Change the World - Together!

Nov. 25, 2013 Monday Message:

“Go and make disciples of all nations…” (from Matt. 28:19)

Last week we talked about denominational distinctiveness. While each of us may be justifiably proud of our own church, I believe Jesus’ commission would be better served if we put more of our energy and resources into working together with other Christians, concentrating on the many things we have in common, rather than focusing on our differences.                       

So what do we have in common with other believers?

Christians are mono-theistic; that is, we believe there is one God. This God has expressed himself to us as Father-in-heaven, Jesus-on-earth and Holy Spirit advocate, who stands alongside us nowadays.

We believe that the Bible is God-breathed, His inspired Word.

We acknowledge that the world is a sinful place, and we’re part of it. We believe that Jesus died as the sacrifice for our sins, was buried and then bodily resurrected. Our salvation comes from our relationship with the one born of a virgin, Jesus, the one who was without sin. We are saved by grace through faith, and the price Jesus paid to redeem us is once-and-for-all sufficient. Our eternal destiny, heaven, can’t be earned or purchased. Jesus has done the work, the price is paid in full, and we get to spend eternity in the presence of God because we’re with Jesus, the one who ascended into heaven. He will come again.

While not an exhaustive list, these are some things on which all believers can agree. Perhaps, as we carry the Good News to all nations, we should do as Paul suggested: “Be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1 Cor. 1:10b NLT

Now go change the world - together!

Norton Lawellin

Each Sunday Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at 10:30am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Dec. 01, I’ll open up our Christmas series by returning to Luke Ch. 1. Bring your Bibles!

NL

Denomination = Division

Nov. 18, 2013 Monday Message:

“I appeal to you, brethren, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1 Cor. 1:10 NLT

There are more than two hundred verifiable Christian denominational groups in the US, but depending upon how you define “denomination,” the total could exceed 1,000! The obvious question is, “Why?” Don’t we all have the same goal? Didn’t Jesus leave the same set of instructions for all of us?

You can find elaborate graphs on the internet, that look like a complex tree with many branches, showing how Christian groups divided and formed new entities. Surprisingly, if you could lump all the churches together that call themselves “nondenominational,’ they would be the 3^rd largest denomination in the US!

The denominations disagree a lot, and put a great deal of effort into establishing and maintaining distinctiveness from their brethren. Do you think that the kingdom would be better served if we’d focus on what we have in common rather than dwelling on our differences?

Next week: What we have in common.

Norton Lawellin

Each Sunday Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at 10:30am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Nov. 24, Pastor Michael Pilla continues in Luke 18: Jesus talks about Pharisees, Tax Collectors and Children. C U at church!

NL

The Main Thing

Nov. 11, 2013 Monday Message:

When we go to the place of the dead, our time of judgment, we’ll find that a number of things we spent considerable time on aren’t even on heaven’s agenda.

It won’t matter if we sang hymns or contemporary worship songs – classical, folk or rock & roll. The important thing will be that we sang to the Lord.

Whether church starts at 9am or 10am isn’t important. We just need to get together and worship.

What color should we paint the classrooms? Do we need cushions on the pews? Communion once a month or every week? How many candles on the altar? Should your Pastor preach wearing a fancy robe, suit and tie, or jeans and a t-shirt? Yikes!

Jesus didn’t offer direction on any of these things. But he DID tell us to make disciples of all nations, to baptize, and to teach others. So when we get to the next reality, the question won’t be, “Did you wear red for Pentecost?”

It’ll be more like, “Did you help others make a decision for Jesus?” I don’t mean just hearing about Jesus, but actual conversions? Hell will be full of people who have heard about Jesus, but never got around to closing the deal.

Now I need to back up and say that all the previous things about leading a church are important. They can help draw people in, make them feel comfortable, cause them to return and be welcomed into our Christian community. But the long-term goal is more than just getting people in the door – it’s about changed hearts; it’s about making disciples. That’s the mission Jesus called us to.

“The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.” (Alistair Begg)

Norton Lawellin

Join us this Sunday as Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at 10:30am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Nov. 17, Pastor Michael Pilla opens up Luke 18. See you at church!

NL

Will I Know You in Heaven?

Nov. 04, 2013 Monday Message:

We’ve reached #10 of the top 10 questions about Christianity/heaven: “Will we know each other in heaven?”

Short answer - Yes. Remember that heaven is a super-natural place; so not only will we know each other, but we’ll also know people we’ve never met!

Jesus himself gives us a couple of clues. “Many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matt. 8:11) Why would Gentiles, of all people, be eating at the table of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Because we’re all good friends - we know each other. And if we know them, surely we’ll know others.

Also remember the transfiguration: (Matt 17:3) “Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.” The apostles witnessing this event had never met Moses or Elijah – Moses lived 1500 years before Jesus, Elijah 900. So how would the apostles know who was speaking with Jesus? Only God! Somehow they DID know.

You’ll know everyone – even people you never knew on earth. No introductions, no nametags needed. No more, “Now, what was her name again?” The New Earth will function according to God’s rules!

When I was a child, all my friends were here, on earth. But as I grew older, more and more of the people I know have taken up residence in heaven. We’ll know them all, we’ll see them again and we’ll know them by name. Heaven is a warm, friendly place where everybody will know everybody, and be truly glad to see each other.

Be sure to say, “Hi!”

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday at 10:30am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Nov. 10, Pastor Michael Pilla returns. God’s kingdom is at hand! (Luke 17:20-37) Watch for it!

NL