Leftovers

July 30, 2012 Monday Message:

YHWH: “They will eat and have some left over” 2 Kings 4:43b

There was famine in the region of the people of God, and a man brought Elisha twenty loaves. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha.

Now, 20 loaves would feed 20 men, and perhaps allow 40 men to have a taste. But attempting to feed 100 would be out of the question. The men would be expecting a full meal, while all you could supply is the appetizer, and you’d soon have 100 frustrated men casting their anger in your direction.

Nonetheless, God had said, “They will eat and have some left over,” so Elisha did just as God asked, and passed out the bread. And it turned out exactly the way God said. Everyone ate all they wanted, and there were leftovers.

Our God, Yahweh-yireh, will provide. He is a God of abundance; he has thousands of cattle on thousands of hills. He can provide not only all that we need, but also a little extra - leftovers.

God’s provision becomes especially significant as Jesus in the City Fellowship takes on the challenging demographics of urban ministry. We are now in the most diverse neighborhood in the U.S., with over 100 languages spoken. The building where we meet is also home to Spanish-speaking and Ethiopian congregations. Neighborhood residents seem to have little pride in where they live and work; the population turns over every six months. Poverty and crime are out of control, and the police seem powerless to improve the situation. Their only hope is the local church.

As we were praying for the future of this ministry, it occurred to me that Jesus in the City will probably never be self-supporting. Even if we develop a significant number of local worshipers, they won’t have deep pockets. But the Bible says that God won’t send us on a mission without provision, and we’re counting on that! I believe that God will call benefactors, both individuals and congregations, to see the need to keep Jesus in the inner-city, and to step forward with the desperately-needed provision.

Our mission field is just north of Lake Street!

Norton Lawellin

Last week I was privileged to help with music for the Celebration of Life service for Evangelist Lowell Lundstrom. His church credits him with helping over one million people make a decision for Jesus.

Sunday, Aug. 5, Jesus in the City Fellowship worships in the Oliver Ministry building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am. Pastor Daisy is ON, wrapping up Galatians!

Truth is a Person

July 23, 2012 Monday Message:

Jesus: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6

As Acts 2 closes, we witness the love, willingness to give and sharing spirit of the new believers. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Acts 2:44-45

Acts 4 visits this again: “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” Acts 4:34-35

Ananias and Sapphira had joined the church, and like the others, chose to sell property to support the cause. But Ananias conspired with his wife to hold back a portion of the funds for themselves, while still pretending to give the entire amount. When confronted, they fell down and died!

As church members, it’s important for us to fully understand their situation. Ananias and Sapphira could have sold the property or not sold the property, and either choice would have been OK. Once they had the money, they could have given or not given, and that too would have been OK. And once they decided to give, the amount could have been large or small; none of these things were the issue.

The problem was the lie. Ananias and Sapphira purported to do the same as the others, to donate the full amount, while in fact they underhandedly conspired to do otherwise and deceive the flock.

God did not tolerate deceit in the early church, and the same type of behavior saddens him nowadays. When Jesus returns for his time of judgment, each of us will be accountable for any schemes, deceit and tomfoolery we may have perpetrated while in His service.

Truth is a person, the person who came to rescue us!

Norton Lawellin

Get Going!

July 16, 2012 Monday Message:

The Lord said to Abram, “Go … to the land I will show you.” from Genesis 12:1

When Abram and family packed for the journey, they didn’t know their destination. God’s instructions were to “get going,” and so off they went. God would set them down in just the right place, at just the right time.

July 22^nd is the final Sunday our Jesus in the City Fellowship meets at Trinity First Lutheran, 1115 E. 19^th St., Mpls., 11am. They have been wonderful hosts, but now need the space to expand their Christian school.

JITC will be moving to the Oliver Ministry Center, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am on July 29^th. It’s only 3 blocks over and 7 down on a map. But it’s a whole new neighborhood and a whole new ministry opportunity.

