{"id":1039,"date":"2018-08-19T15:47:38","date_gmt":"2018-08-19T22:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1039"},"modified":"2018-08-19T15:51:28","modified_gmt":"2018-08-19T22:51:28","slug":"its-so-simple-it-seems-difficult","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/19\/its-so-simple-it-seems-difficult\/","title":{"rendered":"It&#8217;s So Simple It Seems Difficult!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   <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\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1039-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Pentecost-13-08-19-18.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Pentecost-13-08-19-18.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Pentecost-13-08-19-18.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"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 Thirteenth 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\">August 19, 2018<\/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\">John 6:51-58<\/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\u2019s So Simple It Seems Difficult! <\/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\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">\u201cI am the living bread that came down from heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, \u201cHow can this man give us his flesh to eat?\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus said to them, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This is the bread that came down from heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span><\/i>(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\">As many of you have heard me say on more than one occasion, when I was at the Seminary my all time favorite professor was Dr. Siegbert Becker.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Dr. Becker taught a class called Dogmatics\u2014 which is the study of all the various <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">dogma<\/i>, all the various <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">teachings<\/i>, of the Bible.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Dr. Becker told us that one of the things he truly appreciated about the Christian faith is that it makes no sense!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>All the other religions on the face of this earth are quite logical.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They either bring God down to a level where we human beings can understand Him and relate to Him, or they elevate us human beings to a level where we don\u2019t really need God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And when it comes to salvation every religion outside of the Biblical\/Christian religion either teaches that we have nothing to worry about since there is no such thing as \u201csin,\u201d or \u201chell\u201d or the \u201cdevil,\u201d or they teach that your salvation is dependant on what you do\u2014 a decision that you make or the works that you perform.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It\u2019s all very logical!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The point Dr. Becker was striving to make is that since Christianity is not logical and since the Christian faith makes no sense to our mortal way of thinking all the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">dogma<\/i>, all the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">teachings<\/i> proclaimed in the Bible had to be revealed to us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In other words, we never would have come up with this on our own!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Holding up the Bible)<\/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 reason I bring this up today, my friends, is that our sermon text for this morning can be very difficult to understand.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>These words were difficult for the people to understand when Jesus first spoke them and they are still difficult for many people to understand today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore, my goal today is twofold.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, I hope to help you understand what Jesus is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> saying here in our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then I hope to help you understand what Jesus <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">is<\/b> saying here in our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To that end let\u2019s study this portion of Scripture under the theme:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">It\u2019s So Simple It Seems Difficult!<\/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\">Our text for today is once again a part of what is commonly known as Jesus\u2019 \u201cBread of Life Discourse.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus spoke these words the morning after He miraculously fed over 5,000 people with just five small barley loaves and two small fish.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You may recall that the people who saw Jesus perform that miracle were so intrigued by what He did that they wanted to make Him their \u201cBread King\u201d\u2014 even if that meant doing so by force.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now, the people wanted Jesus to perform even more miracles and show them even more power to prove to them that He was worthy of them putting their faith and trust in Him.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See John 6:25-30)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s why Jesus tried to teach them that He is the Bread of Life who came down from heaven.<\/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\">Look at what our Savior says in the opening verses of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c\u2019I am the living bread that came down from heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, \u2018How can this man give us his flesh to eat?\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\">It doesn\u2019t take much to see that at least some of the people had no concept whatsoever of what Jesus was talking about.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They saw Jesus simply as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthis man\u201d<\/i>\u2014 someone who perhaps was not all that different from them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And did they actually think that Jesus was promoting cannibalism?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If that was indeed what they were thinking\u2014 well, they could not have been more mistaken!<\/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\">How does Jesus respond to their question, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHow can this man give us his flesh to eat?\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Listen carefully to what Jesus says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This is the bread that came down from heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.\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\">There has been a good deal of debate in the church over what Jesus is talking about here.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Many people hear Jesus say, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life\u201d<\/i> and they automatically think of\u2014 Communion!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We, of course, know from Scripture that in the Sacrament of Holy Communion we do indeed receive Jesus\u2019 true body and Jesus\u2019 true blood \u201cin, with and under\u201d the bread and the wine.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is Jesus talking about Communion here in our text?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While at first glance it might <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">seem<\/b> as though Jesus is talking about the Lord\u2019s Supper when we look a little closer it becomes clear that He is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> talking about Communion here in John chapter six.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How do we know this?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let me point out three things.<\/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\">First, Jesus had not yet even instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore, it is highly unlikely that He would emphasize the sacramental eating of His body and blood before He had given this precious Sacrament to His Church.<\/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\">Second, Jesus clearly brings out here in our text that <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ceating His flesh\u201d<\/i> and <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdrinking His blood\u201d<\/i> is a<b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"> requirement<\/b> for eternal life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verse 53.