Happy New Year!

Dec. 31, 2018 Monday Message – Happy New Year!

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

As we look forward to a new year, we’re once again reminded that the Lord made each and every day, and today is the only day in which we can meet God. If you’re ever going to walk with God, or ask Jesus into your life, or count on Him for help and restoration, today is the only day you can do it.

We can fondly remember what happened yesterday, and learn from our previous mistakes, but that’s all in the distant past. And the future is – like the song says – “Somewhere Out There.” The only day we can live in is right here, right now: “today.” We need to live in “today” because God is living in “today.”

When one of my daughters was a toddler, I watched her wake up. She sat up and stretched, and then her feet hit the floor and she took off running. I don’t know if it was to get breakfast or to go play with friends, but the bottom line is that she didn’t waste a minute. Even at that age, she was determined to get her money’s worth out of each and every day.

We can learn from children. God is giving us all a new day and a new year, but it’s our choice as to how much value we can derive from that heavenly gift. Make a decision to go walking with God – today!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. I’ll follow Jesus as he wanders away from his parents during Passover, only to turn up in teaching in the Temple! Luke 2:41-52 See you at church!

Merry Christmas!

Dec. 24, 2018 Monday Message:

At Christmastide each year, I marvel at the story retold by Luke, of the Messiah coming to earth as a little baby, humble and helpless, wrapped in cloths and safely placed in a stable manger. His arrival wasn’t heralded by either earthly kings and royalty or the ultra-religious Pharisees. Rather, God’s messengers, the angels, announced the arrival of our Savior to shepherds, true blue-collar working-class individuals, ostracized by much of society. God’s point here that Jesus is not only a Savior for the rich and famous – He’s a Savior for ALL who would call him “Lord.”

From John 1: ”¹²To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God.” That’s where we get the term, “Born-again Christian.” John 3:3

God gave mankind an incredible gift – eternal life in the presence of the Father to all who called on the name of Jesus. Merry Christmas!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll be watching as baby Jesus is presented at the Temple in Jerusalem. See you at church!

Watch for God

Dec. 17, 2018 Monday Message:

“The Lord your God will never leave you or forsake you.” Deut. 31:6b NIV

“Have you seen God lately?” - or perhaps I should ask, “Have you bothered to notice God lately?” - because God is always present, still at work in His universe, in our lives, doing all the good stuff whether or not we’re aware of Him or acknowledge His presence.

Unfortunately, some people have given up on God, and yet God still loves them, just as He loves everything that He created. Atheists and Agnostics live with us on a planet that God keeps spinning. He warms them with His sun, feeds them with His food, and quenches their thirst with His water. He will never leave or forsake what He has created. If they choose to turn back to God, He will welcome them with open arms, just like the Father welcomed the Prodigal Son back home.

As Christians, we should be watching for God in everything we do and everything that happens around us. We need to keep our God-eyes open and focused. God isn’t hiding – He’s all around us, every day. We have the blessing of experiencing the extraordinary tasks God routinely completes for us. Smile and say, “Thanks, God!”

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla teaches on the birth of Jesus. Merry Christmas!

Forgiveness

Dec. 10, 2018 Monday Message:

God forgives every sin, but he doesn’t overlook a single one.

Let’s say that your teenage son or daughter was arrested for speeding. As a parent, you can forgive them, but they have to go to court themselves. When it’s time to pay the fine, the judge will look to them, not you.

Every sin has consequences, often not immediately apparent. The Bible refers to this as, “the pleasures of sin for a short time.”

When a reformed criminal becomes a deeply religious person and appeals for leniency, the judge may or may not grant it. Repentance grants you a spot in heaven, a forever place in the presence of God, but it’s not a “Get Out of Jail Free” card.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla will lead us through the third Sunday of Advent. We welcome New Hope tour day.

Forgiveness AND Change

Dec. 03, 2018 Monday Message:

On Forgiveness AND Change

John 8 details the incident of the woman caught in adultery. The crowd stood ready to stone her, but Jesus stalled them off: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” from John 8:7 And one by one, the crowd dispersed.

