{"id":1102,"date":"2019-02-17T18:03:32","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T02:03:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1102"},"modified":"2019-02-17T18:04:34","modified_gmt":"2019-02-18T02:04:34","slug":"the-contrasts-of-christianity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/17\/the-contrasts-of-christianity\/","title":{"rendered":"The Contrasts of Christianity"},"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=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1102-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Epiphany-6-02-17-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Epiphany-6-02-17-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Epiphany-6-02-17-19.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">February 17, 2019<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Luke 6:17-26<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">The Contrasts of Christianity<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">He went down with them and stood on a level place.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Looking at his disciples, he said:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cBlessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/i>(NIV1984)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">You and I, my friends, live in a world that is completely steeped in contrasts\u2014 contrasts that can be seen in just about every facet of our existence.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For example, I have been voting since I was eighteen years old and never have I seen such a stark contrast between the two major political parties as I see today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In every place where I have ever lived it has been relatively easy to see economic contrasts.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You drive through this neighborhood and you will see nice big houses with well-kept lawns.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Drive into a different neighborhood (sometimes not too far away) and you can see houses that are run down and junked-out cars in the yards.<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">The contrasts that we see all around us, my friends, are indeed numerous and sometimes very vivid.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But nowhere\u2014 nowhere\u2014 is the contrast so sharp and so clear than between the world in which we live and the faith which God has created in our hearts.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>With that in mind, let\u2019s look at these words of Luke 6 under the theme:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b><i>The Contrasts of Christianity.<\/i><\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">There are essentially two different ways in which people look at our text for today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>One way centers on Jesus teaching us a lesson from a purely physical or worldly perspective.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This perspective, however, does not line up well with the rest of Scripture.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For example, we would never want to say that all those who are <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cpoor\u201d<\/i> from a worldly perspective can automatically look forward to being blessed with entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nor would we ever want to say that anyone who is <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201crich\u201d<\/i> from a worldly perspective will never be able to look forward to enjoying the comforts of living in their heavenly Father\u2019s home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The other way to look at this text is from a spiritual perspective.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This would have Jesus pronouncing a \u201cblessing\u201d on those who realize that they are spiritually <i>\u201cpoor\u201d<\/i> as well as on those who <i>\u201chunger\u201d<\/i> for spiritual nourishment.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This is how I understand this portion of God\u2019s holy Word.<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Turning now to our text we once again find Jesus surrounded by <i>\u201ca large crowd of his disciples\u201d<\/i> and <i>\u201ca great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Luke also tells us that the people had two reasons for coming to see Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verse 18 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Luke says that people came from all over <i>\u201cto hear him<\/i> (Jesus) <i>and to be healed of their diseases.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Were any of these people disappointed\u2014 whether it was in Jesus\u2019 teaching or in His power to heal?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Absolutely not!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The people were overwhelmed both by the authority with which Jesus taught God\u2019s Word as well as by the way in which Jesus had the power to heal anyone\u2014 even those who were <i>\u201ctroubled by evil spirits.\u201d<\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">I think it is important for us to note the power and the authority that Jesus possesses before we get to the <i>\u201cblessings\u201d<\/i> and the <i>\u201cwoes\u201d<\/i> that are listed here in our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The reason it is important for us to see and to remember the power and the authority of Jesus is because both the <i>\u201cblessings\u201d<\/i> and the <i>\u201cwoes\u201d<\/i> that Jesus proclaims to us here go completely <b>against<\/b> \u201cconventional human wisdom.\u201d They go completely <b>against<\/b> what our own sinful nature wants us to believe.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I find it personally alarming how often I hear Christians say, \u201cWell, <b>I<\/b> think God wants me to do this\u2026\u201d or, \u201c<b>I<\/b> prayed about it and <b>I feel <\/b>God wants me to do that\u2026.\u201d Yet, they have no Scripture to back up what they think.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There may even be Scripture passages that say the exact <b>opposite<\/b> of what they <b>feel<\/b> God wants them to do!