1. Cleansing from sin is only possible through the cleansing fountain of the blood of Jesus.

2. Repentance involves both a turning from sin and a returning to God.

3. God's Spirit can transform us in a way that is impossible by works alone.

Supplemental Text:

Titus 1:4-7

1 John 1:9

1 Thessalonians 4:3a

1 John 1:6-7

2 Thessalonians 2:13

The people had forgotten their identity as chosen children of God.

The task of the people is obedience, but obedience cannot produce salvation.

Application 1: Be proactive toward obedience.

Application 2: What in your life are you allowing to distract you from the Lord, rather than turn you toward him?Application 3: What are you busying yourself with, rather than building the Lord’s house?

Supplemental Text:

Ezra 1:1-4

Ezra 4:4-5

Romans 8:14-17

Philippians 2:12-13

1 Corinthians 3:16

Matthew 9:37

Matthew 1:12-16

1. The world's finest and greatest resources cannot defend or save us against the Judgement of the Lord.

2. Pride separates us from God's plan and makes us a tool of the enemy.

3. No justice will go unpunished because God is sovereign over all nations.

Application:

1. Repent.

2. Be helpful from God's Word toward others and not against it.

3. Don't be aloof in the day of others' distress.

4. Vengeance belongs to the Lord and we can trust in God's perfect justice in Christ.

1. The day of the Lord is a day of judgment.

2. We can respond to the Lord with repentance or rejection and He will respond with justification or judgment.

Application:

Take the Lord seriously

Take the Gospel of Jesus Christ seriously

Take repentance seriously

Take obedience seriously

Take your future hope seriously

Take evangelism and missions seriously

Supplemental Text:

Joel 1:15

Amos 5:18-20

Joel 1:4

Joel 1:9

Joel 2:2-9

Joel 2:12-14

Joel 2:18-19

Joel 3:9-12

Romans 5:8-10

2 Peter 3:9

1 Timothy 2:3-6

Psalm 51:17

Philippians 2:12-13

Romans 10:13-15

1. Know and trust the Lord’s character.

2. Have faith that God’s promises will be fulfilled and His purposes will be carried out.

3. By faith, confidently and freely approach the Father in honest prayer.

Supplemental Text:

Habakkuk 3:13

Habakkuk 2:14

John 1:14

2 Corinthians 4:6

Romans 1:16-17

Revelation 11:15

James 4:8

1 Peter 5:6-7

Philippians 4:6-7

Matthew 11:28-30

Hebrews 4:14-16

Habakkuk 3:17-19

1. Rebellion and unrepentant sin angers God.

2. Repentance is the appropriate response of rebellious people to the warnings of God.

3. Restoration is the faithful response of God towards those who humble themselves in repentance.

Application:

Repent Constantly

Repent Daily

Repent Weekly

Supplemental Text:

Romans 1:25

Acts 3:19-20

Psalm 91:1-2

Psalm 46:1-3

2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Psalm 51:16-17

2 Peter 3:9

Psalm 32:1-5

Luke 15:7

MAIN POINTS:

1. God is absolutely sovereign at all times, in all places, and in all circumstances.

2. Each of God’s attributes exists in perfect proportion to and harmony with the others.

3. Even in the darkest of situations, God provides hope and good news for His people.

4. God will ultimately destroy evil and establish eternal justice and righteousness.

TWO SIMPLE TAKEAWAYS:

1. To those who are not yet followers of Jesus Christ: we repeat to you the words Jesus Himself proclaimed when He began His earthly ministry: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

2. To those who are indeed followers of Jesus Christ: in light of God’s absolute sovereignty, His perfect and harmonious attributes, and His ultimate destruction of evil and establishment of eternal justice and righteousness—go and live in hope and joy!

Supplemental Texts:

Isaiah 10:5-12

1 Peter 5:5-7

Daniel 2:20-21

Exodus 34:6-7

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

Isaiah 52:6-7

Philippians 2:9-11

Revelation 21:1-5

Revelation 22:3-5

Isaiah 19:23-25

God forgives us, removes our sins from us, and delights in loving us.

1. Conviction of sin should lead us to confession of sin.

2. Confidence in God should lead us to confidence in his grace.

Supplemental Text:

Psalm 51:3-17

Proverbs 28:13

James 5:16

Matthew 18:15-17

Matthew 5:23-24

1 John 1:9

Psalm 103:10-12

1 Corinthians 15:22-28

Main Point: A life marked by justice and righteousness is the overflow of a heart in right relationship with God.

Justice and righteousness are rooted in the character of God.

Proper Response: Live a life characterized by the character of God. 

Justice and righteousness are rooted in the rule and reign of God.

Proper Response: Live under submission to the rule and reign of God.

Justice and righteousness are rooted in the grace and mercy of God.

Proper Response: Live as gospel proclaimers of the grace and mercy of God.

Supplemental Text:

Matthew 23:23

Revelation 2:2-5

Romans 12:1

Proverbs 21:3

Isaiah 30:18

Psalm 33:5

Psalm 89:14

Isaiah 9:7

Deuteronomy 24:17-21

Jeremiah 23:5

Luke 4:16-19

Amos 9:13-15

1. Let Us Return to the Lord:

That we may be healed.

That we may be revived.

That we may live.

2. Let Us Press On To Know Him:

That we may be renewed.

That we may be refreshed.

Supplemental Text:

1 Peter 2:24

Acts 3:19-21