Sermons by “Rev. John R. Larson”
The Promising Word
What sort of Man is this who promises Paradise to a dying thief who admits the guilt of crime? What sort of justice is this that speaks pardon to the unpardonable, that acquits the guilty, that saves those society deems unsalvageable and worthy of the cruelest form of death? This is the Savior of the world, the Redeemer of fallen mankind, the One who reconciles the enemy as enemy and justifies the sinner as sinner. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
“Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.” Hear that word of promise for yourself. Hear it now, and at the hour of your death, for none of us knows the day and the hour of our “Today” when Paradise is opened to us in our death.
View SermonAre You Blind?
Are you blind? Blindness comes not just to the eyes though, it moves to other parts of the body as well. The heart is blind when it does not believe in or follow Jesus. There is an old Scottish saying that says, “There’s none so blind as those who will not see.” Maybe that is why Paul would write to the Ephesians with the words, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you.” (1:18) I find it interesting that on the Mount of Transfiguration after the great brilliance of Jesus was revealed, the word from the Heavenly Father was, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” (Matthew 17:5) Sight is enhanced by what we hear about our Savior and then we follow His voice.
View SermonGrow Up
Growing up means nor being childish and selfish and difficult but being childlike. In John 3 Jesus would say, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3)
It is easy to spot someone who is childish. God has not developed them, they are stuck in infancy. But the one who is grown up is childlike – born again by God’s Spirit, living in a humble way, attributing every goodness in life to a generous Father. As Peter writes, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (I Peter 2:2-3)
View SermonSomething 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.
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