{"id":1159,"date":"2019-09-15T14:50:18","date_gmt":"2019-09-15T21:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1159"},"modified":"2019-09-15T15:03:23","modified_gmt":"2019-09-15T22:03:23","slug":"life-is-a-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/09\/15\/life-is-a-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"Life is a Journey!"},"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-ascii-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1159-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Pentecost-14-09-15-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Pentecost-14-09-15-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Pentecost-14-09-15-19.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 Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">September 15, 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\">Hebrews 12:18-24<\/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\">Life Is a Journey!<\/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\">You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>&#8220;If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, &#8220;I am trembling with fear.&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.<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\">If you were asked to describe a person\u2019s existence, a person\u2019s life, here on this earth what picture might you use?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The picture that makes the most sense to me, the picture I use the most often is the picture of a journey.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our life is indeed a journey, isn\u2019t it?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>From our perspective our life is a journey into the unknown.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We don\u2019t know what today or tomorrow might bring.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We don\u2019t know if our journey will be smooth or if there are going to be potholes and road construction all along the way.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We don\u2019t even know how long our journey will last.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We do, however, know that one day our journey here on this earth will most certainly come to an end\u2014 and then we enter into 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 around God\u2019s holy Word and God\u2019s holy Supper this morning let\u2019s take this opportunity to remember that:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Life Is a Journey.<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the saved children of God we have two choices when it comes to how we live this journey we call life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We can live our life trembling at the foot of Mount Sinai or we can life our life rejoicing at the foot of Mount  Zion.<\/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 letter to the Hebrews was originally written to Jewish Christians who were facing a very serious problem in the journey of their life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>By the grace and power of God alone these descendants of Abraham had been led to see and to believe and to trust that Jesus of Nazareth <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">is <\/i><\/b>the long-awaited Promised Messiah, the fulfillment of all the Lord\u2019s promises to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Unfortunately, these Jewish Christians had family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers who were persecuting them for believing in Jesus as their Savior.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If we stick with the picture of life being a journey, these Hebrew Christians were being pressured to turn their backs on Jesus, to turn around on the journey of their life and go back to following Judaism.<\/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\">Could they do this?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes, they could.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They could reject the gift of saving faith which God had created in their hearts, they could spurn the grace that the Lord had so richly showered upon them and go back to following the rules and regulations of the Mosaic Law.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Should they do this?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Absolutely not\u2014 not unless they wanted to live the journey of their life trembling at the foot of Mount Sinai!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at what the writer to the Hebrews says in the opening verses of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cYou have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further words be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, \u2018I am trembling with fear.\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\">You may recall what it was like for the Children of Israel when they came to Mount  Sinai after the exodus from Egypt.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Lord God of heaven and earth visibly descended onto that mountain with such great power and majesty that God\u2019s own children\u2014 including Moses! \u2014 literally trembled with fear!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why did the God who had just rescued His people from slavery in Egypt descend amidst thunder and lightening, smoke and fire?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why did the Lord choose to appear in such a way that He caused the entire mountain to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ctremble violently\u201d<\/i> at His presence?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See exodus 19)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He did this, my friends, to impress upon His children that He is a serious God who will not tolerate any sin!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When God says to His children, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThou shalt and thou shalt not\u2026\u201d<\/i> He wants them to realize that He most certainly has the power to back-up what He demands!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He is a God who says what He means and He means what He says!<\/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 would any child of God want to go back and live their life trembling at the foot of Mount  Sinai?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are a number of reasons\u2014 all of which make perfect sense to our old sinful nature.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, as sinful human beings we like to think that we can indeed keep God\u2019s Law.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On more than one occasion I have asked someone why God should let them live in His heavenly home and they respond by saying, \u201cWell, I think that I have lived a pretty good life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I have never cheated on my spouse.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I have never robbed a bank.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I have never killed anyone.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I even give to a variety of charities.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our sinful nature, however, does not want to acknowledge that the Ten Commandments begin by emphasizing our personal relationship with the Lord, the one and only true God:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>always putting Him first in our hearts and lives, never misusing His holy Name, and joyfully gathering together here in His house on a regular basis to worship and praise Him.<\/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 sinful human beings we also deceive ourselves into thinking that God will not only be satisfied if we at least try to live a \u201cgood\u201d life, but if we do happen to make a \u201cmistake,\u201d if we do happen to \u201csin\u201d against Him we deceive ourselves into thinking that we can make up for that \u201cmistake,\u201d we can pay for that \u201csin\u201d by doing some kind of good work.