{"id":1108,"date":"2019-03-10T14:04:25","date_gmt":"2019-03-10T21:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1108"},"modified":"2019-03-10T14:07:32","modified_gmt":"2019-03-10T21:07:32","slug":"get-ready-for-easter-remember-the-grace-of-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/10\/get-ready-for-easter-remember-the-grace-of-god\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Ready for Easter&#8211; Remember the Grace of God!"},"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>   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\tfont-size:11.0pt; \tfont-family:\"Calibri\",\"sans-serif\"; \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-1108-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-1-03-10-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-1-03-10-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-1-03-10-19.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 First Sunday in Lent<\/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\">March 10, 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\">Deuteronomy 26:5-10<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Get Ready for Easter\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\">Remember the Grace 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=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">Then you shall declare before the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> your God:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>&#8220;My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then we cried out to the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">, the God of our fathers, and the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">, have given me.&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Place the basket before the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> your God and bow down before him.<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\">What were you doing about the middle of last November?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If you are having a hard time remembering, let me ask that same question but in a different way.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What were you doing about six weeks before Christmas?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would it be safe to say that you were probably getting ready for Christmas?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is usually so much to do in order to get ready for Christmas that we spend weeks preparing for just that one 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\">&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 don\u2019t we do something similar for Easter?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We, of course, realize that Easter is equally as important as Christmas.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yet, the amount of time that we devote to getting ready for Easter is probably just a fraction of the amount of time that we spend getting ready for Christmas!<\/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\">With that reality in mind the sermon series that we will be following on the Sundays in Lent all revolve around the theme:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Get Ready for Easter!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On each of the Sundays in Lent we will turn to God\u2019s holy Word for some specific guidance on how we can indeed prepare our hearts and our lives to celebrate the glorious festival of Easter.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&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 as we begin this sermon series the Lord\u2019s servant Moses helps us to <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Get Ready for Easter<\/i><\/b> by encouraging us to:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Remember the Grace of God!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are two things I want to emphasize from this text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, let\u2019s see that remembering the grace of God includes looking back at what the Lord has done for us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then let\u2019s see that remembering the grace of God impacts the offerings that we place on His altar.<\/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 that the book of Deuteronomy is kind of Moses\u2019 \u201cfarewell address\u201d to the Children of Israel.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even though Moses would not be leading the people into the Promised Land of Canaan he wanted to prepare them for the life that was waiting for them once they had crossed the Jordan River.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This portion of Deuteronomy then is designed to help God\u2019s people get ready for that new life, the new life that they were about to enjoy as a result of God\u2019s amazing grace!<\/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 Moses tried to help God\u2019s people get ready for their new life in the Promised Land he first encouraged them to remember God\u2019s grace by looking back on all the wonderful things the Lord had already done for them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at what Moses writes in the opening verses of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThen you shall declare before the L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> your God:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then we cried out to the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, the God of our fathers, and the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/i><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\">As Moses directs God\u2019s people to look back and see the grace of God at work he highlights two details.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first detail centers on the question\u2014 Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why did the Lord choose the descendants of Abraham to be His covenant people?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Was it because there was something \u201cspecial\u201d about them?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Was it because they had proven themselves to be a powerful and prosperous people?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not at all!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Moses reminds God\u2019s people that their father Jacob was a <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwandering Aramean\u201d<\/i> who went down to Egypt <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwith a few people.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why then did God choose these people to be His very own?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why did God Himself transform them into a powerful and prosperous nation?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why did God give them the Promised Land of Canaan?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The one word that answers <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">all<\/b> those questions is the word\u2014 <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">grace<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Deuteronomy 7:7-8)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Moses wanted God\u2019s people to remember that they are who they are purely because of the amazing grace of their God!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The second detail that Moses encouraged God\u2019s people to remember as they looked back at what the Lord had done for them centers on the fact that when the Egyptians oppressed God\u2019s people and caused them to suffer the Lord rescued His people from their enemies, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwith a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I am sure we all remember the Ten Plagues, the exodus of God\u2019s people out of Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Moses and the people who were with him knew from first hand experience how the Lord their God had indeed rescued His people from their enemies!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">why<\/b> did the Lord rescue them from their enemies?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Again, it all comes down to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">grace<\/i>\u2014 the amazing faithful grace of the Lord, the one and only Living 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\">Once Moses had encouraged God\u2019s people to stay focused on the amazing grace of God by looking back on all the wonderful things God had done for them he goes on to encourage God\u2019s people to remember the grace of God as they bring their offerings to Him.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verses 9 &amp; 10 of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHe brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O L<\/i><\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">, have given me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Place the basket before the L<\/span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode:line\">ORD<\/span><\/i><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> your God and bow down before him.\u201d<\/span><\/i><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\">When it came to the offerings that God\u2019s people were to bring to Him there were two things Moses wanted the people to remember.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first\u2014 and most important point\u2014 was once again:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why were God\u2019s people to bring their offerings and humbly place them before the Lord?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Was it to earn God\u2019s favor?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Did they have to buy their way into God\u2019s good graces?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Absolutely not!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God\u2019s people were to bring their offerings to the Lord as a way of saying, \u201cThank-you!