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Stages III - "Start Moving"

09/01/19

September 1, 2019 • Paul Barnard

Stages III “Start Moving”

Joe 2:12 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; Joe 2:13 *and rend your hearts and not your garments*.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
*_Don’t be surface level_*

* Too many times we have this ritual understanding of approaching God with guilt. Similar to a child
* God uses broken people.
* The overwhelming nature of our treason against a loving father should break us.
* We placed our hands on the cross and it killed Jesus


Joe 2:14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?
*_Don't second guess_*

* Between the altar and the door is a critical time
* We are all about hitting action until we til it hits back
* We want to do whats right but on our own terms. Satan uses this


Joe 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; Joe 2:16 gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, *even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.*
*_Don't wait_*

* God’s desires the true test of our remorse through urgency.
* Pride stops us from moving forward. Fear stops us from moving forward.
* Fiery darts are thrown at us
* Eph 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Joe 2:17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare *your people*, O LORD, and make not *your heritage* a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”
* _Know your God_*

* Joe 2:13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.


*Life Group Questions:*

1. What are some “surface level” repentence actions that many people attempt?
2. What are some things that we can expect after we choose to move toward God that Satan will throw at us?
3. Why do these things that Satan throws at us seem to hinder us from making a move?
4. Why does procrastination of repentance happen so often in our lives? What excuses so we give?
5. What actions that we take in our life that shows that we do not understand God and His grace?
6. Do you struggle with the grace and moercy of God?
7. Contemplate and (share if willing) something you struggle with that you need to make a move on.

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