{"id":995,"date":"2018-04-02T10:18:19","date_gmt":"2018-04-02T17:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=995"},"modified":"2018-04-02T10:29:17","modified_gmt":"2018-04-02T17:29:17","slug":"experience-the-truth-of-easter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/02\/experience-the-truth-of-easter\/","title":{"rendered":"Experience the Truth of Easter!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeAsian>   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\tmso-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-995-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Easter-Sunday.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Easter-Sunday.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Easter-Sunday.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\">Easter Sunday<\/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\">April 1, 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 20:1-18<\/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\">Experience the Truth of Easter! <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, \u201cThey have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don\u2019t know where they have put him!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus\u2019 head.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He saw and believed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus\u2019 body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They asked her, \u201cWoman, why are you crying?\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cThey have taken my Lord away,\u201d she said, \u201cand I don\u2019t know where they have put him.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWoman,\u201d<\/i> he said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwhy are you crying?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Who is it you are looking for?\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Thinking he was the gardener, she said, \u201cSir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus said to her, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cMary.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, \u201cRabboni!\u201d (which means Teacher).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cDo not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Go instead to my brothers and tell them, \u2018I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.\u2019\u201c<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cI have seen the Lord!\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And she told them that he had said these things to her.<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 fellow worshipers of our living Lord and Savior,<\/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\">Fifty-five years ago today my father called up his mother on the phone and told her that she had to come over to the house right away because Marlys (my Mom) was in labor and she needed to come watch the kids while my Dad took my Mom to the hospital.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I\u2019m told that my Grandma chuckled and asked my Dad if he actually thought that she would fall for that.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My Grandma did not believe him!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>She thought it was an April Fool\u2019s joke!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It took my Dad so long to convince his Mom that my Mom was indeed in labor and that he was not trying to play an April Fool\u2019s joke on her that by the time Grandma got over to our house it was too late to get my Mom to the hospital.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My little sister Susie was born\u2014 at home on April 1<sup>st<\/sup>, 1963.<\/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 the origin of April Fool\u2019s Day (at least according to Google) fluctuates from the late 1500\u2019s to the early 1700\u2019s April 1<sup>st<\/sup> is now commonly known as a day for people to pull \u201cpranks\u201d on others to see if they can get them to believe something that is simply not true.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s precisely why I got a big smile on my face when I saw that this year, the glorious Festival of Easter is today\u2014 April 1<sup>st<\/sup>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Ever since the day that Jesus physically rose from His grave people have been saying that it\u2019s all a \u201choax,\u201d a \u201cprank\u201d that the disciples tried to pull on the people around them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Praise and thanks be to God, my friends!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Purely by His power and purely by His grace we know the truth!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No matter who laughs at us, no matter who thinks we are \u201cout of our mind,\u201d no matter who adopts Ebenezer Scrooge\u2019s \u201cBah!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Humbug!\u201d attitude the historical fact is this:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He is risen!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He is risen indeed!<\/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\">On this joyous Easter Sunday we have come together in the name of our <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">living<\/i><\/b> Lord and Savior for a very special and a very specific reason.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We come here today to:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Experience the Truth of Easter!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As we <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Experience the Truth of Easter<\/i><\/b> let\u2019s turn our attention to two things.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, let\u2019s see that the Truth of Easter brings joy to the grieving.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Second, let\u2019s see that the Truth of Easter brings confidence to the confused.<\/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 apostle John reveals to us that there was a great deal of grief on that first Easter Sunday.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He specifically focuses our attention on Mary Magdalene.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Mary Magdalene was there when Jesus was crucified.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>She saw His suffering.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>She saw His pain.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>She saw Him die.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now, early on that first Easter morning the grieving Mary Magdalene went to Jesus\u2019 tomb to anoint His body with spices in accordance with Jewish burial customs.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But when Mary Magdalene arrived at Jesus\u2019 tomb her grief turned to utter devastation!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The tomb was empty!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus\u2019 body was gone!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The only <u>logical<\/u> conclusion that Mary could come to was that someone had <u>stolen<\/u> Jesus body!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore, we are told that Mary ran to Peter and John and said to them, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThey have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don\u2019t know where they have put him!\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Later, after Peter and John had come to the tomb and left again, we find a grieving Mary Magdalene weeping\u2014 just weeping\u2014 outside Jesus\u2019 tomb.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But then\u2014 Mary Magdalene experienced the Truth of Easter!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">John tells us that Mary experienced two extraordinary events on that first Easter Sunday.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, she looked inside Jesus\u2019 tomb and saw two angels who asked her, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWoman, why are you crying?\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then, she saw someone whom she thought was the gardener who also asked her, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWoman, why are you crying?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Who is it you are looking for?