He Knows What He's Talking About

Jesus made some radical statements in his day, like, “Love your enemies.” Sometimes we have to wonder why Jesus would ask us to do such things if he really knew what our lives are like. In this week’s sermon, Rev. Steve Kramer will help us to understand that Jesus really can be trusted, even when his teachings seem extreme.


Scripture: Mark 8:31-33; 9:2-8
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”

Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.


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 Extreme Makeover – Give Him the Keys delivered on Christian Crusaders May 7, 2006 by Rev. Kramer:

People wonder if this Jesus can really make a difference. Can he really make my life better? Well, listen to these final words of Paul that he wrote to the Ephesians: “Now to him, who by the power of the work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than we could ever imagine, to him be glory.” Did you catch it? He is able; he has the power. And Paul says, “No problem, he can take care of it. He can do far more than we could ever ask or imagine.” As the little praise song goes, “He is able, more than able to make me what he wants me to be.”


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On the Light Side
Staying Young
A 60-year-old woman went to a doctor for her annual checkup.
Doctor: “You have the body of a 35-year-old and are in terrific shape. You might live forever. How old was your father when he died?”
Patient: “Did I say he was dead?”
Doctor: “Oh, how old is he? Is he very active?”
Patient: “He is 82 and loves to ski, surf, and sky dive.”
Doctor: “"Well, how old was your grandfather when he died?”"
Patient: “"Did I say he was dead?”"Doctor: “Wow! Is your grandfather very active?”"
Patient: “He is 106 and loves to run marathons. He is getting married again next week.“
Doctor: “At 106 years old why on earth would your grandfather want to get married?”
Patient: “Did I say he wanted to?”