{"id":1204,"date":"2020-03-01T14:19:47","date_gmt":"2020-03-01T22:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1204"},"modified":"2020-03-01T14:47:50","modified_gmt":"2020-03-01T22:47:50","slug":"the-amazing-season-of-lent-gods-amazing-grace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/01\/the-amazing-season-of-lent-gods-amazing-grace\/","title":{"rendered":"The Amazing Season of Lent:  God&#8217;s Amazing Grace!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"color:black;font: 10pt arial;\"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   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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-1204-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Lent-1-03-01-20.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Lent-1-03-01-20.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Lent-1-03-01-20.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 1, 2020<\/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\">Genesis 2:7-9, 15-17; 3:1-7<\/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\">The Amazing Season of 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\">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=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">The L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground\u2014trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And the L<\/span>ORD<span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> God commanded the man, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">&#8220;You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.&#8221;<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the L<\/span>ORD <span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">God had made.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He said to the woman, &#8220;Did God really say, &#8216;You must not eat from any tree in the garden?\u2019&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The woman said to the serpent, &#8220;We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, &#8216;You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.&#8217; &#8220;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>&#8220;You will not surely die,&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>the serpent said to the woman.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>&#8220;For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.&#8221;<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.<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 comes to mind when you think of the season of Lent?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do you think of Lent as the season when our altar is draped in purple paraments to remind us of the importance of repentance?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do you think of Lent as the season when the pastor wears a black robe to remind us of the seriousness of sin?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When you think of the season of Lent do you think of our midweek Lenten services and the opportunities we have to focus our hearts and lives on what Jesus has done for us?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When you think of the season of Lent do you think of many midweek Lenten dinners that you have enjoyed over the years?<\/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 all of that may be true, did you know that technically, today is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> a part of the Lenten season?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today is the first Sunday <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">in <\/b>Lent.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is not the first Sunday <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">of<\/b> Lent.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What difference does it make?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The difference is this:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While the 40 days <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">of<\/b> Lent specifically focus our attention on the passion, the suffering, of the Lord\u2019s Christ, the Sundays <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">in<\/b> Lent are specifically designed to serve as refreshing \u201coases\u201d along our Lenten journey.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">With that in mind I have developed a sermon series for the Sundays <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">in<\/b> Lent.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The overall theme of this series is:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">The Amazing Season of Lent.<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On each of the six Sundays in Lent we will look at an amazing truth that Scripture proclaims to us concerning the Lord our God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Today we will look at:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">God\u2019s Amazing Grace!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are two things we want to see today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, let\u2019s see what God\u2019s amazing grace led Him to do for mankind.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then let\u2019s see how mankind responded to 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\">Our text for today is taken from both Genesis chapters 2 &amp; 3.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let\u2019s begin with Genesis 2:7.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Moses writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe 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\"> God formed the man from the dust of the ground\u2026.\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>Note the exquisite personal care with which God <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cformed\u201d<\/i> or <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfashioned\u201d<\/i> the first human being.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While God created man from the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdust of the ground,\u201d<\/i> thereby giving him a \u201cconnection\u201d with the earth as well as a \u201cconnection\u201d with <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe beasts of the field and the birds of the air\u201d<\/i> (See Genesis 2:19), God then did something that will forever set human beings apart from what we now call the animal kingdom.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Scripture tells us that God <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cbreathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What is the Bible telling us here?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is telling us that in His amazing grace God has given to us human beings an immortal soul!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Unlike the animals we human beings were designed to live in a close personal relationship with our loving Creator\u2014 forever!<\/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\">Now look at verse 8 &amp; 9 of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Moses continues, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cNow 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\"> God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>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\"> God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground\u2014 trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.\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\">While all of God\u2019s creation was special and unique, while all of God\u2019s creation was stunningly beautiful and perfectly flawless, God in His amazing grace made a special place for mankind to live and to enjoy.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To this day that place is called the \u201cGarden of Eden.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We are told that in the Garden of Eden there were <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201call kinds of trees\u2026trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Did mankind lack anything, my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Absolutely not!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In His amazing grace God provided for all of man\u2019s needs\u2014 both his emotional needs as well as his physical needs.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Everywhere man looked he saw nothing but beauty.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whenever man was hungry he had before him the most healthy and the most tasty smorgasbord there could possibly be\u2014 a smorgasbord that was \u201copen\u201d 24 hours a day 7 days a week, a smorgasbord that was absolutely free!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What a wonderful testimony to 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 we go on to the next portion of our text we once again see God\u2019s amazing grace in action.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verses 15-17.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Moses writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe 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\"> God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>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\"> God commanded the man, \u2018You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.\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\">God knew that even in a state of absolute perfection mankind needed something to do.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>People were not designed to simply sit around and do nothing.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore, God\u2019s amazing grace led Him to give man a \u201cjob.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Man was given the blessed privilege of taking care of the Garden of Eden.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now we need to remember, my friends, that this was not \u201cwork\u201d in the way that we commonly think of \u201cwork\u201d today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Imagine that you were given the time, the opportunity and the means to \u201cwork\u201d at your most favorite hobby each and every day!