew, it's gamata. It means two things. And I don't mean that it two things. And I don't mean that it two things. And I don't mean that it could mean two different things and you could mean two different things and you could mean two different things and you have to choose. I mean that it means have to choose. I mean that it means have to choose. I mean that it means both things at the same time. It's a both things at the same time. It's a both things at the same time. It's a both and even now. The first sense of both and even now. The first sense of both and even now. The first sense of this phrase is that there's no excuse.

this phrase is that there's no excuse. this phrase is that there's no excuse. There's nothing that prevents you from There's nothing that prevents you from There's nothing that prevents you from turning or returning to God. And I turning or returning to God. And I turning or returning to God. And I really kind of like this sense of really kind of like this sense of really kind of like this sense of returning because when you return returning because when you return returning because when you return something, you take it back to where it something, you take it back to where it something, you take it back to where it belongs. You return a rental car, you belongs. You return a rental car, you belongs. You return a rental car, you return a library book, you take it back return a library book, you take it back return a library book, you take it back to where it came from, which is where it to where it came from, which is where it to where it came from, which is where it belongs. Our family, we are very avid belongs. Our family, we are very avid belongs. Our family, we are very avid users of the public library down on users of the public library down on users of the public library down on Eldridge. And Elizabeth, James, Sarah, Eldridge. And Elizabeth, James, Sarah, Eldridge. And Elizabeth, James, Sarah, they're constantly reading like six they're constantly reading like six they're constantly reading like six books a day. And so our house is books a day. And so our house is books a day. And so our house is constantly full of library books. A constantly full of library books. A constantly full of library books. A while back, Elizabeth asked me, "Would while back, Elizabeth asked me, "Would while back, Elizabeth asked me, "Would you return the library books?" "I put you return the library books?" "I put you return the library books?" "I put them in your car." "Oh, sure, no them in your car." "Oh, sure, no them in your car." "Oh, sure, no problem," I said. But I got in my car problem," I said. But I got in my car problem," I said. But I got in my car and there was no room for me. There was and there was no room for me. There was and there was no room for me. There was books piled on every seat. But I take books piled on every seat. But I take books piled on every seat. But I take them back and at the library they have them back and at the library they have them back and at the library they have this handy little check-in kiosk. You this handy little check-in kiosk. You this handy little check-in kiosk. You put the book on a little conveyor belt. put the book on a little conveyor belt. put the book on a little conveyor belt. It pulls the book in. It scans it. Says, It pulls the book in. It scans it. Says, It pulls the book in. It scans it. Says, "Return successful. Easy." Well, I do "Return successful. Easy." Well, I do "Return successful. Easy." Well, I do this with all the books. And on the last this with all the books. And on the last this with all the books. And on the last book, it kept pulling the book in, book, it kept pulling the book in, book, it kept pulling the book in, flashing red, sending the book back out flashing red, sending the book back out flashing red, sending the book back out with a message that said, "Unable to with a message that said, "Unable to with a message that said, "Unable to return." I did it over and over. It kept return." I did it over and over. It kept return." I did it over and over. It kept spitting it back out to me. So, I took spitting it back out to me. So, I took spitting it back out to me. So, I took it to the desk and the lady there it to the desk and the lady there it to the desk and the lady there scanned it and said, "Oh, that's weird.

scanned it and said, "Oh, that's weird. scanned it and said, "Oh, that's weird. It says unable to return." And I said, It says unable to return." And I said, It says unable to return." And I said, 'Yes, I know, but that will never happen 'Yes, I know, but that will never happen 'Yes, I know, but that will never happen with God. You can always return to God with God. You can always return to God with God. You can always return to God because God is gracious and merciful, because God is gracious and merciful, because God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast slow to anger, abounding in steadfast slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. Even now, love. Even now, love. Even now, no matter how bad things might have no matter how bad things might have no matter how bad things might have gotten, no matter how many mistakes gotten, no matter how many mistakes gotten, no matter how many mistakes you've made, no matter how often you've you've made, no matter how often you've you've made, no matter how often you've ignored the call, no matter how long ignored the call, no matter how long ignored the call, no matter how long you've been meaning to, no matter what you've been meaning to, no matter what you've been meaning to, no matter what someone else said, no matter why you someone else said, no matter why you someone else said, no matter why you walked away in the first place, God will walked away in the first place, God will walked away in the first place, God will never prevent you from returning to him. never prevent you from returning to him. never prevent you from returning to him. Because that's where you've come from Because that's where you've come from Because that's where you've come from and that's where you belong. and that's where you belong. and that's where you belong. I wonder about this in other parts of I wonder about this in other parts of I wonder about this in other parts of life, too. We often think, "Oh, it's too life, too. We often think, "Oh, it's too life, too. We often think, "Oh, it's too late. I'm too old. It's been too long." late. I'm too old. It's been too long." late. I'm too old. It's been too long." But even now, But even now, But even now, despite all the years that you've been despite all the years that you've been despite all the years that you've been estranged, estranged, estranged, you could reach out to that person and you could reach out to that person and you could reach out to that person and say, "I'm sorry. I've missed you." Even say, "I'm sorry. I've missed you." Even say, "I'm sorry. I've missed you." Even now, despite all of the times you now, despite all of the times you now, despite all of the times you didn't, you could spend more time with didn't, you could spend more time with didn't, you could spend more time with your kids.

