Memorial Day & Galatians

May 28, 2012 Memorial Day Monday Message:

As the Christian church started, the region known as Galatia hosted at least four distinct ethnic groups:

1. The indigenous Turks

2. Romans, still there after their conquering efforts

3. Jews, the merchants and bankers who facilitated the economy, and

4. The Gauls, middle-European transplants who stayed behind after their attempts to rule the region. Because of the number of Gauls and their colossal influence on the culture, we know the region as “Galatia.”

These four groups were quite distinct, bringing different customs, histories and traditions to the table. They didn’t always get along well; they didn’t agree on much. So it’s no surprise that when Paul planted start-up churches in the region and then moved on, the churches quickly fell into conflict and disagreement. Paul’s epistles to the Galatians represent his efforts to get them back on track.

Today, the US is a lot like Galatia – we’re all from different countries or different regions. We all want to hold on to our personal customs, histories and traditions. It’s no wonder that we don’t always play well with others. Recently it’s gotten worse instead of better. The left has moved farther to the left, while the right has moved farther to the right. We observe stalemates on needed legislation and witness government shutdowns precluding any progress. The taxation necessary to service our national debt crisis could take our country down – a country that was, ironically, founded by citizens protesting excessive taxation. Duh! How short is our memory?

Paul’s advice to the Galatians would be good advice for the US – Get back to the one true Gospel. And if anyone preaches a different message, let him be cursed. We know that things go better the closer we are to the Father. (See Galatians 1:7-9)

Those who gave their lives for our great country wanted to preserve our freedom to worship. As we honor these warriors today, let’s apply action to the principles for which they fought. Pray that the US would get back on track – and pray for revival in our nation.

Norton Lawellin

On July 29, Jesus in the City Sunday worship will move to the Oliver Ministry Center, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue. Prayers covering this transition and move would be appreciated.

Pentecost - 50 Days

May 21, 2012 Monday Message: 

My Jewish friends have been preparing to celebrate Shavuot or Shavuous, remembering God giving the 10 Commandments on Mt. Sinai 50 days after the Exodus. We Christians call the day “Whit Sunday” (Anglican) or more commonly, “Pentecost,” (Greek) which means “50 days.” This is a huge day of celebration in the Christian church. It’s the day the Holy Spirit made his presence known in the start-up church. 

 On the Christian calendar, if we start counting from Easter morning, the resurrected Jesus walked the earth for 40 days, and then ascended into heaven; and 10 days after that, the Holy Spirit came to the believers in the upper room. Therefore, 50 days — Pentecost. 

The believers were meeting in private, because their leader, Jesus, had just been crucified, and they were very afraid — afraid that they might be next. All of a sudden there was a sound like a huge wind, but nothing was blowing. Little flames of Holy Spirit fire fell from above and landed on the believers, but nothing burned. Now, with the power of the Holy Spirit, their hearts were on fire for Jesus. They had been radically transformed by the Holy Spirit – they were no longer afraid! 

 So Peter went out into the streets and began preaching to the same people who three days earlier had shouted, “Crucify Him!” Peter first visited the prophecies about the coming Messiah, and then showed how Jesus fulfilled ALL these prophecies. Foreign Jews who had sojourned to Jerusalem for Shavuot heard the speech in their native tongues. They were amazed, and they were convinced. 3000 were baptized and added to the group of believers that day. 

That’s what happened on the first Christian Day of Pentecost — may it happen again in your church. Acts 2 

Norton Lawellin 

Jesus in the City has been blessed with a new venue for Sunday worship – details forthcoming. Thanks for your prayers during this time of transition.

Worship Wars

May 14, 2012 Monday Message: 

“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” Psalms 47:1 TNIV 

What’s with all the clapping in churches nowadays? When I attended church as a child, we wore suits and ties and sat in straight rows on wooden benches. We sang or read with the leader in a quiet and dignified manner. To its credit, that worship style invokes a certain “reverence” for the Lord, pointing to the seriousness of what’s taking place. 

But 3000 years ago, believers worshiped with a lot more enthusiasm. God’s people let their hair down and danced in the streets. There was excitement about being able to serve the Lord. The sons of Korah, presumably leaders of worship, instructed the choir director to have everyone clap their hands and shout for joy. David told his congregation to make a joyful noise and sing a new song! 

There are many styles of worship, but there is only one Gospel, one story of Good News. So first, get the message right; and then, worship with all your might, regardless of how that might look for you, your friends or your congregation. That’s what they did in the Bible. 

Norton Lawellin 

At Jesus in the City Fellowship, Minneapolis, we’ll soon begin a series on Galatians. So for this Friday’s 7pm Chapel at New Hope Center, I’ll walk us through an intro to Galatians, laying a little foundation for the upcoming series. Jesus in the City desperately needs a new venue for Sunday worship, as well as a permanent home. We’re blessed to have solutions in our sights, and your prayers will help us connect with God’s agenda.

Instructor - Me?

May 07, 2012 Monday Message: “How can I understand unless someone instructs me?” Acts 8:31a

Have you ever been enlightened by a great sermon, and thought, “I’ve read that scripture a hundred times before, but I never got THAT message out of it. I learned so much today!"

Growing up as a brother or sister in the Holy Family isn’t a do-it-yourself project. You need Christian friends, your church family and the Holy Spirit – “instructors.” 

The Spirit intervenes in many ways. When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit opens your mind to the things of God. Scripture that used to be confusing will all-of-a-sudden make sense. You’re eager to learn, and you find yourself looking forward to sermons that used to bore you to death. 

The Spirit also works through prophets, pastors and teachers, giving them special insight into God’s Word, and spiritual gifts of leadership, teaching and communication. The Bible says that seekers can’t understand unless instructed; these are some of the instructors.

The other key instructor is YOU - the “instructed” become the “instructors.” Your story or testimony might be exactly what someone else needs to hear. Jesus commissioned each of us to “make disciples of all nations.” That’s right, this commission isn’t just for pastors; it’s for ALL believers! So we all need to be intentional about evangelism, and equip ourselves with Biblical answers for the inevitable questions.

If we’re unwilling to instruct, the seekers may never understand. They’re depending on you and me. That’s what the Bible says.

Norton Lawellin 

May 2012 is the beginning of a new spiritual walk for me as Worship Pastor at Jesus in the City Fellowship, Minneapolis, answering a call to lift up Jesus-the-Christ to the inner-city. We work closely with Metro Hope Ministries/New Hope Center, Cityview Church and other urban Christians. I’ll be among those leading worship, and participate in pulpit supply for the church and for New Hope Center. We ask for your prayers. http://www.jesusinthecityfellowship.org/