This week's sermon explored the completion of Joel's message about "the day of the Lord" - God's ultimate judgment and restoration. We examined how God's sovereign plan for Israel and the nations demonstrates His faithfulness to His promises. Through Joel chapter 3, we saw the four R's that characterize God's dealing with humanity: Rebellion (our sin against God), Reckoning (His righteous judgment), Return (our call to repentance), and Restoration (His gracious redemption). This isn't just ancient history - we're witnessing these prophecies unfold before our eyes today, particularly in current events surrounding Israel. The ultimate purpose of all these events? That we would know with absolute certainty that He is the Lord our God.

Takeaways:

• God keeps His Word without fail. Every promise, every prophecy, every warning in Scripture will come to pass exactly as God declared. When we see prophecy being fulfilled in our lifetime, it should strengthen our confidence that God's Word is completely trustworthy - including His promises of salvation and His warnings of judgment.

• We all face the same problem as ancient Israel - rebellion against a holy God. Like looking in a mirror, God's Word reveals our true condition. We've all rebelled, and we all will face God's reckoning. But the glorious news is that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Joel 2:32). Our only hope on judgment day is to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

• God is actively working His plan in history for His glory and our good. Understanding prophecy isn't just academic - it's deeply practical. The more we understand God's sovereign plan, the more confident we become in sharing the gospel with others. We can speak with authority because we see God's Word coming true before our eyes.

As we move forward, let's hold fast to the truth that Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). In a world of uncertainty, we can have absolute confidence that our God reigns, His Word is true, and His plan will not be thwarted.

We encourage you to share these truths with someone in your sphere of influence this week. The world needs to know that God is sovereign and that salvation is available to all who call upon His name.

Seems early, but yes, our Community Egg Hunt is quickly approaching.  It will take place on Saturday, March 28.  Registration will begin at 10:30; Egg Hunt at 11; lunch, prizes, and activities afterwards.  

There are lots of eggs for you to take tomorrow in the Welcome Center.  Please take some, fill them with candy or prizes; tape them; and write on paper how many you filled, and return to church.

There will be sign up sheets in the Welcome Center the following week for you to donate various items for lunch, plus we will need lots of help for set up and tear down.  We would also love to have some of you come and just hang out with and talk to adults.  We want to make them feel welcome, plus invite them to our Easter Sunday Breakfast and Service and VBS.  To just give them information about our church.  

We especially want to begin now, praying for God to do great things, and ask Him how we can be involved this year.

Come join us in cheering on the kids as they race their cars! 

Join us for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Grace.

Registration starts at 10:30am and the Egg Hunt starts at 11:00am

Join us for a free lunch to follow!