Sermons by “Rev. John R. Larson”
Black and White
Living without trust in God is foolishness. Trying to solve the curse of our sin, the question of our eternity, the dilemma of daily decisions, without God as the source of our strength and wisdom and hope is just plain dumb. Jesus is our Savior. Trust in Him. Give all your sins to Him.
View SermonHigher Things
What we get to do, when God is working through us, is catching people for life – the life that God has in store for them. It is a life of cleansing and forgiveness. It is a life filled with hope and joy. God gives His new creation a higher purpose and a greater one – living in love for God and for everyone else. It is life that continues into eternity and lives for the final day – when our bodies will be raised in great power. God is catching them for life – abundant and full life.
View SermonA Word
Six hours of reading the Scriptures – one of the first five books of Moses. And they stood the whole time. (And you thought we did a lot of standing!!) It was the lay people that had a thirst for the Word of God. “Please tell us.” Do you know why we say, “Thanks be to God” after we hear the readings from the Bible? It is because God has given us His words. He isn’t silent. He has spoken and in His goodness has allowed us to read His very words. Thanks be to God!!
View SermonFrom Age to Age the Same
One of the great joys that I have is being the one to place into your hands the very bread of life, Jesus Christ, in Holy Communion. At the late service, at the end of the line because his family sits in back, is Jamie Schmitt. Jamie will be 25 in April and he has special needs. When he comes to Communion in his Nuggets, Rockies or Broncos clothing he doesn’t leave communion without giving me a hug and telling me that he loves me. What a gift I receive! What joy he brings to me! He helps me know the great things in life!!
View SermonI Am Baptized
“I am baptized”. What importance is that to your life now? God saved you. He washed away all your sins. There is not one sin that wasn’t handled at the cross and through the resurrection. God’s baptism brings that to you. Baptism is pure grace. You didn’t do a single thing – God did it all. Titus 3 – if you don’t know this verse you’d better learn it – “But when the kindness and love of God appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ, our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7)
View SermonIgnorant No More!
I have a New Year’s resolution for you – if you allow others to make resolutions for you – here it is – “Ignorant No More”. That is what we will be from this day forward. We will be ignorant no more. We will not be ignorant anymore of God’s clear message of salvation through Jesus. We will not be ignorant anymore of God’s great desires for our lives. We will leave the dark and hopeless places of life. Ignorant no more!!
View SermonThe Final Hours
The whole idea of living in the final hours, not just of one year to the next, but of all of life, is spoken of in the Scriptures. And when it speaks of living in the final hours it speaks of it in three ways. First, living in a strong conviction of God’s victory, that is, living with a great faith in Him. Second, giving God the adoration and praise He deserves. Finally, resolving to live in obedience to God’s will and word.
View SermonA Life Changed: The Story From One Shepherd
The angel was telling us that His peace, the peace that came from this Christ was going to be a peace that would overtake our heart. Everything would be in His hands, our mind, our souls, today, tomorrow and even forever. I can see why he told us not to be afraid, why this was such good news and that we would be given a peace of heart.
View SermonComfort At Christmas
God’s light in Jesus brings us comfort. We are people who are in the light. Christ the light of the world has come and we are recipients of that light. The light? Faith in him. We trust that God has given us the fullness of His love when Jesus came to earth to be our Savior. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. He restores us when we come with a repentant heart. We do not have the darkness of sin and guilt but the brilliance that we are cleansed and made new.
View SermonImpossible!
Believe that this child is the Savior. You cannot see the cradle without seeing the cross and seeing the crown. Bethlehem leads to Calvary, which leads to the empty tomb. When the angel speaks to Joseph he gives these words, “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 1:21) Every sin and foolish choice that would bring us pain and cause us to be far away from God has been forgiven by this baby Jesus. He rescues us from our sins that would destroy our life. It is a Christmas miracle that God would wash us clean and make us ready for eternity in heaven.
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