Thursday, April 21, 2011

He Is Risen

The thought of a person dying without faith in the risen Christ is extremely humbling. Some, however, make light of rejecting eternal life in heaven. It is the Easter message that gives us a whole new understanding of the future. Join us this week as we learn of the glorious days to come through Jesus’ resurrection.


Scripture: Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Then they remembered his words.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.


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 Because of Easter delivered on Christian Crusaders April 15, 2001:

God’s Word brings us strength for today. Stand beside a sick person and ask what portion of Scripture is meaningful them? Countless times I have been told, “Please read me the 23rd Psalm.” The verse, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me,” is one of its capturing thoughts in the Bible. What gives meaning to these words? It is the Easter story of Christ’s resurrection. He lives and walks with me. We know this is no sentimental thought, but an objective truth that God is God, and He uses this verse to comfort His children. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow with confidence.


Easter Gift
If you are looking for a meaningful Easter gift or simply want to hear the wonderful message again yourself, we are offering a CD set of four of Rev. Homer Larsen’s past sermons on the Easter story. This set of sermons comes wrapped in a lovely ribbon and gift tag and can be sent to you or directly to your loved one. This set is available for a suggested donation of $10. Please call us at 1-888-693-2484 or visit our Web site to order.


On the Light Side
Good Idea: Finding Easter eggs on Easter.
Bad Idea: Finding Easter eggs on Christmas.
Q. What do Easter bunny helpers get for making a basket?
A. Two points, just like anyone else.
Q. What's invisible and smells like carrots?
A. The Ether Bunny
What do you get when you cross a bunny with an onion? A bunion
How do you make a rabbit stew? Make it wait for three hours!
What is the difference between a crazy bunny and a counterfeit banknote? One is bad money and the other is a mad bunny!

Friday, April 15, 2011

He Did . . .

Have you ever wondered why Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt that first Palm Sunday knowing he would suffer and die on the cross? What reason would he have to willingly suffer such a horrible death at the hands of his enemies? Listen this week as we talk about the answer to those questions.


Scripture: Mark 11:1-10
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest!”


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 Where Is Security? delivered on Christian Crusaders April 5, 2009:

We hear a lot about people looking for security in this world: national security and financial security within this economic crisis. I can’t claim to know the future in regard to those issues. But I do know the bigger picture. A songwriter once wrote: “I know not what the future holds. Lord, I have no way of knowing. But I know the one who holds my future. So I have no fear of where I’m going.” That is security!


Easter Gift

If you are looking for a meaningful Easter gift or simply want to hear the wonderful message again yourself, we are offering a CD set of four of Rev. Homer Larsen’s past sermons on the Easter story. This set of sermons comes wrapped in a lovely ribbon and gift tag and can be sent to you or directly to your loved one. This set is available for a suggested donation of $10. Please call us at 1-888-693-2484 or visit our Web site to order.


On the Light Side
RECALL NOTICE!
IMPORTANT!

The maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to the serious defect in the primary and central component or heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed, “Subsequential Internal Non-Morality,” or more commonly known as S-I-N, as it is primarily symptomized by loss of moral judgment. Some other symptoms are:
(a) Loss of direction
(b) Foul vocal emissions
(c) Amnesia of origin
(d) Lack of peace and joy
(e) Selfish, or violent, behavior
(f) Depression or confusion in the mental component

The manufacturer, who is neither liable or at fault for this defect, is providing factory authorized repair and service, free of charge to correct this SIN defect, at numerous locations throughout the world. The number to call for the recall station in your area is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human unit without correction voids the manufacturer's warranty, exposing owner to dangers and problems too numerous to list. For free emergency service, call on J-E-S-U-S for prompt assistance at any location worldwide.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Capture Our Hearts, Lord

Has the Gospel message affected your life in any way? In order for the Lord to work miracles in your life, something very important must first happen. This week we will look at three persons whose lives were changed by their meeting with the Lord and how our lives can also be changed during this Lenten season.


Scripture:
John 9:35-41
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”


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

The Bible defines Christians as those who have not only experienced the fact that they are sinners, but have also been redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ. They know Him as the one who suffered and died on the cross as a payment for their sins and was raised to give them victory over sin, death, and the devil. . . . Awakenings come in different forms. However, one thing is certain: the life of that person shows much evidence of their awakening when he or she has met the Savior.


Sermons on YouTube Now Available
Log onto www.youtube.com, a free video sharing website where you can now view four full-length sermons on Christ’s death and resurrection by Rev. Larsen. Simply type “Rev. Larsen, Christian Crusaders” into the search box to find these sermon videos. You can also access YouTube videos on our homepage at www.Christian Crusaders.org. These videos are available to order on DVD by calling our office (1-888-My Faith).


On the Light Side
A teenage boy had just passed his driving test and inquired of his father as to when they could discuss his use of the car. His father said he’d make a deal with his son: “You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible, and get your hair cut. Then we’ll talk about the car.” The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he’d settle for the offer, and they agreed on it.

After about six weeks his father said, “Son, you’ve brought your grades up, and I’ve observed that you have been studying your Bible, but I’m disappointed you haven’t had your hair cut.”

The boy said, “You know, Dad, I’ve been thinking about that, and I’ve noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair – and there’s even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair.”

His father replied, “But did you also notice that they all walked everywhere they went?”