Ambassadors!

April 28, 2025, Monday Message:

Mark 16, Shorter ending, NLT: “Jesus himself sent the believers out from east to west with the sacred and unfailing message of salvation that gives eternal life. Amen.”

Scholars have unearthed Gospels of Mark with different endings. Some end at 16:8, some add a short paragraph, while a few offer an additional dozen verses. Since these are consistent with other Gospel writings and reinforce redeeming principles, they deserve a look.

This shorter ending supports the Great Commission that ends Matthew 28. Jesus said we are to love our neighbors, and that includes sharing the way to heaven with them. There is only one road leading to eternity with the Father. Those of us on that road are told to include all who will come to believe. They can choose to walk with Jesus or not—their choice. But the offer includes ALL who choose to believe.

I especially like these words: “unfailing message of salvation…” Jesus prepaying the penalty of sin for believers actually happened. “It is finished!” It’s guaranteed. If your eyes are on heaven, Jesus will get you there every time. He never fails. We call this Assurance of Salvation.

Jesus commissioned believers to cover the earth with the Good News, the Gospel. Our assignments vary. Some missionaries travel internationally. That’s the mission God assigned to them. For years, I went to Lake Street. Lately, I’ve moved over to University Avenue. God will put on your heart where you are to help spread the Good News.

All believers are Jesus’ ambassadors!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Ascension!

For Sunday, April 27, 2025:

Luke 24:51 NLT: “While Jesus was blessing the believers, he left them and was taken up to heaven.”

What would you give to have been there that day? Kneeling down, head bowed, being blessed by the Son-of-God, he suddenly starts rising, ascending into the sky. His destination is heaven, to be seated at the right hand of the Father. As he disappeared from sight, I believe Jesus wasn’t the only one walking on air!

So much happened in the preceding 40 days. Mankind was redeemed as the sins of the world were taken away, Jesus was crucified, died, but rose again three days later! The resurrected Jesus still spoke to his followers, teaching and proclaiming the Kingdom. Ascension into heaven was the final step. Nothing this significant will occur until Jesus returns!

Awestruck, the believers returned to the Temple and continued to worship. That was the only possible response to what they had just seen!

Jesus was truth in a human body. Everything he ever uttered was honest and true. He said he would return, so we have no reason to doubt his words. At the second coming, Jesus won’t be hard to spot. The Bible says that the whole world will know when he arrives!

Nonetheless, keep your eyes peeled!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Holy Spirit!

For Saturday, April 26, 2025:

Luke 24:49 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

Christians believe in one God, known to us in three forms: Our Father God in Heaven, Jesus Son-of-God who walked on earth alongside mankind, and the Holy Spirit. We know the least about the Holy Spirit, which I believe is why we sometimes overlook the available help. But since there is only one God, it makes little difference which form we’re interacting with. Jesus told believers, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” That’s why, in the absence of Jesus, we have been given the Holy Spirit.

Jesus sent his disciples, two by two, to share the Good News with the Israelites. They were commissioned to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons and encourage everyone to repent and return. Christians are the newly commissioned, sent to share Jesus with the world.

The Holy Spirit has always existed. When the earth was created, Genesis tells us, “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” The Holy Spirit made a big entrance on the day of Pentecost, enabling people from many different lands to understand Peter’s preaching. 3K were baptized and added to ‘The Way’ that day, like church growth on steroids!

So remember that there’s always help and power available. The Holy Spirit was sent to make things go better, so we shouldn’t forget to call on Him. We can always count on Him. He is, after all, God!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship