{"id":1110,"date":"2019-03-17T15:20:03","date_gmt":"2019-03-17T22:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1110"},"modified":"2019-03-17T15:21:21","modified_gmt":"2019-03-17T22:21:21","slug":"get-ready-for-easter-proclaim-the-lords-message-fearlessly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/17\/get-ready-for-easter-proclaim-the-lords-message-fearlessly\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Ready for Easter&#8211; Proclaim the Lord&#8217;s Message Fearlessly!"},"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\/>   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\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-1110-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-2-03-17-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-2-03-17-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-2-03-17-19.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><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 Second 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 17, 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\">Jeremiah 26:8-15<\/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\">Proclaim the Lord\u2019s Message Fearlessly!<\/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\">But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, &#8220;You must die!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why do you prophesy in the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&#8216;s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they went up from the royal palace to the house of the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate of the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&#8216;s house.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, &#8220;This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You have heard it with your own ears!&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>&#8220;The L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> your God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.&#8221;<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\">There are certain professions where the job description inherently includes the responsibility of having to tell people \u201cbad news.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Take doctors for example.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>A doctor may have to tell a patient, \u201cThe test results have come back and I\u2019m afraid I have some bad news.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Take teachers for example.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>A teacher may have to tell a student that they are failing a class.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The teacher may even have to tell parents that their child has failed a grade and has to take that grade over.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Take a loan officer for example.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>A loan office may have to tell a couple that they did not qualify for that home loan they so dearly wanted.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sometimes one\u2019s profession does indeed require that they tell people \u201cbad news.\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\">Our sermon text for today reminds us of yet another profession which inherently includes the responsibility of telling someone \u201cbad news.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That profession is\u2014 faithful proclaimers of God\u2019s holy Word!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today as we continue our sermon series entitled <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Get Ready for Easter!<\/i><\/b> let\u2019s see how God the Holy Spirit uses the example of the prophet Jeremiah to say to you and to me:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Proclaim the Lord\u2019s Message Fearlessly!<\/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\">Jeremiah served as a prophet of the Lord both before and after the Babylonians came in and completely destroyed the entire City of Jerusalem\u2014 including the Temple of the Lord.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But you may remember that when the Lord called Jeremiah to be His prophet, Jeremiah didn\u2019t want to do it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In Jeremiah chapter one we hear this conversation take place, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c\u2019Ah, Sovereign 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\">,\u2019 I said, \u2018I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But 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\"> said to me, \u2018Do not say, \u201cI am only a child.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you\u2026Now, I have put my words in your mouth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant\u201d <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">(Jeremiah 1:6-8, 10).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">By the time the event recorded here in our text had taken place Jeremiah had been proclaiming the Lord\u2019s message fearlessly for about twenty years!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And what was the essence of the message that the Lord gave to Jeremiah to proclaim to the people of Judah and Jerusalem?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It was predominantly a very strong message of Law!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Over and over again the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWord of 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\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> came to Jeremiah in the form of a warning for God\u2019s people\u2014 \u201cBecause of your sin, because of your rebellious ways, because of your unfaithfulness to me and to the covenant I established with your ancestors I am going to withhold my blessings from you and pour out my justice upon you!\u201d What did this mean for the people of Judah and for the people of Jerusalem?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Lord Himself answers that question in the verses leading up to our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We read, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cSay to them, \u2018This is what 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\"> says:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>if you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), then I will make this house <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">(the Temple)<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"> like Shiloh <\/i>(empty and deserted)<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"> and this city <\/i>(Jerusalem)<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"> an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth\u201d<\/i> (Jeremiah 26:4-6).<\/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 fact that Jeremiah proclaimed this message while he was in the Temple of the Lord surrounded by <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe priests, the prophets and all the people\u201d<\/i> did not go over well!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s why they seized Jeremiah and screamed, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cYou must die!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why do you prophesy in 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\">\u2019s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This ruckus in the Temple of the Lord became so unruly that it quickly got the attention of <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe officials of Judah.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Once these officials had taken their seats in the New Gate of the Lord\u2019s house the priests, the prophets and all the people who were in the Temple repeated their charge against Jeremiah:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He must die!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Once again he has prophesied against the beloved City of Jerusalem!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Once again he has prophesied against the temple of the Lord!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He must die!\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\">How did Jeremiah respond to the accusations being brought against him?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He continued to proclaim the Lord\u2019s message fearlessly!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cYou can kill the messenger,\u201d Jeremiah said to them, \u201cbut that will not change the message the Lord has sent me to proclaim to you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Unless you repent, unless you change your ways, unless you turn back to the Lord and remain faithful to Him, everything I have warned you about will most certainly happen!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And then Jeremiah said something very pointed and very powerful.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at the closing verses of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jeremiah says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cAs for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth 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\"> has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.\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\">Note, my friends, that Jeremiah was not afraid of the people who were crying out, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cYou must die!\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jeremiah trusted that his life\u2014 and more importantly, his eternity\u2014 was safe in the hands of the Lord his God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time, Jeremiah fearlessly warned the priests, the prophets, the people and all the officials of Judah that if they do indeed kill him they will bring upon themselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood\u2014 the one thing that finally overwhelmed Judas with remorse.