Last Sunday we talked about the Reformation, when Martin Luther exposed heresies being taught by the church and reintroduced people to the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Hundreds of years have since passed and biblical teachings have again been made to accommodate the culture of a particular generation. Thus we ask, is it time for an ongoing reformation in the church?
Scripture: II Timothy 4:1-5
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
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 “The Reformation Event: How Can It Affect Our Lives Today?“ delivered on Christian Crusaders October 26, 2008.
The Gospel – that we are saved by grace – is so far above our human reasoning that we cannot comprehend it. We hear people say there is no free lunch. Many believe this is also true when it comes to their eternal salvation. So they hope they will be saved, but have no assurance. Others believe there is nothing to worry about. A gracious and loving God will save us all. The Reformation event gave us back the clear biblical teaching that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus. This is the core of the Christian faith, which is eternal. God grant that it may be proclaimed faithfully until he comes again.
The Crusader Newsletter
The new issue of the Crusader, Christian Crusaders' quarterly newsletter, will soon be printed. The theme for this issue is “goodness,” a fruit of the Spirit. Contact Christian Crusaders by phone, email, or via the sign-up form on the website, to receive your copy of this special publication.
On the Light Side
What do skeletons say before they dine?
Bone appetite!
When is it bad to meet a black cat?
When you’re a mouse.
What do you call a fat Jack-o-lantern?
A plumpkin
What do birds sing on Halloween?
Twick or Tweet.
Why are there fences around the cemeteries?
Because people are dying to get in.
The program "An Ongoing Reformation" will air Sunday, November 1, 2009. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
God's Son Has Made us Free
We as a nation cherish our freedom. The Israelites likewise were tremendously proud that they were Abraham’s children. However, Jesus wants us all to know that we have a freedom more basic than this. In this week’s sermon we ask, when are we really free?
Scripture: John 8:31-36
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if a Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
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 “You Will Be Free“ delivered on Christian Crusaders October 31, 1999.
Jesus is not looking for short term followers. Note Jesus' word, abiding. This means we faithfully read and obey the Bible for it is our authority in matters of faith and life. These quiet moments with God’s Word are our daily visits with God through which He speaks to us. He will not only teach us the truth but will also empower us to live according to the truth, which in turn will make us free. In Christ we become new people, and a part of that newness is freedom.
Sharing the Good News
If you know anyone who might benefit from the Gospel-based messages available on Christian Crusaders, let them know about the ministry. Anyone in the country can listen anytime on ChristianCrusaders.org. Members of a church small group, a relative in a nursing home, a neighbor going through a difficult time . . . inviting any of them to listen might be a real blessing in their lives.
On the Light Side
Few people outside the military know what a Navy Quartermaster does (several duties include the watch-to-watch navigation and the maintenance of nautical charts and navigational instruments as well as duties that used to be part of the Signalman rating: visual communications).
So during my aircraft carrier’s Family Day, I demonstrated a procedure called semaphore. I grabbed my flags and signaled an imaginary boat. When finished, I pointed to a little girl in front and asked, “Now do you know what I do?”
“Yes,” she answered. “You’re a cheerleader.”
The program "God's Son Has Made us Free" will air Sunday, October 25, 2009. Visit http://www.christiancrusaders.org/ for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Scripture: John 8:31-36
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if a Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
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 “You Will Be Free“ delivered on Christian Crusaders October 31, 1999.
Jesus is not looking for short term followers. Note Jesus' word, abiding. This means we faithfully read and obey the Bible for it is our authority in matters of faith and life. These quiet moments with God’s Word are our daily visits with God through which He speaks to us. He will not only teach us the truth but will also empower us to live according to the truth, which in turn will make us free. In Christ we become new people, and a part of that newness is freedom.
Sharing the Good News
If you know anyone who might benefit from the Gospel-based messages available on Christian Crusaders, let them know about the ministry. Anyone in the country can listen anytime on ChristianCrusaders.org. Members of a church small group, a relative in a nursing home, a neighbor going through a difficult time . . . inviting any of them to listen might be a real blessing in their lives.
On the Light Side
Few people outside the military know what a Navy Quartermaster does (several duties include the watch-to-watch navigation and the maintenance of nautical charts and navigational instruments as well as duties that used to be part of the Signalman rating: visual communications).
So during my aircraft carrier’s Family Day, I demonstrated a procedure called semaphore. I grabbed my flags and signaled an imaginary boat. When finished, I pointed to a little girl in front and asked, “Now do you know what I do?”
“Yes,” she answered. “You’re a cheerleader.”
The program "God's Son Has Made us Free" will air Sunday, October 25, 2009. Visit http://www.christiancrusaders.org/ for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Servants
Most of us would enjoy having our moment of greatness when we are recognized for our accomplishments. Jesus’ disciples felt the same way. However, when several of them asked to be recognized for their service, Jesus gave them an unexpected answer. In this week’s sermon, we will discover what it takes to be great in God’s eyes.