When someone we like sins, people often quote this verse. It’s good advice to forgive, to ‘let go and let God,’ but we also need to remember the second part of Jesus’  lesson: “Go now and leave your life of sin.” from John 8:11

Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” God-the-Son came to earth to rescue us, to forgive mankind’s sinful ways – to forgive all who would repent and return to the Lord. And Jesus’ direction, after we repent and He has forgiven, is to change for the better.

Should we go on sinning? “No!” says Paul. “Just as Christ was raised by the glory of God, so too should we live a new life,” a changed life!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla will lead us through the second Sunday of Advent.

Jesus + Nothing

Nov. 26, 2018 Monday Message:

“By grace you have been saved through faith. This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Eph. 2:8

The Christian Church teaches “Solus Christus,” or “Only Christ” as the means for our eternal salvation. It’s never Jesus plus something else.

Do you need to give a certain amount of money? No, Jesus is all that is required; you can’t buy your way into heaven. It would be nice if you could tithe and occasionally give something extra for a special cause, but it’s not required.

Do you need to be a Baptist? A regular Sunday School attender? Able to speak in tongues? Receive Catholic Sacraments? No to all of it! It’s Christ alone.

The big question 2,000 years ago was circumcision. The first Christians were all Jewish, so the men were all circumcised, and some thought the new Gentile Christians should be too. But after much prayer and a meeting between Paul and the Jerusalem Christians, it was decided that circumcision was not required. It’s always Jesus plus nothing else.

God loves us unconditionally no matter how checkered our past. And if we have Jesus in our heart, we’re ‘good’ to enter eternity. Jesus plus nothing.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla will lead us through the first Sunday of Advent.

Salvation Assured

Nov. 12, 2018 Monday Message:

“God helps those who help themselves.” Do you believe it? It sounds right, doesn’t it? Barna Research Group found that 80% of Americans believe that saying came out of the Bible; but it is nowhere to be found in the Bible.

About 60% in the US believe that if a person is generally good, or does enough good things in their lifetime, they will earn a place in heaven. Thankfully, that’s not in the Bible either.

The Bible is quite clear that we are saved by grace through faith, and NOT through any works. That way no one can brag or take credit for their own salvation. Eph. 2:8-9

Salvation is a free gift. We have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, thereby paying the ransom for your sin, my sin, and the sin of the whole world. Because of what Jesus did we have assurance of salvation, something no other religion can offer.

So don’t waste your time trying to pile up more ‘heaven-points’ by doing more good works. Concentrate on making Jesus your Lord, Savior and Redeemer. He alone is the author of Salvation. And when you do serve, serve out of gratitude for what Jesus did for you. He made it possible for you to see heaven from the inside!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla looks into Malachi.

Truth, in Love

Nov. 05, 2018 Monday Message:

“You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” Matt. 23:24 NIV

I believe God is looking for positive trends in his Holy Family. Being human, we won’t always get everything right, but I believe God wants to see how we are trending.

God loves us – unconditionally. His desire is that no one would perish, but that all would repent and return home to spend eternity with him in his kingdom. God has this curious insatiable love for mankind, and as well as God knows truth and theology, it would all be pointless without love and compassion, of which God has an abundance.

God isn’t constantly looking over our shoulders, waiting to convict us on some theological technicality. God is not petty. Rather, God is “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.” Ps. 86:15

We should speak God’s truth, but like God, we need to do so with love. Then we can become more like Jesus the Christ, head of the church. from Eph. 4:15

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Together we’ll open up words from the prophet Zechariah. See you at church!

Eternal God - Eternal Forgiveness

Oct. 29, 2018 Monday Message:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev. 1:8 NIV

Knowing that God is eternal is essential to our salvation. God is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (everywhere), and omniscient (all-knowing). Since God is not restricted by mankind’s linear time and space boundaries, we can deduce that our rescue has been on God’s radar for quite some time.

