1. Adult Bible Study Guide Apr May Jun 2013 Adult Bible Study Guide Apr May Jun 2013 powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com

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3. Zdravko Stefanovic Principal Contributor “Seek the Lord and Live!” Major Lessons From Minor Prophets

4. “Seek the Lord and Live” Contents 1 Spiritual Adultery Hosea 2 Love and Judgment: God’s Dilemma Hosea 3 A Holy and Just GodJoel 4 Lord of All Nations Amos 5 Seek the Lord and Live! Amos 6 Eager to ForgiveJonah 7 God’s Special People Micah 8 Trusting God’s Goodness Habakkuk 9 The Day of the Lord Zephaniah 10 First Things First! Haggai 11 Vision of Hope Zechariah 12 Heaven’s Best Gift Zechariah 13 Lest We Forget! Malachi

5. “Seek the Lord and Live” Our Goal {169} IT’S PRESENT TRUTH — God’s message to us today just as it was a message to those who lived in the time of these twelve writers who, though long gone, still speak. The question is, will we listen?

6. “Seek the Lord and Live” Lesson 3, April 20 “Seek the Lord and Live” Lesson 3, April 20 A Holy and Just God (Joel)

7. Key Text Joel 12:11 NIV “THE LORD THUNDERS at the head of His army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?”

8. A Holy and Just God (Joel) Initial Words {195} JOEL PROPHECIES THAT God’s future judgments will make the locust plague pale by comparison. But that same judgment, no matter how severe, can lead to salvation and redemption for those whose hearts are open to the leading of the Lord.

9. A Holy and Just God (Joel) Quick Look 1. Day of the Lord in Retrospect (Joel 1:4, 10) 2. Day of the Lord in Prospect—1 (Joel 2:28, 29) 3. Day of the Lord in Prospect—2 (Joel 3:16)

10. A Holy and Just God (Joel) 1. Day of the Lord in Retrospect The field is wasted …for the grain is ruined, the new wine is dried up, the oil fails.” Joel 1:4, 10 NKJV “WHAT THE CHEWING locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten; and what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.

11. 1. Day of the Lord in Retrospect A National Disaster {196} JOEL USES FOUR different terms for the locusts in order to express the intensity and the totality of the plague. But the destruction caused by the locusts was made even worse by drought. He also announces the destruction of the dietary staples such as grapes, grain, and oil.

12. When natural disasters occur, they provoke many questions, such as, “Why did God allow this to happen?” “Why have some people lived while others have died?” “Is there a lesson here that we could learn?” 1. Day of the Lord in Retrospect A National Disaster {197}

13. In the end, this disaster might lead the believers into a deeper relationship with their Lord. The prophet relates the national crisis to the spiritual situation in the land. The locusts have left nothing that could be offered as sacrifice to the Lord. The loss of opportunity even to offer the sacrifices symbolized the breaking of the covenant between God and Israel. 1. Day of the Lord in Retrospect A National Disaster {197}

14. A Holy and Just God (Joel) 2. Day of the Lord in Prospect—1 Joel 2:28, 29 NKJV “AND...I WILL pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; and also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”

15. This prophecy received a partial fulfillment in the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost; but it will reach its full accomplishment in the manifestation of divine grace which will attend the closing work of the gospel.” 2. Day of the Lord in Prospect—1 The Gift of God’s Spirit {198} “IN IMMEDIATE CONNECTION with the scenes of the great day of God, the Lord by the prophet Joel has promised a special manifestation of His Spirit. …

16. Repentance will be followed by a great outpouring of God’s Spirit. This will bring a wonderful renewal. The Spirit is also a gift of power bestowed on the recipients so that they might do a particular work for God. The Spirit’s manifestation will assume wide proportions. Salvation will be available to all who seek God. 2. Day of the Lord in Prospect—1 The Gift of God’s Spirit {198}

17. 2. Day of the Lord in Prospect—1 Proclaiming God’s Name {198} (3) to tell everyone about God’s generous gift of salvation that is offered to every human being. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” Joel 2:32 NKJV. To proclaim the Lord’s name means (1) to be messengers of the glad tidings that God still rules the world; (2) to call on the people of the world to view everything in the context of God’s deeds and character;

18. A Holy and Just God (Joel) 3. Day of the Lord in Prospect—2 Joel 3:16 NKJV “THE LORD ALSO will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake; but the Lord will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.”

19. IN THE BIBLE, Zion designates the location of God’s earthly throne in Jerusalem. From this place God will punish the enemy, but at the same time He will vindicate His people who patiently await His victory. They will share in His triumph when He renews creation. 2. Day of the Lord in Prospect—2 Refuge in Times of Trouble {200}

20. To some people Scripture’s portrayals of God’s final judgment are difficult to comprehend. Evil and sin are very real and God is an enemy of evil. Joel’s words invite us to examine our lives in order to be sure that we are on God’s side so that we can be sheltered on the day of judgment. 3. Day of the Lord in Prospect—2 Refuge in Times of Trouble {200}

21. Joel’s book ends with a vision of a transformed world where a river flows in the midst of the New Jerusalem, the very presence of God among a forgiven people. This challenges us to walk in the Spirit, to pursue Christian living wholeheartedly, and to reach out to all who have not yet called on the name of Christ. 3. Day of the Lord in Prospect—2 Refuge in Times of Trouble {200}

22. A Holy and Just God (Joel) Final Words {200} “WE MUST KNOW our real condition, or we shall not feel our need of Christ’s help. We must understand our danger, or we shall not flee to the refuge. We must feel the pain of our wounds, or we should not desire healing.” —Christ’s Object Lessons 158.