Consummate Leader

June 24, 2019 Monday Message

“Consummate Leader”

When mankind had been unable to manage its sin problem for 4,000 years, the Son-of-God, Jesus, was sent to straighten things out. The consummate leader, he taught from scripture, healed some people, and told us to love one another as he loved us. We could do no better than to pattern our lives after his.

But I believe that if we could read the mission statement for Jesus walking with mankind, it would be to solve mankind’s sin problem once and for all. As it turns out, the problems with death and sin were both solved in the same day, with the same event.

We call it “The Great Exchange.” Jesus took the sin of the world upon himself – past, present and future sin – and in return, clothed the faithful in his righteousness – in garments of white.

We got the best part of that deal!

The Bible says that we are saved by grace through faith, which means that we must have faith that Jesus is who he said he is, and that he can do for us exactly what he said he would. No longer do we have to try to “earn” our way into heaven. Simply repent and return; that’s the “Jesus plan!”

Jesus has already completed all the work, and our place in eternity is assured. That’s why we sing the song, “Blessed Assurance!”

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets Sunday June 30, 2019, 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. Is Paul chiding the Corinthian church through sarcasm? Maybe… (1 Cor. 4:6-21) See you at church!

Jesus-simplified

June 17, 2019 Monday Message

“K.I.S.S.” – Keep it simple (stupid!)

Christianity is a simple religion, easy to understand. Oh, you can study and research things for years, but the basic path to eternal life is simple and straightforward. I think God made redemption clear and understandable so that EVERYONE could join him in eternity. Heaven is not just for the well-educated, not just for those with 160 IQ’s. Everyone. After all, God’s desire is that none would perish. None.

Both Jesus and the Pharisees knew the 613 commandments in Torah, but the Pharisees wanted to test Jesus.

“Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the law?”

Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matt. 22:36-39 NIV

And there you have it – the ‘Jesus-simplified’ version. 613 commandments reduced to a couple of sentences, and Jesus was actually quoting from Leviticus and Deuteronomy. You see, “Love God and love your neighbor,” is one of the “God-trends” we were talking about last week! God’s not about to change his mind on this!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets Sunday June 23, 2019, 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. We’ll examine Paul’s leadership role with the Corinthians (1 Cor. 4:1-5.) See you at church!

God-Trends

June 10, 2019 Monday Message

“The fact is that God is very patient towards you. He has no wish that any person should be destroyed. He desires that all mankind should come to repentance.” (1 Peter 3:9 Phillips)

If you read about God and Jesus in the Bible, there seem to be what I call, “God trends.” Right is right, wrong is wrong, and God’s not about to change his mind. He’s the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Regarding mankind, the God-trend seems to be that God loves us. David writes 23 times about “chesed,” God’s love for believers. The King James translation calls it “everlasting lovingkindness,” since there isn’t a single word in the English language to adequately describe God’s love for us.

God so loved the world that he sent his Son Jesus to cover the sins of all who repent, so that they could be reclaimed for the Kingdom. This fits right in with God’s original plan, the God-trend. His desire is that ALL of us would join him in the next reality, and as the great facilitator, he has made this possible.

God gave us free will; He won’t force you to repent and return. But His desire is that ALL would come to repentance. Jesus has gone ahead to prepare your room!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets Father’s Day, Sunday June 16, 2019, 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. We’ll share a meal following the service as we welcome our guests from New Hope Center. Lead Pastor Michael Pilla continues in 1^st Corinthians 3 – “You belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God!”

Jesus Does It Better!

June 3, 2019 Monday Message

“Nobody Does It Better”

Remember Carly Simon crooning this Marvin Hamlisch/Carol Bayer Sager song as the James Bond thriller began? The implication, of course, is that 007 was the best at what he did. But remember that 007 is fictional, not real.

If you’re seeking a real icon for how to best live your life, Jesus is the answer. He’s the only one ever to get everything right. He modeled love for the world. He stirred up righteous anger at just the right times, and in just the right amounts. His forgiveness well never ran dry.

Jesus is a God of second chances. If someone repents and returns to the Lord, Jesus always grants them a “do-over.” If you need to take a “Mulligan” on part of your life – if you need a fresh start with a clean slate, Jesus has you covered. He’d rather you repent and return than suffer eternal separation from your creator.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets Pentecost Sunday, June 9, 2019, 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. Lead Pastor Michael Pilla continues in 1^st Corinthians 3.