Last month we relived some of the terrible events on September 11, 2001. Our nation was attacked, and 3,000 people were killed. Many of those caught in these attacks, finding themselves inadequate to handle the situation, turned to God for help. It is true that we do live in a fallen world and will all have our 9-11’s. Where do we turn when we are crushed?
Scripture: I Peter 5:6-7, 10-11
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
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 Evening That Faith Grew delivered on Christian Crusaders June 21, 2009.
Peter’s sermon at Pentecost was also a wild sea, but the fear was gone. He had come a long way in his relationship with Jesus. His experience of being tossed around on a wild sea in a small boat taught him that Jesus was able to deliver on the promises He had made to the disciples. It has brought me great encouragement in my ministry to watch people grow spiritually as they live with their problems; some of those being big problems. The storms of life come into every life. They can either destroy us or make us strong people of God. Christ alone can empower us to face the storms as we encounter them.
ChristianCrusaders.org
Check out our new online store! Christian Crusaders’ Web site offers a place to shop for materials that will uplift and inspire you. Browse among Rev. Larsen’s five-volume DVD video sermon series; his book You’ll Be Surprised What the Lord Can Do, filled with anecdotes and advice on Christian living; or even request an audio copy of a past sermon. These resources, an extension of our radio program, make great gifts, too.
On the Light Side
A little boy was overhead praying: “Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it. I’m having a real good time like I am.”
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Christians' Lives Are Different
The Bible teaches that if we are committed to Jesus Christ, our lives will be different. In the past, some have interpreted this thought by banning card playing and dancing. In today’s culture, it seems that anything goes. So which is correct? We will study St. Peter’s words this week to learn the answer.
Scripture: I Peter 4:1-11
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do – living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
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 Life Is Shaped by Our Choices delivered on Christian Crusaders July 24, 2005.
Look around in your church on a Sunday morning and see how hundreds of people . . . are living exciting lives with Christ as their Lord. They are worshiping as a family. Many of their friends are members of the congregation with similar interests in life. Dad and Mom are considered important employees where they work because of their faithfulness and work ethic. They are a fun family, not because they are better than others, but because they have made a decision to let God's Word be their governing authority and they experience His presence with them each day. They believe you reap what you sow.
Want a Regular Reminder About Christian Crusaders’ Upcoming Sermons?
By joining the ministry's Facebook page, you will receive a weekly reminder about the upcoming sermon. You can also use the page to connect with other Christian Crusaders listeners and post messages about events and information they might be interested in knowing.
On the Light Side
An elderly man went to the doctor complaining of a terrible pain in his leg.
“I am afraid it’s just old age,” replied the doctor. “There is nothing we can do about it.”
“That can’t be,” fumed the old man. “You don’t know what you are doing!”
“How can you possibly know I am wrong?” countered the doctor.
“Well it’s quite obvious,” the old man replied. “My other leg is fine, and it’s the exact same age!”
Scripture: I Peter 4:1-11
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do – living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
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 Life Is Shaped by Our Choices delivered on Christian Crusaders July 24, 2005.
Look around in your church on a Sunday morning and see how hundreds of people . . . are living exciting lives with Christ as their Lord. They are worshiping as a family. Many of their friends are members of the congregation with similar interests in life. Dad and Mom are considered important employees where they work because of their faithfulness and work ethic. They are a fun family, not because they are better than others, but because they have made a decision to let God's Word be their governing authority and they experience His presence with them each day. They believe you reap what you sow.
Want a Regular Reminder About Christian Crusaders’ Upcoming Sermons?
By joining the ministry's Facebook page, you will receive a weekly reminder about the upcoming sermon. You can also use the page to connect with other Christian Crusaders listeners and post messages about events and information they might be interested in knowing.
On the Light Side
An elderly man went to the doctor complaining of a terrible pain in his leg.
“I am afraid it’s just old age,” replied the doctor. “There is nothing we can do about it.”
“That can’t be,” fumed the old man. “You don’t know what you are doing!”
“How can you possibly know I am wrong?” countered the doctor.
“Well it’s quite obvious,” the old man replied. “My other leg is fine, and it’s the exact same age!”
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Do Not Erase
Life can get real complicated at times. Disappointments and fears challenge our sense of security. However, God’s Word has a simple, but profound bit of counsel to sustain us as we face those moments in our lives. We will consider that counsel in this week’s sermon.