Scripture: Mark 10:35-45
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
“They replied, “let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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 “Rahab - Make Yourself Available“ delivered on Christian Crusaders February 11, 2001.
Long ago in Jericho, God entered the life of Rahab who was going nowhere. Although 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. If we make ourselves available, God will use us and life will be so exciting we will not like to leave it, even to go to heaven.
Use Facebook to Connect with Christian Crusaders
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
Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School.
“Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge, and all the people walked across safely. He then used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters and call in an air strike. They sent in bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.”
“Now, Joey, is that REALLY what your teacher taught you?” his mother asked.
“Well, no, Mom, but if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!”
The program "Servants" will air Sunday, October 18, 2009. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Scripture: Mark 10:35-45
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
“They replied, “let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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 “Rahab - Make Yourself Available“ delivered on Christian Crusaders February 11, 2001.
Long ago in Jericho, God entered the life of Rahab who was going nowhere. Although 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. If we make ourselves available, God will use us and life will be so exciting we will not like to leave it, even to go to heaven.
Use Facebook to Connect with Christian Crusaders
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
Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School.
“Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge, and all the people walked across safely. He then used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters and call in an air strike. They sent in bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.”
“Now, Joey, is that REALLY what your teacher taught you?” his mother asked.
“Well, no, Mom, but if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!”
The program "Servants" will air Sunday, October 18, 2009. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Achiever
Would you be willing to give up all your possessions in order to go to heaven? When a man once asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life, Jesus told him to sell everything he had. However, he was unwilling to go that far. How many of us would also be reluctant to give away everything we own? How, then, is it possible for us to enter the kingdom of heaven?
Scripture: Mark 10:17-31
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good – except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
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 “The Danger of Success“ delivered on Christian Crusaders August 5, 2001.
In this parable, God has not spoken against success. He just warns us of it’s dangers unless our plans fit into the plans He has for us. Success can inflate our ego to the point that we are obnoxious and no one will care to be around us. Or it can distort our sense of values so that we fail to hear Jesus saying, “Your salvation rests in knowing me personally as your Savior and Lord.”
A Quick Way to Start Your Day on an Uplifting Note
ChristianCrusaders.org features a daily devotion, front and center on the site’s home page, where you can immediately find food for spiritual thought anytime you need it. Then visit the Faith Links page for further Bible helps!
On the Light Side
Roger had recently begun waiting tables in a busy restaurant. One Friday night the owner suddenly emerged from the kitchen and handed Roger some money. “We're in trouble!” He said. “We’re out of quarters, and customers are waiting. Go next door and get me $40 worth.”
Roger ran to the supermarket next door, but the cashier said she wasn’t allowed to give out that many quarters. Determined, he sprinted to a convenience store two blocks away, but it was closed. At a gas station farther down the road, the clerk took pity and gave him the four rolls of quarters.
Twenty minutes after he’d left, Roger handed the coin rolls to his boss. “Where are the quarters?” he asked.
“Right here,” Roger said breathlessly.
His face sank. “I meant chicken hindquarters.”
The program "The Achiever" will air Sunday, October 11, 2009. Visit http://www.christiancrusaders.org/ for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
Scripture: Mark 10:17-31
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good – except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
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 “The Danger of Success“ delivered on Christian Crusaders August 5, 2001.
In this parable, God has not spoken against success. He just warns us of it’s dangers unless our plans fit into the plans He has for us. Success can inflate our ego to the point that we are obnoxious and no one will care to be around us. Or it can distort our sense of values so that we fail to hear Jesus saying, “Your salvation rests in knowing me personally as your Savior and Lord.”
A Quick Way to Start Your Day on an Uplifting Note
ChristianCrusaders.org features a daily devotion, front and center on the site’s home page, where you can immediately find food for spiritual thought anytime you need it. Then visit the Faith Links page for further Bible helps!
On the Light Side
Roger had recently begun waiting tables in a busy restaurant. One Friday night the owner suddenly emerged from the kitchen and handed Roger some money. “We're in trouble!” He said. “We’re out of quarters, and customers are waiting. Go next door and get me $40 worth.”
Roger ran to the supermarket next door, but the cashier said she wasn’t allowed to give out that many quarters. Determined, he sprinted to a convenience store two blocks away, but it was closed. At a gas station farther down the road, the clerk took pity and gave him the four rolls of quarters.
Twenty minutes after he’d left, Roger handed the coin rolls to his boss. “Where are the quarters?” he asked.
“Right here,” Roger said breathlessly.
His face sank. “I meant chicken hindquarters.”
The program "The Achiever" will air Sunday, October 11, 2009. Visit http://www.christiancrusaders.org/ for radio stations and times, or to listen online.
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