If you were starting your life’s work over, are there certain things you would do differently? In this week’s sermon, Rev. Larsen will use Jesus’ example to tell what he would change in his parish ministry in order to build better church leaders.
Scripture: Mark 9:30-37
They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon, “Meditation,” delivered on Christian Crusaders July 14, 2002.
“. . . turn to the Scriptures. There you will learn that your Heavenly Father is the Creator. . . Realize that only after you get to heaven will the answers come, and the only way you can get to heaven is through trusting in God’s Son Jesus Christ. . . God has a word for us. He says to take some time every day to be alone with him and meditate on his Word. Then you will be adequately prepared to face life in a broken world.”
From a Recent Sermon:
In his August 30 sermon, Rev. Larsen referred to the book An Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner’s Semester at America’s Holiest University by Kevin Roose. The book describes an experiment Roose undertakes, transitioning from the progressive Brown University to a large fundamentalist school – Liberty University – built by Jerry Falwell. “Here, right in my own time zone, was a culture more foreign to me than any European capital,” Roose writes. Struggling to control his penchant for cursing, he makes friends and is surprised to find guidance in an unlikely – and foreign – source as his time spent among evangelicals changes his way of looking at the world.
On the Light Side
Bob couldn’t believe it – he’d made it to the last round of his favorite game show.
“Congratulations, Bob,” said the emcee. “Answer correctly and you go home with five million dollars!
“This is a two-part question on American history,” he continued. “The second half of the question is always easier. Which part would you like first?”
Bob figured he’d play it safe. “I think I’ll try the second part of the question first.”
The emcee nodded approvingly, while the audience was silent with anticipation.
“Okay, Bob, here is your question: And in what year did it happen?”
The program "Who Are Our Leaders?" will air Sunday, September 27, 2009. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Word Makes a Difference
Every day we have to make many decisions. Often times we wish we could erase the bad ones and make decisions that are more prudent and god-pleasing. In this week’s sermon, Rev. Kramer will share the thoughts of a Psalmist and where he found insight.
Scripture: Psalm 119:97-104
Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
I do not turn away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Renewing Reflections
We hope Renewing Reflections will strengthen you in the week ahead. These quotes are taken from the sermon “Why Not Turn on the Light?“ delivered on Christian Crusaders September 15, 2002.
"God’s Word is our revelation. He has given it to us so that we do not walk in darkness. Colin Smith has said it well, “The Bible is a revelation and not an explanation. It does not answer all of our questions. In fact, at times it can make us quite confused and frustrated. But God’s Word one day will be made clear for us, and our eyes will no longer be blinded.”
On ChristianCrusaders.org
If you missed a sermon, visit Christian Crusaders’ Web site where you can read or listen to hundreds of archived sermons organized by date and topic. You can also find a daily devotion, links to Bible study tools, and a detailed description of Christian Crusaders' many new online services and how you can use them.
On the Light Side
Joe decides to go ice fishing one day, so he gets up at 2 a.m. to have an early start. When he arrives, Joe gets out his saw and begins carving away at the ice when all of a sudden he hears an echoing voice, “There are no fish under the ice there.”
Well, Joe panics, but as he looks around he sees no one. So he waits a few minutes, then decides to keep carving. Soon the voice comes back, “There are no fish under the ice there!”
“Wow!” thinks Joe to himself, “God is giving me guidance.”
So he once again starts to carve away, only this time at another part of the ice. Then he hears the bellowing voice once more: “Sir, this is the rink manager, and there are no fish under the ice anywhere.”
The program "The Word Makes a Difference" will air Sunday, September 20, 2009. Visit http://www.christiancrusaders.org/ for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Scripture: Psalm 119:97-104
Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
I do not turn away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Renewing Reflections
We hope Renewing Reflections will strengthen you in the week ahead. These quotes are taken from the sermon “Why Not Turn on the Light?“ delivered on Christian Crusaders September 15, 2002.
