Sermons by “Rev. John R. Larson”
The Most Glorious Connection
Paul says of this essential connection that we, various parts of the body in the church, have to each other, “There should be no divisions in the body, but that all its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (I Corinthians 12:25-26) In this most glorious connection that we have with one another, together we divide each other’s sorrows and multiply the joy of others.
View SermonBetter Than Us
Have you figured that one out yet? Why were you born? Why were you baptized? Why has God allowed you to live on this earth, at this time? Why did God decide to claim you in Holy Baptism to be His own? The three greatest days in your life are the day you were born, the day you were baptized and the day you discovered why you were born and baptized.
View SermonExcited About God
There are times when people get excited momentarily. But their excitement moves to other things. This excitement from God stays with us. Our excitement doesn’t always have to loud or frenzied. But it is grounded on the truth of God, upon His word and promises. Sometimes our excitement comes with humility and reflection and it always comes with courage and power, boldness and strength.
View SermonEnough
I had my first Coronavirus wedding last weekend. Bride and groom, moms and dads for each, best man in charge of the Zoom videotaping, photographer, organist, preacher – 10 – we couldn’t hold one more person. I use this prayer from Louis Evans at the weddings I officiate. Part of it says, “Lord, Give them enough tears to keep them tender, enough hurts to keep them humane, enough failure to keep their hands clenched tightly in Yours, and enough success to encourage them in their walk with You.” That’s a great prayer. Enough tears, enough hurts, enough failure. In life those things can be good things. They teach us how much we need our God and how much He needs to do within each of us. A good marriage demands much growth of character.
View SermonDeeper Faith
Can there be anything better than deep faith? God takes you from where you are, to a true desire to be better in life, seeking Him with your whole heart. And, then in Jesus, you live in the deep faith that sins are forgiven, completely, and that you will live in heaven’s pleasure forever. Jesus lives and so do you. Jesus lives and so will you.
View SermonFor Such A Time As This
Look at all the stuff that you and I and so many in the world are facing right now – medical concerns that are leaving us frightened; economic realities that are long in complexity; spiritual assaults that include depression, apprehension and fear; a time of isolation and loneliness that causes heartache. One thing is layered upon another and it is more than we can handle. We have gotten tired of this, already. We are only two months, or so, into this, and just about everyone I talk to says, “I’m ready to return to normal.” But it seems that there are no quick fixes to this. I believe this is more than we can handle. On this day, Mother’s Day, I have chosen the text from the Book of Esther. I chose this because it is an account of a people- the Jews – and a person – Esther – who were given much more than they could handle.
View SermonBelonging To Another
In the spiritual sense your life and your soul are in a battle between God and Satan. Satan would love to destroy, hurt and maim you. He desires everything that is awful and terrible in your life. Joy? No, he’ll take it away. Peace? No, everything becomes chaos. Freedom? No, you’ll be controlled by your very weaknesses. But you have one who desires your good. Your Shepherd. Jesus. In John 10 the battle is spoken of like this, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (Verse 10) It says that this Shepherd “lays down his life for the sheep.”
View SermonUncertainty
In this time when nothing seems certain there is something certain. Jesus still makes our heart alive by His Word. Read it. Treasure it. Let it sit in your belly and guide your feet. And it is certain that whenever we will eat the Supper of the Lord again our eyes will be opened and we will see Jesus.
View SermonThe Bummer Lamb
That is what Jesus does. To all Bummer Lambs He comes and seeks and finds. Some folks have been beat up by life; it has not treated them well. Some have chosen to run from the Shepherd; to live in unbelief or rebellion and sin. But the account of the resurrection of Jesus tells us that the resurrected Christ looks for the bummer lambs. He seeks us. He looks for us. He wants us to know peace.
View SermonWhere, O Death Is Your Victory?
This is Easter and there was no victory for the devil and death on Easter. Jesus rose. He was the victor. He won. The pale horse of death was sent on its way.
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