Good Shepherd Barrhaven Sermon Stream

We all long for vengeance sometimes. The desire to crush our enemies, and make them suffer for what they have done for us, is hard to overcome. Here, Jesus' disciples indulge in this desire to crush their enemies, but Jesus shows them a better way. The fire of the Holy Spirit comes to transform our enemies, not to crush them. This sermon encourages us to look for the redemption of those caught up in evil, and challenges us to be instruments of that transformation.Scripture references: 2 Kings 1:1-18; Luke 9:51-62Preached on the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, June 30th, by the Rev. Stephen SilverthorneSermon HighlightsVengeance is a natural desireVengeance rarely solves anythingJesus is rejected by SamaritansDisciples want to follow Elijah's example and burn up enemiesJesus rebukes themJesus instead points them to work for Samaria's redemptionFire of Pentecost doesn't destroy but transformsWe are called to work for transformation of enemiesThis is difficult work which costs us a lotIt is worth doing because Jesus