The Day of the Lord & the blessing of God's Spirit

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 7: Daniel and the Minor Prophets 1. The Outpouring of the Spirit (2:28–31)

Joel’s use of the term, then, is in harmony with the totality of Scripture. By “the day of the LORD” is meant that time when, for his glory and their good, God actively intervenes in the affairs of men in judgment against sin and in connection with his determined will for his own.

What am I certain about?

The Spirit of God has come.

What does this signify?

Title: The Day of the Lord and the blessing of God’s Spirit

Text:

Review:

“Comfort & the Day of the Lord”

1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 KJV 1900

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

The teaching of the Day of the Lord gives strength against deception (v. 3)

2. for that day shall not come, except… The teaching of the Day of the Lord gives assurance about Jesus’ justice (v. 3)

3. except there come a falling away first - The teaching of the Day of the Lord gives clarity about persecution (v. 3)

4. The teaching of the Day of the Lord leads to a prayer for comfort and strength for practical living.

“Announcing the Day of the LORD”

(1) What is the Day of the LORD?

(2) What does the announcement about the Day of the LORD reveal?

This announcement reveals the justice and power of the Lord -

This announcement reveals the grace and mercy of the Lord

The command to turn to the LORD -

The reason to turn to the LORD -

The result of turning to the LORD -

(3) How does the announcement of the Day of the LORD point to Christ?

TODAY:

(1) God’s blessing upon his people would be greater than just rain for successful crops. () -

It is a promise of the personal and continued experience of God.

Application: A true child of God has an experiential knowledge of God.

(2) God’s blessing would be mediated through all people and not just a priest or a prophet ()

“all flesh” - at first seemed to only mean the Jewish people -

This is further developed in ,

Summary: the Holy Spirit is mediated through the Person of Jesus Christ

SO THAT the Holy Spirit can be mediated through “all people” -

,

,

Application: Are you mediating the message of Christ?

(3) God’s blessing would sound the alarm about the coming day of the Lord ()

The coming of the Spirit of God did not necessitate the fulfilling of this immediately

Application: How does your activity today reveal your experience of the Spirit of God? How does your activity today manifest your knowledge of the coming Day of the Lord?

(4) God’s blessing would also be a call for people to be delivered ()

It is a call to all people

Application: What lines have you drawn that the Lord has not drawn? (ethnic, political, issue of time…etc)