{"id":1132,"date":"2019-06-02T15:13:16","date_gmt":"2019-06-02T22:13:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1132"},"modified":"2019-06-02T15:52:37","modified_gmt":"2019-06-02T22:52:37","slug":"be-faithful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/06\/02\/be-faithful\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Faithful!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"color:black;font: 10pt arial;\"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <o:OfficeDocumentSettings>   <o:RelyOnVML\/>   <o:AllowPNG\/>  <\/o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <\/xml><![endif]--><!--[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\/>   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\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\" 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=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1132-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Easter-7-06-02-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Easter-7-06-02-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Easter-7-06-02-19.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><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 Seventh 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\">June 2, 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 2:10<\/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\">Be Faithful!<\/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\">I would be willing to guess that at one time most of us here today stood before the altar of the living God and we made a promise to Him.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>After two to three years of studying the truths of God\u2019s holy inspired Word in Children\u2019s Confirmation Class or after months of attending an Adult Bible Information Class we stood before the altar of God and we spoke our Confirmation Vows.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The day of our Confirmation was indeed a very special day in our lives.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It was a day that we had been anxiously waiting for.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It was a day on which we felt especially close to the Lord as we received His holy Supper for perhaps the very first time in our lives.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It was a day that for many of us was decades ago and yet it was and still is a very important and a very special day for us to remember.<\/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 why are we talking about the day of our Confirmation today, the Seventh Sunday of Easter?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The reason my friends, is rather simple.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For the past five weeks we have been following a sermon series based on various portions of the book of Revelation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our sermon series started by focusing our attention on what the risen Christ says to us as well as the fact that the Lamb is worthy of our honor and worship and praise.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then we focused on some of the amazing blessings the risen Christ has secured for us\u2014 such as a permanent Home in heaven and a glorious membership in the Holy Christian Church the Communion of Saints.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we come to the end of this sermon series I thought that in light of everything we studied it is only proper to share with you the very same encouragement that you received on the day of your Confirmation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That encouragement is summed up in the words we heard all those years ago:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b><i>Be Faithful!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we focus on that that encouragement we are going to look at two very familiar questions this morning.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first question is Martin Luther\u2019s favorite question.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When it comes to the encouragement to <i>\u201cBe Faithful!\u201d<\/i> Martin Luther taught us to ask:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What does this mean?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The second question we will look at this morning is my favorite question.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When it comes to the encouragement to <i>\u201cBe Faithful!\u201d<\/i> I teach people to ask the question:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<\/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\">Our sermon text for today is the very familiar words of Revelation 2:10, <i>\u201cBe faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What does this mean?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What does Jesus Himself have in mind when He says to us today, <i>\u201cBe faithful\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As I was studying this text I found it interesting that the Greek word that is translated here as <i>\u201cfaithful\u201d<\/i> very literally means, <i>\u201ctrustworthy, dependable, faithful.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Since the words <i>\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and faithful\u201d<\/i> can be difficult to define and since the words <i>\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and faithful\u201d<\/i> could be understood differently by different people my encouragement to you as you strive to be <i>\u201cfaithful\u201d<\/i> is to look at and remember the perfect example of Someone who is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">always <\/b><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ctrustworthy,\u201d<\/i><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"> always <\/b><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdependable,\u201d<\/i> <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">always<\/b> <i>\u201cfaithful\u201d <\/i>\u2014 your Savior God!<\/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 exact same Greek word that is used here in our text is also used in other passages of Scripture to emphasize that our God is indeed a <i>\u201cfaithful\u201d<\/i> God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See for example I Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:18)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While there are <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">many<\/b> passages we could look at to see that our God is a <i>\u201cfaithful\u201d<\/i> God some of the most powerful passages are found in 2 Timothy 2:11-13.