"God’s Word is our revelation. He has given it to us so that we do not walk in darkness. Colin Smith has said it well, “The Bible is a revelation and not an explanation. It does not answer all of our questions. In fact, at times it can make us quite confused and frustrated. But God’s Word one day will be made clear for us, and our eyes will no longer be blinded.”
On ChristianCrusaders.org
If you missed a sermon, visit Christian Crusaders’ Web site where you can read or listen to hundreds of archived sermons organized by date and topic. You can also find a daily devotion, links to Bible study tools, and a detailed description of Christian Crusaders' many new online services and how you can use them.
On the Light Side
Joe decides to go ice fishing one day, so he gets up at 2 a.m. to have an early start. When he arrives, Joe gets out his saw and begins carving away at the ice when all of a sudden he hears an echoing voice, “There are no fish under the ice there.”
Well, Joe panics, but as he looks around he sees no one. So he waits a few minutes, then decides to keep carving. Soon the voice comes back, “There are no fish under the ice there!”
“Wow!” thinks Joe to himself, “God is giving me guidance.”
So he once again starts to carve away, only this time at another part of the ice. Then he hears the bellowing voice once more: “Sir, this is the rink manager, and there are no fish under the ice anywhere.”
The program "The Word Makes a Difference" will air Sunday, September 20, 2009. Visit http://www.christiancrusaders.org/ for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Are You Confused?
People seem to be very confused about life nowadays. This statement is also true about Christendom. Missionaries question their purpose; church members wonder what happened to their worship style. Will we ever find complete agreement in the Church? Jesus will help us learn the answer in this week’s sermon.
Scripture: Mark 8:27-38
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
Peter answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”
Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels."
Renewing Reflections
We hope Renewing Reflections will strengthen you in the week ahead. These quotes are taken from the sermon “Introduce Your Child to Jesus“ delivered on Christian Crusaders May 14, 2006.
“. . . let your children hear the basic teachings of the Christian faith from your lips. Field the questions regarding their relationship with Jesus Christ as they surface. Give them biblical answers. Who knows, these children you love may walk away from the faith, and this will be heartbreaking for you. Just remember God’s promise: “My Word will not return void.” It is not that you have failed if you have witnessed in your home by word and action that Jesus is your Lord. Where there is great concern is when our children venture out into a world filled with temptation and have not been taught what the Word of God has to say."
The Crusader Quarterly Newsletter
The latest issue of Christian Crusaders' quarterly newsletter is out now. The theme of this issue is perfection. To receive a copy of the Crusader newsletter, with a special article by Rev. Larsen, as well as news about the ministry, call our office.
On the Light Side
CHURCH SIGNS:
· Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!
· Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins.
· Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!
· An ad for a Church has a picture of two hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a headline that reads, "For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets.
· When the restaurant next to the Church put out a big sign that said, "Open Sundays," the church reciprocated with its own message: "We are open on Sundays, too."
· Have trouble sleeping? We have sermons -- come hear one!
· Come in and pray today. Beat the Christmas rush!
· Sign broken. Message inside this Sunday.
· Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world.
· If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.
The program "Are You Confused?" will air Sunday, September 13, 2009. Visit http://www.christiancrusaders.org/ for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Scripture: Mark 8:27-38
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
Peter answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”
Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels."
Renewing Reflections
We hope Renewing Reflections will strengthen you in the week ahead. These quotes are taken from the sermon “Introduce Your Child to Jesus“ delivered on Christian Crusaders May 14, 2006.
“. . . let your children hear the basic teachings of the Christian faith from your lips. Field the questions regarding their relationship with Jesus Christ as they surface. Give them biblical answers. Who knows, these children you love may walk away from the faith, and this will be heartbreaking for you. Just remember God’s promise: “My Word will not return void.” It is not that you have failed if you have witnessed in your home by word and action that Jesus is your Lord. Where there is great concern is when our children venture out into a world filled with temptation and have not been taught what the Word of God has to say."
