{"id":990,"date":"2018-03-11T18:09:18","date_gmt":"2018-03-12T01:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=990"},"modified":"2018-03-11T18:14:53","modified_gmt":"2018-03-12T01:14:53","slug":"jesus-confronts-confusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/11\/jesus-confronts-confusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Jesus Confronts Confusion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeAsian>   <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeComplexScript>   <w:Compatibility>    <w:BreakWrappedTables\/>    <w:SnapToGridInCell\/>    <w:WrapTextWithPunct\/>    <w:UseAsianBreakRules\/>    <w:DontGrowAutofit\/>    <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark\/>    <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp\/>    <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables\/>    <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx\/>    <w:Word11KerningPairs\/>    <w:CachedColBalance\/>   <\/w:Compatibility>   <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4<\/w:BrowserLevel>   <m:mathPr>    <m:mathFont m:val=\"Cambria Math\"\/>    <m:brkBin m:val=\"before\"\/>    <m:brkBinSub m:val=\"&#45;-\"\/>    <m:smallFrac m:val=\"off\"\/>    <m:dispDef\/>    <m:lMargin m:val=\"0\"\/>    <m:rMargin m:val=\"0\"\/>    <m:defJc m:val=\"centerGroup\"\/>    <m:wrapIndent m:val=\"1440\"\/>    <m:intLim m:val=\"subSup\"\/>    <m:naryLim m:val=\"undOvr\"\/>   <\/m:mathPr><\/w:WordDocument> <\/xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState=\"false\" DefUnhideWhenUsed=\"true\"   DefSemiHidden=\"true\" DefQFormat=\"false\" DefPriority=\"99\"   LatentStyleCount=\"267\">   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"0\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Normal\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 7\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 8\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 9\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 7\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 8\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 9\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"35\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"caption\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"10\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Title\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"1\" Name=\"Default Paragraph Font\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"11\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Subtitle\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"22\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Strong\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"20\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Emphasis\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"59\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Table Grid\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Placeholder Text\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"1\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"No Spacing\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Revision\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"34\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"List Paragraph\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"29\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Quote\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"30\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Intense Quote\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"19\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Subtle Emphasis\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"21\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Intense Emphasis\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"31\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Subtle Reference\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"32\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Intense Reference\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"33\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Book Title\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"37\" Name=\"Bibliography\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"TOC Heading\"\/>  <\/w:LatentStyles> <\/xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> \n\n<style>  \/* Style Definitions *\/  table.MsoNormalTable \t{mso-style-name:\"Table Normal\"; \tmso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; \tmso-tstyle-colband-size:0; \tmso-style-noshow:yes; \tmso-style-priority:99; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; \tmso-para-margin:0in; \tmso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \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=\"font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-990-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Lent-4-03-11-18.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Lent-4-03-11-18.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Lent-4-03-11-18.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Fourth 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 11, 2018<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">John 3:14-21<\/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\">Jesus Confronts Confusion<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God\u2019s one and only Son.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This is the verdict:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.\u201d<\/span><\/i><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\"> <\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">(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\">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\">I certainly cannot speak for any of you, but in some ways I am a very easy person to confuse.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For example, computers confuse me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When my computer does something that I didn\u2019t want it to do, or when my computer won\u2019t do something that I want it to do\u2014 I get confused.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Usually I have to ask someone much younger than me for help.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They can usually figure it out quite easily.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Hydrogen fuel cells confuse me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They are just too complicated for my little mind! <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>In my previous congregation I had a member who was a professor at Kettering University\u2014 one of the top engineering schools in the country.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On more than one occasion I asked him how a hydrogen fuel cell works.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even after he explained it to me I was still confused!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Again, it is just too complicated for my little mind!<\/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 confuses you, my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Is there any particular topic that puts you into the proverbial \u201cdeer in the headlights\u201d mode whenever it comes up in conversation?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Most of us have at least one topic that just seems to sail over our heads no matter how hard we try to understand it.<\/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 places before us a topic which can easily confuse many people\u2014 sometimes even us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The topic is religion, or to be even more specific, the topic is salvation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we listen in this morning on a conversation that took place between Jesus and a man named Nicodemus let\u2019s study this portion of Scripture under the theme:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Jesus Confronts Confusion.