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The apostle Paul writes, <i>\u201cHere is a <b>trustworthy<\/b> <\/i>(the same Greek word that is used here in our text for today) <i>saying:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If we died with him <\/i>(Jesus)<i>, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain <b>faithful<\/b> <\/i>(same Greek word!), <i>for he cannot disown himself.\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 read and study our Bible\u2014 both here at church and at home\u2014 it is very easy for us to see that from Genesis to Revelation the Bible is focused on God\u2019s <b>promises<\/b> to us \u2014 especially His <b>promise<\/b> to send His own dear Son into this world to save <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">us<\/b> from <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">our own<\/b> sins.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can we be confident that God has fulfilled that promise?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because our God is <i>\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and faithful\u201d<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See I Timothy 1:15)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Bible tells us that our God will always be there to <i>\u201cstrengthen and protect you from the evil one\u201d<\/i> (2 Thessalonians 3:3).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can we be confident that God will most certainly fulfill that promise?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because our God is <i>\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and faithful\u201d<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Bible tells us that through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism the God of heaven Himself drew a \u201csacred circle\u201d of grace around us and adopted you to be His own dearly beloved, saved, forgiven and justified child.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Will we <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">always<\/b> be able to count on the promise that the God of heaven made to us when we were baptized into His Name?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because our God is <i>\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and faithful\u201d<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus promises us that in the Sacrament of Holy Communion He gives to us His true body and His true blood as visible tangible assurance that all of our sins are completely forgiven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can we be confident that Jesus will keep that promise every time we receive His holy Supper?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because our God is <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and faithful\u201d<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Bible assures us that the instant our physical body dies our soul is welcomed home to heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can we be confident that the Lord our God will keep that promise to us?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because our God is <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and true\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\">This is the kind of <i>\u201cfaithfulness\u201d <\/i>that the Lord Jesus has in mind when He says to us, <i>\u201cBe faithful.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But what does this mean for <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">you<\/b> on a practical level?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How do you apply that encouragement to your own heart and to your own life?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To me it is very simple.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First and foremost it means:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cBe faithful\u201d <\/i>to God\u2019s holy Word.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Don\u2019t let anyone ever convince you that there are parts of the Bible that are <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> the holy inspired Word of God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Don\u2019t let anyone ever convince you that the Bible needs to be \u201cchanged\u201d and \u201cupdated\u201d so that it fits with what our \u201cmodern\u201d society believes, teaches and tolerates today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cBe faithful\u201d<\/i> to your conviction that the Bible <b><i>is <\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic\">the holy, inspired, inerrant<\/span> Word of God from Genesis to Revelation!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/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\"><i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Faithfulness <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">to Scripture will then lead you to be faithful in the other aspects of your walk with your Lord.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cBe faithful\u201d<\/i> in your attendance here in God\u2019s house so that you can bring Him your praise and worship, your love and thankfulness on a regular basis.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cBe faithful\u201d<\/i> in receiving your Lord\u2019s true body and blood in the Sacrament of Holy Communion so that you can receive both the forgiveness that you need as well as the strength that you need as you journey through this world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cBe faithful\u201d<\/i> in the way that you live your life as a saved and forgiven child of your heavenly Father.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cB<span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:italic\">e faithful\u201d<\/span><\/i> to the \u201csacred circle\u201d that the God of heaven drew around you when He created the gift of saving faith in your heart and made you His own.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And if\u2014 God forbid\u2014 if you ever find yourself wandering outside of that \u201csacred circle,\u201d if \u2014 God forbid\u2014 you ever allow any other \u201cgod\u201d or any \u201cother\u201d teaching into that \u201csacred circle\u201d I encourage you to remember that your God is <i>\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and faithful.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Remember the truth that is recorded for you I John 1:9, <i>\u201cIf we confess our sins, he is <b>faithful<\/b> <\/i>(same Greek word!) <i>and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cBe faithful\u201d<\/i> to your <i>\u201cfaithful\u201d<\/i> God!<\/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?