Frowns Changed to Smiles

What can put a smile on your face during times of difficulty? Do you try to get away for a while or buy yourself something new? While these may be good options, they cannot give us lasting peace. Please listen as we discover the secret to wearing a lasting smile, even during our most challenging days.

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 the 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 A New Day delivered on Christian Crusaders March 23, 2008.

A moment that I will carry with me to my grave all began when I asked, “What did you read in your Bible this week that will give us something to talk about?” With a smile on his face, my friend told me that he did his Bible reading at 5:00 a.m. and afterward he had a time of meditation. On this particular day, he had read about Jesus’ conversation with Martha after her brother Lazarus had died. Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” This announcement was followed with our Savior saying to the heartbroken sister, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Then my friend said with emotion in his voice, “Pastor, Jesus Christ is alive. I have read these words before, but now they take on new meaning. Jesus Christ is alive!” I wiped a tear away and said through the glass window that separated us, “And think of it! He is right here with us now.” It was Easter, not on Sunday, but on Thursday; not in a beautiful worship center with lilies all around, but in a county jail. The remaining visits with my friend at the jail before he was taken away to prison centered in this truth: Christ lives, and He will go with you.

About Christian Crusaders

Christian Crusaders is the seventh-oldest Christian radio program in the country. Originally called “Your Hour of Worship,” it was begun at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Iowa. Christian Crusaders has continuously broadcast the Gospel message since 1936. It has had only three radio speakers in its long history. Our associate speaker, Rev. Steve Kramer, senior pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Afton, Minnesota, will succeed Rev. Larsen when he retires.

On the Light Side

One Easter Sunday morning as the pastor was preaching a children's sermon, he reached into his bag of props and pulled out an egg. He pointed at the egg and asked the children, “What's in here?”

“I know, I know!” a little boy exclaimed, “Pantyhose!”

No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus

Life can be so difficult. Our world is filled with people who are sorrowing, suffering, and dying. Sometimes it seems like God is not being fair to us. But God has a promise to carry us through both our good and bad days, and we will talk about it in this week’s message.

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-18

Since the children have flesh and blood (that is, we have flesh and blood), Jesus too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

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 The Evening That Faith Grew delivered on Christian Crusaders June 21, 2009.

It has brought great encouragement in my ministry to watch people grow spiritually as they live with their problems; some of those being big problems. I can name seven people in their 40s and 50s who, within the last few months, have learned they have cancers that could well be terminal. When I asked one of them last Sunday how she was handling the news, she said, “I’m hanging in there. I’m taking my treatments and they are making me sick, but I leave it in the hands of the Lord. I really want to live, but if He has other plans, so be it. ‘All things work together for good to them who love the Lord.’ And believe me, I love Him.” An older woman told a group of us, “I have buried a husband and a child. Another of my children has served time in prison. But God has been my comfort.” And I sometimes complain! 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. He is in the boat.


Did You Know?
All Christian Crusaders sermons are listed by date under Sermon Archive beginning with the latest one. Sermons date back to July 4, 1999 when we first launched our Web site.

Printed copies of sermons are available online. Hundreds of sermon transcripts are posted for your spiritual growth. Remember that the same sermons are also listed by topic and Scripture text.

Audio copies of the past programs are also available to be heard or downloaded and heard at a more convenient time.


On the Light Side
Happy Valentine’s Day

Two antennae met on a roof, fell in love,and got married. Their wedding ceremony wasn’t fancy. The reception, however, was excellent.

Q: What do squirrels give for Valentine's Day?
A: Forget-me-nuts.

A book never written: Avoiding Valentine’s Day by I.M.N. Love.

Q: Why did the banana go out with the prune?
A: Because it couldn't get a date.

A Cub Scout found a frog that said, “Kiss me and I will become a beautiful princess.” The boy studied the frog, then put it in his pocket. “Hey,” the frog croaked, “how come you didn’t kiss me?”

“I’d rather have a talking frog than a princess any day!” replied the Cub Scout.