<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are two points we want to emphasize.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, let\u2019s see how Jesus confronts confusion concerning how a person is saved.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then let\u2019s see how Jesus confronts confusion concerning why some people are lost.<\/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\">Since the context in which we find our sermon text for today is critical, let\u2019s take a moment to briefly review it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The opening portion of John chapter three is where we are introduced to a man by the name of Nicodemus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nicodemus was both a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He was a man that people looked up to.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He was a man that people listened to.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nicodemus had either seen or at the very least had heard how this relatively unknown Rabbi from Nazareth had cleansed the temple of the Lord.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See John 2:13ff)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nicodemus had either seen or at the very least had heard about the miracles that Jesus of Nazareth was performing in Jerusalem.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See John 2:23)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Since Nicodemus was one of <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIsrael\u2019s teachers\u201d<\/i> (John 3:10) he felt compelled to find out more about this Rabbi named Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So, John tells us that Nicodemus came to Jesus under the cover of night and said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cRabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.\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\">As a Pharisee Nicodemus had been taught and was now teaching others that the road to salvation, the way to eternal life in heaven was paved with good works.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Keep the Law that God had given to His people through Moses and keep the hundreds of laws that the Pharisees had added to God\u2019s Law and hopefully you will be saved.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the Son of God Jesus knew the real issue that was weighing heavily upon Nicodemus\u2019 heart as he came to see Jesus that night.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How did Jesus address that issue?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In John 3:3 we hear Jesus say to Nicodemus, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><\/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\">Born again?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That made absolutely no logical sense to Nicodemus!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Still thinking that a person\u2019s salvation is based on what they do, Nicodemus responded, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHow can a man be born when he is old?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother\u2019s womb.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nicodemus was\u2014 confused!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And when Jesus went on to tell Nicodemus that He is talking about a spiritual <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201crebirth,\u201d<\/i> when Jesus said to Nicodemus, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit\u201d<\/i> (a reference to Baptism) Nicodemus was even more confused!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How did Jesus confront Nicodemus\u2019 confusion?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He pointed Nicodemus to an event in Israel\u2019s history, an event that very clearly and very simply emphasizes how a person is saved.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says in the opening verse of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cJust as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.\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\">As we heard in our Old Testament lesson for today (Numbers 21:4-9) when God\u2019s people began to complain about the way God was providing for them (they even referred to God\u2019s miraculous gift of manna as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cmiserable food\u201d<\/i>) God sent poisonous snakes to impress upon His people the seriousness of their sin.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When God\u2019s people repented of their sin and turned to the Lord for help, He granted them a cure\u2014 a cure that made absolutely no logical sense whatsoever!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God told Moses, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cMake a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live\u201d<\/i> (Numbers 21:8).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Did it work?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Absolutely!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The cure for the poison that was killing God\u2019s people was a cure that was based on\u2014 faith and faith alone!<\/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 one of <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIsrael\u2019s teachers\u201d <\/i>Nicodemus was extremely familiar with this event from the history of God\u2019s people.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now, in an effort to help Nicodemus understand how a person is saved on a spiritual level Jesus takes that event from Israel\u2019s past and applies it to Himself.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That ancient serpent the devil (Revelation 12:9) has injected the \u201cpoison of sin\u201d into each and every ordinary human being\u2014 including us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Left on our own, we will most certainly die\u2014 just like the Israelites died in the desert.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is absolutely nothing we can do on our own to prevent it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But God has graciously provided a \u201ccure\u201d for the poison of sin, hasn\u2019t He.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That cure is found in the words, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cJust as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up <\/i>(pointing to the cross),<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"> that everyone who <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">believes<\/b> in him may have eternal life.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only<\/b> way for <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">anyone<\/b> to be saved is by lifting up their eyes to the cross and believing, trusting that Jesus died for them!<\/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, my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why would a holy, just and perfect God freely provide a cure for us mortal wretched sinners\u2014 a cure which required the agonizing death of His own Son?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The answer to that question is found in one of the best known verses of the Bible:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFor God so <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">loved<\/b> the world that he gave his one and only Son, that <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">whoever<\/b> believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>God\u2019s cure for the poison of sin is based upon His amazing grace, His agape love for all of mankind.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Anyone and everyone who puts their faith in the cure that God has provided through the cross of His Son <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">is<\/b> saved!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It\u2019s that simple!