The Crusader Quarterly Newsletter
The latest issue of Christian Crusaders' quarterly newsletter is out now. The theme of this issue is perfection. To receive a copy of the Crusader newsletter, with a special article by Rev. Larsen, as well as news about the ministry, call our office.
On the Light Side
CHURCH SIGNS:
· Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!
· Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins.
· Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!
· An ad for a Church has a picture of two hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a headline that reads, "For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets.
· When the restaurant next to the Church put out a big sign that said, "Open Sundays," the church reciprocated with its own message: "We are open on Sundays, too."
· Have trouble sleeping? We have sermons -- come hear one!
· Come in and pray today. Beat the Christmas rush!
· Sign broken. Message inside this Sunday.
· Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world.
· If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.
The program "Are You Confused?" will air Sunday, September 13, 2009. Visit http://www.christiancrusaders.org/ for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Praying Mother
Do you pray daily for your children? Throughout history the kingdom of God has been strengthened by millions of praying mothers. In this week’s sermon we will talk about a woman who prayed for her daughter to be healed, and Jesus’ answer to that prayer.
Sermon
The Praying Mother
Scripture: Mark 7:24-30
Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phonicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
“Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”
She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Hymns
“We Praise You”
“Turn Your Eyes Upon 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 “Introduce Your Child to Jesus“ delivered on Christian Crusaders May 14, 2006.
“. . . let your children hear the basic teachings of the Christian faith from your lips. Field the questions regarding their relationship with Jesus Christ as they surface. Give them biblical answers. Who knows, these children you love may walk away from the faith, and this will be heart-breaking for you. Just remember God’s promise: “My Word will not return void.” It is not that you have failed if you have witnessed in your home by word and action that Jesus is your Lord. Where there is great concern is when our children venture out into a world filled with temptation and have not been taught what the Word of God has to say."
New Crusader Now Available
The latest issue of Christian Crusaders' quarterly newsletter is out now. The theme for this issue is perfection. To receive a copy of The Crusader newsletter, with a special article by Rev. Larsen, as well as news about the ministry, visit our website.
On the Light Side
A six-year-old boy called his mother from his friend Charlie’s house and confessed he had broken a lamp when he threw a football in their living room.
“But, Mom,” he said, brightening, “you don’t have to worry about buying another one. Charlie’s mother said it was irreplaceable.”
This program, "The Praying Mother," will air Sunday, September 6, 2009. Please visit www.ChristianCrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Sermon
The Praying Mother
Scripture: Mark 7:24-30
Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phonicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
“Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”
She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Hymns
“We Praise You”
“Turn Your Eyes Upon 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 “Introduce Your Child to Jesus“ delivered on Christian Crusaders May 14, 2006.
“. . . let your children hear the basic teachings of the Christian faith from your lips. Field the questions regarding their relationship with Jesus Christ as they surface. Give them biblical answers. Who knows, these children you love may walk away from the faith, and this will be heart-breaking for you. Just remember God’s promise: “My Word will not return void.” It is not that you have failed if you have witnessed in your home by word and action that Jesus is your Lord. Where there is great concern is when our children venture out into a world filled with temptation and have not been taught what the Word of God has to say."
New Crusader Now Available
The latest issue of Christian Crusaders' quarterly newsletter is out now. The theme for this issue is perfection. To receive a copy of The Crusader newsletter, with a special article by Rev. Larsen, as well as news about the ministry, visit our website.
On the Light Side
A six-year-old boy called his mother from his friend Charlie’s house and confessed he had broken a lamp when he threw a football in their living room.
“But, Mom,” he said, brightening, “you don’t have to worry about buying another one. Charlie’s mother said it was irreplaceable.”
This program, "The Praying Mother," will air Sunday, September 6, 2009. Please visit www.ChristianCrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
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