{"id":1114,"date":"2019-03-31T14:56:44","date_gmt":"2019-03-31T21:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1114"},"modified":"2019-03-31T14:57:13","modified_gmt":"2019-03-31T21:57:13","slug":"get-ready-for-easter-praise-the-lord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/31\/get-ready-for-easter-praise-the-lord\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Ready for Easter&#8211; 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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\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=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1114-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-4-03-31-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-4-03-31-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-4-03-31-19.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-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\">&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 Fourth Sunday in Lent<\/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\">March 31, 2019<\/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\">Isaiah 12:1-6<\/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\">Get Ready for Easter\u2014<\/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\">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\">In that day you will say:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>&#8220;I will praise you, O L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">, the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In that day you will say:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>&#8220;Give thanks to the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sing to the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.&#8221;<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\">&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\">Do you have any \u201cpipe-dreams\u201d?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is there anything that you truly hope the good Lord will grant to you\u2014 someday\u2014 in the future?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Perhaps there is a house that you drive by in your daily travels and each time you pass by that house you say that little prayer, \u201cLord, someday I would like to have a house like that.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Perhaps your \u201cpipe-dream\u201d revolves more around a cabin in the mountains, a home someplace where it is warm and dry in the winter, or a trip to someplace you have always wanted to visit.<\/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\">Do you have any \u201cpipe-dreams\u201d?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If so, imagine if the good Lord granted your request!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Imagine if the good Lord gave you the ability to buy your dream house or to go on your dream vacation!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Better yet\u2014 imagine if the good Lord saw fit to <b>give<\/b> you your \u201cpipe-dream\u201d absolutely free!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How would you react?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would you half-heartedly say, \u201cOh, yeah, thanks Lord\u201d?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would you consciously make sure that you <b>never <\/b>told <b>anyone <\/b>about what the Lord has done for you?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Probably not!<\/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 you and I continue to get ready for Easter, my friends, this portion of God\u2019s holy Word focuses our attention on an extremely joyous truth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our goal this morning is to see that as the adopted, forgiven and saved children of God we always have reason to:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b><i>Praise the Lord!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are two things we want to see this morning.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, let\u2019s see that we are to praise the Lord because He is the God of our salvation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then let\u2019s see that we are to praise the Lord by proclaiming to others what He has done.<\/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 Isaiah chapter 11 the Lord pointed His people forward in time to when the Promised Messiah, the <i>\u201cshoot\u201d<\/i> that will <i>\u201ccome up from the stump of Jesse\u201d<\/i> (Isaiah 11:1) will come into this world. In beautifully clear language the Lord revealed to His people through His servant Isaiah exactly <b><i>who<\/i><\/b> the Messiah will be, exactly <b><i>what <\/i><\/b>the Messiah will do, and exactly what the <b><i>results <\/i><\/b>of the Messiah\u2019s work would mean for them\u2014 and for us.<\/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\">With the coming of the Promised Messiah clearly in the background the inspired prophet Isaiah writes in the opening verses of our text, <i>\u201cIn that day you will say:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018I will praise you, O L<\/i><\/span><i><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><\/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 prophet Isaiah begins by leading God\u2019s people to openly acknowledge that the Lord their God was <i>\u201cangry\u201d<\/i> with them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why was God <i>\u201cangry\u201d<\/i> with His people?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is only one thing that makes God angry.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is sin.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the holy, just and perfect God the Lord cannot and will not simply ignore or overlook sin.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth the Lord does not and will not make empty threats when it comes to the consequences of sin.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Every <\/b>sin makes God angry.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Every <\/b>sin deserves the punishment of death.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b>Every<\/b> sin <b>must <\/b>be paid for\u2014in full!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the Old Testament era the Lord made this point vividly clear to His chosen people by requiring them to make animal sacrifices.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Each and every year more than 1,000 animals were sacrificed to graphically remind God\u2019s people of the seriousness of sin.<\/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\">By itself that is a very sobering reality, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It\u2019s sobering because of the fact that God\u2019s anger over sin has not changed one iota over the course of the millennia.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It\u2019s sobering because of the fact that when each and every one of us looks into our own heart and examines our own life we certainly do not see a shortage of sins, do we!<\/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\">Thankfully, the Lord\u2019s servant Isaiah was indeed given the privilege of peering into the future and seeing what the Lord\u2019s Promised Messiah would do so that God\u2019s anger over our sins would be completely <i>\u201cturned away\u201d<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>With the comfort of the cross clearly in view Isaiah leads <b>us<\/b> to praise the Lord because purely by His grace we are able to say, <i>\u201cSurely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The L<\/i><\/span><i><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><\/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 Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> God Himself\u2014 the God of absolutely perfect justice and the God of absolutely boundless love\u2014 He is our salvation, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He is the Cause, He is the Source, He is the Author, the Agent and the Accomplisher of saving us from our sins.