{"id":1136,"date":"2019-06-18T08:01:16","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T15:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1136"},"modified":"2019-06-18T08:07:50","modified_gmt":"2019-06-18T15:07:50","slug":"blessed-by-the-triune-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/06\/18\/blessed-by-the-triune-god\/","title":{"rendered":"Blessed by the Triune God!"},"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>   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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\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1136-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Trinity-Sunday-06-16-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Trinity-Sunday-06-16-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Trinity-Sunday-06-16-19.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\">&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\">Trinity Sunday<\/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\">Father\u2019s Day<\/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 16, 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\">Numbers 6:22-27<\/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\">Blessed by the Triune 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=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">The L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> said to Moses, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">&#8220;Tell Aaron and his sons, &#8216;This is how you are to bless the Israelites.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Say to them:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">ORD<\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> bless you and keep you; the L<\/span>ORD<\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the L<\/span>ORD<\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> turn his face toward you and give you peace.&#8217;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span>So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><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\">Today is Father\u2019s Day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today is a day when families all across the country are going out of their way to show their Dads and Granddads just how much they love and appreciate them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today is the day that Dads and Granddads all across the country are getting gifts of new ties or new tools, dinner at their favorite restaurant or a gift card to one of their favorite restaurants.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Speaking on behalf of Dads and Granddads all across the country\u2014 all of that is good and right and proper!<\/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 us who have gathered together here in God\u2019s house this morning, today is also Trinity Sunday.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today is a day when we get to sit back and marvel at the awesomeness of the God we worship and adore, the God who created us, the God who redeemed us, the God who sanctifies us\u2014 the God we will never be able to completely understand with our limited logical minds!<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\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Is there a way to combine those two realities my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is there a way to take Father\u2019s Day and Trinity Sunday and dovetail them together?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I think there is!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While our children and our grandchildren are striving to show their love and appreciation to their Dads and the Granddads today, as Christian Fathers and as Christian Grandfathers we have the opportunity to take a moment and reflect on what we want most for our children and our grandchildren.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s where Trinity Sunday fits into the equation in a very wonderful way!<\/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 this Trinity Sunday is a portion of Scripture that is extremely familiar to us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This text contains the blessing that we almost always hear at the end of our worship services.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today let\u2019s see how this text not only comforts us and strengthens each and every one of us, but let\u2019s see how this text reminds us fathers and grandfathers that our number one prayer for our children and our grandchildren is that they are blessed:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b><i>Blessed by the Triune God!<\/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\">We have all experienced times in our lives when it seemed as though we were such a failure that nobody could ever possibly want us\u2014 including God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Humanly speaking, the children of God in the days of Moses had every reason to feel that way.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <i>L<\/i><\/span><i><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, the great <i>\u201cI AM\u201d<\/i> who appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:13-14; See also Exodus 34:6-7), had blessed the descendants of Abraham beyond anything they deserved.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>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\"> rescued them out of slavery in Egypt.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>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\"> rescued them from their enemies at the shore of the Red Sea.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>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\"> led them through the desert providing food and water along the way.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>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\"> gave them His written Word at Mt. Sinai.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>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\"> promised them a land of their own\u2014 a land flowing with milk and honey.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How did God\u2019s children respond?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They grumbled and complained.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They fashioned a golden calf and then bowed down to worship it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They openly engaged in sexual immorality.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In short\u2014 God\u2019s people failed!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They failed miserably!<\/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\">Yet, in spite of all that, my friends, what do we hear in the opening verse of our text?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We read, <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\"> said to Moses, \u2018Tell Aaron and his sons, \u201cThis is how you are to bless the Israelites\u2026.\u201d\u2019\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;&nbsp; <\/span>The blessing that we use here in our worship services is <b>not<\/b> something that Moses simply \u201ccame up with\u201d one day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The blessing that we use here in our worship services is <b>not<\/b> something that the church \u201cdeveloped\u201d over the course of time.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No, rather, the blessing that we use here in our worship services was not only <b>given<\/b> to Moses directly by God Himself, but 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\"> <b>directed<\/b> that this blessing be pronounced upon His people until the very end of time.<\/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 look at this gracious blessing we easily see that it encompasses three sections.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This three-fold blessing automatically leads us to think of the Triune God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This three-fold blessing automatically reminds us that the <b><i>only <\/i><\/b>true God, the Triune God, is our Source of blessings.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You might be interested to know that in the Hebrew the three sections of this blessing cascade from three words to five words to seven words\u2014 like a stream of blessings that grows larger as it flows.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You also might be interested in knowing that the word <i>\u201cyou\u201d<\/i> here in this blessing is in the singular form.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>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\"> designed this blessing to be taken \u201cpersonally\u201d by each and every individual child of 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\">Now, let\u2019s look at the blessing itself, shall we.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first section reads, <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\"> bless you and keep you.\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>The blessings of 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\">, the blessings of the Triune God encompass a wide variety of both material and spiritual gifts.