Sermons by “Rev. John R. Larson”
Something To Say
Here’s what we have to say: “I want others to know this God who can change life.” I don’t want to be the only one saying how great our God is. I don’t want you to be the only ones who are just overwhelmed by the hope and joy that Jesus brings to the world. I want others to know it. Paul, in the last chapter of Roman’s reveals his goal of life, “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ is not known.” (Romans 15:20a)
View SermonFoolishness and Weakness
The cross teaches us that we, one by one, are treasured by God. At Holy Communion after I say Jesus’ words, “Take and eat, this is my body…Take and drink, this is my blood given for the forgiveness of sins”, I speak the concluding words of Paul, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (I Corinthians 11:26) Foolishness and weakness of the cross? NO!! We boast in His crucifixion and suffering and sacrifice. By that cross Jesus saves us and made us whole.
View SermonTogether
Who brings us together? Jesus does. To drive home the unity Paul gives a picture of the church, that congregation, as a human body. Each part is different, but each part needs one another. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” (I Corinthians 12:12-13)
View SermonDid God Really Say?
In Genesis 3 the word of doubt was begun with a question, “Did God really say?” The consequences of leaving God’s word was disastrous. For all of life and for the decisions we make on how we will live it, we are lead by what God speaks and says. And, now, looking at God’s final word, Jesus, we treasure the great love and forgiveness and new life He now gives.
View SermonArise! Shine!
He has come to you. Instead of captivity; we experience freedom. Instead of violence and an unsettled life; we possess peace. Instead of devastation; we have fullness and joy. Isaiah is the Messianic Prophet, always pointing people to Jesus. In Jesus God has revealed Himself to us. In Jesus, we who could just sit there in dust and shame, are told to rise. God’s light has come upon us.
View SermonA World Without Christmas
Living in a world with Christmas tells us that God has a heart of love toward us. She was eighteen and he was nineteen when they met. They fell in love, and one year later they were married. Some six years and three children later, she decided, while standing before the kitchen sink with a pile of dirty dishes and a pail of dirty diapers on the floor, that she just couldn’t stand it any more. She took off her apron and just walked out the door. Sometimes she would call home to check on the children, and on those occasions he would tell her how much he loved her, and he would ask her to come home. But each time she refused.
View SermonCommon…And Not
He isn’t common. You can’t talk about someone with words like: Savior; Christ; Lord and say that that person is just like us. Savior – a rescuer. Do you remember the name that Joseph was told to call this little child? “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
He is called the Christ which is the same as the Messiah, or the Anointed One. God had promised throughout the Old Testament that He would send a deliverer, one who would come to rescue people from sin and death, He would come to bring a true and lasting peace in soul and even forever. This then was the moment!! But get this – The Savior, the Messiah is also the Lord – Adonai, the name of God used in the Old Testament. I know that when the Shepherds saw the angel they were terrified. I wonder if they were even more terrified when they were told who He was and what He would do. They would go to see God’s answer for the world. Common…and not.
View SermonThe Road No One Wants to Travel
Sometimes good people only have bad options. And Joseph, for all the right reasons, is about to do the wrong thing. That is, until God intervenes. “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and says, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1:20-21) He then is told that this child will be called, “Immanuel”, which means “God with us”.
View SermonDo You Still Have It?
But if you are someone who has it, you can’t keep it. At least not just for yourself. Hope is not something to be greedy with. We are just a few weeks away from Christmas and you’ll be hearing the song of the angels the night Christ was born a few times in these next 17 days, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14 KJV) The news of God’s great revelation in Jesus is ours, we hold it in faith. And it also shows itself in good-will toward others. Hope is both held and shared.
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