your kids. your kids. You could get sober. You could make You could get sober. You could make You could get sober. You could make amends. You could ask for help. You amends. You could ask for help. You amends. You could ask for help. You could start the read start to read the could start the read start to read the could start the read start to read the Bible. You could break that bad habit. Bible. You could break that bad habit. Bible. You could break that bad habit. Even now. Even now. Even now. Even now, 250 years into the American Even now, 250 years into the American Even now, 250 years into the American exper experiment in the midst of deep exper experiment in the midst of deep exper experiment in the midst of deep division, division, division, we could we could we could pledge to put people before politics. pledge to put people before politics. pledge to put people before politics. We could harness the world's largest We could harness the world's largest We could harness the world's largest economy to make sure that every hungry economy to make sure that every hungry economy to make sure that every hungry person is fed. We could create space for person is fed. We could create space for person is fed. We could create space for kindness and warmth and welcome. We kindness and warmth and welcome. We kindness and warmth and welcome. We could double down on the dream of could double down on the dream of could double down on the dream of liberty and justice for all. We could liberty and justice for all. We could liberty and justice for all. We could listen more and shout less. We could listen more and shout less. We could listen more and shout less. We could turn off the cable news and go serve at turn off the cable news and go serve at turn off the cable news and go serve at the community food bank. We could no the community food bank. We could no the community food bank. We could no promises but also no excuses. Much is promises but also no excuses. Much is promises but also no excuses. Much is possible in this land that we love even possible in this land that we love even possible in this land that we love even now. now. now. Because who knows, maybe God who always Because who knows, maybe God who always Because who knows, maybe God who always goes before us will again leave a goes before us will again leave a goes before us will again leave a blessing behind. So that's the first blessing behind. So that's the first blessing behind. So that's the first sense. There's no excuse even now.

sense. There's no excuse even now. sense. There's no excuse even now. Here's the second sense. Now is the Here's the second sense. Now is the Here's the second sense. Now is the time. This is a call that cannot wait. time. This is a call that cannot wait. time. This is a call that cannot wait. For Joel and the people in his world, For Joel and the people in his world, For Joel and the people in his world, things are only going to get worse. things are only going to get worse. things are only going to get worse. They've got to act now if there's going They've got to act now if there's going They've got to act now if there's going to be any hope. And you know there are to be any hope. And you know there are to be any hope. And you know there are people in the wider world today who talk people in the wider world today who talk people in the wider world today who talk about how the church is dying. It's not about how the church is dying. It's not about how the church is dying. It's not true though. The church will never die. true though. The church will never die. true though. The church will never die. But what they mean is that the church is But what they mean is that the church is But what they mean is that the church is losing influence in the culture. That is losing influence in the culture. That is losing influence in the culture. That is undoubtedly true. Fewer people attend a undoubtedly true. Fewer people attend a undoubtedly true. Fewer people attend a worship service regularly. Fewer people worship service regularly. Fewer people worship service regularly. Fewer people are members of churches. Fewer people are members of churches. Fewer people are members of churches. Fewer people prioritize Christian community. Fewer prioritize Christian community. Fewer prioritize Christian community. Fewer people identify as Christians in the people identify as Christians in the people identify as Christians in the first place. And yet even now, first place. And yet even now, first place. And yet even now, regardless of any shrinking influence or regardless of any shrinking influence or regardless of any shrinking influence or lack of resources, regardless of the lack of resources, regardless of the lack of resources, regardless of the ways we've gotten it wrong, despite all ways we've gotten it wrong, despite all ways we've gotten it wrong, despite all the times we've thought more about the times we've thought more about the times we've thought more about making ourselves comfortable than making ourselves comfortable than making ourselves comfortable than helping those in need, even now, the helping those in need, even now, the helping those in need, even now, the call to the church is clear. call to the church is clear. call to the church is clear. Preach the gospel of God's love to all Preach the gospel of God's love to all Preach the gospel of God's love to all the world. Proclaim that Jesus is Lord the world. Proclaim that Jesus is Lord the world. Proclaim that Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth and everything in of heaven and earth and everything in of heaven and earth and everything in between. Seek the lost. Comfort the between. Seek the lost. Comfort the between. Seek the lost. Comfort the lonely, feed the hungry, heal the sick, lonely, feed the hungry, heal the sick, lonely, feed the hungry, heal the sick, include the excluded, free the include the excluded, free the include the excluded, free the oppressed. As John says it a thousand oppressed. As John says it a thousand oppressed. As John says it a thousand years after Joel, love not in word and years after Joel, love not in word and years after Joel, love not in word and speech, but in truth and deed. Even now, speech, but in truth and deed. Even now, speech, but in truth and deed. Even now, there's no excuse, and the time is now.