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why is that my encouragement to you?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why does Jesus Himself say to you, <i>\u201cBe faithful\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at the rest of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cBe faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The children of God in the days of the apostle John were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>John himself had been exiled to the island of Patmos for faithfully proclaiming the Good News that Jesus Christ is this world\u2019s only Savior from sin.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We also face persecution as we strive to walk with our Lord in this sin-darkened world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While we may not be exiled to some island we may be ridiculed for our faith.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We may be laughed at by others because of the things we believe and the things we refuse to support.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In reality, we are faced with many temptations to be \u201cunfaithful\u201d to our <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfaithful\u201d<\/i> God\u2014 and those temptations aren\u2019t going away just because we aren\u2019t kids anymore.<\/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, my friends, is why we need to consciously strive to be <i>\u201cfaithful\u201d<\/i> to our God each and every day of our life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We need to remember that one day our journey here on this earth will come to an end. When by God\u2019s grace and by God\u2019s power we have kept His \u201csacred circle\u201d intact, when by God\u2019s grace and by God\u2019s power we have remained <i>\u201cfaithful\u201d<\/i> to our <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfaithful\u201d <\/i>God then the instant we leave this world our <i>\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and faithful\u201d<\/i> God will fulfill His promise to us and bring us Home to heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Picture yourself walking through those Pearly Gates and being surrounded by thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand rejoicing angels.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Picture yourself walking down the streets of gold to the \u201cHellos!\u201d of all the saints and perhaps even the hugs of all your loved ones.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Picture yourself standing in the very presence of the Triune God Himself and having Him wrap His loving arms around you and whisper in your ear, <i>\u201cWell done, good and <b>faithful<\/b><\/i> (same Greek word!) <i>servant!\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Matthew 25:21)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Picture the Almighty Creator of the universe placing the <i>\u201ccrown of life\u201d<\/i> on your head!<\/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 <i>\u201ccrown of life\u201d\u2014 <\/i><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:italic\">that\u2019s<\/span> what it\u2019s all about, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <i>\u201ccrown of life\u201d<\/i> that our <i>\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and faithful\u201d<\/i> God has waiting for all of His <i>\u201ctrustworthy, dependable and faithful\u201d<\/i> children is also described in Scripture as a <i>\u201ccrown of righteousness\u201d<\/i> (2 Timothy 4:8) and a <i>\u201ccrown of glory\u201d<\/i> (I Peter 5:4)\u2014 a <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ccrown\u201d<\/i> that will last for all of eternity (I Corinthians 9:24-25).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No one will ever be able to take that <i>\u201ccrown of life\u201d<\/i> away from us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whatever ridicule, whatever laughter, whatever rejection, whatever hardships, whatever heartaches, whatever crosses we may be called upon to endure as we strive to <i>\u201cBe faithful\u201d<\/i> to our Savior God here on this earth they will be nothing\u2014 absolutely nothing\u2014 compared with the joy and the happiness, the glory and the perfection, the victorious <i>\u201ccrown of life\u201d<\/i> that the good Lord Himself will one day lovingly place on our head.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Keep \u201cprocessing\u201d that truth in your heart and in your mind and then you will always know why\u2014 why you want to follow the encouragement we are being given here today:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cBe faithful\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:italic\"> to your <i>\u201cfaithful\u201d<\/i> God!<\/span><\/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 day of our Confirmation was indeed a very special day in our life as a child of God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On that day we stood before the altar of the living God\u2014 the God who by His power first brought us into His \u201csacred circle\u201d of grace\u2014 and we spoke our Confirmation vow, our promise to <i>\u201cBe faithful\u201d<\/i> to Him.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My prayer this morning, my friends, is beautifully expressed in the words that the apostle Paul spoke to God\u2019s <i>\u201cfaithful\u201d<\/i> children in Thessalonica so many years ago:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cMay God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The one who calls you is <b>faithful<\/b> <\/i>(same Greek word!) <i>and he will do it\u201d<\/i> (I Thessalonians 5:23-24).<\/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=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"line-height:normal\">\u201cBe faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.\u201d<\/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\">&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<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Easter-7-06-02-19.mp3\">Easter-7-06-02-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; The Seventh Sunday of Easter June 2, 2019 Revelation 2:10 Be Faithful! &nbsp; Dear fellow worshipers of our living Lord and Savior, &nbsp; I would be willing to guess that at one time most of us here today stood before the altar of the living God and we made a promise to Him.&nbsp; After two to three [&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-1132","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\/1132","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=1132"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1132\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}