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It\u2019s that amazing!<\/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 precious truth tie in with our theme for today\u2014 <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Jesus Confronts Confusion<\/i><\/b>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let me highlight two points.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, by nature we are all like Nicodemus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>By nature we want to believe that we have the ability to save ourselves\u2014 or at least contribute to our salvation\u2014 by doing good works.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Does it work?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can it work?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Think back to the people who were bitten by the poisonous snakes in the desert.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">nothing<\/b> we can do to save ourselves from the poison of sin!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only<\/b> way to be saved is through faith in what God\u2019s Son has done <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">for<\/b> us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s precisely why the Bible so clearly and so consistently teaches that we are saved purely by grace alone through faith alone!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Second, be honest with yourself.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Have you ever felt unloved or perhaps even unlovable?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Have you ever felt unforgiven or perhaps even unforgivable?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why is that?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Usually it is because we know ourselves all too well.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We know what we have done.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We know what we are capable of doing.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We know that we have the poison of sin permeating our thoughts, our words and our action.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whenever we are overwhelmed by our own sin what does God tell us to do?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Does God say to us, \u201cReach down deep inside of yourself and find a way to pull yourself up out of the mess that you have made\u201d?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Does God say to us, \u201cIt looks like you are going to have to work even harder now\u201d?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not at all!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whenever we are overwhelmed by our own sin our God says to us, \u201cLift up your eyes!\u201d (Pointing to the cross)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cLift up your eyes and see how much I love you!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Lift up your eyes and let the cross of my Son chase away your confusion and your fears.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Lift up your eyes and trust in the cure that I have freely provided so that you can be saved!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Lift up your eyes and live!\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\">Since God\u2019s cure for the poison of sin is so clear and so simple, since God freely offers His cure for sin to absolutely everyone, then why are some people lost?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus confronts this confusing question head-on when He says in our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God\u2019s one and only Son.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Unbelief is what prevents a person from receiving the benefits of the cure that God has freely provided.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Unbelief very literally says to God, \u201cI don\u2019t believe what you are telling me!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Unbelief says to God, \u201cI don\u2019t trust you!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Unbelief says to God, \u201cI don\u2019t need nor do I want your so-called cure for sin.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I am going to find my own cure\u2014 all by myself!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Unbelief forfeits the salvation that God freely provides through the cross of His Son.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Unbelief leaves person standing all alone before the Judge of the living and the dead to hear the verdict <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cCondemned!\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\">But did you catch the other point that Jesus talked about here in our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verses 19-20, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThis is the verdict:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It\u2019s not difficult to understand what Jesus is talking about here, is it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We may know people who want nothing to do with Jesus and the cure for sin which He secured for them on the cross because they <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201clove darkness instead of light.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They want to enjoy living their life however <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">they<\/b> choose to live it.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They don\u2019t want anyone\u2014 not even God! \u2014 telling them that this is wrong or that they shouldn\u2019t be doing that.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In short, they don\u2019t want a <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201clight\u201d<\/i> shined on what they are doing because as Jesus says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c\u2026for fear that his deeds will be exposed.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The result of having that kind of attitude toward God, the result of having that kind of perspective on life is quite predictable.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The poison of sin runs its course and that person will die\u2014 both physically and eternally in hell\u2014 even though God\u2019s cure (pointing to the cross) was freely available to them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span>How profoundly 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\">I certainly cannot speak for any of you, but I am pretty sure that there will always be some things that confuse me.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Thankfully, when it comes to the most important topic of all, when it comes to the question of how we are saved Jesus confronts any confusion with the clear simple words, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cJust as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For God so loved the world <\/i>(God so loved <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">you<\/i><\/b>!) <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.\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\">Now that\u2019s a reason for all of us to join together in saying:<\/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<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Lent-4-03-11-18.mp3\">Lent-4-03-11-18.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Fourth Sunday in Lent March 11, 2018 John 3:14-21 Jesus Confronts Confusion &nbsp; Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.&nbsp; For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, [&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-990","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\/990","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=990"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/990\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}