1. Sermon Series on the Book of Joel “Rend Your Hearts” (Joel 2:12-17)
Starting on sermon series on the book of Joel
The Book of Joel is one of the books of the Old Testament in the Bible. The book states that it was written by the prophet Joel, although nothing is said about himself except that he was the son of Pethuel.

2. The Day of the Lord
2:1b for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, 2:2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Joe 2:1 Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near,
Joe 2:2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations.

3. The Day of the Lord
2:3 Fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them.
Joe 2:3 Fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them.

4. The Day of the Lord
2:4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, and like war horses they run…
Joe 2:4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, and like war horses they run.
Joe 2:5 As with the rumbling of chariots, they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, like a powerful army drawn up for battle.
Joe 2:6 Before them peoples are in anguish; all faces grow pale.
Joe 2:7 Like warriors they charge; like soldiers they scale the wall. They march each on his way; they do not swerve from their paths.
Joe 2:8 They do not jostle one another; each marches in his path; they burst through the weapons and are not halted.
Joe 2:9 They leap upon the city, they run upon the walls, they climb up into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief.
Joe 2:10 The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.

5. The Day of the Lord
2:11 The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it?
Joe 2:11 The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it?
His army – God’s army, his judgment.
He executes his word
Who can endure it?
God is in charge of his judgment.
Who can endure it? Who?

6. "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Joel 2:12-13
Even though the day of lord is coming, even though judgment is near, God is inviting his people to repent and return to Him.
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.
Good News Joe 2:12 "But even now," says the LORD, "repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning.
Joe 2:13 Let your broken heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough." Come back to the LORD your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish.
The tearing of one’s clothes is an ancient tradition among the Jews, and it is associated with mourning, grief, and loss.
God wants to see deep repentance

7. Keriah
KRI-YAH Tearing one’s clothes was a public and powerful expression of grief in ancient times. The practice is continued today in the Jewish practice of keriah. Today’s ritual is less spontaneous and more regulated: the garment is cut by a rabbi at a funeral service, as the bereaved recite words relating to God’s sovereignty. One tradition says that the mourner must tear the clothing over the heart—a sign of a broken heart. More important than outward shows of grief are true sorrow for sin and genuine repentance of the heart. The prophet Joel relayed God’s command: “Rend your heart and not your garments” (Joel 2:13). The One who sees the heart requires more than external ritual. 
What breaks God’s heart?
What garments do we need to rend?
Garments of materialism – putting material wealth above spiritual wealth.
Garments of “kiasuism” – fear of losing out and focusing on results or status.
Garments of egoism – putting personal needs above God, family and community. Winning at all costs
Garments of self-righteousness – pride in our external piety but shallow in our inward relationship with God. Condemning others instead of searching deep in our hearts for hidden or unconfessed sins.
Garments of complacency and laziness – being ambivalent, careless and slothful in the things and activities of God.

8. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Romans 2:29
God is concerned with what is on our hearts and not on outward rituals.
The Apostle Paul writes
But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Romans 2:29
Apostle Paul in his letter to Romans talks about the Holy Spirit who circumcises our hearts. He rends our hearts to love and obey God.
In preparation for the Day of the Lord, we must rend and circumcise our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

9. 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. Joel 2:13
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.
What prevents us from returning to God?
Pride (we don’t need God)
Self-condemnation (I am not good enough for God)
Anger and disappointment (angry or disappointed with God)
Strongholds (habitual sins, deep rooted bitterness)
Distractions (entertainment, relationship, comfort and convenience)
God’s invitation is for nations, communities, churches and individuals
God’s character – he is gracious and merciful, patient, loving
One pastor said, “Repent is perhaps the most hopeful and encouraging word in the Christian vocabulary”
There is hope and opportunity to return to God

10. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
The verse from psalm 51 speaks of God’s invitation for us to return to Him.

11. The Return of the Prodigal Son, Guercino, 1655
When we rend and circumcise our hearts and return to God, he will restore us with his garments of grace and mercy.
This beautiful painting depicts the prodigal son whose dirty rags are removed and replaced by new clean garments by his father.

12. God’s call to return to HIM corporately
Joe 2:15b …give orders for a fast and call an assembly! Joe 2:16a Gather the people together… Joe 2:17a The priests, serving the LORD between the altar and the entrance of the Temple, must weep and pray…
Joe 2:14 Perhaps the LORD your God will change his mind and bless you with abundant crops. Then you can offer him grain and wine.
Joe 2:15 Blow the trumpet on Mount Zion; give orders for a fast and call an assembly!
Joe 2:16 Gather the people together; prepare them for a sacred meeting; bring the old people; gather the children and the babies too. Even newly married couples must leave their homes and come.
Joe 2:17 The priests, serving the LORD between the altar and the entrance of the Temple, must weep and pray: "Have pity on your people, LORD. Do not let other nations despise us and mock us by saying, 'Where is your God?' "

13. 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. Joel 2:13