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For some of you it might be \u201cworking\u201d in your garden.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For others it might be \u201cworking\u201d at your needlepoint or \u201cworking\u201d in and around your home.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For me it would be \u201cworking\u201d on old cars.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Some might say that a life such as this would be simply \u201cheavenly.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s what it was like for man as he \u201cworked\u201d in the Garden of Eden.<\/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\">At the very same time God\u2019s amazing grace led Him to give mankind an opportunity to both experience and express his close perfect relationship with God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the middle of the Garden of Eden God placed the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ctree of the knowledge of good and evil.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then God told man, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cYou must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For Adam and Eve the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was their opportunity to openly confess their faith.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Every time they passed by that tree and did <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> eat from it they were confessing their love for their Creator.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Every time they passed by that tree and did <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> eat from it they were confessing their obedience to their God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Every time they passed by that tree and did <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> eat from it they were proclaiming their thankfulness for 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\">Sadly, however, our text does not end there, does it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In spite of all that the Lord God had done for mankind, in spite of all that the Lord God had given to mankind, in spite of all of God\u2019s amazing grace what was man\u2019s response?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Mankind\u2019s response to God\u2019s amazing grace is recorded for us in Genesis chapter three.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Instead of remaining steadfast in their confession of faith, instead of openly professing their love and their obedience and their thankfulness for the amazing grace that the Lord had so richly and so openly showered upon them Adam and Eve chose to give in to the devil\u2019s temptations.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Adam and Eve chose to rebel against their loving Creator.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Adam and Eve chose to sin\u2014 thereby bringing sin into the very fabric of the human race.<\/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 result of Adam and Eve\u2019s decision was both immediate and profound.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Their decision to rebel against God completely shattered their once perfect relationship with the Lord.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The instant Adam and Eve sinned they \u201cdied\u201d spiritually.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While it is not included in our text for today evidence of Adam and Eve\u2019s spiritual \u201cdeath\u201d is found in their attempt to hide from God (Genesis 3:8).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is found in the fact that they were now afraid of God (Genesis 3:10).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And it is found in their attempt to evade their personal responsibility for what they had done and put the \u201cblame\u201d on someone else.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Eve blamed the snake\u2014 \u201cThe devil made me do it!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Adam even went so far as to try to blame God!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe woman <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">you <\/b>put here with me\u2014 she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/i>(Genesis 3:12-13).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time Adam and Eve\u2019s decision to rebel against God destroyed the perfect relationship that they once had with each other as husband and wife.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Evidence of that broken relationship can be seen in the fact that now they were embarrassed to be naked in front of each other.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is why our text ends by telling us <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthey sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How sad!<\/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\">Is there any connection between our text for today and our lives today?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In my mind there is a very clear and a very powerful connection!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first portion of our text, the portion taken from Genesis chapter two, highlights what God\u2019s amazing grace led Him to do for mankind.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In His amazing grace God gave to Adam and Eve an absolutely perfect world in which to live\u2014 a world that brought joy and happiness and purpose into their lives, a world that richly provided for all of their needs, a world that gave them a meaningful way to show their love, their obedience and their thankfulness to their loving Creator.<\/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\">Even though Adam and Eve\u2019s sin has now spilled into all of God\u2019s Creation causing countless problems, untold destruction and heartaches beyond measure (See Romans 8:18-25), God\u2019s amazing grace has led Him to left us a wonderful world in which to live and enjoy!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The beauty of God\u2019s created world, the variety of God\u2019s created world, the ability of God\u2019s created world to sustain life, the natural resources embedded in God\u2019s created world\u2014 all of this and so much more is a testimony to God\u2019s amazing grace!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 5:45, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHe causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is evidence 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\">How has mankind responded to God\u2019s amazing grace?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Here\u2019s an even better question:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How have <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">we <\/b>responded to God\u2019s amazing grace?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Here is where we find a connection with the second portion of our text, taken from Genesis chapter three.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Over and over again Satan uses that insidious question, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cDid God really say\u2026?\u201d<\/i> to tempt us to doubt what God in His amazing grace has revealed to us in His holy Word and follow what <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">we think<\/b> is \u201cright\u201d or what the world insists is \u201cacceptable.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How often do we give in to that temptation?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span>Every single day of our life we have every reason to openly and boldly confess our faith, our love, our obedience and our thankfulness to the Lord for His amazing grace.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And yet, just as Adam and Eve rebelled against God so also you and I rebel against our loving Creator over and over again.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The season of Lent leads us to be brutally honest with ourselves, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we look into our own hearts and when we look into our own lives we see that all too often we treat God\u2019s amazing grace as though it were garbage to be trampled under our feet.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Evidence of our sin can be seen in both our relationship with God as well as in our relationships with each other.<\/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\">Is there any hope?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is their any remedy to the situation we are now in?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While our text for this morning ends without giving us anything positive to hang on to let me give you a glimpse of what is to come.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Next week as we continue our study of<b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"> The Amazing Season of Lent <\/i><\/b>we will focus on father Abraham and how God in His amazing grace led Him to give Abraham <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">God\u2019s Amazing Blessing!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Until then stay focused on the cross (Pointing to the cross) so that you will always have reason to say:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Lent-1-03-01-20.mp3\">Lent-1-03-01-20.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The First Sunday in Lent March 1, 2020 Genesis 2:7-9, 15-17; 3:1-7 The Amazing Season of Lent: God\u2019s Amazing Grace! &nbsp; The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.&nbsp; Now the LORD God had planted a garden [&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-1204","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\/1204","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=1204"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1204\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}