Sermons by “Rev. John R. Larson”
A Promise Is A Promise
But you know what hurts worse than someone not keeping their promise to us is when we can see, clearly, that we have not kept our promise to them. We didn’t live up to our word. We spoke but never followed up on what we said. Others can look at us and say, “You promised…” And we know that we didn’t live up to our word. A promise is a promise… but a lie is a lie.
View SermonWeak Faith
Today we acknowledge that Christians can have struggles with their faith. It can be the worst time of your life. It can cause you to lose sleep and put you into a difficult depression. But at that moment God does not abandon you. He does not disown you. Rather He comes to you – showing compassion and understanding. He invites you to see His Word, the life-giving Savior, and His Word, the Scriptures that He has given us, in a new and full way.
View SermonThe Happiest People I Know
The happiest people I know don’t just give money. They have a way about them that is just generous. They sacrifice their time. They go out of their way for others. They look for ways where they can be helpful. They plead for the privilege of helping, serving, giving. The happiest people I know have an attitude that is a little weird – different. It is better. It is good and God-pleasing.
View SermonIn Control?
God’s control, His rescue, must be personal. God didn’t come to bring his favor and love and strong hand just to others. He came to do it for you. God shows that you are important to Him. He cares for your troubles. Your problems are important to Him. He covered your sins. Remember, “My God is so strong…” After taking care of all those others He took care of His own – those in the boat with Him.
View SermonA Man After God’s Own Heart
God’s own heart has to be our heart. We want our children and grandchildren and every generation to come to trust in Jesus for their forgiveness and eternal salvation. We want them to be certain of the love of God that brings them the joy of heaven. We want them to follow God in the strength of His Spirit and in the guidance of God’s Word.
View SermonA Divided House
I started this sermon talking about the divisions that existed that day between Jesus and His family. I spoke about the division that existed when He was accused of being in bed with the devil, as well as the divisions that exist in our own soul due to our choices. But Christ brings unity with God through His blood. He unifies our broken relationship by His mighty work. He brings peace to us.
View SermonDuties Next Step
Do you know what duties next step is? It is delight. Delight. We have so many “have to’s” and “ought-to’s” and “must’s” in life, even in relation to what God is asking of us. But what if we can combine the “have to’s” with a “want to” and a yearning to do something good and right?
View SermonOne Odd Prayer
But why would a prayer be made on a wedding day that includes tears and hurts and failure? Why would that be your prayer on this big day? Well, I use it on a wedding day because I think it is the right prayer for that great day. And today I pray that prayer for you because it is the right thing to ask of God for you. “Lord, give them enough tears to keep them tender, enough hurts to keep them humane and enough failure to keep their hands clenched tightly in Thine.” That odd prayer is my prayer for you.
View SermonProtected By Truth
Got it? Quality time. Self. Being Connected. Now I hope my dear wife, a mother of three and grandma of 10 gets that new driver that she has been thinking about for a long time, but maybe she wants something more. Maybe all of you, mom’s, dad’s, kids, those who are single all want the same thing – that close connection to others, their time, their heart.
View SermonWhat About The Ascension?
The Ascension is about Him, as it should be. But, quite amazingly, He turns it back to us. He spoke about His leaving quite often. Of course, when His followers heard Him talk of leaving it made them sad.
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