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our old sinful nature, however, can not comprehend that our holy and perfect God demands that we be holy and perfect as well.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Leviticus 19:2; Matthew 5:48)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Deep down inside, my friends, everyone who strives to live the journey of their life with the goal of keeping God\u2019s Law and making up for their sins by doing good works is left trembling helplessly at the foot of Mount Sinai\u2014 just like God\u2019s people in the days of Moses.<\/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\u2019s precisely why the writer to the Hebrews reminds his readers\u2014 and us\u2014 of what the good Lord has graciously done <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for<\/b> them\u2014 and us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verses 22-24 of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cBut you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.\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\">Purely by the grace and power of God alone we have already been brought to all the glorious realities mentioned here in this portion of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Ever since the days of great King David the earthly city of Jerusalem\u2014 which is built on Mount Zion\u2014 was the #1 city and the ultimate destination for all of God\u2019s faithful Old Testament children.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But ever since the days of Jesus the spiritual <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cMount Zion,\u201d<\/i> the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cheavenly Jerusalem,\u201d<\/i> the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ccity of the living God\u201d<\/i> has become the #1 city and the ultimate destination for all of God\u2019s faithful children.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The heavenly Mount Zion is where <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly\u201d<\/i> sing praises to our Triune God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The heavenly Mount Zion is where our names are now <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwritten\u201d <\/i>on the membership rolls of the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cchurch of the firstborn.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I personally find it very comforting that in the original Greek of this text it very literally says that we are <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cregistered\u201d<\/i> or <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cenrolled\u201d<\/i> in heaven!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even though we are not <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">physically<\/i> there yet, we are <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">guaranteed<\/i> a \u201cspot\u201d in our heavenly Father\u2019s Home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our \u201creservation\u201d is confirmed!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">It is also on Mount Zion that we come before the God who judges both the living and the dead.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But, unlike the situation that God\u2019s people experienced on Mount Sinai, the Judge of all mankind has now declared us <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cNot Guilty!\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We have already been made <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cperfect\u201d<\/i> and <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201choly\u201d<\/i> and <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201crighteous\u201d <\/i>in His eyes.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How can that possibly be?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The writer to the Hebrews answers that question when he says that we have come to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cJesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>These words, my friends, cause us to lift up our eyes and remember what Jesus has done for us 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>While Abel\u2019s blood cried out to the Lord seeking justice (See Genesis 4:8ff) Jesus\u2019 blood cries out proclaiming that God\u2019s justice has been satisfied!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIt is finished!\u201d <\/i>(John 19:30)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>These words also remind us of the New Covenant that Jesus has made with us and for us in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This is a covenant that is based purely on God\u2019s grace and God\u2019s mercy and God\u2019s forgiveness.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This is a covenant that we experience in a special, unique and personal way every time we receive the true body and the true blood of our dear 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\">When you and I, my friends, live the journey of our lives at the foot of Mount Zion then we will always have reasons to rejoice.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We will rejoice in knowing that we now have the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">privilege<\/i> of living our lives according to God\u2019s holy will for us as it is revealed in the Ten Commandments\u2014 not because we have to, not because we are trying to earn God\u2019s grace and favor, but because we want to!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We want the opportunity to say \u201cThank-you!\u201d to the God who has done so very much for us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We will rejoice in knowing that even when we do stumble and fall in our faith, even when we do sin against our dear Lord and make Him cry we can come to His altar with a repentant heart, receive His true body and blood in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, have Him wrap His loving arms around us and hear Him assure us that <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">all<\/i><\/b> of our sins <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">are<\/i><\/b> forgiven. <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>And yes, we rejoice in knowing that when our journey here on this earth comes to an end the \u201creservation\u201d that Christ secured for us on the cross guarantees that we will indeed be welcomed Home to heaven to live in the presence of our Savior God for ever and ever and ever!<\/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\">Life is indeed a journey, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sometimes that journey goes smoothly and sometimes it does not.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sometimes that journey is a long one\u2014 perhaps even longer than we might wish\u2013 and sometimes that journey is far shorter than anyone ever expected.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Thank God, my friends, that purely by His grace you and I are able to live the journey of our life rejoicing\u2014 rejoicing at the foot of Mount Zion!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<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\/09\/Pentecost-14-09-15-19.mp3\">Pentecost-14-09-15-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 15, 2019 Hebrews 12:18-24 Life Is a Journey! &nbsp; You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further [&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-1159","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\/1159","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=1159"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1159\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}