{"id":1126,"date":"2019-05-12T14:45:59","date_gmt":"2019-05-12T21:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1126"},"modified":"2019-05-12T15:07:10","modified_gmt":"2019-05-12T22:07:10","slug":"welcome-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/05\/12\/welcome-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome Home!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"color:black;font: 10pt 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>   <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeAsian>   <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeComplexScript>   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\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-1126-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mothers-Day-05-12-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mothers-Day-05-12-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mothers-Day-05-12-19.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 of Easter<\/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\">May 12, 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\">Revelation 7:9-17<\/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\">Welcome Home!<\/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\"><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/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\">After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And they cried out in a loud voice:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>&#8220;Salvation<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>&#8220;Amen!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Amen!&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then one of the elders asked me, &#8220;These in white robes\u2014who are they, and where did they come from?&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I answered, &#8220;Sir, you know.&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And he said, &#8220;These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.&#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 fellow worshipers of our Living Lord and Savior,<\/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\">He is risen!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He is risen indeed!<\/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\">For many of us here today\u2014 including myself\u2014 Mother\u2019s Day is simply not what it used to be.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We can\u2019t give our Mom a great big hug and say \u201cHappy Mother\u2019s Day!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We can\u2019t call her on the phone to say \u201cI love you, Mom!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We can\u2019t send her flowers or a card or chocolates.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The reason is because our Mom is no longer with us here on this earth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>She has gone Home to heaven!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now if we were to dwell on what we <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">can\u2019t<\/i><\/b> do this Mother\u2019s Day, today would be somewhat sad.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So, instead of dwelling on what we <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">can\u2019t<\/i><\/b> do let\u2019s focus on what we <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">can<\/i><\/b> do!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">can <\/i><\/b>show our love and appreciation to the mother of our children and the mothers of our grandchildren.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">can <\/i><\/b>think about all of the wonderful memories we have with our Mom.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">can <\/i><\/b>thank the good Lord for all of the blessings He gave to us through our Mom.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">can <\/i><\/b>focus our hearts on a portion of Scripture such as our text for today and rejoice\u2014 rejoice in the wonderful reality our Mom is now enjoying in our heavenly Father\u2019s Home.<\/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\">Home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Home Sweet Home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There\u2019s no place like Home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No matter what words you use, the thought of being home simply makes our heart smile.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Home is a place of peace and joy.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Home is a place of safety and security.<\/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\">If you can smile whenever you picture in your mind wherever you consider \u201chome\u201d to be, you will have no trouble relating to how I want to approach our sermon text for today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Last week we looked at a portion of John\u2019s vision of heaven which focused our attention on the fact that the Lamb of God is <i>\u201cworthy\u201d<\/i> of our praise because He was willingly <i>\u201cslain\u201d<\/i> for our sins and now lives again for ever and ever!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Revelation 5:6-14)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This morning our sermon text focuses our attention on the saints of God who have already joined the angels in heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Utilizing a comparison that I have often shared with you in the past, today let\u2019s study this portion of John\u2019s vision under the theme:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b><i>Welcome Home!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we use this portion of God\u2019s holy Word to peer through the window of our heavenly Father\u2019s Home we will address three questions.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, who is there?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Second, why are they there?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Third, what is it like to live there?<\/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 peer through the window of our heavenly Father\u2019s home this morning we begin by asking: Who is there?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Who do we see?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at the opening words of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>John writes, <i>\u201cAfter this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.\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\">While we are here on this earth it is not unusual for us to feel rather lonely, is it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While we are here on this earth it is rather easy for us to feel that as a child of God we are completely outnumbered.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we are at work or at school or out in our community it is sometimes rather obvious from the way people talk and from the way they live their life that they do not believe and trust in our crucified and risen Lord.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we come here to church we might look around at all the empty seats and just sigh.