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In fact, in the book of James we are told, <i>\u201cEvery good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights\u2026.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(James 1:17)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Perhaps more important than the gifts themselves, however, is the Triune God\u2019s motivation behind these blessings.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why does the Triune God bless you?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because He loves you!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>All of God\u2019s gifts to you are an open expression of His amazing grace!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is that grace which also leads the Triune God to <i>\u201ckeep you.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Literally, this Hebrew word means, <i>\u201cto guard or protect.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes, my friends, the Triune God Himself promises to <i>\u201cguard\u201d<\/i> you and to <i>\u201cprotect\u201d<\/i> you from all harm.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Psalm 121:7-8; Romans 8:28).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even when we walk through <i>\u201cthe valley of the shadow of death\u201d<\/i> (Psalm 23:4) we do not need to fear!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Triune God will be there to <i>\u201cguard\u201d<\/i> us and to <i>\u201cprotect\u201d<\/i> 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\">The blessing of the Triune God then continues with the words. <i>\u201c\u2026the 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\"> make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you\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>Have you ever known someone whose face automatically lights up and smiles from ear to ear the instant they see you?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just as a person\u2019s smile reveals the joy and the love that fills their heart, so also the Lord\u2019s smiling face reveals the joy and the love that is in His heart when He sees us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do we deserve to have the Triune God smiling down on us?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No, we do not, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of our sin, because of our rebellious ways we deserve to see God\u2019s face flush with righteous anger as He condemns us to an eternity of suffering in hell.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What then motivates the Triune God to <i>\u201cmake his face shine upon you\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Once again it all comes down to the fact that the Triune God is <i>\u201cgracious to you.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>From all of eternity God\u2019s <i>\u201cface\u201d<\/i> has always been focused on the cross of Calvary\u2019s hill.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>From all of eternity the Triune God has always been able to \u201csee\u201d what Jesus accomplished <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for<\/b> you and <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for<\/b> me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s why the apostle Paul was able to say to the Christians in Rome, <i>\u201cBut God demonstrates his own love for us in this:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While we were still sinners, Christ died for us\u201d<\/i> (Romans 5:8).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As you and I now strive to stay focused on the cross, as you and I now strive to openly live our lives as the saved and forgiven children of the Triune God we have the comfort and the security of knowing that 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\"> is indeed \u201csmiling\u201d down upon 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\">The final portion of the blessing of the Triune God once again wraps the warm soft blanket of God\u2019s grace around us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We read, <i>\u201c\u2026the 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\">turn his face toward you and give you peace.\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>When someone is angry with you, when someone is deeply disappointed in you they might say something like, \u201cI don\u2019t even want to look at you right now.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If it were not for the cross of Jesus Christ God would indeed turn His face away from us in anger and in disgust.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of the cross of Jesus Christ the Triune God <i>\u201cturns his face toward you,\u201d <\/i>my friends!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Think about it, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Triune God <i>\u201cturns his face toward you\u201d<\/i> in love and acceptance and He freely blesses you with the greatest gift of all: <i>\u201cshalom\u201d\u2014 \u201cpeace\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 <i>\u201cshalom\u201d<\/i> was the common way for God\u2019s people to both greet each other as well as to bid farewell to each other this \u201ccommon\u201d word took on extraordinary meaning on Easter Sunday, didn\u2019t it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The very first words the risen Christ spoke to His frightened disciples in that locked room were, <i>\u201cPeace be with you!\u201d<\/i> (John 20:19)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <i>\u201cpeace\u201d<\/i> that only the Triune God can give us, the <i>\u201cpeace\u201d<\/i> that <i>\u201ctranscends all understanding\u201d<\/i> (Philippians 4:7) guarantees to us that \u201cAll is well\u201d between us and the only true God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cShalom!\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Such a simple word!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Such a powerful meaning!<\/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 it would be tempting to end our sermon right here I would be shortchanging you if I did not take a moment to direct your attention to the closing verse of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We hear the Triune God Himself say, <i>\u201cSo they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>By placing His Name on His children the Triune God \u201cchooses\u201d them to be His very own.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See John 15:16)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>Why<\/i> does the Triune God \u201cchoose\u201d someone to be His very own?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It all goes back to His grace, doesn\u2019t it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>When<\/i> did the Triune God choose <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">you<\/b> to be His very own?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For most of you it was at the time of your Christian baptism.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When you were baptized with water in the Name of the Triune God He \u201cchose\u201d you, He \u201cadopted\u201d you, He \u201cplaced His name\u201d on you so that you would be His very own dearly beloved child!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes, my friends, your Christian baptism assures you that the Triune God does indeed \u201cwant\u201d you\u2014 He wants you to be His own both now and in 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\">&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 with our family today\u2014 both our biological family and our spiritual family\u2014 we are indeed celebrating both Father\u2019s Day as well as Trinity Sunday.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My prayer this morning is that as children and grandchildren, as Fathers and Grandfathers, as brothers and sisters in Christ we will listen.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Listen very closely to the blessing that the Triune God pronounces upon you\u2014 His children\u2014 to this very day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Listen to His blessing in the shadow of the cross.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Listen to His blessing knowing that you have been baptized in His Name.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Listen to His blessing and then you will always know, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then you will always know that you <b><i>are<\/i><\/b> indeed blessed\u2014 blessed by the Triune 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\">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\"><u><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/u><\/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\/Trinity-Sunday-06-16-19.mp3\">Trinity-Sunday-06-16-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Trinity Sunday Father\u2019s Day June 16, 2019 Numbers 6:22-27 Blessed by the Triune God! &nbsp; The LORD said to Moses, &#8220;Tell Aaron and his sons, &#8216;This is how you are to bless the Israelites.&nbsp; Say to them:&nbsp; The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; [&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-1136","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\/1136","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=1136"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1136\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}