In a concentration camp a composer dreamed that the war would end on exactly the thirtieth of March. When the day passed and nothing changed, his life went out along with his hope, Viktor Frankl tells that story, and this sermon begins there. It leads to the book of Joel and to the question that returns whenever we are wronged: does God see, and does God know? Listen if you need to hear that even news of God’s judgement can be good news, and that there really is something worth waiting for.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- Joel portrays God as a judge who reads out a very detailed indictment against the nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:1-8). What did these specific charges tell the people of Judah about whether God still remembered them?
- How do the images of the harvest and the winepress, and the picture of Jerusalem with mountains dripping new wine and a stream flowing from the temple (Joel 3:13-18), connect with the garden of Eden and the new Jerusalem in Revelation?
- The preacher asked whether, in a world of bad news, the announcement of judgment can be good news. Why did believers in Cambodia respond to it by dancing and singing, and what does their reaction show you?
- In what situation of hurt or injustice do you find yourself asking: does God see, does God know? What difference does it make that God sees and one day will say enough?
- The sermon traced the story of God's presence: from Eden, through the temple and Jesus, to the Holy Spirit living in believers. How does knowing that you are God's home shape your everyday life?
- Who can you share with this week the hope that there truly is something to wait for, and how do you plan to do it?
