A New Anointing
Joel 2
Introduction
: Joel 2:28-29 are a pair of verses that are coming used and studied especially within Pentecostal / charismatic circles.
Background
: The prophetic message in Joel’s book is a terrifying message to a certain degree.
Joel prophesied at a time of great devastation to the entire land of Judah.
This was in Joel’s understanding what
Moses
had spoken about in Deut. 28:36-46, he warned that, if the nation was disobedient, “Locusts will eat your crops.”
Transition
: What makes this message of Joel even more terrifying is that Joel goes on to explain in both prophetic and poetic language, that this plague, horrible as it may be, is nothing compared to the judgment of God that is coming!
Transition
: HOWEVER, we must not overlook the most remarkable section of this short prophesy. Through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Joel looks hundreds of years ahead to a time when God will pour out His Spirit “upon all people” (
2:28
).
We pick up now in
Acts 2
.
Interrogative
: What does the fulfillment of Joel’s prophesied fulfilled and validated in Acts 2 mean for us?
I. The Time of Final Judgment is closer now than ever
.
II. Spirit anointing and indwelling for service is no longer restricted to ‘privileged
.’
III. God is empowering and raising up a ‘last days’ prophetic inclusive community
.
What Joel was to ravaged Judah, the church is to a ravaged world; namely, a prophetic voice:
IV. Doors are open for God’s gracious salvation
!
“Everyone that call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Conclusion
: Often we equate Acts 2 and Pentecost with tongues, the gifts of the spirit and empowerment…and that it is too but it’s more than that!
It’s progression and warning:
It’s anointing for service:
It’s prophetic appeal for salvation:
It’s the church in its final days being the church!
Word to the Wise
Introduction: Let me finish my thoughts on Matthew 8-10. Jesus is moved for the people and to send disciples/others into the whitened harvest field. Jesus does give additional instructions and awareness of lays before them. Question: Why did Jesus not send the disciples to Gentiles and Samaritans? In Romans 1:16 Paul writes, “I am not…
Author and Authorization
Matthew 10:1-15 Introduction: This is where I left off last week. Because there is a ripen harvest prepared by God himself… Jesus says, 9:38, ‘So pray, to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into the fields.’ Pray =Ask =Send = thrust forth – ‘The harvest is…
The Lost – A Whitened Harvest
Introduction: Last week I spoke about what the oil running down Aaron’s beard was all about. It was about the separation of objects and especially people for God’s use. Transition: In the Book of Matthew, after Jesus taught about matters like praying, not judging others, the ‘golden rule’, the problem with worrying, and some other…
Oil on Aaron’s Beard
Psalm 133:1-2; Lev. 8:10-12 Introduction: Some of you may have heard or studied this image in scripture of oil soaking Aaron’s beard and dripping down all the way to his toes. This comes from Psalm 133:1-2 & Leviticus 8:10-12. I sensed the Lord was putting this in my heart and mind and what the significance…
Nothing Formed
Isaiah 54:1-17 Introduction: The last verse of Isaiah chapter 54 is one of the verses we lean on frequently. NLT – Isaiah 54:17 ‘But in that coming day no weapon (turned, formed, forged) against you will (succeed, prosper)’. ‘You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants…
Harvest Seed
2 Corinthians 9 Introduction: Last weekend I spoke to you about Sabbath rest and how (Labor Day) was one of those days as a day of extra ‘rest’. Labor Day is also known as the last (unofficial) weekend of the summer. That’s the natural time (God’s time) we are moving into. The first official day…
Why Rest
Labor Day today is a welcomed day not only because it recognizes workers/labors, but because it gives us an extra day of ‘rest’. Judaism[edit] Main article: Shabbat See also: Hebrew calendar Jewish Shabbat (Shabbath, Shabbes, Shobos, etc.) is a weekly day of rest, observed from sundown on Friday until the appearance of three stars in…
The Big Stick
Exodus 15:22-16:27 Introduction: Trustin God during Bitter Times ‘The people complained and turned against Moses.’Meaning: 1) to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lodge, pass the night 1a2) to abide, remain (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to rest or lodge 1c) (Hithpalpel) to dwell, abide 2) to grumble, complain, murmur…
The Big Wave
Exodus 14:15-31 Question: The ‘Big Wave’! God told them to tell Pharoah,‘to hold a feast’ better interpreted ‘make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim feast’ Exodus 5:1, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: Let my people go so they may hold a festival in my honor in the wilderness.’ Exodus 6:6-7 Ancient…