{"id":1026,"date":"2018-07-15T15:31:15","date_gmt":"2018-07-15T22:31:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1026"},"modified":"2018-07-15T15:33:11","modified_gmt":"2018-07-15T22:33:11","slug":"from-eternity-to-eternity-let-us-praise-the-lord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/15\/from-eternity-to-eternity-let-us-praise-the-lord\/","title":{"rendered":"From Eternity to Eternity Let Us Praise the Lord!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   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\tfont-size:11.0pt; \tfont-family:\"Calibri\",\"sans-serif\"; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1026-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Pentecost-8-07-15-18.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Pentecost-8-07-15-18.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Pentecost-8-07-15-18.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">July 15, 2018<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Ephesians 1:3-14<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">From Eternity to Eternity<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Let Us Praise the Lord! <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will\u2014to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God\u2019s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment\u2014to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God\u2019s possession\u2014to the praise of his glory.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(NIV1984)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">When I was a student at the Seminary I volunteered to be on a Travel Canvass Witness team.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I was assigned to a team that was sent to help a congregation in Florida do some door-to-door canvassing.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we were making our way down to Florida my friends and I decided to stop in the Smokey  Mountains and go hiking.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We hiked up a mountain trail for what seemed like forever and then when the trail ended we found ourselves at a scenic outlook.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I could hardly believe my eyes!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The view was unlike anything this Minnesota kid had ever seen in his entire life!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No matter what direction I looked I could see for miles and miles and miles.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I thought that I would never again be able to see so far.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then I started traveling by airplane.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">It probably won\u2019t surprise you to hear that most of my trips by airplane have been to Seattle Washington.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I quickly learned that flying into Seattle can be an absolutely breathtaking experience.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I vividly recall flying into Seattle one day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It was an exceptionally clear day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As I looked out the window I was enthralled.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Cascade  Mountains were carpeted with evergreen trees, laced with streams and dotted with lakes.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Mount  Rainier towered majestically far above all the other mountain peaks.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Off in the distance I could see Mount St. Helen\u2019s with her summit visibly missing.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we turned to make our approach into SeaTac airport I could see the Puget Sound and most of the city of Seattle\u2014 all at once!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">I have learned from personal experience that the scope of what I am able to see is directly proportionate to my vantage point.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As I stood at that scenic outlook in the Smokey Mountains I could see so much farther than when I was driving through those very same mountains.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As I flew into the city of Seattle I could see vastly more than when I was driving the city streets.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What a person can see, my friends, is indeed determined by their vantage point.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The portion of Scripture that we have before us today <u>could<\/u> be rather confusing.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In fact, down through the ages many churches have misunderstood and misused what the Scriptures teach here in Ephesians concerning <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201celection\u201d<\/i> or <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cpredestination.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/i>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because they try to understand this teaching from man\u2019s perspective, from a perspective that fits into their limited logical minds.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So that I do not make that very same mistake and so that you do not lose the tremendous Gospel comfort contained in these words of our text, today our goal is to look at the Doctrine of Predestination from <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">God\u2019s<\/i> perspective!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>With that in mind let\u2019s study our text for today under the theme:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">From Eternity to Eternity Let Us Praise the Lord!<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">As the one and only true God the Lord our God lives in the eternal present.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For the Lord there is no \u201cpast\u201d and there is no \u201cfuture.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He sees all things at all time.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We, however, can not even begin to conceive of what that is like.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore, I would like you to imagine yourself standing on a majestic mountain peak this morning.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Using these words of Scripture let\u2019s see that no matter whether we turn and look into \u201ceternity past\u201d or whether we turn and look into \u201ceternity future\u201d we have every reason to praise the Lord!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">As we turn to look into \u201ceternity past\u201d we focus our attention on verse 4-6 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Paul writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFor he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will\u2014 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Before you were born, my friends, before your parents were born, before anyone whose picture you have ever seen in your family album was born, even before the universe was born\u2014 God <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cchose\u201d<\/i> you, God <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cpredestined\u201d<\/i> you, God <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cadopted\u201d<\/i> you to be His own dearly beloved child!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why did the eternal God, the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, do this for you?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">That is one of the questions that the Christian church as debated vigorously for centuries.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Some branches of Christianity teach that God in His sovereignty elected some people to go to heaven and He elected some people to go to hell.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can that be true, my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would God <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cpredestine\u201d<\/i> someone to spend eternity suffering in hell?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not according to Scripture!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Think of John 3:16, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFor God so loved the<b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"> world <\/b>that he gave his one and only Son, that <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">whoever<\/b> believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Think of I John 2:2, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHe <\/i>(Jesus) <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">whole world<\/b>.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Think of I Timothy 2:3-4, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThis is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">all <\/b>men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/i>When we look at what the holy Scriptures say, when we are willing to take God\u2019s holy inspired Word at face value we can see that the Lord our God would never <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cpredestine\u201d<\/i> someone to spend eternity in hell.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Other branches of Christianity have taught that God <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201celected\u201d<\/i> certain people to be saved \u201cin view of their faith.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>By this they mean that God knew that this person or that person would one day \u201caccept\u201d Jesus and come to faith in Him as their Savior.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then on that basis, \u201cin view of\u201d that choice, they say that God elected that person to be saved.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can that be true?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not according to Scripture!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>According to Scripture we are <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">all<\/b> conceived and born in sin (Psalm 51:5).