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cThank-you, Lord, for all that you have done for us!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cThank-you, Lord, for all the blessings that you have so richly showered upon us!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cThank you, Lord, for giving us this land, a land <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u2018flowing with milk and honey.\u2019<\/i>\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cThank-you, Lord, for your grace\u2014 the grace that we do not deserve!\u201d<\/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 second point that God\u2019s people were to remember when it came to their offerings is summed up in one word:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfirstfruits.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, as the God who has both the power and the love to reach down and rescue His people from their enemies <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwith a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,\u201d<\/i> as the God who faithfully fulfills all of His promises to His people\u2014 as the one and only true God the Lord is not pleased with \u201cleftovers.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He expects that His people will remember His grace and bring their <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfirstfruits\u201d<\/i> as an offering to 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 we turn now to apply this text to our hearts and to our lives today it is not difficult for us to see how this portion of Scripture helps us to get ready for Easter by encouraging us to remember the grace of God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As you and I look back over the course of our lives we too can see all the wonderful things that the Lord has done for us\u2014 including the fact that <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">we<\/b> are now the chosen people of God!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See 1 Peter 2:9)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why did the God of heaven choose us to be His very own?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Was it because we were such \u201cgood\u201d people?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Was it because God saw our \u201cpotential.\u201d Not at all!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Lord God chose us to be His own purely because of His\u2014 <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">grace<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Ephesians 1:3-14)<\/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 amazing grace of God is also what led Him to rescue us from our greatest enemies:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>sin, death and the power of the devil.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While Moses could remind God\u2019s people of old that the Lord rescued them from their enemies <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwith a mighty hand and an outstretched arm\u201d<\/i> I can point you to the cross (Pointing) and remind you of how the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cmighty hand\u201d<\/i> of God\u2019s justice and the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201coutstretched arms\u201d<\/i> of God\u2019s Son came together there on the cross to rescue you!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of God\u2019s grace your enemy the devil <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">has<\/b> been defeated!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of God\u2019s grace the entire debt of your sin <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">has<\/b> been paid\u2014 in full!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of God\u2019s grace you do not need to fear death and the grave!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of God\u2019s grace He has indeed rescued you from your enemies.<\/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 in the light of that grace, my friends, that you and I now bring our offerings and humbly place them on the altar of the Living God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And just as Moses reminded God\u2019s people to remember two things when they brought their offerings to the Lord, so also I want to remind you of those same two points today.<\/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, our offerings are to be an expression of our love and our thankfulness to the Lord for all that He has done for us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are not trying to earn God\u2019s favor.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our offerings are not an attempt to try to buy God\u2019s grace.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We look back at everything the good Lord has done for us, we look back at all the times that He has been there to guide us and protect us, to comfort us and to strengthen us, we look back to the cross and see His amazing love for us and then we humbly and gratefully and willingly bring our offerings to 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\">How much?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How much are we to give back as an offering to the Lord?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Perhaps the best way to answer that question is to simply remember the very same word that Moses placed before God\u2019s people here in our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is the word <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfirstfruits.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How are we to define <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfirstfruits\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We don\u2019t define it, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God defines it\u2014 right here in His holy Word.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not surprisingly, God keeps His definition of <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfirstfruits\u201d<\/i> very simple by emphasizing just two things.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first one is quite obvious:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFirstfruits\u201d<\/i> means just that\u2014 <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c<u>first<\/u>fruits\u201d<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God doesn\u2019t say, \u201cAfter you have paid all your bills, after you have set aside some money so that you can go out and have some fun, after you have taken care of all the things that you consider to be important\u2014 then see what you have left over and consider placing an offering on My altar.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFirstfruits\u201d<\/i> does indeed mean <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c<u>first<\/u>fruits.\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\">Secondly, the Lord anticipates that we will give back to Him a specific percentage of what He graciously grants to us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the Old Testament era God required His children to tithe\u2014 to give back to Him 10% of their income.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the New Testament era the good Lord treats us not as children but as responsible mature adults.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the New Testament era the good Lord points us to the cross to remind us of what He has done for us and then in the light of the cross He lets us determine what percentage of our income we will return to Him as our way of saying \u201cThank-you!\u201d to our God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See 2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:6, 7)<\/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 get ready for Easter, my friends, this is indeed a very good time for us to look at the offerings we are placing on the altar of our God and ask ourselves two questions:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cAm I giving my <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c<u>first<\/u>fruits\u201d<\/i> to the Lord?\u201d and, \u201cDoes the percentage of my income that I am giving back to my Savior God accurately reflect my love and my thankfulness for all that He has done for me?\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We need to take our offerings just as seriously as God does.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore, if we can not answer \u201cyes\u201d to <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">both<\/b> of those questions then perhaps it is time for us to re-examine the offerings that we are bringing to our Lord.<\/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\">Six weeks from today you and I will be gathering together to celebrate the joyous victory called Easter.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My prayer is that we will all make very good use of this time.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>May God therefore grant that we consciously strive to get ready for Easter by remembering His grace.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Remember God\u2019s grace as you look back on all that He has done for you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Remember God\u2019s grace as you place your offering on His altar.<\/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\"><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> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-1-03-10-19.mp3\">Lent-1-03-10-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The First Sunday in Lent March 10, 2019 Deuteronomy 26:5-10 Get Ready for Easter\u2014 Remember the Grace of God! &nbsp; Then you shall declare before the LORD your God:&nbsp; &#8220;My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous.&nbsp; But [&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-1108","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\/1108","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=1108"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1108\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}