Sabbath Explained!

For Friday, March 31, 2023:

Matthew 12:10 NLT: “The Pharisees asked Jesus, ‘Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?’ (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)”

Jesus was clearly heaven-sent, easily performing miracles never-before witnessed. So why would the Pharisees plot against him? I believe their motives were money and power. If people were worshiping Jesus, they weren’t at the Temple and their tithes would be missing too!

On the Sabbath, we are to set aside our normal work. This is the Lord’s day! Don’t go to the office or your store that day. This day is dedicated to God, who wisely took a day of rest following creation.

But Jesus is bringing clarity to that Law. Remember we are also to love our neighbors, which includes being helpful. The Sabbath day should not preclude our being kind and helpful to our fellows. He stated, “Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”

Jesus healed the man, repaired his deformed hand, right there in the Synagogue in front of everyone! That may have sealed his fate, but it was the right thing to do!

Jesus always did the right thing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Truth!

 For Thursday, March 30, 2023:

1 John 2:22 NLT: “Who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.”

The Holy Spirit has given believers the gift of discernment. We can usually tell when somebody is lying right to our face. I frequently fact-check, comparing what someone says with what the Bible says. If someone denies that Jesus is the Messiah, they’re a liar, a deceiver. If someone denies that there is a God, they don’t know the truth.

There’s a surprising number of deceivers. They masquerade as cults, New Age advocates and other false religions. Sometimes they worship nothing. Be especially suspicious of groups that look like a church or have “Jesus” in their name, but don’t accept the Bible or use a fake Holy Book.

John sums it up like this v23: “Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Sabbath!

For Wednesday, March 29, 2023:

Matthew 12:7 NLT, Jesus speaking: “You would not condemn my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’”

Some Pharisees, thinking they were enforcing God’s commandment, chided Jesus and his disciples for gathering a little grain on the Sabbath. Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6: “I want you to show love and mercy, not offer sacrifices.” No disrespect to God, but the disciples needed sustenance. We shouldn’t let the day of the week sidetrack love and mercy for our fellows.

Q: If you came out of church and saw that someone had a flat tire, would you help them change it? (assuming you knew how…) According to Jesus, our answer should be a resounding ‘yes.’ Love, mercy and compassion should be a part of our Sabbath. Figure out what would be helpful. That’s what Jesus would do, and that’s honoring God and his Son!

The commandment reads, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” While still honoring the Lord, nowhere does it say that we shouldn’t perform a simple task that would be helpful. Temple priests worked on the Sabbath. Your pastor works on the Sabbath. It’s a good day to put Jesus’ principles into action: Love God and love your neighbor!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

End Times!

For Tuesday, March 28, 2023:

1 John 2:18 NLT: “Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.”

Are we in the end times? There are many signs that the end times is growing closer each day, but no one knows the exact day or hour. Jesus said that only the Father knows. But seeing the nature of our times and what the Bible says about the end times, we should regard ourselves as being in the last few minutes.

Q: Is there a clock in heaven, or are hours and days only applicable for the earth’s residents, based on the earth’s rotation? Jesus said that he will return. John certainly thought it would be within his lifetime, and yet we wait patiently. If we can estimate Jesus’ return date based upon God trends, it will be at the perfect time!

Antichrist means the opposite of Jesus or instead of Jesus. The Antichrist is placed in our midst by Satan to divert our attention from the true Savior. Interestingly, John speaks of many antichrists paving the way for the supreme Antichrist. Satan can be slick. The Antichrist will appear to be wonderful, charming and successful. He will be the ultimate winner, and appear as an angel of light. It’s all a lie. Do not be deceived.

There is only one way to spend eternity with the Father. Jesus told us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Come!

 March 27, 2023 Monday Message:

Matthew 11:28 NLT: “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’”

When life gets us down, Jesus says, “Come to me.” He says, “I will refresh you,” or “I will give you rest.” Think about it – This promise of peace could not be offered by any human. Only God can perform a miracle in our lives. Turning to Jesus should be our first move, not our last resort!

Jesus calls everyone: “Come.” He refuses no one and sends no one away empty-handed. Spurgeon writes, “To Jesus himself we must come, by a personal trust. Not to doctrine, ordinance, nor ministry are we to come first; but to the personal Savior.” Come directly to Jesus. There we will find rest for our souls!

In Jesus’ day, their religion placed many burdens on people. Jesus confidently told his followers that perfect adherence to the laws and religious traditions was unrealistic. Instead just love the Lord, love your neighbor and follow me, Jesus! He simplified our path to the hereafter!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Do Not Love the World!

 For Sunday, March 26, 2023:

1 John 2:17 NLT: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

We need to define ‘world’ to fully understand this scripture. It doesn’t refer to the planet earth or the body of people who presently reside here. John is referring to the community of sinful humanity that is united in rebellion against God.

Do you ever have days when it feels like the whole world is against you? If you’re doing your best to live life the right way – God’s way – and those around you persist in sin, life can be challenging.

Paul compared our lives to an athletic contest. We are not to concern ourselves with the difficulty of the contest. Instead we are told to keep our eyes on the prize. In this case, the prize is heaven, spending eternity with the Lord. It’s a good reward, the best news ever!

When you compare paradise to the lake of fire, your choice should be clear!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Father + Son = One!

 For Saturday, March 25, 2023:

Matthew 11:27 NLT, Jesus speaking: “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

The Father has known Jesus since before creation began; Jesus walked on earth with us for only 33 years. So it’s logical that his Father would know him best, and that Jesus would have intimate knowledge of the Father. They want the same things, have the same goals. They’re on the same page, so to speak. Jesus once said, “I and the Father are one.”

This “Earth project” was entrusted to Jesus. He’s in charge of healing a few, teaching many and prudent enforcement of God’s laws. Forgiving the sins of those who repent is his domain. Jesus was God’s spokesperson here on earth. He re-introduced care and compassion for others. He taught us to love our neighbors by his example.

So the best way for us to live our lives is to imitate what Jesus did. As our earthly behavior-example, he’s living out the will of his Father, and his Father is our Father too! Believers are Children of God!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Forgiven!

For Friday, March 24, 2023:

1 John 2:12 NLT: “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.”

As a believer, isn’t it nice to know that your sins are forgiven? Isn’t it good to know that God considers you one of his children?

The name of Jesus brings demons to their knees. This all-powerful name is filled with love and forgiveness. God wants to include you in his kingdom, and believing in Jesus makes it certain!

There is no sin that is so great that it cannot be forgiven if we truly repent, return to the Lord and reach out for the free gift Jesus offers – eternity in the presence of the Lord! That was part of his mission, to offer salvation to all who would believe.

Jesus is our advocate as we look toward the hereafter!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship