Be a Shepherd!

 

April 30, 2012 Monday Message:

Jesus: “I am the good shepherd.” John 10:11a

2000 years ago, everyone understood the duties of a shepherd. There were hired hands that worked with sheep, but they were not the shepherd. If there was a bad problem with the sheep – animal attack, severe weather, disease - the hired men were out of there! These sheep, after all, didn’t really belong to them.

The true shepherd, on the other hand, knew his sheep, and they knew the sound of his voice. The real shepherd would lay down his life for his sheep. He would protect them and keep them safe. He would also take in strays that needed a home, adding to their number daily. But most of all, he would love every one of them.

“As a shepherd” was how Jesus led “The Way.” Nowadays, that’s a good model for how pastors should lead their congregations - caring for them through challenging times, protecting them from outside attacks - but most of all, loving every one of them.

In Latin, “pastor” means “shepherd.” Pastors don’t own their congregation or their church. In fact, they’re servants! The congregation hires a pastor to lead them, and if he leads them correctly, it’s a symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship. In other words, the congregation is eager and willing to follow “servant leadership.”

On one hand, Jesus is “the man,” absolutely in charge, of unquestioned authority. On the other, he healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, fed the hungry, cared for widows and orphans, rescued sinners and tax collectors, and washed feet at the Last Supper.

What would Jesus do? Servant Leadership!

What should you do? Become more like Jesus.

That’s what the Bible says.

Norton Lawellin

Free Gift!

April 23, 2012 Monday Message:

On the road to Emmaus, Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones and slow of heart, slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he (Jesus) interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning him. Luke 24:25-27 ESV

We are truly blessed to have Bibles in our own language, wherein we can follow the story of Jesus from creation to the end times of Revelation. New Christians in the 1^st Century weren’t so fortunate. They didn’t have all the facts written down, in one place. There were still debates and arguments about how this new “Christianity” thing worked. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus had to explain, to teach – to people who had been in Jerusalem and most likely knew the facts - how his death and resurrection fulfilled all prophesy.

When reading a mystery, are you ever tempted to flip to the last chapter to learn the murder’s identity? Well, you can do that with your Bible, and it’s not cheating! In fact, I encourage it. Flip to the back and see who wins. As you might expect, it’s the guys in the white hats, Jesus and his crew, who win the eternal battle of good vs evil.

In Revelation 22, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who wash their robes [or wear robes of white] so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the Holy City [New Jerusalem] by its gates.”

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” Your eternal membership with the Holy Family in the Holy City is a free gift from Jesus, and that’s what we really live for. The solution to salvation is not to do more stuff; it’s to live closer to Jesus. When you’re closer to Jesus, your good/evil ratio improves. Then good things will follow: “Let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

Accept the free gift!

Norton Lawellin

Expect the Unexpected

April 16, 2012 Monday Message:

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened...” Ephesians 1:18a Today, I pray that God would open our minds and the eyes of our hearts to expect the unexpected.

Outside Jesus’ tomb, Mary Magdalene was looking for Jesus but didn’t expect to find him in the garden. But when he spoke her name, “Mary,” and she answered in Aramaic, “Rabboni,” the impossible became real. She had been looking in the wrong place, a place for the dead. But her master was, unexpectedly, among the living!

On the road to Emmaus, Cleopas and his companion speak of the devastating things that had occurred in Jerusalem. These disciples lament that their Prophet had been crucified, so of course they would expect him to be among the dead. Jesus led a little small-group Bible study while they were walking, and opened their eyes to the fact that He, Jesus, was among the living.

Even the apostles didn’t “get it” at first. After fishing all night and catching nothing, the man on the shore told them to lower the nets on the RIGHT side of the boat. When the apostles did this, they couldn’t even lift the net because of the large number of fish. This could only mean one thing: Jesus! Knowing that Jesus had been crucified, the apostles weren’t looking for Jesus among the living. Now their eyes were opened, and Mr. Impulsive, Simon-Peter, jumped into the water and immediately swam to the Master. They had a wonderful reunion that morning and ate a meal together. I’ll have the fish!

So today, remember to keep an open mind to the supernatural, those miracles from heaven. Expect the unexpected, because Jesus is among the living.

Blessings to all during this time of Easter Celebration!

Norton Lawellin

I’ll be teaching “Ditch-digging,” in 2 Kings 3 this Friday at New Hope Center, 7pm.

Eternity in Paradise

April 09, 2012 Monday Message:

Thief on the cross next to Jesus: “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”

Jesus: “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43

I’m reading one of my favorite New Testament stories on Easter morning, penned by the physician Luke, who digs out the facts with the tenacity of a 60 Minutes reporter.

It’s important to note what Jesus DIDN’T say: “Let’s hop down from these crosses and get you baptized in the Jordan,” or, “I’ll ask mom to bring us some bread and wine, and we can take Communion.”

The key here is that the contrite criminal believed Jesus was the Messiah. He told the other angry criminal, “Don’t you even fear God? … This man has done nothing wrong.” He put his faith, hope and trust in Jesus.

You see, salvation isn’t about religion or ritual – it’s about faith in Jesus. Jesus paid the full price, and the answer to the salvation question is always, “Jesus” – it’s never, “Jesus plus something else.” Not Jesus plus baptism, not Jesus plus Communion, not Jesus plus your denomination. You can do nothing to add to your salvation or to speed it along. Jesus has done all the work. Just humble yourself, accept the gift and rejoice in the Good News that on the day you die - just as Jesus promised the thief on the cross - you will be with Jesus in paradise.

That’s what the Bible says.

Norton Lawellin

The Source is Jesus!

April 02, 2012 Monday Message:

In John 4, the woman at the well had three strikes against her.

1. The woman was a Samaritan. Even though Samaritans and Jews were cousins, they’d never openly admit it, remaining dedicated segregationists. Jesus broke these rules, thereby breaking down cultural barriers and later reinforcing the principle with his Good Samaritan parable. The Good News is for ALL people!

2. She was a woman. At that time, Jewish men would begin their morning prayers by thanking God for making them male. Rabbis wouldn’t teach the law to women, but here was Jesus - speaking spiritual truths - to a woman – a Samaritan woman! Thankfully, Christianity follows the example of our Savior.

3. She had gone through five husbands, and was now living with a potential number six. Her community considered her immoral, keeping her separate.

What does Jesus do with an immoral, ostracized Samaritan of the opposite sex? He gives her another chance, a do-over.

After sharing her water from the well, Jesus teaches that HE is the LIVING water! The woman has heard that a Messiah is coming, and Jesus replies, “I am He, the One speaking to you.” John 4:26

So ironically, this woman, a Samaritan with a questionable past, is the one person equipped by Jesus to bring the Good News to her people.

What about you? What about your church? Do you expect all the Good News to come from official channels, from organized religion? Or would you make time for the ministry of someone with a checkered past?

If the woman at the well arrived with Good News, would YOU listen? Realize that the source isn’t the woman at the well – the source is Jesus!

Norton Lawellin