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But as we peer through the window of our heavenly Father\u2019s Home isn\u2019t it <i>wonderful<\/i> to see that the saints in heaven make up a <i>\u201cgreat multitude that no one could count\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This portion of John\u2019s picture of heaven reminds us of the promise that the Lord made to father Abraham so many years ago.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When Abraham was still childless the Lord God took him outside and said to him, <i>\u201cLook up at the heavens and count the stars\u2014 if indeed you can count them\u2026So shall your offspring be\u201d<\/i> (Genesis 15:5).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No matter how lonely we sometimes feel here on this earth isn\u2019t it absolutely <i>wonderful<\/i> to know that when we get Home to heaven we will never be lonely again!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Isn\u2019t it <i>wonderful<\/i> to know that when we get Home to heaven we will join that <i>\u201cgreat multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language\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\">As we continue to peer into the window of our heavenly Father\u2019s Home and as we see the great multitude of saints <i>\u201cstanding before the throne and in front of the Lamb\u201d<\/i> the next question that goes through our mind is: Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why do they get to live there?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verses 13 &amp; 14 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>John writes, <i>\u201cThen one of the elders asked me, \u2018These in white robes\u2014 who are they, and where did they come from?\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I answered, \u2018Sir, you know.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And he said, \u2018These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.\u2019\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\">For a long time now I have been teaching people that heaven is indeed God\u2019s Home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just as you have every right to determine who will and who will not be allowed to live in your earthly home, so also God has every right to decide who will live in His Home and who will not.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then I ask people to picture themselves standing at the door of the heavenly Father\u2019s Home and hearing Him ask them <b><i>one<\/i><\/b> question.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The question is\u2014 Why should I let <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">you<\/b> live in <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">My<\/b> Home forever?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is only <b><i>one<\/i><\/b> correct answer.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If someone answers <b>incorrectly<\/b> the God of heaven will say to them, <i>\u201cDepart from me\u201d<\/i> (See Matthew 25:41).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If someone answers <b>correctly<\/b> the God of heaven will say to them, \u201cWelcome Home!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Matthew 25:34)<\/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 <b><i>only<\/i><\/b> correct answer to that question, my friends, the <b><i>only<\/i><\/b> answer which guarantees that a person will hear the Lord say, \u201cWelcome Home!\u201d is the very same answer to our question this morning, the very same answer to the question John was asked here in our text: <i>\u201cThese in white robes\u2014 who are they, and where did they come from?\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What is the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only correct<\/b> answer to that eternally important question?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The answer is:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because Jesus, your Son, lived and died and rose again for me!<\/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 God the Holy Spirit brought us to faith in Jesus as our only Savior from sin\u2014 whether that was as an infant through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism (See Ephesians 5:25-27; Titus 3:4-5; I Peter 3:21-22) or as an adult through the power of God\u2019s holy inspired Word (See Acts 8:26-40; Romans 10:17; I Peter 1:23) when the Holy Spirit brought us to faith in Jesus as our only Savior from sin He dressed us in a beautiful white robe of perfect righteousness.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See also Isaiah 61:10)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That robe of righteousness\u2014 the robe that Jesus secured for us on the cross of Calvary\u2019s hill (Pointing to the cross) \u2014 <b>guarantees<\/b> that we will live in our heavenly Father\u2019s Home forever!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In fact, my friends, Scripture assures us that <b>everyone<\/b> who dies trusting in Jesus as their only Savior from sin <b>immediately<\/b> hears their Savior God say to them, Welcome Home!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Romans 10:13)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Isn\u2019t it <i>wonderful<\/i> to peer through the window of our heavenly Father\u2019s Home and with the eyes of faith see the faces of the people we love, wearing their white robes of righteousness and standing in that <i>\u201cgreat multitude that no one could count\u201d<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Isn\u2019t it <i>wonderful <\/i>to know that because of the robe of righteousness that God has given to us that one day we too will join them!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What joy and peace and comfort that glorious sight brings to 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\">That leaves just one question, doesn\u2019t it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span>Once we see <b>who<\/b> is in heaven, once we see <b>why<\/b> they are welcomed into our heavenly Father\u2019s Home the question that comes to mind is:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What is it like living in heaven?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verses 15-17 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To try and help us understand what our loved ones are experiencing in heaven right now and to help us understand what we will enjoy when the good Lord welcomes us Home to heaven I would like you to remember three words:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Purpose\u2014 Protection\u2014 Peace.<\/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\">Have you ever pondered what your purpose is here on this earth?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Have you ever felt that perhaps you didn\u2019t have a purpose for still being here?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While both of those questions are legitimate subjects for different sermons, look at the first half of verse 15 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>All the saints in heaven share one glorious purpose, one glorious privilege\u2014 to <i>\u201cserve\u201d<\/i> their Savior God!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The same Greek word that is translated here in our text as <i>\u201cserve\u201d<\/i> can also be translated as <i>\u201cworship.