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>According to Scripture we are <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">all<\/b> born spiritually blind (I Corinthians 2:14), spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and spiritually the enemies of God (Romans 8:7)!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>According to Scripture <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">no one<\/b> can \u201cchoose\u201d to come to faith in Jesus on their own.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See 1 Corinthians 12:3; Titus 3:3-7)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">What then is the basis of your <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201celection\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why did the Lord God <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cpredestine\u201d<\/i> you to spend eternity with Him?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at what Paul says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHe chose us <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">in him<\/b>\u2026<b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">In love<\/b> he predestined us to be adopted as his sons\u2026to the praise of his glorious <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">grace<\/b>, which he has <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">freely<\/b> given us in the One he loves.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Your election is based purely on the amazing grace of the Lord your God!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Stop to think of what that means for your daily life, my friends!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>From all of eternity God has <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">loved<\/i><\/b> you!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>From all of eternity God has <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">loved<\/i><\/b> you with a love that goes beyond measure!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>From all of eternity God has <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">loved<\/i><\/b> you with a love that you do<b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"> not<\/b> deserve to receive!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And if ever\u2014 if ever\u2014 you begin to think that somehow you \u201cdeserve\u201d God\u2019s love, if ever you begin to think that perhaps you did do something to contribute to your own salvation then stand in front of the mirror of God\u2019s holy perfect Law and finish this sentence:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Remember when you\u2026.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No, my friends, as we stand on our mountain top this morning and turn to look into \u201ceternity past\u201d the undeserved love which led the Lord God to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201celect\u201d<\/i> us to be <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201choly and blameless in his sight,\u201d<\/i> the undeserved love which led the Lord God to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cadopt\u201d <\/i>us to be His own now daily leads us to say:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Praise the Lord!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Let\u2019s turn now and look into \u201ceternity future\u201d shall we?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Here I want to focus your attention on the second half of verse 13 and all of verse 14 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Paul writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHaving believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God\u2019s possession\u2014 to the praise of his glory.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Through the power of the Gospel working in Word and Sacrament God freely gave you the gift of His Holy Spirit when He created the gift of saving faith in your heart!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This gift of the Holy Spirit is described here in our text as a <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdeposit guaranteeing our inheritance.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We all know what a <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdeposit\u201d<\/i> is.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If you put a \u201cdeposit\u201d down on a house that house is yours!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It can\u2019t be sold or given to someone else.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes, you may have to wait a little while before you actually move into that house, but that house is yours!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That deposit guarantees it!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On the other hand if someone gives you a <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdeposit\u201d<\/i> on your house you know that there is more to come\u2014 much more!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">In much the same way, the gift of the Holy Spirit is God\u2019s <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdeposit\u201d<\/i> to you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The gift of the Holy Spirit is God\u2019s <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cguarantee\u201d<\/i> of your <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cinheritance.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And what exactly does your <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cinheritance\u201d<\/i> include?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at the opening verse of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cPraise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As a saved child of God your <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cinheritance\u201d<\/i> is nothing less than the glory and the perfection, the joy and the happiness of living in your heavenly Father\u2019s house in His heavenly Kingdom\u2014 for all of eternity!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes, it may be awhile yet before you actually \u201cmove in,\u201d my friends\u2014 but in His grace God has already given you His Holy Spirit as a <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdeposit guaranteeing our inheritance.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So as we stand on our mountain top this morning and turn to look into \u201ceternity future\u201d how can we not take a moment to say:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Praise the Lord!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">So what have we learned so far?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We have learned that when we stand on our mountain top and turn to look into \u201ceternity past,\u201d when we turn to see that God\u2019s love for us is so great that even before the creation of the world He <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201celected\u201d<\/i> us to eternal salvation we cannot help but say:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Praise the Lord!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We have also learned that when we stand on our mountain top and turn to look into \u201ceternity future,\u201d when we see the glorious inheritance that the good Lord has waiting for us in heaven above we cannot help but say:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Praise the Lord! <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>But before we can close today we also need to take a moment to stop and realize <u>where<\/u> we are standing!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What is this mountain top from which we are able to see from eternity to eternity?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at the opening words of verse 7, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIn him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins\u2026.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The majestic mountain top on which you and I are standing this morning, the majestic mountain top on which you and I were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, the majestic mountain top where Jesus secured the complete forgiveness of all of our sins is none other than the mountain called Calvary.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If we want to understand the Scriptural teaching of election properly, if we want to see the Scriptural teaching of predestination clearly we <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">must<\/b> view it from the perspective of the cross!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">No matter how difficult our life here on this earth might be, no matter how mercilessly the winds and the waves of this world might beat and batter against us, when we are hanging on to the cross of Jesus Christ\u2014 better yet, when we realize that the nail-pierced hands of our Savior are hanging ton to us!\u2014 then no matter whether we are troubled by what has happened in the past, concerned about what may happen in the future or simply trying to get through today the amazing love of God proclaimed to us by the cross of His Son enables us and motivates us to say:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Praise the Lord!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">My prayer then this morning, my friends, is that you will indeed take home with you the tremendous Gospel comfort that is found in the Scriptural teaching of election or predestination.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let the cross of Jesus Christ (Pointing to the cross) be such a focal point of your life that no matter what direction you are looking\u2014 from eternity to eternity\u2014 you will always know that you have every reason to praise the Lord!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Pentecost-8-07-15-18.mp3\">Pentecost-8-07-15-18.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost July 15, 2018 Ephesians 1:3-14 From Eternity to Eternity Let Us Praise the Lord! &nbsp; Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.&nbsp; For he chose us in him before the creation of the world [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1026"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1026\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}