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI tell you the truth, <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">unless<\/b> you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Does the Bible teach and do we confess that a person <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">must<\/b> receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion in order to be saved?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The answer is:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No!<\/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\">Third, Jesus <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">guarantees<\/b> here in our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Does the Bible teach and do we confess that absolutely everyone who receives the Sacrament of Holy Communion is automatically guaranteed eternal life\u2014 no matter what?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Again the answer is:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Scripture clearly teaches that a person can receive this Holy Supper to their own spiritual harm.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See I Corinthians 11:27-29)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This is precisely why we follow the Scriptural practice called \u201cClose Communion.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This is precisely why we encourage all of you to properly prepare your hearts before you come to the Lord\u2019s Table to receive His true body and blood.<\/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\">Well then, my friends, if Jesus is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> talking about the Sacrament of Holy Communion here in our text then what <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">is<\/b> He talking about?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let\u2019s think this through, shall we?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, Jesus clearly brings out here in our text that <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ceating His flesh\u201d<\/i> and <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdrinking His blood\u201d<\/i> is a <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">requirement<\/b> for eternal life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Second, Jesus also <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">guarantees<\/b> here in our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is only one thing that is a <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">requirement <\/b>for eternal life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is only one thing that<b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"> guarantees<\/b> eternal salvation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That one thing is\u2014 faith!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Faith\u2014 in Jesus!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Faith in what Jesus has done <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for <\/b>you!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">What Jesus <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">is<\/b> talking about here in His Bread of Life discourse is a deep personal faith in Him as one\u2019s only Savior from sin.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And if you want absolute conclusive proof that Jesus is talking about faith listen to John 6:28-29.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>John writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThen they asked him, \u2018What must we do to do the works God requires?\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus answered, \u2018The work of God is this:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>to believe in the one he has sent.\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\">When we know that the Child born of Mary is both true God as well as true Man, when we know that this Child lived an absolutely perfect life in our place, when we know that Jesus willingly served as the Sacrifice for our sins by suffering and dying on the cross as our Substitute, when we know that Jesus physically rose from His grave on the third day\u2014 when we know this my friends, not just here in our heads but deep in our hearts, we <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">are<\/b> saved!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">guaranteed<\/b> eternal life!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is there anything that we must do to contribute to our salvation?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Absolutely not!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The eternal Son of God who came into this world as our \u201cflesh and blood\u201d Brother has done it all for us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cBelieve in Me!\u201d Jesus now says to us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cTrust Me!\u201d says our 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\">Over the course of the last 33 years I have personally come to the conclusion that the central message of the Bible is so simple that it seems difficult!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The sweet simple Gospel message that God loves you\u2014 yes, even you!\u2014 so very much that He was willing to send His Son to die for you doesn\u2019t make sense to our logical mortal minds. Yet, that is exactly what the cross proclaims to you, my friends!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What then is the purpose of receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why do we attend church as often as we can?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why do we make the time to come to Bible class and bring our children to Sunday school?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Again the answer is so simple:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Growth! We want to grow in our faith.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We want to grow in our trust.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We want to grow in our knowledge and in our understanding of what the good Lord has revealed <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">to <\/b>us and what the good Lord has done <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for <\/b>us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We want to grow as a child of God until we have \u201cinwardly digested\u201d our dear Lord and Savior so thoroughly that He is an integral part of everything we are, everything we think, everything we do and say.<\/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 took me awhile to absorb Professor Becker\u2019s perspective on the Christian faith, but now I understand what he meant.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Too many churches and too many preachers make the message of salvation too difficult when in reality it is so simple!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do you believe that you have sinned against the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth and deserve His punishment both now and in eternity?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do you believe that the eternal Son of God became your true \u201cflesh and blood\u201d Brother\u2014 conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary as we confess here in church?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do you believe that the Son of God and the Son of Man suffered and died on the cross to pay for the sins of the whole world\u2014 including your sins?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do you believe that Jesus the Christ physically rose from the dead on Easter Sunday to <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">guarantee<\/b> that one day you too shall rise and live with Him in the eternal glory and perfection of His heavenly home?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then you, my friends, <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">are<\/b> saved!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then you, my friends, <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">are<\/b> forgiven!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then you, my friends, will <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">always<\/b> be able to look at the cross of Jesus Christ, hear the simple message it proclaims and humbly say\u2014<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&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<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Pentecost-13-08-19-18.mp3\">Pentecost-13-08-19-18.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost August 19, 2018 John 6:51-58 It\u2019s So Simple It Seems Difficult! &nbsp; \u201cI am the living bread that came down from heaven.&nbsp; If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.&nbsp; This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.\u201d&nbsp; Then the Jews began to [&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-1039","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\/1039","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=1039"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1039\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}