A People Person

Many people are concerned about life after death and wonder what they must do to be saved. This was a common concern in Jesus' day as well, and we will learn Jesus' answer to it in this week's sermon

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
"He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
In reply Jesus said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A preist happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "the one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

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, The Sacrifice, delivered on Christian Crusaders February 22, 2009 by Rev. Larsen:
Through Christ's suffering and death at the cross, he made full atonement for the sins of the world. This is the Gospel. Those who receive him have passed from death into life. Their sins are forgiven. Christ becomes our mediator, the one making intercession for our sins. He did this by giving his life as a ransom for many. We should never forget that Christ's atoning death is the only way to the Father. His sacrifice is sufficient.

Basic Biblical Truths
The sermon title of volume three in Rev. Larsen's DVD sermon series, Basic Biblical Truths, is "Fear Not . . . I am With You." In it Rev. Larsen discusses Isaiah 43:1: "Fear not, I have redeemed you, I have called you by name." What a comfort to know God is with us in times of fear, just as he was with those who walked with him in biblical times. In this video, we hear how having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ makes all the difference, for in times of trouble, we will know the One to whom we turn. Call 1-888-693-2484 to order this DVD for a suggested donation of ten dollars, or order online at http://www.christiancrusaders.org/.

On the Light Side
If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale, and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into heaven?" I asked the children in my Sunday school class.
"NO!" the children all answered.
"If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into heaven?"
Once more they all answered, "NO!"
"Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave candy to all the children and loved my wife, would that get me into heaven?" I asked them again.
Once more they all answered, "NO!"
"Well," I continued, thinking they were a good bit more theologically sophisticated than I had given them credit for, "Then how can I get into heaven?"
A five-year-old boy shouted, "'YOU GOTTA BE DEAD!"