Scripture: II Timothy 2:8
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal.
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 When Your World Stops delivered on Christian Crusaders November 21, 2004.
We hear Paul the Apostle say in the book of Romans, “What are we to say then about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not also with him give us everything else?” Then he goes on to say, “I believe that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.” He was willing to lay down his life for us. God was willing to say, “Go and rescue my people, I love them.” Surely you and I can count upon Him to hear our prayers and lift us up when our world gets stopped.
About ChristianCrusaders.org
Help Christian Crusaders spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by posting a link to ChristianCrusaders.org from your own personal or business website! Encourage your church to post a link as well. In this way, you can also become a part of the mission to proclaim Jesus Christ and enable Christian Crusaders’ listeners to hear the most important message in the world!
On the Light Side
During the worship service, Rev. Brown asked for parishioners to write their prayer concerns down and hand them to the usher. When they were brought forward, the nearsighted minister glanced at the note that Mrs. Jones sent. The note read, “Bill Jones having gone to sea, his wife desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety.
Failing to note the punctuation, Rev. Brown startled his audience by announcing, “Bill Jones, having gone to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety.”
Scripture: II Timothy 2:8
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal.
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 When Your World Stops delivered on Christian Crusaders November 21, 2004.
We hear Paul the Apostle say in the book of Romans, “What are we to say then about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not also with him give us everything else?” Then he goes on to say, “I believe that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ.” He was willing to lay down his life for us. God was willing to say, “Go and rescue my people, I love them.” Surely you and I can count upon Him to hear our prayers and lift us up when our world gets stopped.
About ChristianCrusaders.org
Help Christian Crusaders spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by posting a link to ChristianCrusaders.org from your own personal or business website! Encourage your church to post a link as well. In this way, you can also become a part of the mission to proclaim Jesus Christ and enable Christian Crusaders’ listeners to hear the most important message in the world!
On the Light Side
During the worship service, Rev. Brown asked for parishioners to write their prayer concerns down and hand them to the usher. When they were brought forward, the nearsighted minister glanced at the note that Mrs. Jones sent. The note read, “Bill Jones having gone to sea, his wife desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety.
Failing to note the punctuation, Rev. Brown startled his audience by announcing, “Bill Jones, having gone to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety.”
Friday, October 7, 2011
What If?
Christians often talk about peace, joy, comfort, and forgiveness. However, having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can also cause suffering and hardship. In this week’s sermon, we will discuss what it means to suffer for our Christian faith, and how to prepare for that suffering.
Scripture: I Peter 3:13-18
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to given an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit . . .
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 Stress delivered on Christian Crusaders March 21, 2004.
To be faithful in our Christian witness can often cause stress, but Jesus teaches us how to handle this stress. He does not tell us to work at adopting more moderate views in our Christian witness. No, instead we are to remain strong, and when those hours of stress come, listen to what he says in his Word.
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
A young woman went to her doctor complaining of pain. “Where are you hurting?” asked the doctor.
“You have to help me, I hurt all over,” said the woman.
“What do you mean all over?” asked the doctor, “You must be a little more specific.”
The woman touched her right knee with her index finger and yelled, “Ouch! That hurts.” Then she touched her left cheek and again yelled, “Ouch! That hurts, too.” Then she touched her right earlobe, “Ouch! Even THAT hurts,” she cried.
The doctor checked her thoughtfully for a moment and then gave her his diagnosis, “You have a broken finger.”
Scripture: I Peter 3:13-18
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to given an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit . . .
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 Stress delivered on Christian Crusaders March 21, 2004.
To be faithful in our Christian witness can often cause stress, but Jesus teaches us how to handle this stress. He does not tell us to work at adopting more moderate views in our Christian witness. No, instead we are to remain strong, and when those hours of stress come, listen to what he says in his Word.
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
A young woman went to her doctor complaining of pain. “Where are you hurting?” asked the doctor.
“You have to help me, I hurt all over,” said the woman.
“What do you mean all over?” asked the doctor, “You must be a little more specific.”
The woman touched her right knee with her index finger and yelled, “Ouch! That hurts.” Then she touched her left cheek and again yelled, “Ouch! That hurts, too.” Then she touched her right earlobe, “Ouch! Even THAT hurts,” she cried.
The doctor checked her thoughtfully for a moment and then gave her his diagnosis, “You have a broken finger.”
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