there's no excuse, and the time is now. there's no excuse, and the time is now. We cannot wait to reach out in care and We cannot wait to reach out in care and We cannot wait to reach out in care and concern for our community. The time is concern for our community. The time is concern for our community. The time is now to make sure that every child who now to make sure that every child who now to make sure that every child who lives in the shadow of this steeple lives in the shadow of this steeple lives in the shadow of this steeple knows that they're loved, has what they knows that they're loved, has what they knows that they're loved, has what they need to thrive in this world. The time need to thrive in this world. The time need to thrive in this world. The time is now to make sure that every family is now to make sure that every family is now to make sure that every family that lives in our mission field knows that lives in our mission field knows that lives in our mission field knows that they are loved, that they can find that they are loved, that they can find that they are loved, that they can find welcome and rest here. The time is now welcome and rest here. The time is now welcome and rest here. The time is now to make sure that everybody who drives to make sure that everybody who drives to make sure that everybody who drives by this place finds here a beacon of by this place finds here a beacon of by this place finds here a beacon of love and light and healing and hope. And love and light and healing and hope. And love and light and healing and hope. And it's not so that we will get anything it's not so that we will get anything it's not so that we will get anything from it. It's not so that our future from it. It's not so that our future from it. It's not so that our future will be different. It's so that theirs will be different. It's so that theirs will be different. It's so that theirs will be will be will be because who knows? Maybe God will work because who knows? Maybe God will work because who knows? Maybe God will work through us and one of our neighbors will through us and one of our neighbors will through us and one of our neighbors will experience the grace of God for the very experience the grace of God for the very experience the grace of God for the very first time. Who knows? first time. Who knows? first time. Who knows? Maybe one of our neighbors will will Maybe one of our neighbors will will Maybe one of our neighbors will will learn to put their trust in Christ for learn to put their trust in Christ for learn to put their trust in Christ for the very first time. Who knows? Maybe a the very first time. Who knows? Maybe a the very first time. Who knows? Maybe a struggling someone will reconnect with struggling someone will reconnect with struggling someone will reconnect with the God who felt so far away for so the God who felt so far away for so the God who felt so far away for so long. Who knows? Maybe a teenager who long. Who knows? Maybe a teenager who long. Who knows? Maybe a teenager who has a hard time fitting in will find a has a hard time fitting in will find a has a hard time fitting in will find a place that feels like home. Who knows?

place that feels like home. Who knows? place that feels like home. Who knows? Maybe somebody finds the friend they Maybe somebody finds the friend they Maybe somebody finds the friend they didn't know they needed. There's no didn't know they needed. There's no didn't know they needed. There's no excuse. And the time is now to live as excuse. And the time is now to live as excuse. And the time is now to live as God's people in this place. God's people in this place. God's people in this place. Because who knows, maybe God who always Because who knows, maybe God who always Because who knows, maybe God who always goes before us will again leave a goes before us will again leave a goes before us will again leave a blessing behind. Let's pray. God, blessing behind. Let's pray. God, blessing behind. Let's pray. God, everything we have is a gift from you. everything we have is a gift from you. everything we have is a gift from you. Even our very lives have been created in Even our very lives have been created in Even our very lives have been created in your image. So God, help us to return to your image. So God, help us to return to your image. So God, help us to return to you, to offer ourselves, heart and mind, you, to offer ourselves, heart and mind, you, to offer ourselves, heart and mind, and soul to you so that you might do and soul to you so that you might do and soul to you so that you might do your will in us and through us. And may your will in us and through us. And may your will in us and through us. And may your spirit empower us now to live and your spirit empower us now to live and your spirit empower us now to live and love like your son Jesus. Reaching out love like your son Jesus. Reaching out love like your son Jesus. Reaching out in care and concern for everyone around in care and concern for everyone around in care and concern for everyone around us, sharing the good news that light us, sharing the good news that light us, sharing the good news that light shines in the darkness. That hope lives shines in the darkness. That hope lives shines in the darkness. That hope lives in the midst of heartache and that in the midst of heartache and that in the midst of heartache and that there's nothing that can separate us there's nothing that can separate us there's nothing that can separate us from your love. In the name of the from your love. In the name of the from your love. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, let all God's people say, "Amen.