Our lead pastor, Michael Pilla, has put in a lot of hours searching out the new venue, helping the owners to understand our needs, and negotiating office and worship space. I believe it all worked out just the way God planned.

“The best place to do ministry is wherever God sets you down to do ministry.” Alistair Begg

Norton Lawellin

This Friday we’ll be leading worship at New Hope Center, 27^th & Cedar, 7pm. Open your Bibles to Daniel 3 and get ready to jump into the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. See you there!

Now I See!

July 09, 2012 Monday Message:

Man healed by Jesus: “This one thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25b

The disciples asking, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” launched quite a series of events. Jesus’ healing the man on the Sabbath provoked the ire of the Pharisees, who were now convinced that Jesus was quite the sinner.

The Pharisees then interviewed the formerly-blind man, but cast disparaging remarks on his testimony. Repeatedly he told his story of being healed, and repeatedly he was challenged.

Exasperated, the man finally threw up his hands: “Whether Jesus is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Most people stop reading there, sing Amazing Grace and call it a day. But there’s more to the story. Jesus tracked down the man, and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man, the one speaking with you?”

The man answered, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

Some Pharisees overheard, and wondered, “Are we blind too?”

The truth is, “yes,” but Jesus is talking about the Pharisees being “spiritually” blind. If they were searching for the truth, their blind eyes would be opened to the fact that Jesus is the light of the world. But if they think that they already know everything, they are blind to the teachings of Jesus.

May Jesus shine His light into your world today!

Norton Lawellin

This Sunday I’ll be leading worship at Jesus in the City – 2 weeks left in the old location – lower level of Trinity First, 1115 E. 19^th St., Mpls., 11am. Our study in Galatians continues.

We’re looking forward to July 29 – when Jesus in the City Sunday worship moves to the Oliver Ministry Center, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue. New service time: 10:30am. Let your prayers cover our transition into this huge new opportunity.

Land of the Free!

July 02, 2012 Monday Message:

“…the land of the free!” Francis Scott Key from the Star Spangled banner, 1814.

When the Lord brought the Hebrew people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, they were delivered from slavery. There was no more enforced compromise on their lives; they were free to practice their religion, free to worship their God, the creator.

But a harsh reality soon reared its ugly head: God’s people were not perfect, and with no leaders, there was no one to adjudicate conflicts. And there was no system in place to provide for their common defense.

So the Jews went to the Lord and begged, “Please, please, please can we have a king?”

In my mind, I picture God saying, “Those crazy Jews! After raising up Moses, demanding ‘Let my people go,’ all the plagues, Passover, parting of the Red Sea, wandering 40 years in the desert, I have finally assured their complete and total freedom. And now, after all that, it’s a king they want!”

Kings are not without their own issues. Saul started well but finished poorly. David started and ended well, but experienced a train wreck in the middle of his reign. Solomon is thought to be wise in some things, but not in his selection of 700 wives, including non-Jews who would tempt him away from God and lead to his downfall.

God knew the pros and cons of living under a king, but ultimately the good must have outweighed the bad, because God granted them a king.

This beings us to the concept of benevolent leadership, whereby the king, president or prime minister uses his political clout only for the benefit of the entire nation. In other words, there are no political agendas – just doing what’s best for the people.

As we celebrate July 4^th, our country’s birthday and the freedoms the U.S.A. represents, remember to include God. Thank him for the freedoms we enjoy, and pray for benevolent leaders here in the “land of the free!”

Norton Lawellin

This Sunday I’ll be teaching Galatians 3:26-4:11 (God sent his Son that we might be adopted…) - at Jesus in the City – the old location – lower level of Trinity First, 1115 E. 19^th St., Mpls., 11am.

We’re looking forward to July 29 – when Jesus in the City Sunday worship moves to the Oliver Ministry Center, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue. Note the new service time: 10:30am. Please pray for this huge new opportunity as God enlarges our territory!