Falls Presbyterian Church (OPC)

In mighty restoring power, God provides a fountain of grace. How? 1. The LORD our God came to dwell with us. (v.17) 2. Grace from God flows like a fountain to us through His house. (v.18-20) 3. Our LORD God pardons our guilt. (v. 21) How does this grace fountain apply to us? What comes out of the temple? Ezekiel 47:1-12 Eph. 2:20-22 Where will the water of life flow one day? Rev. 22:1-2 What is God faithful to do for us? 1 Jn. 1:9 Jn.7:37-38

In worship, we envision and celebrate the blessings that God often gives in Christ. 1. God often blesses God-fearers with fruit from our work. (v.1-2) 2. God often blesses God-fearers with marriages and spiritual children. (v.3-4) 3. We pray for God to give grandchildren, and the good/peace of the church. (v.5-6) What pathway does a blessed life often take? For our daily work/jobs, how is God involved? Col. 3:23-24 Where are echoes of this Psalm? Eph. 1:3; 6:4, Gal. 4:26; 6:16 Those who fear God also do what? Acts 10:34-35

1. Jesus: the Word of our God 2. Jesus: the Light of our World 3. Jesus: the Glory of our God

The husband role in marriage pictures Christ's loving relationship to us! 1. How Christ loves us, His Bride. (v.25-31) 2. This profound mystery refers to Christ and His Church. (v.32) 3. We keep reforming marriage with true love and respect. (v.33) What does the Reformation have to do with marriage? What is a good thing to find, and what is its true origin? Prov.18:22. Who should respect marriage? Hebrews 13:4a When do people forbid marriage? 1 Timothy 4:1-5

We have the only truly safe place within our LORD, by faith. 1. When the Judge is ready, He summons all the nations. (v.9-11) 2. God knows when the time is ripe for Him to swing the sickle. (v.12-13) 3. The LORD revealed the universal scope of the Day of Judgment. (v.14-16) How do we apply the Word to our minds? (Lk. 12:20) How do we respond to Jesus' tone of warning? Mt. 24:1-25:46 For what sort of things will God judge people? Mt. 12:36 Why has God waited so long to come? Romans 2:4-5

We are utterly dependent on The Lord Jesus for any of our endeavors, especially spiritual ones. 1. Our efforts to build a house/temple/church are worthless, if The LORD is not building. (v.1a) 2. Our efforts to protect a city/Jerusalem/citizens are a fiasco, if The LORD is not protecting. (v.1b-2) 3. Our efforts to fill our homes/churches with believing children/people are useless, if The LORD is not giving and blessing. (v.3-5) How well are we depending on God? Col. 3:23-24 How much can we do without Jesus? John 5:19; 15:5, Mt. 16:18 Who is greater than Solomon? Mt. 12:42, Mk.4:38, Prov. 10:22 Who is/are the offspring of Abraham? Gal. 3:16,26, Rom. 8:29

When we return to the Lord, we gain sure hope of restoration. What can we expect from the Lord? 1. To the slavery, there will be an end. (v.1-3) 2. To the oppressors, there will be payback. (v.4-6) 3. Against all logic, there will be a full reversal. (v.7-8) How does returning to the Lord change so many things? How do trouble and mercy get dished out? Prov. 11:8 Jam. 2:12-13 What happens to those who troubled us? 2 Thess. 1:5-10 Who will be destroyed, and who will be saved? Phil.1:27-30

While we look back to God's great redeeming work in Christ, and while we struggle today, we constantly hope for and long for our future restoration. 1. We joyfully look back to the first coming of Christ in order to redeem us, since that gives meaning to every past moment of rejoicing. (v.1-3) 2. We pray for the future restoration of full blessings. (v.4) 3. We look forward with longing to the second coming of Christ, since it gives meaning to every present moment of suffering. (v.5-6) In what way does the metaphor of harvest fit our lives? In what do we abound more and more? Phil. 1:9-11 Why is patience an important piece of our lives? James 5:7-8 Who does the final harvesting? Revelation 14:14-16

God promised to rescue us, and described how we know that we are rescued. What is the evidence of our rescue? 1. The outpouring of The Spirit of The LORD. (v.28-29) 2. The coming of The Day of The LORD. (v.30-31) 3. The calling on The Name of The LORD. (v.32) What is the real benefit of being rescued? Of what day was Joel speaking? Acts 2:14-36 What does it mean for our future? 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13-14 In what way does our rescue come? Titus 3:3-7

The portrayal of God encircling His threatened people shows that He gives such security, stability, and peace that we sing songs of trust! 1. Security is found in trusting that we are as safe as God is invincible. (v.1-2) 2. Stability is found in knowing that God will not let us be tested beyond our ability, and so we are realistic as we learn to patiently wait for God to remove wicked powers. (v.3) 3. Peace is found in learning to pray with the awareness that good and bad are mixed – for now. (v.4-5) How are we encouraged by the image of encircling? Why are we immovable? Mt. 16:18, 1 Cor.15:58, Heb. 12:26-29 When does patience become necessary? Rom. 13:1 1 Cor. 10:13 How can we learn to pray with assurance? Eph. 2:14, 1 John 2:19

As Joel saw, the Spirit is God's amazing gift to restore us. 1. Know about the grand event, and celebrate. (v.1-4) 2. Evaluate the mixed reactions, and keep them in mind. (v.5-13) 3. Understand Peter's explanation, and call on God. (v.14-21) How does this apply to us? What do you know about the power of the Spirit? Ezekiel 37:9-14 Who may call on the name of the Lord? Romans 10:9-13 Who says not to harden your heart? Hebrews 3:7-12

The Lord is My Shepherd: In My Lord's House, part 3. 1. My Lord's house: the believer's incredible hope a. A meeting place b. A holy place 2. My dwelling place: the Lord's incredible grace a. Our claim b. Our assurance 3. My forever home: the believer's incredible life a. Our love song b. Our eternal song