Because of what Jesus did, we have been forgiven; redeemed. And from God’s eternal perspective, that work is finished. The matter is settled. We have been adopted into the Holy Family, and our God, who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, is not about to change his mind.

Of course as humans living in the world, we’re prone to sin and shortcomings. We find ourselves doing things we swore we’d never do again. You’re in good company – Paul experienced the same difficulties, and wrote about it, asking why he did the things he did not want to do, while not doing the things he intended to do.

But there’s Good News! God didn’t throw Paul away, and he won’t throw us away either. The fact that we might sin after becoming a Christian is no surprise to Him. God never says, “Wow! I didn’t see that coming!”

When God redeems you, it’s forever, because our God is an eternal God. “For by one sacrifice he (Jesus) has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Heb. 10:14

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla opens up Habakkuk!

On Forgiveness...

Oct. 22, 2018 Monday Message:

On Forgiveness…

Mankind is plagued with a sinful nature, and the Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But it also says that if you repent and return to the Lord, you will be forgiven.

Consider Saul of Tarsus – we know him as Saint Paul. Trained as a Pharisee, he formed a posse to capture the new Christians, bring them in chains to the Temple for trial, sometimes resulting in their execution. Saul wrote, “When the believers were put to death, I cast my vote against them.” He put to death many, many Christians. Simply put, he murdered God’s Children.

And yet God forgave him. God got Saul’s attention on the road to Damascus, and then sent him on a mission for Christ, to deliver the Good News to the Gentile nations. God saw through what Saul WAS, and focused on what he could BECOME if he was forgiven! Turns out that the “forgiven Saul” was far more useful for Kingdom-building.

Of course the lesson here is that if Saul could be forgiven for murdering God’s children, then we should likewise forgive all manner of sin against us. Jesus said that our sins will be forgiven AS WE FORGIVE others. Don’t hang onto anger, frustration, and resentments - just let God work it out. Don’t let someone who sins against you control how you feel today. Divorce yourself from the whole matter.

Let go and let God. Smile!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla continues teaching from Micah.

On Creation...

Oct. 15, 2018 Monday Message:

When God created the earth and everything in it (c. Garden-of-Eden,) everything was at its best. God didn’t give us little acorns and hope that they could somehow find water, sunlight and soil and miraculously develop into magnificent oak trees. Rather, God gave us a mighty oak at its peak, the best it could be, and, like everything else on earth, told it to go forth and multiply.

Therefore, to answer the classic question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, the answer is clearly the chicken. God gave us chickens at their peak, and gave them the ability to reproduce their own kind.

Similarly, God created Adam and Eve in their peak condition with the ability to reproduce. That God-trend continues even today, with our progeny bearing testimony to the efficacy of the plan.

A good analogy to all of this is climbing up one side of a mountain to reach the peak, and then continuing on down the other side. Little babies grow into toddlers, children climb up the mountain, and young adults reach their peak. After that, it’s a trip downhill, down the other side, leaving room for subsequent generations to follow in their footsteps.

When it’s our turn to visit the new heaven and the new earth, God promised us fully restored bodies. And when God creates our new bodies, they will follow the God-trend. We will be restored to our peak, the best we can be.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. It’s New Hope Tour day, and lunch will be served following the service. Founding Pastor Michael Pilla teaches from Micah.

Forgive

Oct. 7, 2018 Monday Message:

(Jesus speaking:) “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matt. 6:12 NIV

The disciples wanted Jesus to teach them to pray, and he included these words. This principle of forgiveness is so important that Jesus restated it again: “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matt. 6:14-15

You’ve probably heard the Christian saying, “Let go and let God.” That’s a good idea. It’s unhealthy to hang onto old resentments. And carrying a grudge is just too much work! Today is a good day to clean house. Start afresh – empty your bag of grievances.

As you forgive others, so will the Father forgive you. And forgiven followers of Jesus the Christ will be welcomed into God’s eternal kingdom.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Founding Pastor Michael Pilla teaches from Jonah.

Jesus - THE Way!