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The power and the authority that Jesus reveals here in our text have not somehow diminished down through the ages.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That same power and that same authority are just as valid today as they were in the days of Luke.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That same power and that same authority will be just as valid on the day Jesus returns to this earth and gathers all the nations before Him to judge them on the basis of what <b><i>He<\/i><\/b><i> <\/i>reveals to us here in<i> <b>His<\/b><\/i> holy Word!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See John 12:48)<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">With the power and the authority of Jesus clearly in mind let\u2019s look at the heart and core of our text for today which centers around four <i>\u201cblessings\u201d<\/i> and four corresponding contrasting \u201c<i>woes.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let\u2019s look at each pair\u2014 each contrast\u2014 individually.<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">The first contrast is found in verses 20 &amp; 24.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says, <i>\u201cBlessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God\u2026But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look at these words of our Savior from a spiritual perspective it is not hard to understand what Jesus is emphasizing here, is it?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <i>\u201cpoor\u201d<\/i> are those individuals who recognize that on their own they have absolutely nothing to offer to God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They are spiritual <i>\u201cbeggars.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They understand that even the very best they can do are like <i>\u201cfilthy rags\u201d<\/i> in God\u2019s eyes.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Isaiah 64:6)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like the tax-collector in Luke 18 they can\u2019t even bring themselves to look up to heaven but beat their breast and beg, <i>\u201cGod, have mercy on me, a sinner\u201d<\/i> (Luke 18:13).<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Those who by the power of God\u2019s Law have been led to recognize their spiritual <i>\u201cpoverty\u201d<\/i> are indeed <i>\u201cblessed.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They are <i>\u201cblessed\u201d<\/i> with the <i>\u201ckingdom of God.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/i>Through the precious message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ they are led to the foot of the cross on Calvary\u2019s hill (Pointing to the cross) and are given the guarantee that purely by grace through faith in what Jesus has done <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for<\/b> them they will most certainly inherit nothing less than the incomparable eternal riches of God\u2019s own heavenly Kingdom!<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">In sharp contrast to the spiritually <i>\u201cpoor\u201d<\/i> are those who feel that they are spiritually <i>\u201crich\u201d<\/i> all on their own.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As far as they are concerned they don\u2019t need God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They don\u2019t need the cross of Jesus Christ.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like the Pharisee in Luke 18 they think that they are doing just fine all by themselves.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cWoe to you,\u201d<\/i> Jesus says to those who think that their own pious life and their own good works will somehow gain them God\u2019s grace and favor.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While they may feel spiritually comfortable in this life, eternity has a rude awakening waiting for them.<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">The second contrast contained here in our text is found in verses 21 &amp; 25.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says, <i>\u201cBlessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied\u2026Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Once again, when we see these words from a spiritual perspective they are simple to understand!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The good Lord has given to us an amazing <i>\u201cbanquet\u201d<\/i> of spiritual <i>\u201cfood\u201d<\/i> to strengthen and to nourish our soul.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What is that spiritual <i>\u201cfood\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Exactly!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God has graciously given to us the free banquet of His holy Word and His holy Sacrament.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we <i>\u201chunger\u201d<\/i> for that spiritual food, when we <i>\u201cfeast\u201d<\/i> on the Means of Grace on a regular basis then our souls will be <i>\u201csatisfied\u201d<\/i> not only here in this life but especially in eternity.<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">In sharp contrast are those individuals who feel that they are already <i>\u201cwell fed.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They don\u2019t feel a need to gather around God\u2019s holy Word because from their perspective they already know all they need to know.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They don\u2019t feel a need to receive the Lord\u2019s Supper because while they have not been to church in quite some time they still pray and they still believe.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cWoe to you,\u201d<\/i> Jesus says to those who feel they are <i>\u201cwell fed.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They are running the risk of going <i>\u201chungry\u201d<\/i>\u2014 that is, being banned from God\u2019s wedding banquet for all of eternity.<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">The third contrast is found in verses 21b &amp; 25b.