Sermons by “Rev. John R. Larson”

Big 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!

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Get 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)

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Seeing 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.

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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.

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Higher 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.

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A 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!!

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From 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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I 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)

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Ignorant 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!!

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The 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.

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