Jesus + Nothing

Nov. 26, 2018 Monday Message:

“By grace you have been saved through faith. This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Eph. 2:8

The Christian Church teaches “Solus Christus,” or “Only Christ” as the means for our eternal salvation. It’s never Jesus plus something else.

Do you need to give a certain amount of money? No, Jesus is all that is required; you can’t buy your way into heaven. It would be nice if you could tithe and occasionally give something extra for a special cause, but it’s not required.

Do you need to be a Baptist? A regular Sunday School attender? Able to speak in tongues? Receive Catholic Sacraments? No to all of it! It’s Christ alone.

The big question 2,000 years ago was circumcision. The first Christians were all Jewish, so the men were all circumcised, and some thought the new Gentile Christians should be too. But after much prayer and a meeting between Paul and the Jerusalem Christians, it was decided that circumcision was not required. It’s always Jesus plus nothing else.

God loves us unconditionally no matter how checkered our past. And if we have Jesus in our heart, we’re ‘good’ to enter eternity. Jesus plus nothing.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla will lead us through the first Sunday of Advent.

Salvation Assured

Nov. 12, 2018 Monday Message:

“God helps those who help themselves.” Do you believe it? It sounds right, doesn’t it? Barna Research Group found that 80% of Americans believe that saying came out of the Bible; but it is nowhere to be found in the Bible.

About 60% in the US believe that if a person is generally good, or does enough good things in their lifetime, they will earn a place in heaven. Thankfully, that’s not in the Bible either.

The Bible is quite clear that we are saved by grace through faith, and NOT through any works. That way no one can brag or take credit for their own salvation. Eph. 2:8-9

Salvation is a free gift. We have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, thereby paying the ransom for your sin, my sin, and the sin of the whole world. Because of what Jesus did we have assurance of salvation, something no other religion can offer.

So don’t waste your time trying to pile up more ‘heaven-points’ by doing more good works. Concentrate on making Jesus your Lord, Savior and Redeemer. He alone is the author of Salvation. And when you do serve, serve out of gratitude for what Jesus did for you. He made it possible for you to see heaven from the inside!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla looks into Malachi.

Truth, in Love

Nov. 05, 2018 Monday Message:

“You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” Matt. 23:24 NIV

I believe God is looking for positive trends in his Holy Family. Being human, we won’t always get everything right, but I believe God wants to see how we are trending.

God loves us – unconditionally. His desire is that no one would perish, but that all would repent and return home to spend eternity with him in his kingdom. God has this curious insatiable love for mankind, and as well as God knows truth and theology, it would all be pointless without love and compassion, of which God has an abundance.

God isn’t constantly looking over our shoulders, waiting to convict us on some theological technicality. God is not petty. Rather, God is “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.” Ps. 86:15

We should speak God’s truth, but like God, we need to do so with love. Then we can become more like Jesus the Christ, head of the church. from Eph. 4:15

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Together we’ll open up words from the prophet Zechariah. See you at church!