Friday, March 30, 2012

Christ the King

We love our country and enjoy the freedoms she provides. However, like other countries before her, the United States is temporal and will one day cease to exist. In this week’s sermon, we will learn of an eternal kingdom and its King who stands by our side and will one day take us to live with him.


Scripture: Mark 11:1-11
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!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.


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 How Great Is Your Commitment? delivered on Christian Crusaders January 24, 2010 by Rev. Larsen:

We must ask ourselves how serious our commitment to Jesus is as he presents himself as our only Savior and God. He never would have been sent to the cross if he had only claimed to be a great teacher and a fine moral example. Many people, even some in our churches who sit in the pew or stand in the pulpit, deny his divinity. Jesus is a great religious leader, is as far as they will go. The rest is irrational. How great is our commitment? We all would like to admit that much growth is needed in our commitment to him, but as we examine our lives, we can say with Paul that God is at work in our lives. We have not arrived where we want to be, but we press on. We are not satisfied with our commitment to our Savior, but neither are we discouraged, for we feel his presence.


Prayer Warriors
Do you know someone who will be unable to attend church on Easter? It might be a member of your church who is homebound, or a relative who will be traveling that day. If so, consider telling them about Christian Crusaders, so they won’t miss hearing the important message of Easter and sharing in the joy of the Resurrection.


On the Light Side
A scientist gets on a train to go to New York. His cabin also has a farmer in it. To pass the time the scientist decides to play a game with the guy.

"You ask me a question, and if I get it wrong, you get 10 dollars. Then I will ask you a question and if you get it wrong, you have to pay me 1 dollar. You ask me a question first." The farmer thinks for a while.

"I know. What has three legs, takes 10 hours to climb up a palm tree, and 10 seconds to get back down?" The scientist is confused and thinks long and hard about the question. Finally, the train ride is coming to an end. As it pulls into the station, the scientist takes out 10 dollars and gives it to the farmer.

"I don't know. What has 3 legs, takes 10 hours to get up a palm tree and 10 seconds to get back down?" The farmer takes the 10 dollars and puts it into his pocket. He then takes out 1 dollar and hands it to the scientist.

"I don't know."

Friday, March 23, 2012

How Do You Define the Christian Faith?

We live in a very confusing world that continues to deny Jesus Christ. That confusion even extends to our faith. Christianity can be defined in many ways, but today we will examine what the Bible teaches is the real meaning of the Christian faith.


Scripture: John 12:20-36
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told him.

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it does, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.


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 How Great Is Your Commitment? delivered on Christian Crusaders January 24, 2010 by Rev. Larsen:

We must ask ourselves how serious our commitment to Jesus is as he presents himself as our only Savior and God. He never would have been sent to the cross if he had only claimed to be a great teacher and a fine moral example. Many people, even some in our churches who sit in the pew or stand in the pulpit, deny his divinity. Jesus is a great religious leader, is as far as they will go. The rest is irrational. How great is our commitment? We all would like to admit that much growth is needed in our commitment to him, but as we examine our lives, we can say with Paul that God is at work in our lives. We have not arrived where we want to be, but we press on. We are not satisfied with our commitment to our Savior, but neither are we discouraged, for we feel his presence.


Prayer Warriors
Do you know someone who will be unable to attend church on Easter? It might be a member of your church who is homebound, or a relative who will be traveling that day. If so, consider telling them about Christian Crusaders, so they won’t miss hearing the important message of Easter and sharing in the joy of the Resurrection.


On the Light Side
Words that Don’t Exist, but Should

Aquadextrous (ak wa deks'trus) adj. Possessing the ability to turn the bathtub tap on and off with your toes.

Carperpetuation (kar'pur pet u a shun) n. The act, when vacuuming, of running over a string or a piece of lint at least a dozen times, reaching over and picking it up, examining it, then putting it back down to give the vacuum one more chance.

Disconfect (dis kon fekt') v. To sterilize the piece of confection (lollipop) you dropped on the floor by blowing on it, assuming this will somehow 'remove' all the germs.

Elbonics (el bon'iks) n. The actions of two people maneuvering for one armrest in a movie theater.