\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In her grief and through her tears Mary did not recognize her risen Lord and Savior\u2014 until, until the risen Christ gently said her name, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cMary.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Suddenly, Mary experienced the Truth of Easter in all of its wonder and in all of its glory!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now with tears of joy welling up in her eyes Mary cried out:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c\u2019Rabboni\u2019 (which means Teacher).\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No one would ever be able to convince Mary Magdalene that Easter was a \u201choax,\u201d just a \u201cprank\u201d that Jesus\u2019 disciples tried to pull on the people around them!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Mary Magdalene now knew the joyous Truth of Easter.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>From that day forward Mary openly proclaimed the glorious Truth she experienced on Easter Sunday\u2014 <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI have seen the Lord!\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\">While there are many things that bring grief into our hearts and into our lives today, my friends, while there are many things that cause our eyes to overflow with tears, nothing devastates us more than when someone we love dies.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The loss that we feel, the emptiness that we experience, the dark devastation that descends upon us is all but impossible to put into words.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is only one way to overcome that grief.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is only one way to dry those tears.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There is only one way to dissipate the depth of that devastation.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">must<\/b> go back and experience the Truth of Easter!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The living Lord who lovingly looked at this grieving woman and gently spoke her name, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cMary,\u201d<\/i> now gently calls out to us as we grieve over the loss of a loved one.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He calls out to us with the comforting confident words, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI am the resurrection and the life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die\u201d<\/i> (John 11:25).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we have experienced the Truth of Easter, my friends, when by the grace of God we know that <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">everyone<\/b> who dies believing in Jesus as their living Lord and Savior is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">guaranteed<\/b> eternal life in heaven\u2014 then even in our grief we are able to rejoice!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even in our grief we have the joy of knowing that we <u>will<\/u> see our loved one again at the blessed family reunion of <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">all<\/b> of God\u2019s children in heaven!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is the joy that only the Truth of Easter can give to us!<\/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\">Turning back to our text for today we see that the same glorious Truth of Easter which brings joy to the grieving also brings confidence to the confused.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When Peter and John heard Mary Magdalene say that someone had stolen Jesus\u2019 body they both ran to the tomb as fast as they could.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When John arrived at Jesus\u2019 tomb he couldn\u2019t bring himself to go inside.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It was just too painful!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He simply looked into the tomb and saw that it was indeed empty.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Peter on the other hand did go inside the empty tomb and look around\u2014 completely confused!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>John tells us, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHe<\/i> (Peter) <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus\u2019 head.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What happened next?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We\u2019re told that the apostle John <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201csaw and believed.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We\u2019re told, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThey still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We\u2019re told, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThen the disciples went back to their homes.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I think it is pretty safe to say that on that first Easter morning both Peter and John were quite confused about what had taken place and why.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Did that confusion last?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Absolutely not!<\/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\">On the evening of that first Easter Sunday the disciples\u2019 confusion was converted to confidence when they too experienced the Truth of Easter.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The risen Christ appeared to His disciples and said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cPeace be with you!\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>From that day on\u2014 and especially after the day of Pentecost\u2014 Peter and John joyfully joined Mary Magdalene in confidently confessing the Truth of Easter\u2014 <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI have seen the Lord!\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He is risen!<\/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\">Stop and think about it, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is the Truth of Easter that now gives us confidence as we journey through life in this world.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we are troubled by our sins the Truth of Easter gives us the confidence of knowing that through faith in our crucified and risen Lord, all of our sins <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">are<\/b> completely forgiven!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When we are uncertain about what tomorrow holds for us, the Truth of Easter gives us the confidence of knowing that our <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">living<\/b> Lord lovingly holds us in the palms of His nail-scarred hands.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When people try to shake our confidence as Christians, the Truth of Easter gives us the unshakeable confidence which comes with the confession:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Christ is risen!<\/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 people today who would tell you that Easter is just a \u201cprank,\u201d a \u201choax\u201d that Jesus\u2019 disciples came up with to \u201cfool\u201d people into thinking that Jesus had risen from the dead, by the grace and power of God we do indeed know the truth!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My prayer on this glorious Easter Sunday is that each and every one of us will experience the Truth of Easter each and every day of the year!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I pray that the Truth of Easter will bring joy to your heart\u2014 even when you are grieving.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I pray that the Truth of Easter will fill your heart with confidence\u2014 even when life confuses you.<\/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\">He is risen!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He is risen indeed!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&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\/04\/Easter-Sunday.mp3\">Easter-Sunday.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Easter Sunday April 1, 2018 John 20:1-18 Experience the Truth of Easter! &nbsp; Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.&nbsp; So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus [&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-995","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\/995","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=995"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/995\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}