How Do Christians Live With People Who Do Not Like Them?

Have you ever felt the need to get even with a person who has wronged you? When Jesus was treated poorly in his time of need, his disciples asked if they should call down fire from heaven to destroy the people. However, Jesus taught them a better way to deal with opposition, and we will talk about it in this week's sermon.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:51-56
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.

HYMNS:
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
"Blessed Be the Tie that Binds"

RENEWING REFLECTIONS:
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon Stress delivered on Christian Crusaders March 21, 2004 by Rev. Larsen:
To be faithful in our Christian witness can often cause stress, but Jesus teaches us how to handle this stress. He does not tell us to work at adopting more moderate views in our Christian witness. No, instead we are to remain strong, and when those hours of stress come, listen to what He says in his Word: "Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

BASIC BIBLICAL TRUTHS
Do you still think about well-loved Bible stories you first heard as a child? Many of us remember the story of Zacchaeus, the dishonest tax collector whose life was changed when he met Jesus. In volume two of his DVD video sermon collection Basic Biblical Truths, Rev. Larsen uses this story to emphasize that we can become new people when Jesus comes into our life and offers us the gift of forgiveness. If you'd like to considerthis story's impact on your own life, order "A Life Is Changed" by calling our office at 1-888-693-2484 or ordering online at www.ChristianCrusaders.org.

ON THE LIGHT SIDE
After a firery, Old Testament sermon one Sunday, Pastor Bender was greeting his congregation after church. Little Jeffy stepped up, shook his hand, and whispered, "My mom is a pagan."

"A pagan!" Pastor Bender replied, recalling Jeffy's mother's active roles on the altar guild and in Sunday school. Thinking that she surely must be a fine Christian woman, he whispered back, "How do you know that?"

"Because my dad says she serves burnt offerings for dinner."