Spritually Blind

May 27, 2013 Monday Message:

“Was blind, but now I see.” from the hymn “Amazing Grace”

Paul was a “type A” get-‘er-done kind of a guy. His persecution of Christians was legendary, and the Pharisees held Paul up as a prime example of someone who would go the extra mile for the sake of his religion.

But Paul’s religion had distorted Biblical facts over the years, and put ceremonies and rituals into practice that had no heavenly basis. These people had seen Jesus with their own eyes, and totally missed the fact that it was the Son of God standing right before them. And remember, God wants more than just religion. God desires a relationship with us – a relationship, not repetitious religion.

Understand that Paul was spiritually blind – God had not yet opened his spiritual eyes. It’s not that Paul wouldn’t see the light (didn’t want to,) or that he didn’t see the light (somehow missed it) – no, he was spiritually blind. He could not see the light.

Paul being struck blind on the road to Damascus is the perfect visualization of spiritual darkness, of not yet being enlightened. And as God eventually lifted the scales from Paul’s eyes, so he also lifted the veil from Paul’s spiritual eyes, so that Paul was no longer blind – now he could see!

God first chose Paul, Paul answered, “Yes, Lord,” and then God called him into ministry. Paul could not find God on his own, because at the time he was spiritually blind. Besides, God knows where God is; it was Paul who was lost, so God had to do the seeking.

Next week – Are you chosen, and what’s the deal with the dead burying their dead?

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at 10:30am every Sunday. We’ll open up Luke Ch. 10, Jesus sending out disciples. We gather in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. See you at church!

Humble Wins!

May 20, 2013 Monday Message:

“I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.” Ps. 73:3 NLT

Have you ever observed clearly evil people who remain in power and seem to prosper? Or the reverse - really good people who have nothing but bad luck? Do you sometimes wish that God would “fix” these wrongs? – and fix them now! Following Jesus is costly - let’s take a look.

1. Satan doesn’t like anyone advancing God’s kingdom; so ministry is tough work. Those in ministry often encounter problem after problem - roadblocks and hurdles. Satan hopes we’ll get discouraged and give up. We all know better; we know to guard against this, but sometimes I have to “remember” to know better!

2. Remember God’s answers: “yes, no, and not yet.” I’m usually in tune with the yes and no. But sometimes we need to first build a team, raise capital, cast vision and get people on-board. So sometimes, even when we’re trying to do something that is clearly good, the answer is “not just yet.” Listen carefully for God’s leading; don’t confuse “not yet” with “no.” Again, don’t get discouraged, and don’t quit.

3. Sometimes God settles the score in eternity. Evil people who think they’re on top of the world will spend eternity separated from the light. Believers who feel beat up and rejected will be sitting at the wedding banquet table with Jesus. Remember that there’s a reversal-of-order in heaven – the first will be last, and the last will be first.

Humble wins.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at 10:30am Sunday, May 26, Memorial Weekend. Pastor Michael Pilla will teach about the cost of following Jesus. We gather in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. See you at church!

NL

Repent and Return, America!

May 13, 2013 Monday Message:

God: “Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you.” Malachi 3:7a

God isn’t just speaking to the ancient Hebrews! What God describes seems to become increasingly applicable with each generation.

Consider this: When the US was founded, the 55 delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention contained this assortment of religions:

28 Church of England (Episcopal), 8 Presbyterian, 7 Congregationalists, 2 Lutherans, 2 Dutch Reformed, 2 Methodists, and 2 Roman Catholics. Others, notably Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson followed Jesus but not within an organized religion, and Thomas Paine believed in a “God-the-Creator.”

While their worship styles were diverse, the desire for “freedom to worship” was universal. Our founding fathers intended for all to have the freedom to worship and to follow the traditions of their denomination. Note that it’s freedom TO worship, not freedom FROM worship – they never anticipated that Americans wouldn’t worship, or that some people would be offended by worship.

Today, if you survey the US, 40% will claim they’re “regular attenders” on Sunday. But if you actually count heads in churches, it’s more like 18%. Either way, churchgoers are now a declining minority in our country.

But remember that it’s God’s desire that no one would perish. (2 Peter 3:9) God is more faithful than mankind, when he promises, “Return to me, and I will return to you.” We know God’s promise is still good when He says, “I the Lord do not change. So you … are not destroyed.” Mal. 3:6

Repent and return, America!

Norton Lawellin

Friday, May 17, 7pm, I’ll be teaching David’s Psalm 5 for Chapel at New Hope Center, 28^th & Cedar, Minneapolis.

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at 10:30am Sunday, May 19. We’ll look at Luke 9:46-50, who is the greatest, and how we can use the name of Jesus. We gather in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. See you at church!

NL

Relationship vs. Religion

May 06, 2013 Monday Message:

Saul was the consummate religious person. He was “a real Hebrew if there ever was one;” - circumcised on the eighth day, from the tribe of Benjamin, and a Pharisee. If human efforts could have resulted in eternal life, Saul would have had it made! Phil. 3:5

But Paul-the-evangelist had been shown a new vision, and he reports, “I once thought these things (religion) were valuable, but now consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.” Phil 3:7

Nowadays, many of our churches are still full of religion. Dutifully, we conduct ceremonies, rituals and traditions – man’s attempts to connect with God – when what we should really be doing is using our best efforts to connect with the Son, to live as he lived, and to put his teachings into practice in our lives.

You’ll sometimes hear evangelicals say, “Throw off the religion!” Sounds confusing - they want you to attend their church, but get rid of the religion??? What they mean is that we should permanently set Jesus at the top of our agenda. Our primary focus should be on the Son. Much of the rest is, after all, just religion.

Throw off the religion and go for a relationship!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at 10:30am Sunday, May 12. Pastor Daisy May Rader will take us inside Luke 9:37-45, healing a demon-possessed boy and Jesus predicting his death. We gather in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. See you there!

NL