Oct. 1, 2018 Monday Message:

(Jesus speaking:) “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

A lot of people like this verse, but some disagree. They think heaven should be more inclusive. Surely there are good people in other religions and in other parts of the world where Christianity isn’t the prominent faith.

But those of us with a high view of scripture believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, not something to be debated. Jesus is not saying that he is a way, as in one of many ways. God appointed him to be THE way, as in the one and only way.

Heaven doesn’t grant salvation by grading on a curve. “Pretty good” isn’t good enough. Mankind is plagued with sin: “All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory,” and even a little bit of sin is unacceptable in the presence of the Father.

Fortunately for us, Jesus has us covered. In the Great Exchange, Jesus took the sin of the world upon himself, and clothed the believers in garments of white – pure and wholly acceptable before the Lord.

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, the one who is THE WAY!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. This week’s message is from Obadiah 1:21. Who??? See you at church!

Forget What You Forgive

Sept. 24, 2018 Monday Message:

“Love keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Cor. 13:5d NIV

What happens to your record of sin after you have repented and God has forgiven you? The Bible says that you are separated from your sin “as far as the East is from the West.” Your record of sin lies “at the bottom of the deepest ocean.”

When heaven finds your name in the Book of Life, and looks down the column marked, “sin,” it will be empty. There will be no record of your sin. Don’t look for scratch-outs or eraser marks. It will be blank white-space, as if nothing had ever been written there.

The principle here is that God forgets what He forgives. Read that again – “God forgets what He forgives.” And if that works for our God, it’s good advice for us too.

I’ve heard people say, “I don’t get mad – I get EVEN!” But seeking revenge is not Jesus’ way. Carrying a grudge just hurts YOU, not the other person who upset you. They’re probably sitting at Starbucks enjoying a latté while your anger is raising your blood pressure! Let go and let God!

We will all be healthier and enjoy life more if we do things God’s way. Jesus said to forgive 70 x 7 times. Now it’s time to forget what you have forgiven.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla continues our study of the minor prophet Amos.

The Good Shepherd

Sept. 17, 2018 Monday Message:

“I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Psalms 73:3 NIV

Sometimes it seems like life isn’t fair. Sometimes evil prospers and good people have a rough go of it. That seems backwards. Asaph, in Psalm 73, says he almost slipped and lost his foothold when he became envious of the wicked. Here’s what the wicked looked like: “Always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.” Sounds enticing, right?

But our accounts with God are not settled here on earth. When we die, we move on to the next reality. We come to a time of judgment, and here God evens things out. He will separate the sheep from the goats. The goats go into the lake of fire, and the (Christian) sheep get to go with the Good Shepherd, Jesus.

The Bible says that those who narcissisticly cling to their earthly amassings have already received their reward. Typically life ends in fewer than 100 years. But Christians receive a much better heavenly blessing – living in the presence of the Father - which lasts forever and ever!

God always wins!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll be checking out the minor prophet Amos. See you at church!

Praying and Praising

Sept. 10, 2018 Monday Message:

(While imprisoned,) “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.’” Acts 16:25 NIV

Paul and Silas had disrupted the status quo by teaching people about Jesus and performing miracles in His name. Consequently they were arrested, and not just put in a simple jail. First they were severely flogged, then their feet were shackled and then they were placed in a heavily guarded inner cell.

What would you do when faced with such a situation? For Paul and Silas, the answer was simple: pray and sing hymns to God! In spite of how bad their situation appeared, they knew a better day was ahead. God caused an earthquake which shook the foundation of the prison, opened the doors, and everyone’s chains were loosened. By the end of the story, the jailer had been converted to Christianity!

There’s a lesson in here for us too. When faced with life’s problems, don’t insist on solving every issue yourself and leaving God out of the equation. Praying and praising is essential to the success of overcoming the trials of this world.

Sometimes God will solve your problem in this reality, and sometimes He will solve it in the next reality. Either way, with Jesus there is always a better day in your future!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Nathaniel Harris guest Worship Leader.