Frust (frust) n. The small line of debris that refuses to be swept onto the dust pan and keeps backing a person across the room until he finally decides to give up and sweep it under the rug.

Lactomangulation (lak' to man gyu lay' shun) n. Manhandling the "open here" spout on a milk container so badly that one has to resort to the 'illegal' side.

Phonesia (fo nee' zhuh) n. The affliction of dialing a phone number and forgetting whom you were calling just as they answer. Pupkus (pup'kus) n. The moist residue left on a window after a dog presses its nose to it.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

A Christianity That Costs Nothing Is Worth Nothing

In many ways, life is much easier than it was years ago. It makes sense then, that we would want an easier faith. However, as a Bishop once said, “A Christianity that costs nothing is worth nothing.” In this week’s sermon, we will discuss what it can cost to remain faithful to the cause of Christ, and if that loyalty is truly worth the price.


Scripture: Mark 8:31-38
(Jesus) 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:
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon Rahab - Make Yourself Available delivered on Christian Crusaders February 11, 2001 by Rev. Larsen:

Long ago in Jericho, God entered the life of Rahab who was going nowhere. She was a prostitute. God changed her heart and made her His servant. Hundreds of years later, He entered the life of a very ordinary person with only average talent and used him to tell the story of Christ and the way of salvation to thousands of people. I know that, if we will make ourselves available, God will use us and life will be so exciting we will not like to leave it, not even to go to heaven.


About Christian Crusaders
A memorial gift is a meaningful way to remember a loved one, whether relative or friend, when they die. Memorial gifts are sometimes given to remember a very special person on a birthday or some other occasion. For your convenience, online donations can be made through our secure Web site, ChristianCrusaders.org.


On the Light Side
Happy Spring Break!
Spring break is when kids work on their tans and teachers work on their sanity.
Spring break is when kids go wild someplace other than school.
Spring break is when the only thing kids study is each other.
College kids call it spring “break.” Their parents, however, call it spring “broke.”
Spring break is when teenagers give their swimsuits a dry run.

Friday, March 9, 2012

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.”


About Christian Crusaders
A memorial gift is a meaningful way to remember a loved one, whether relative or friend, when they die. Memorial gifts are sometimes given to remember a very special person on a birthday or some other occasion. For your convenience, donations can be made through our secure Web site on our online donations page.


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?”

Friday, March 2, 2012

The Story That Never Grows Old

What is the purpose of the Christian Church? Isn’t it supposed to feed the hungry and heal the sick? Please join us this week as Rev. Homer Larsen helps us learn the basic reason that Jesus came to this earth and what he calls His Church to do.


Scripture: Mark 8:31-33
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.”


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 Preaching in 2009 delivered on Christian Crusaders January 4, 2009 by Rev. Larsen:

We are now in the year 2009. Will we live this year as pagans or as God’s children? We know that the goal of those living outside a relationship with Christ is to satisfy the desires of the flesh. God’s law has little influence on their lives. Some of them will remember parts of moral teachings they received along the way believing that, to a certain extent, in the notion of right and wrong. However, they decide when and if to put these rules into effect. Humans are rebellious by nature and want to do their own thing.


About Christian Crusaders
Christian Crusaders is a nonprofit ministry dependent upon gifts from you, our listening audience. Many people choose to contribute a $100 Broadcast Sponsor gift ($100 is the average cost of one half-hour broadcast on one radio station.) Others provide a GEM Club Gift (Gift Every Month). All gifts are tax deductible.

Christian Crusaders is thankful for the blessing of all gifts and your partnership in sharing the Gospel.


On the Light Side
Stop Redundancy
The Committee for the Reduction of Redundancy and the Antiproliferation of Repetition has decided not to meet until they have their first meeting and thus will not be meeting until the first time. Their Pre-Meeting Statement wanted to make this clear before they had their first meeting to avoid causing any confusion. So their first meeting will actually be their meeting and they will not have a meeting before the first meeting. This should avoid having people show up for their first meeting before it is held, since to do so would be confusing to those who did so and this is what they want to avoid by reducing the confusion and lessening the repetition.