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Truly you and I have every reason to praise the Lord!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the repentant children of God do we ever have to fear God\u2019s anger?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because God is our salvation!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the saved children of God do we ever have to fear God\u2019s condemnation?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because God is our salvation!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the forgiven children of God do we ever have to fear enduring the guilt and the shame and the punishment for our sins whether here or in eternity? No!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because God is our salvation!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So yes, my friend, as the repentant, saved and forgiven children of God you and I do indeed have every reason to praise the Lord each and every day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He <b><i>is <\/i><\/b>the God of our salvation!<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\">Why is it then that sometimes we just don\u2019t \u201cfeel\u201d like praising the Lord?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why is it that sometimes we might even find it \u201cdifficult\u201d to praise the Lord?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I think we find a clue to answering such questions when we look at verse 3 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Isaiah writes, <i>\u201cWith joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The picture of water\u2014 especially living water\u2014 is a picture that is often used on the pages of Scripture to describe the wonderful spiritual blessings that only the Lord, only the God of our salvation can grant to His people.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In Psalm 23 great King David expresses this truth when he says, <i>\u201cThe L<\/i><\/span><i><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> is my shepherd\u2026he leads me beside quiet waters\u2026.\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>In John chapter 4 Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at Jacob\u2019s well, <i>\u201c\u2026whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.\u201d<\/i><\/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 hear the Lord our God say to us through His servant Isaiah, <i>\u201cWith joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation\u201d<\/i> I automatically think of the Means of Grace that God has given to us\u2014 the precious message of the Gospel as it comes to us in both Word and Sacrament.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The more we draw <i>\u201cwater\u201d <\/i>from the <i>\u201cwells\u201d<\/i> of God\u2019s holy Word and Sacrament the more our faith will be nourished and strengthened.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As our faith is nourished and strengthened we will be filled with more and more joy as we come to an even greater understanding of <b><i>who <\/i><\/b>the Lord is and as we are given an even greater appreciation of <b><i>what <\/i><\/b>the Lord has done for us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As that joy bubbles over from our hearts into our lives then, yes, we will indeed\u2014 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\">Before we run out of time let\u2019s see how Isaiah reminds us that praising the Lord also includes proclaiming to others what He has done.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verses 4-6 of our text, <i>\u201cIn that day you will say:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018Give thanks to the L<\/i><\/span><i><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sing to the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><\/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 much as you and I rejoice in knowing what the Lord has done for us, as much as you and I praise the Lord for the gift of eternal salvation He has secured for us, we cannot lose sight of the fact that many people\u2014 perhaps even people you know personally\u2014 many people do not know this glorious truth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s why you and I always need to remember that praising our Lord includes proclaiming to others what He has done!<\/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\">On the table in the back of church you will find Easter invitations like this.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My hope and my prayer is that over the course of the next few weeks you will look closely at your circle of family and friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look for someone who does not know what the Lord has done for them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look for someone who does not have a church \u201chome\u201d where they go to worship and praise the Lord on a regular basis.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look for someone who truly needs to hear the true message of Easter and then praise the Lord by giving them an invitation to come celebrate Easter with us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It really is that simple 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\">No matter how many \u201cpipe-dreams\u201d I may have, no matter how many \u201cpipe-dreams\u201d you may have there are no \u201cpipe-dreams\u201d when it comes to what Isaiah proclaims to us here in our text for today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As you and I continue to get ready for Easter this portion of Scripture does indeed remind us in a very beautiful way that we have every reason to praise the Lord each and every day!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>May God grant that we will indeed praise Him because He <b><i>is<\/i><\/b> the God of our salvation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of what He had done for us (Pointing to the cross) we <b><i>are <\/i><\/b>the adopted, forgiven and saved children of God!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>May God also grant that the joy that we have in knowing this great and awesome truth will motivate us to share with others\u2014 especially those who are nearest and dearest to us\u2014 what the good Lord has done for them!<\/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<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-4-03-31-19.mp3\">Lent-4-03-31-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Fourth Sunday in Lent March 31, 2019 Isaiah 12:1-6 Get Ready for Easter\u2014 Praise the Lord! &nbsp; In that day you will say:&nbsp; &#8220;I will praise you, O LORD.&nbsp; Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.&nbsp; Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be [&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-1114","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\/1114","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=1114"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1114\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}