We enjoy our freedom. However, we can take our freedom too far and lose respect for authority and our leaders. In this week’s sermon, the book of I Peter will help us learn about living in submission to our rulers, even when they are unjust, and how it also applies to our homes.
Scripture: I Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This thought is adapted from the sermon The Voice of Authority delivered on Christian Crusaders January 30, 2000.
Our impression of the authoritative voice is often wrong. We feel that it takes something away from our freedom. Let me assure you that God's voice of authority enriches our lives by giving us security, peace and hope. Think of His promises. He will forgive us our sins and restore us into a living relationship with our Heavenly Father. He will strengthen us when we need help for difficult tasks. Those words that He speaks to us are words of authority. They are sure.
Christian Crusaders 75th Anniversary Celebration
You are cordially invited to attend Christian Crusaders’ 75th anniversary celebration on Sunday, September 25 from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Emcee for the afternoon will be former KWWL meteorologist Craig Johnson, and speakers will include our radio pastors: Rev. Homer Larsen and Rev. Steve Kramer. The afternoon will also include special music. A reception will follow.
Help celebrate a milestone in the history of this ministry if you are able. We look forward to seeing you there!
On the Light Side
Since all the kids have all their little codes, like BFF, AFK, and LOL, here are some codes for seniors:
ATD – At the Doctor's
BFF – Best Friend’s Funeral
BTW – Bring the Wheelchair
BYOT¬ Bring Your Own Teeth
CBM – Covered by Medicare
CUATSC – See You at the Senior Center
FWIW – Forgot Where I Was
FYI – Found Your Insulin
GGPBL - Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low
GHA – Got Heartburn Again
HGBM – Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO – Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO – Laughing My Dentures Out
LOL – Living on Lipitor
LWO – Lawrence Welk’s On
ROFL . . . CGU – Rolling on the Floor Laughing . . . Can't get Up!
WAITT – Who Am I Talking To?
WWNO – Walker Wheels Need Oil
WTP – Where’s the Prunes
GGLKI – Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking in!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Don't Worry
Are you a worry wart? Most of us have our moments of worry. We worry about our children, our parents, our health, and our finances, thinking of the worst possible scenarios. Worry does not help us escape evil, but instead makes us ill prepared to cope when evil comes. In this week’s sermon, we will talk about what Jesus taught regarding our concerns for the future.
Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This thought is adapted from the sermon A Favorite for When You Can't Sleep delivered on Christian Crusaders August 26, 2007.
God loves you. If you have trouble believing that, look at the cross. We were lost in our sins, far from God. God loved you so much he gave his Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for your sins, so that the relationship that was broken might be mended, and you could become a child of your heavenly Father. You are loved. God loves you. Paul discovered that, and millions of others have since, as they have come to know Christ and place their trust in him. Are you lying awake at night? Hand it over. Hand over that list. Take your worries list, turn it into your prayer list, and empty your heart to God.
Christian Crusaders 75th Anniversary Celebration
You are cordially invited to attend Christian Crusaders’ 75th anniversary event on Sunday, September 25 from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Emcee for the afternoon will be former KWWL meteorologist Craig Johnson, and speakers will include our radio pastors: Rev. Homer Larsen and Rev. Steve Kramer. The afternoon will also include special music. A reception will follow.
Help celebrate a milestone in the history of this ministry if you are able. We look forward to seeing you there!
On the Light Side
Fresh out of business school, a young man answered a want ad for an accountant. Now he was being interviewed by a very nervous man who ran a small business that he had started himself. “I need someone with an accounting degree,” the man said. “But mainly, I'm looking for someone to do my worrying for me.”
“Excuse me?” the accountant said.
“I worry about a lot of things,” the man said. “But I don’t want to have to worry about money. Your job will be to take all the money worries off my back.”
“I see,” the accountant said. “And how much does the job pay?”
“I’ll start you at eighty thousand.”
“Eighty thousand dollars!” the accountant exclaimed. “How can such a small business afford a sum that large?”
“That,” the owner said, “is your first worry.”
Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This thought is adapted from the sermon A Favorite for When You Can't Sleep delivered on Christian Crusaders August 26, 2007.
God loves you. If you have trouble believing that, look at the cross. We were lost in our sins, far from God. God loved you so much he gave his Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for your sins, so that the relationship that was broken might be mended, and you could become a child of your heavenly Father. You are loved. God loves you. Paul discovered that, and millions of others have since, as they have come to know Christ and place their trust in him. Are you lying awake at night? Hand it over. Hand over that list. Take your worries list, turn it into your prayer list, and empty your heart to God.
Christian Crusaders 75th Anniversary Celebration
You are cordially invited to attend Christian Crusaders’ 75th anniversary event on Sunday, September 25 from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Emcee for the afternoon will be former KWWL meteorologist Craig Johnson, and speakers will include our radio pastors: Rev. Homer Larsen and Rev. Steve Kramer. The afternoon will also include special music. A reception will follow.
Help celebrate a milestone in the history of this ministry if you are able. We look forward to seeing you there!
On the Light Side
Fresh out of business school, a young man answered a want ad for an accountant. Now he was being interviewed by a very nervous man who ran a small business that he had started himself. “I need someone with an accounting degree,” the man said. “But mainly, I'm looking for someone to do my worrying for me.”
