The gospel summarized in two words. -But God-- two of the most beautiful and powerful words in the Bible. - BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ -by grace you have been saved-, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.- Ephesians 2-4-6

Ephesians 1-15-16, -15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.---Galatians 5-6, -For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.-

Psalm 53-6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion- -When God brings back the captivity of His people,-Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.--Ephesians 1-3-6 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

In Joel 3, the prophet declares the coming judgment of God on the whole earth- And what is the reason for that judgment- God's love for His own people- And what happens after the judgement- ---So you shall know that I am the LORD your God,---Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain.---Then Jerusalem shall be holy,---And no aliens shall ever pass through her again.----And it will come to pass in that day---That the mountains shall drip with new wine,---The hills shall flow with milk,---And all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water----A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD---And water the Valley of Acacias.-----Egypt shall be a desolation,---And Edom a desolate wilderness,---Because of violence against the people of Judah,---For they have shed innocent blood in their land.-But Judah shall abide forever, And Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will acquit them of the guilt of bloodshed, whom I had not acquitted- --For the LORD dwells in Zion.--Joel 3-17-21

The book of Joel is one of the later prophets and his prophecies concern and challenge not idolatry but the cynicism and nihilism that riddled Israel after the return from captivity. The 2nd chapter tells of a coming time, a real event that would happen to real people-the gracious outpouring of God's Spirit in full measure. In addition to Joel's prophecy, this morning we also heard from Acts 2-the account that Joel was telling of. We also sang Psalm 110 and Psalm 16, both of which are quoted by Peter in his sermon on Pentecost. Give thanks to our God for pouring out His Spirit and that His Spirit lives with us and in us in full measure.

This topical sermon addresses the question, -What do our children need to know and believe when making a public profession of their faith.- It's purpose is to answer that question and provide guidance to parents in teaching and training their children in truth and helping to guide and assess their spiritual walks. A listening-note guide is attached.