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In Matthew 27:3 we are told, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhen Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018I have sinned,\u2019 he said, \u2018for I have betrayed innocent blood.\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\">How does this text apply to you and to your life today?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How does the example of the prophet Jeremiah help you to get ready for Easter?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If we were to answer that question in broad general terms we would be reminded that like God\u2019s people of old, whenever and wherever we stand up for the Truth of Scripture there are going to be people who have a very negative hostile response.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The long line of Christian martyrs is proof of that.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like those martyrs, however, we still need to proclaim the message of the Lord fearlessly\u2014 no matter what kind of reaction we receive!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If we were to answer that question a little more specifically we are reminded of the negative hostile response we receive when we try to point out to people today that what they believe, teach and confess concerning the moral issues that are so often in the news today are not only wrong, but they are unacceptable to the One (Pointing to the cross) who will judge all people on the basis of what He has revealed on the pages of His holy Word.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See John 12:48)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While that does indeed remind us that we need to proclaim the Lord\u2019s message fearlessly, it might not help us to understand how this text helps us to get ready for 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\">So how <u>does<\/u> the example of Jeremiah help us to get ready for Easter?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The example of Jeremiah reminds us that as we proclaim the Lord\u2019s message fearlessly we cannot\u2014 we simply cannot\u2014 disconnect the message of Easter from the message of Good Friday!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are two points I want to emphasize here.<\/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, as I was studying our text for today, as I heard the priests, the prophets and the people in the Temple crying out for the prophet Jeremiah to die, I could not help but think of the words of Jesus in our Gospel lesson for this morning (Luke 13:31-35), <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day\u2014 for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look, your house is left to you desolate.\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\">Throughout His entire public ministry Jesus proclaimed the Lord\u2019s message of both Law and Gospel\u2014 fearlessly!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Throughout His entire public ministry Jesus received very negative and very hostile responses from not only ordinary people, but especially from the religious leaders among God\u2019s people\u2014 the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the teachers of the law.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And when the religious leaders of God\u2019s people finally got what they had wanted for a very long time, when were finally able to turn the people against Jesus and get them to cry out, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cAway with this man\u2026Crucify him!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Crucify him!\u201d<\/i> (Luke 23:18, 21) to the point where Pontius Pilate simply gave in and sentenced an innocent Man to die, did Jesus stop proclaiming the Lord\u2019s message fearlessly?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not at all!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even as He hung suffering and dying on the cross to pay for the sins of the world Jesus fearlessly proclaimed the Lord\u2019s message of forgiveness and eternal life in heaven.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That brings me to the second point I want to emphasize.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">We need to be very clear in our own hearts and in our own minds that Jesus\u2019 physical resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday is God\u2019s guarantee that Jesus\u2019 sacrifice on the cross (Pointing) was accepted by the heavenly Father as full payment for all of our sins.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We need to be even more clear about this when we are talking with others about Easter!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are so many people who simply do not understand that the essential truth of Easter is inseparably intertwined with the essential truth of Good Friday.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Easter is not just a spring festival that happens to be held at church.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Easter is not about bunny rabbits and candy eggs.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Easter is the very foundation of absolutely everything we believe, absolutely everything we are hoping for beyond the grave.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the apostle Paul told the Corinthians, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIf Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men\u201d<\/i> (1 Corinthians 15:17-19).<\/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\">So, how can we take all of this and use it to help us get ready for Easter?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let me suggest this:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For the next five weeks consciously look and listen for opportunities to bring up the subject of Easter whenever you are talking with someone so that you can proclaim the Lord\u2019s message about Easter fearlessly!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Proclaim that Easter is proof that Jesus is who He claims to be\u2014 this world\u2019s <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only <\/b>Savior from sin.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Proclaim that Easter is God\u2019s guarantee that all of their sins are completely forgiven!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Proclaim that Easter assures us that through faith in Jesus one day we too shall physically rise from our graves and live with God in the glory and perfection of heaven!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Will some people laugh at us?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Probably.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Will some people have a very negative reaction to what we are saying?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Probably.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Will some people take to heart the message that the Lord Himself has given to us to proclaim? <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>God-willing!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">While there are indeed certain professions where the job description inherently includes having to tell people \u201cbad news\u201d that doesn\u2019t mean that the people in those professions never share any \u201cgood news\u201d with people.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The doctor may tell you that the test results reveal that you will need surgery, but your condition is very curable.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The teacher may tell you that you failed the test, but here is what you can do to get some extra credit and still pass the course.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The loan officer may say that you didn\u2019t qualify for that home loan, but here are some specific ways you can improve your credit score so that the next time you apply will be approved.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And, as faithful proclaimers of the message that the Lord has given to you and to me, once we have faithfully used the message of God\u2019s Law to show someone their sin and call them to repentance then we faithfully lead them to the foot of the cross on Calvary\u2019s hill.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>From there we point them to the empty grave in the garden and proclaim to them the \u201cGood News\u201d\u2014 the \u201cGood News\u201d that through faith in what the risen Christ has done <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for <\/b>them, eternal life is theirs as a free gift from 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\">Consciously strive to get ready for Easter my friends, by consciously striving to follow the example of Jeremiah here in our text:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Proclaim the Lord\u2019s message fearlessly!<\/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<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Lent-2-03-17-19.mp3\">Lent-2-03-17-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Second Sunday in Lent March 17, 2019 Jeremiah 26:8-15 Get Ready for Easter\u2014 Proclaim the Lord\u2019s Message Fearlessly! &nbsp; But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, &#8220;You must die!&nbsp; Why do you prophesy [&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-1110","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\/1110","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=1110"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1110\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}