“Excuse me?” the accountant said.
“I worry about a lot of things,” the man said. “But I don’t want to have to worry about money. Your job will be to take all the money worries off my back.”
“I see,” the accountant said. “And how much does the job pay?”
“I’ll start you at eighty thousand.”
“Eighty thousand dollars!” the accountant exclaimed. “How can such a small business afford a sum that large?”
“That,” the owner said, “is your first worry.”
Friday, September 9, 2011
God's People
Since the fall into sin, this world has lived in rebellion to its Creator. Our Bibles tell how spiritually bankrupt human nature was in that day, and today’s media tells us that it basically has not changed. However, St. Peter delivers a message that is a breath of fresh air on this subject. Please join us this Sunday.
Scripture: I Peter 2:9-11
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This thought is adapted from the sermon Spiritual Wisdom delivered on Christian Crusaders June 22, 2003.
In the midst of strife the Lord calls His peacemakers to make a difference. The person with this type of spiritual wisdom offers our world the same things Christ has offered him or her: forgiveness, a loving spirit, and the ability to listen to the concerns of others and rise above their emotions in an intense discussion. Peacemakers have experienced what human nature is, and the Holy Spirit gives them insights to deal with that nature when tempers flare and humans get out of control.
From 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
Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world – those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good morning, Lord,” and those who say, “Good Lord, it’s morning!”
Scripture: I Peter 2:9-11
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This thought is adapted from the sermon Spiritual Wisdom delivered on Christian Crusaders June 22, 2003.
In the midst of strife the Lord calls His peacemakers to make a difference. The person with this type of spiritual wisdom offers our world the same things Christ has offered him or her: forgiveness, a loving spirit, and the ability to listen to the concerns of others and rise above their emotions in an intense discussion. Peacemakers have experienced what human nature is, and the Holy Spirit gives them insights to deal with that nature when tempers flare and humans get out of control.
From 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
Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world – those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good morning, Lord,” and those who say, “Good Lord, it’s morning!”
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Living Stones in a Spiritual House
It seems every day we hear news of terrible events happening in our world. We have to wonder where the church is in all this. We’ll talk about the community of faith in this week’s sermon.
Scripture: I Peter 2:4-8
As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone.”
and,
“A stone that causes men to stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for.
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This thought is adapted from the sermon Is This a Description of Your Church? delivered on Christian Crusaders March 13, 2005.
Is your congregation the kind of church that wants to be involved in the lives of its members? Take the first step in seeing what your congregation has to offer. Take the initiative to make your congregation one that reaches out to the hurting and introduces others to Christ, who offers genuine happiness. Try to make your church the kind of congregation that others need.
The Crusader Newsletter
Christian Crusaders’ quarterly newsletter, the Crusader, is available now. The topic for this issue is “Celebrate.”
If you would like to receive a copy of this printed newsletter with special articles written by Rev. Larsen and Rev. Kramer, call us at 888-693-2484 or email us at crusaderweekly@gmail.com.
On the Light Side
A clergyman walking down a country lane sees a young farmer struggling to load hay back onto a cart after it had fallen off.
“You look hot, my son,” said the cleric. “Why don’t you rest a moment, and I’ll give you a hand.”
“No thanks,” said the young man. “My father wouldn’t like it.”
“Don’t be silly,” the minister said. “Everyone is entitled to a break. Come and have a drink of water.”
Again the young man protested that his father would be upset. Losing his patience, the clergyman said, “Your father must be a real slave driver. Tell me where I can find him, and I’ll give him a piece of my mind!”
“Well,” replied the young farmer, “he’s under the load of hay.”
Scripture: I Peter 2:4-8
As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone.”
and,
“A stone that causes men to stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for.
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This thought is adapted from the sermon Is This a Description of Your Church? delivered on Christian Crusaders March 13, 2005.
Is your congregation the kind of church that wants to be involved in the lives of its members? Take the first step in seeing what your congregation has to offer. Take the initiative to make your congregation one that reaches out to the hurting and introduces others to Christ, who offers genuine happiness. Try to make your church the kind of congregation that others need.
The Crusader Newsletter
Christian Crusaders’ quarterly newsletter, the Crusader, is available now. The topic for this issue is “Celebrate.”
If you would like to receive a copy of this printed newsletter with special articles written by Rev. Larsen and Rev. Kramer, call us at 888-693-2484 or email us at crusaderweekly@gmail.com.
On the Light Side
A clergyman walking down a country lane sees a young farmer struggling to load hay back onto a cart after it had fallen off.
“You look hot, my son,” said the cleric. “Why don’t you rest a moment, and I’ll give you a hand.”
“No thanks,” said the young man. “My father wouldn’t like it.”
“Don’t be silly,” the minister said. “Everyone is entitled to a break. Come and have a drink of water.”
Again the young man protested that his father would be upset. Losing his patience, the clergyman said, “Your father must be a real slave driver. Tell me where I can find him, and I’ll give him a piece of my mind!”
“Well,” replied the young farmer, “he’s under the load of hay.”
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