Sermon: The What, Who and Why of Repentance

Sermon preached on March 5, 2025 by Pastor Julius Buelow at Mt Olive Lutheran in Lincoln, NE.Theme: The What, Who and Why of RepentanceText: Joel 2:12-1912Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and grief. 13Tear your heart and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, and he relents from sending disaster. 14Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God. 15Blow the ram’s horn in Zion. Set aside a day for fasting. Call a solemn convocation. 16Gather the people. Consecrate the assembly. Bring together the elders. Gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. 17Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say: Have compassion on your people, O Lord. Do not subject the inheritance you have given us to the scorn of the nations. Do not make us notorious among the nations as an object of ridicule. Why should they say among the peoples, “Where is their God?” A Dialogue Between the Lord and the Prophet The Lord’s Promises18The Lord is zealous for his land, and he will take pity on his people. 19The Lord will respond to them: I am sending you grain, new wine, and fresh oil, enough to satisfy you fully. Never again will I subject you to scorn among the nations. Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version (Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Publishing House, 2019), Joel 2:12–19.