Sermons by “Rev. John R. Larson”
How God Changes Us
We live in a society that offers instant change. We watch TV and change the channels just like this—click, click, click! We look at our iPhone and change the screen just like this—tap, tap, tap! We put food in our microwave and it’s ready to eat just like this—zap, zap, zap! Because we change channels and screens and food so fast we think we should be able to change our lives with just a click, a tap, or a zap!
View SermonHeavenly Minded
10 days ago the Pastor’s Conference was over at Pastor Rick’s church – Immanuel in Englewood. We had our study in the room next to his office. As I looked ahead of me I saw two items on the same shelf – a cross and a First-Aid kit. I don’t know if someone did that on purpose, if they were getting ready for the Children’s Message, or if that is where things just ended up – but they do go together. Perfectly. The cross is the Christian’s First-Aid kit.
View SermonStaying Strong
There are certain verses in Scripture that become the strength of Christians. Sometimes they are the words that they use at their funeral, or put on their headstone, or ask that their funeral sermon speak those words. Words like, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21) Or Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Recently, here at Ascension, these words were spoken at a funeral, “The time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearing.” (II Timothy 4:6b-8)
View SermonBig Things with Small Stuff
I’ve got really bad news for you. You are not a super hero. And neither am I. We can’t fight our way out of our prison of sin. We can’t think our way out, buy our way out, educate our way out, vacation our way out, or blast our way out. We’re all stuck in sin—Heartbreak Hotel!
View SermonGet Ready
This is where Peter and Jesus had some words with one another. Jesus talks about the Christ suffering, being rejected, being killed and then rising on the third day. The suffering part didn’t sit well with Peter. The Christ would do nothing at that sort. The Christ is triumphant, glorious, victorious. He always wins. He never loses. Peter got in the face of Jesus and told him not to talk like that anymore.
But Jesus told him that suffering comes before glory. He called him “Satan” and told him to leave. He then told them that this suffering wasn’t only going to be His but theirs. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)
View SermonSeeing God In The Dark
God was in the dark for Jesus. God is in the dark for us. And God continued to be present in the dark for Joseph, and his brothers. Jacob, their father died, and Joseph’s brothers feared that he was only showing kindness to them for his father’s sake. Now, they feared, all hell was going to break lose without their father’s protection.
View SermonBlack 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!!
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