{"id":999,"date":"2018-04-15T17:32:18","date_gmt":"2018-04-16T00:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=999"},"modified":"2018-04-15T17:37:06","modified_gmt":"2018-04-16T00:37:06","slug":"easter-is-our-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/15\/easter-is-our-confidence\/","title":{"rendered":"Easter is Our Confidence!"},"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-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-999-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Easter-3-04-15-18.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Easter-3-04-15-18.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Easter-3-04-15-18.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 Third Sunday 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\">April 15, 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\">Acts 4:8-13<\/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 is Our Confidence! <\/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=\"MsoBodyText2\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cRulers and elders of the people!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He is \u2018the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.\u201d<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\">I ran across an article on the Internet last week that I think ties in very well with our sermon text for today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The title of the article is, \u201cTrump Administration\u2019s religious liberty guidance a \u2018license to discriminate\u2019 report says.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>A group called the Center for American Progress (which the article itself describes as a \u201cliberal think tank\u201d) produced a report which is very critical of both President Trump\u2019s May 2017 executive order \u201cPromoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty,\u201d and Attorney General Jeff Sessions\u2019 subsequent guidance, \u201cFederal Law Protections for Religious Liberty.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Attorney General\u2019s guidance states, \u201cExcept in the narrowest circumstances, no one should be forced to choose between living out his or her faith and complying with the law.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law, religious observance and practice should be reasonably accommodated in all government activity, including employment, contracting, and programming.\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\">I won\u2019t speak for you, but I like both the President\u2019s executive order as well as the Attorney General\u2019s guidance for implementing that executive order.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The Center for American Progress, however, describes it as an \u201c\u2019extreme rewriting of the concept of religious liberty\u2019 that allows \u2018religious beliefs to be used as a weapon against minorities.\u2019\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The CAP report also states, \u201cThere is \u2018serious danger\u2019 that the DOJ guidance will result in \u2018lopsided protections that shelter conservative religious beliefs about sex, marriage, and reproduction while failing to similarly protect progressive faith communities or religious minorities.\u2019\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\">Why do I bring this to your attention this morning?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How does this article tie in with our text for today?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I, at least, am convinced that the \u201ccore beliefs\u201d of the Christian faith\u2014 including not only the Bible\u2019s teachings on \u201csex, marriage, and reproduction\u201d but also the Bible\u2019s teaching on the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ\u2014 have constantly been under attack!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span>Because of these secular attacks against the Christian faith many Christian churches have simply raised a white flag and no longer stand up for the Truth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because of the \u201conslaught\u201d of people and groups who are aggressively attacking the basic tenets of the Christian faith many individual Christians have simply gone silent when they have an opportunity to defend the Truth.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Today, my friends, as you and I continue our celebration of Easter we are going to continue looking at the account of the cripple who was miraculously healed by the apostle Peter in the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This morning let\u2019s use this portion of Acts chapter four to see that:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Easter is Our Confidence!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, let\u2019s look at the confidence which Easter gave to Peter.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then let\u2019s see why we need and how we can have that very same Easter confidence today.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">In the opening four verses of Acts chapter 4 we are told that the priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees were not happy with Peter and John.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In fact, we\u2019re told that these men were <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgreatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.\u201d<\/i> (Acts 4:2)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For this \u201ccrime\u201d Peter and John were put in jail.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The next day Peter and John were brought before the top religious leaders in Israel and asked one question, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cBy what power or what name did you do this?\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Did Peter and John shrink back when such powerful men demanded to know how they had healed this cripple?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>After spending a night in jail were Peter and John hesitant to stand up for the Truth?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not in the least!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look once again at the opening portion of our text for today, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThen Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018Rulers and elders of the people!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.\u2019\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">You can\u2019t help but feel the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">confidence<\/b> contained in these words!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Peter knew that he was speaking to the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201crulers and elders\u201d <\/i>of God\u2019s people.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Peter knew that kind of power and influence these men had among God\u2019s people.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How could Peter be so confident?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are two reasons.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, from a purely human perspective Peter knew that the rulers and elders had absolutely no reason to be upset.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What had Peter and John done?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They showed <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201can act of kindness\u201d<\/i> to a cripple!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That was hardly something worthy of jail time!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Secondly\u2014 and most importantly\u2014 Peter\u2019s confidence was based on the reality of Easter!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If these powerful men really wanted to know how this cripple was healed Peter was more than willing to tell them:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIt is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.\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\">Notice, my friends, how Peter once again confidently proclaims both God\u2019s Law and God\u2019s Gospel.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Peter was standing before the Sanhedrin\u2014 Israel\u2019s religious Supreme Court.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This is the same court which proclaimed that Jesus of Nazareth was <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cworthy of death\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 26:66) because Jesus openly proclaimed that He <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">is<\/i><\/b> <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe Christ, the Son of God.\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 26:63)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>These were some of the same men who persuaded\/ forced Pontius Pilate to release Barabbas and have Jesus executed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Matthew 27:20)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>These men needed to hear the full force of the law of God\u2014 <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cIt is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">whom you crucified<\/b> \u2026 that this man stands before you healed.