\u201d<\/i> (See Luke 2:36-37; Hebrews 12:28)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This takes us back to verses 9 &amp; 10 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the saints stand before the throne and in front of the Lamb, as the saints cherish their robes of righteousness, as the saints victoriously hold palm branches in their hands they gladly <i>\u201cserve,\u201d<\/i> they joyfully <i>\u201cworship\u201d<\/i> the Lord their God because of the wondrous gift of eternal salvation that He has freely given to them\u2014 a gift that the saints know they did not deserve to receive!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s the purpose, that\u2019s the privilege that our loved ones are enjoying right now, my friends!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s the purpose, that\u2019s the privilege that we will enjoy when the good Lord welcomes us Home!<\/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\">Now look at the second half of verse 15.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <i>\u201celder\u201d<\/i> says to John, <i>\u201c\u2026and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Very literally the Greek here reads, <i>\u201c\u2026the one who is sitting on the throne will live (or dwell) among them.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Picture that truth in your minds, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The saints in heaven are living in the very presence of the Triune God Himself.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He has brought them into His very own Home!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can anyone hurt them now?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can anything harm them now?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Of course not!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They are living under the protective wings of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Isn\u2019t it <i>wonderful<\/i> to peer through the window of our heavenly Father\u2019s Home and have the confidence of knowing that our loved ones are enjoying the protection of the one and only Living God!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Isn\u2019t it <i>wonderful<\/i> to know that we will enjoy that very same protection when the good Lord says to us:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Welcome Home!<\/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 last truth that we want to focus on this morning is found in verse 16 &amp; 17 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When it comes to the question of \u201cWhat is it like in heaven?\u201d these verses assure us that heaven is a place of perfect peace.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You know as well as I do that during our journey here on this earth peace often eludes us and perfect peace is impossible to find.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of the reality of sin work or school is oftentimes a place where we <b>have<\/b> to be and not a place where we <b>want<\/b> to be.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of the reality of sin we often times struggle with strife even in our own homes and even among the people we love.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of the reality of sin we oftentimes find ourselves overwhelmed by situations we cannot handle and undermined by things we cannot control.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But once we get Home<b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"> all<\/b> of that changes!<\/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 <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">will <\/b>heaven be like?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at what John is told in verse 16 of our text, <i>\u201cNever again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>All the things that our loved ones had to deal with here on this earth, all the things that hurt them, all the things that made them sad or angry, all the negative things that were a part of their daily existence, all the effects of sin\u2014 whether their own sin or the sins that others committed against them\u2014 they are all <b><i>gone<\/i><\/b>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They are totally and completely <b><i>gone<\/i><\/b>\u2014 forever!<\/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 all the negative things gone, with all the effects of sin completely taken away heaven is then a place of peace and joy and happiness!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at how this is described in verse 17 of our text, <i>\u201cFor the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What is it like in heaven?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Heaven is a place where the Lamb of God Himself provides us with the unending joys that come from drinking freely from the <i>\u201csprings of living water,\u201d<\/i> from the well of eternal salvation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Heaven is a place where the Lamb of God Himself tenderly wipes away every tear from our eyes and then takes away anything that could possibly cause us pain or sadness.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Heaven is a place of such unbounded happiness that everyone smiles!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Isn\u2019t it <i>wonderful<\/i> to know that our loved ones are enjoying the perfect peace and joy and happiness of heaven right now?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Isn\u2019t it <i>wonderful<\/i> to know that we will experience that very same peace, that very same joy, that very same happiness the very instant we hear the good Lord say to us:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Welcome Home!<\/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 gather together here in God\u2019s house on this glorious Mother\u2019s Day I pray that even if we are not able to give our Mom a big hug and say \u201cHappy Mother\u2019s Day!,\u201d even if we are not able to call her on the phone and say \u201cI love you, Mom!\u201d that we will indeed rejoice in the inheritance of the Saints that the good Lord has granted to our Mom, the inheritance of the Saints that the good Lord grants to everyone who believes and trusts in our crucified and risen Savior.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I also pray that by God\u2019s grace and by God\u2019s power we will stay close to Him (Pointing to the cross) so that when our journey here comes to an end then like all the saints before us, we will hear our Savior God say to us:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cWelcome Home, My child!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Welcome Home!\u201d<\/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\"><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/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<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mothers-Day-05-12-19.mp3\">Mothers-Day-05-12-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Fourth Sunday of Easter May 12, 2019 Revelation 7:9-17 Welcome Home! &nbsp; &nbsp; After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.&nbsp; They were wearing white robes and were holding palm [&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-1126","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\/1126","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=1126"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1126\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1126"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}