Q: What is a ram's favorite song on February 14th?
A: I only have eyes for ewe, dear

Holy Week

This is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week. Many events occurred in Jesus’ life during this week, and it is important for us to remember them in order that we may sufficiently appreciate the meaning of Christ’s resurrection. So, in this week’s message, we will center our thoughts on Jesus’ suffering and death as a payment for the sins of the world.

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider quality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death –
even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.


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 Why We Need a Savior delivered on Christian Crusaders April 16, 2001.

We need a Savior to motivate and empower us to accept challenges. We know all too well how difficult it can be to be Christ's ambassadors. Our society will not be offended when our conversation is limited to religion in general, but let us begin to talk about our need for a Savior and what Christ has done for us, and we can expect some strong negative reactions. We do not want to be offensive. We want to be the nice guys and gals. It is at this time that we need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to do what God wants regardless of what the consequences will be. In other words, we can know the answers, we can be well-schooled in knowing how to share the Gospel, but when God has opened the door and we have an opportunity to point people to Christ, we need strength from the Savior to be faithful.


ChristianCrusaders. org
Have you ever wished you could listen to a recent Christian Crusaders sermon that was of particular interest to you? You have that opportunity on our home page. Under the Read/Listen buttons for This Week’s Sermon, the Sermon Audio Archive link will lead you to an audio archive of our 2013 sermons. We hope this will be helpful to you.


On the Light Side
Palm Sunday
It was Palm Sunday, but because of a sore throat, five-year-old Sammy stayed home from church with a babysitter. When the family returned home, they were carrying several palm fronds. Sammy inquired as to what they were for. “People held them over Jesus’ head as he walked by,” his father responded.

“Wouldn’t you just know it?” Sammy complained, “The one Sunday I don’t go, and he shows up.”

Days of Joy and Days of Sorrow

Which is more appropriate for church, celebrating or listening quietly?  The worship service can provide both an opportunity to rejoice and feel sorrowful. In this week’s message, we will talk about Jesus’ thoughts regarding these matters.

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)

Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in 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 Do You Enjoy Going to Church? delivered on Christian Crusaders April 22, 2001.

The Psalmist expressed his love for the Temple when he wrote, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (Psalm 84:1-2). Isn’t that the feeling of the committed Christian today? Whether it is the cathedral in the city, or the small wooden building in the country, this place, known as the church, is precious to the believer. It plays a major role in his or her life. It is God’s house. He is present.


Funding Christian Crusaders
Christian Crusaders is a nonprofit ministry dependent upon gifts from you, our listeners. 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-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
After a church service on Sunday morning, a young boy suddenly announced to his mother, “Mom, I’ve decided to become a minister when I grow up.”

“That’s wonderful! But what made you decide that?”

“Well,” said the little boy, “I’ll have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit and listen.”

Their Complaint Is Our Good News

Is it possible to go beyond God’s help? What about drug dealers, child molesters, and murderers? We are happy when these types of people are taken off the street and get what they deserve. But how does Jesus feel about them? Join us this week as we learn Jesus’ thoughts regarding the lost sheep of our world.  Listen Now

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”


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 Really Old Hymns: God Is With Us - Psalm 46 delivered on Christian Crusaders August 2, 2009.

In these first three verses (of Psalm 46) our writer describes God and why we do not fear with God. First, God is our – his people’s – refuge. A refuge is a shelter, a fortress for protection. He also describes God as our present “help” in trouble. He is present to help as we face the tight spots of life. The writer goes on to say, because he is our refuge and our help, we don’t fear. “Therefore we will not fear” even when life seems out of control or we’re under attack.


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

During the days of yesteryear when family doctors made house calls, a woman placed such a call for her ailing husband. When the doctor arrived, she profusely apologized for having brought him so far for a slight indisposition. “I’m very sorry to drag you out so late, doctor, but James seems so unwell.”

The doctor replied with polite consideration, “Don’t mention it, Mrs. Arnold. I had another patient to see in your neighborhood, so I’m merely killing two birds with one stone."