Thursday, March 25, 2010

They Know Not What They Do

During his ministry, Jesus taught some wonderful ethics about loving others as ourselves and loving God above all else. So what offended the people so much that they decided to crucify him? In this week’s sermon we will discuss that question and how Jesus responded to them turning their backs on him.

Scripture: Luke 23:26-27, 32-34
As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Hymns
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
“Were You There?”

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 Jeers and Assaults of the Crowd” delivered on Christian Crusaders March 11, 2001, by Rev. Larsen:

(Jesus) also said, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) These words serve as a basis for the Church’s teaching that Jesus is God. Here again this teaching is too strong for popular acceptance in our culture. Why not say, Jesus is our Master or Jesus is our role model. That leaves room for others like Moses, Mohammed, Buddha. But Jesus claims to be God, and Christians receive Him as the Lord of their lives. Teachings like these sent Jesus to the cross. . . Take away these inspired truths and there is no basis for our faith.


Christian Crusaders Is Now on Facebook!
If you are a member of this social networking site, search for Christian Crusaders and add the ministry as your Facebook “friend.” As a friend of this ministry, you will receive news and updates from Christian Crusaders, have the ability to connect and share with other Christian Crusaders fans, and receive an online invitation to each sermon.

On the Light Side
Karen Phillips sang high soprano in the church choir. However, for several services she sat in the congregation and not in the loft. When asked why she no longer sat with the choir, Karen explained, “One Sunday when I was home sick with a cold, several folks asked if the organ had been repaired.”

We Want to Hear From You!
Share a time in your life when, by standing up for what you believed in, you were ostracized. How did you respond when others turned their backs on you? Please respond by posting in the "Comments" section of this blog.

The program "They Know Not What They Do" will air Sunday, March 28, 2010. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

In Your Hour of Trial, What Will You Do?

Most of us have had some tough times in our lives. It is a part of our fallen world. So where do you turn for strength during days of trial? In this week’s sermon we will look at an event in Jesus’ life as an example of how to handle those tough moments.

Scripture: John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

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 “A Voice in the Storm” delivered on Christian Crusaders September 26, 2004 by Rev. Larsen:

"Your son has enlisted in the Marine Corps and is about to be sent to Iraq. You have read that more than 1,000 young men and women from our country have died in this war. Thousands have been wounded. Could this be the fate of your son, whom you love so much? That is an emotional hurricane. You need an anchor, and that anchor is the promise of God’s Word. The Lord has not promised that your son would return home. However, He has said he would walk with him."

An Easy Way to Help Spread the Gospel
Christian Crusaders would like to thank all those who help carry out the mission of this ministry through their gifts and prayers. One way you can help Christian Crusaders reach out is to add a link to www.ChristianCrusaders.org on your church or organization’s Web site. This is a simple way you can introduce others to a source of biblical truth over the radio and Internet.

On the Light Side
Mr. Jones loved the outdoors. Because of his passion for hunting and fishing, his family ate a considerable amount of wild game.

One evening, as Mrs. Jones sat a platter of broiled venison steaks on the dinner table, ten-year-old Chloe Jones looked up and said: “Boy, it sure would be nice if pizzas lived in the woods.”

We Want to Hear From You!
Share a story about a Christian friend who has walked along with you and your Savior during one of life's tough moments by posting in the "comments" section of this blog.

The program "In Your Hour of Trial, What Will You Do?" will air Sunday, March 21, 2010. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Why He Died

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the people were excited about all the good Jesus had done. Yet some believed he must be put to death. Have you ever wondered why Jesus really had to die? We will talk about it in this week’s sermon.

Scripture: John 11:45-52
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, "What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.”

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.”

He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God.

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 “Where Is Security?” delivered on Christian Crusaders April 5, 2009 by Rev. Kramer:

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There is no way human beings can fix that relationship with God. We need a Savior. On the cross Jesus took upon himself the punishment and wrath for your sins and mine. He took our place and announced, “It is finished,” meaning, paid in full; mission accomplished. And on Sunday God raised him up and said, Yes!

Basic Biblical Truths CDs
Christian Crusaders is pleased to offer a five-volume set of original sermons on DVD video by our radio speaker, Rev. Dr. Homer Larsen. Each of these engaging Gospel messages is twenty minutes in length and perfect for pulpit supply, small group or individual use. The set would also make a great gift or donation to a church library! Each volume is available for a suggested donation of ten dollars, or fifty dollars for the complete set. Call or visit our Web site to order.

On the Light Side
On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was. “We’re behind 14 to nothing,’ he answered with a smile.

“Really,” I said. “I have to say, you don’t look very discouraged.”

“Discouraged?” the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face. “Why should we be discouraged? We haven’t been up to bat yet.”

The program "Why He Died" will air Sunday, March 14, 2010. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Faith in Whom?

We often hear people referred to as men or women of faith. But the question left unanswered is, Faith in whom or what? Scriptures clearly reveal to us that Jesus Christ is the object of our faith. Then why do we often hesitate to mention his name? In this week’s sermon we will learn the importance of clearly confessing our faith in Jesus Christ.


Scripture: Romans 10:8-10
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”


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 “Two Religious Men Spiritually Awakened“ delivered on Christian Crusaders April 1, 2001.

Those who are spiritually awakened and confess this in word and deed, not only on Sunday but throughout the week, are the people in the congregation who can be counted on to carry the message of Christ to the world. Nicodemus and Joseph make a strong witness for Christ before an unbelieving world. John, Jesus’ beloved disciple, really describes Nicodemus and Joseph well when he said that they loved Christ because they experienced that Jesus first loved them.


Christian Crusaders Now on Facebook
Want a regular reminder about Christian Crusaders’ upcoming sermons? By joining the ministry’s Facebook group, you’ll receive a weekly email reminder about the upcoming sermon. You can also use the group page to connect with other Christian Crusaders listeners and post messages about other events or information they might be interested in.


On the Light Side
"A Lesson for Life"

Little Jamie Scott was trying out for a part in the school play. He set his heart on being in the play, though his mother feared he would not be chosen.

On the day the parts were awarded, Jamie’s mother went to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement. “Guess what, Mom,’’ he shouted, “I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer.”

Let's Hear From You!
Was there a time in your life when it was challenging for you to voice your faith clearly? Share your response in the "comments" section of this blog!

"Faith in Whom?" will air Sunday, March 7, 2010. Visit http://www.christiancrusaders.org/ for radio stations and times, or to listen online.