\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\">At the same time, my friends did you hear the Gospel in those words of Peter?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Peter said concerning Jesus, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201c\u2026but whom God raised from the dead\u2026.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s Easter!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s what gave Peter the confidence to stand before the religious Supreme Court of God\u2019s people and boldly proclaim the Truth!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s what gave Peter the confidence of proclaiming the Truth that even some so-called Christian churches are either unwilling or unable to confidently proclaim today:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cSalvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Only Jesus of Nazareth, only Jesus <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe Christ\u201d,<\/i> only our crucified and <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">risen<\/b> Lord and Savior has the power to save sinners\u2014 sinners like us!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Easter is what proves that Jesus has that kind of power!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Easter is what gave Peter the confidence to proclaim that glorious Truth\u2014 regardless of the consequences!<\/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\">Do <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">we<\/b> need to have the confidence that only Easter can give to us, my friends?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes, we do!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let me give you three examples.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Example number one:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>A while back there was an article in the newspaper which cited a report from a Florida State University professor who theorized (without substantiation) that Jesus did not walk on water as the Bible maintains.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Rather he speculates that some mysterious meteorological phenomena caused the Sea of Galilee to freeze over so Jesus actually walked on ice.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nothing miraculous about that!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would you have the confidence to stand up to a university professor and tell him that he\u2019s all wet?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would your children?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Your grandchildren?<\/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\">Example number two:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Have you ever heard of the \u201cGospel of Judas\u201d?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The \u201cGospel of Judas\u201d was supposedly written long after Judas ended his own life after his betrayal of Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This document contends that Jesus told Judas to betray Him as a part of some clandestine scheme to validate the ancient prophesies concerning the events that were to take place in the Garden of Gethsemane.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In other words, Jesus was trying to \u201cmanipulate\u201d the Old Testament Messianic prophecies to make it look like He was the fulfillment of those prophecies.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would you have the confidence to stand up and say that according to the Bible the reason Judas betrayed Jesus was greed and the reason Jesus allowed Himself to be betrayed, the reason Jesus allowed Himself to be crucified was so that He could fulfill His Father\u2019s Plan of Salvation for this world, the Plan that was gradually unfolding over the centuries that we call the Old Testament era?<\/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\">Example number three:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Do you remember the book, \u201cThe DaVinci Code\u201d?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It was eventually made into a movie.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the book, Jesus is supposedly married to Mary Magdalene and becomes the father of several children.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It doesn\u2019t take much to see how this undermines and destroys the entire Christian faith.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Would you have the confidence to tell the people in the break room at work or the kids in the lunch room at school that even the suggestion that Jesus had children with Mary Magdalene is blasphemous and that anyone who actually believes that lie can not be saved?<\/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\">Yes, my friends, I am convinced that there has been and still is a constant attack on the basic tenants of the Christian faith as it is recorded here in God\u2019s holy Word.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why the Christian faith?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why don\u2019t other faiths face this same type of attack?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because Satan knows, my friends!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Satan knows that Peter was and still is absolutely correct when he told the Sanhedrin, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cSalvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Satan knows that if he can undermine <u>your<\/u> faith in Jesus as <u>your<\/u> risen Lord and Savior that he can quickly fill <u>your<\/u> mind with all kinds of \u201cprofessor-like\u201d ideas and all kinds of \u201cblock buster big screen\u201d lies\u2014 all of which are designed to divert your focus away from the cross on Calvary\u2019s hill and away from the empty grave in the garden!<\/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 can you thwart Satan\u2019s insidious schemes?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How can you maintain the confidence of Easter all year long?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at the closing verse of our text, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWhen they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Peter and John did not have a college or seminary education.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They were fishermen by trade!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Therefore, the confidence and the courage that these men openly displayed in their lives did not come from deep within themselves.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No, the confidence and courage that these men openly displayed in their lives was given to them!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>How?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>These men spent time with Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It\u2019s that simple!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It\u2019s that important!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the very same way when you and I spend time with Jesus on a regular basis, when worship, Bible class, Sunday school and prayer are an important part of our admittedly busy schedules then, my friends, then like Peter and John the confidence that Easter gives to us will be evident to those around 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\">It would be completely na\u00efve for us to think that Satan\u2019s attacks against our Christian faith will somehow diminish over the course of time.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In reality, the exact opposite is true!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Satan will only increase his attacks against our faith\u2014 using whatever opportunities and whatever means he can!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>May God grant that no matter how often and no matter how hard Satan attacks our faith that you and I will consciously strive to make sure that we spend time with Jesus on a regular basis so that we will always have the joy of knowing that Easter is our confidence!<\/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<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Easter-3-04-15-18.mp3\">Easter-3-04-15-18.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Third Sunday of Easter April 15, 2018 Acts 4:8-13 Easter is Our Confidence! &nbsp; Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them:&nbsp; \u201cRulers and elders of the people!&nbsp; If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know [&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-999","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\/999","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=999"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/999\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}