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says, <i>\u201cBlessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh\u2026Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look into the mirror of God\u2019s holy Law and see the severity of our own sin we cannot help but weep.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look into the dark corners of our own heart and see the sins that are <i>\u201ccrouching at the door\u201d<\/i> (Genesis 4:7) just waiting for an opportunity to pounce we cannot help but weep.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look back through the pages of the diary of our own life and see how often we have echoed the words of Peter in the courtyard, <i>\u201cI don\u2019t know this man you\u2019re talking about\u201d<\/i> (Mark 14:71) we cannot help but weep.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we see how often we have stumbled and fallen in our life as a saved child of God we cannot help but fall to our knees at the foot of the cross and weep tears of repentance.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For all those who weep over their sins Jesus puts His loving arms around them and says, \u201cWhile your sins may cause you to weep now, in My heavenly home you will experience only joy and laughter!\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">In sharp contrast to those who humbly weep over their sins are those who feel that they have a right to laugh and to enjoy the pleasures of this world\u2014 even if it means disobeying God\u2019s will for them as it is revealed on the pages of Scripture.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cWoe to you,\u201d<\/i> Jesus says to those who do not hate sin or do not sorrow over their own sins.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For them eternity will be filled with <i>\u201cmourning and weeping.\u201d<\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">The final contrast is found in verses 22-23 and in verse 26 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says, <i>\u201cBlessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven\u2026Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.\u201d<\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">How do people react when you boldly stand up for the Truth?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What I mean is this:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How do people react when you boldly stand up for the Truth and say that abortion is wrong because abortion kills an unborn child?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How do people react when you stand up for the Truth and say that homosexuality is unnatural and gay marriage is just plain wrong?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How do people react when you stand up for the Truth and say that the Bible<b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"> is<\/b> God\u2019s holy, inspired, inerrant Word from beginning to end?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How do people react when you stand up for the Truth and say that the <b>only<\/b> way to be saved is through faith in Jesus Christ and that <b>everyone<\/b> who does not believe in Jesus will be condemned to hell forever?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do they hate you?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do they exclude you and insult you?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do they reject you or ridicule you or label you as intolerant and unloving?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Don\u2019t worry Jesus says to you!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <i>\u201creward\u201d<\/i> that Jesus has waiting for you in heaven is worth infinitely more than anything you could possibly endure for Him here on this earth.<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> (Revelation 2:10).<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">In sharp contrast to those who strive to remain faithful to Jesus no matter what earthly consequences they might endure are those who will change what they believe and adapt how they live all so that people will <i>\u201cspeak well of them.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i>\u201cWoe to you,\u201d<\/i> says our Lord.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If we disown and reject Jesus while we are here on this earth, Jesus will reject and disown us in eternity.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Matthew 10:32-33)<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Whether it is in the area of politics or in the area of economics or in the weather forecast we see on the television every day, this world will always be steeped in contrasts.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But the sharpest contrast, my friends, is indeed the contrast that is created in our hearts and in our lives when by the grace and power of God\u2019s Holy Spirit we are able to stand up and boldly proclaim that we are a Christian, a disciple, a follower of Jesus Christ.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My prayer is that if ever we begin to wonder if the sharp contrast between what we believe and what the world believes, the way we live and the way the world lives is really worth it that we lift up our eyes to the cross and remember.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Remember that in sharp contrast to this world which in its present form is passing away (I Corinthians 7:31; I John 2:17) are the new heavens and the new earth that our crucified and risen Lord has guaranteed to us, His children.<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">To God be the glory!<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\">Amen <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&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\/2019\/02\/Epiphany-6-02-17-19.mp3\">Epiphany-6-02-17-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany February 17, 2019 Luke 6:17-26 The Contrasts of Christianity &nbsp; He went down with them and stood on a level place.&nbsp; A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come [&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-1102","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\/1102","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=1102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1102\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}