The Disciple Jesus Loved

Jan. 28, 2019 Monday Message

We’ve been looking at the Gospel authors. First is Matthew-the-tax-collector, who was recruited personally by Jesus. Second is Mark, the friend of Simon-Peter, who was very close to the Apostles and an eyewitness to all that happened. And then Luke, the educated investigative reporter who interviewed many of the eyewitnesses.

The fourth author of Gospels is the Apostle John, who describes himself as “the disciple whom Jesus Loved,” so we can assume theirs was a close relationship. We would expect more information and intimate detail in his writing, and that seems to be the case. The two were so close that, from the cross, Jesus asked John to care for his mother Mary. “Woman, here is your son,” and to John, “Here is your mother.” John 19:26-27

John brings extremely credible eyewitness testimony to us, oftentimes offering additional detail not found in the other Gospels. Since John’s Gospel was authored decades later than the others, he’s had time to organize his facts and meditate on which details to include. He tells us that there’s so much to the “Jesus” story that, “if it were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain all the books.” John 21:25

“It is I, John-the-disciple who testifies to these events and records them here, so we know that this account of all these things is accurate.” John 21:24 It seems that John was God’s man for the job.

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets at 10:30 Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019. I’ll launch our new sermon series, Basics of Christianity, starting with the Authenticity of the Bible. See you at church!

Dr. Luke – Investigative Reporter!

Jan. 21, 2019 Monday Message

We’ve been looking at the Gospel authors. First is Matthew-the-tax-collector, who was recruited personally by Jesus. Second is Mark, the friend of Simon-Peter, who was very close to the Apostles and an eyewitness to all that happened.

The third Gospel was written by Luke, an educated physician, who investigated the story of Jesus with the intensity of Woodward and Bernstein when they probed the Watergate scandal. Reading Luke is like watching an investigative report on 60 Minutes.

Luke’s Gospel is addressed to Theophilus, one who loves the Lord, “…so you can be certain of the truth.” We read it so that WE can be certain of the truth. We know that Luke also traveled with Paul, and they probably met Mary in Ephesus, where Luke garnered details of the virgin birth and the early life of Jesus.

Whereas Matthew and Mark were eyewitnesses, Luke’s approach was to interview all the eyewitnesses he could find, and distill their testimonies into an instructional narrative for all who need to know the truth – and that’s US!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets at 10:30 Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. I’m on vacation, so please welcome Mark Johnson leading worship this week.

Best Friend!

Jan. 14, 2019 Monday Message

“Best Friend!”

Last week we examined the authenticity of Gospel author Matthew. Turns out this reformed tax-collector was a credible eyewitness to all that Jesus did during his three years of ministry.

Our second Gospel writer, Mark, was also an eyewitness, but with a twist. As he was growing up, his family was supporting the ministry of Jesus, and he liked to hang out with Simon Peter, the outspoken leader of the 12. So while Mark wasn’t one of the disciples, he was close enough to see all the action first-hand – making him also an eyewitness!

Though “Mark” is the shortest of the Gospels, his concise writing shores up truths in the other three Gospels, adding one more eyewitness to this book of evidence. And while each of the Gospel writers - in their own way - relates unique incidents, all four Gospels are 100% in agreement on redeeming ordinances, the principle of Jesus coming to earth to redeem mankind and what it takes for each one of us to be saved.

Mark was a believer through and through – and a “Best Friend” to Jesus, his disciples and all things “God.” Like Matthew, Mark was an eyewitness who wrote down exactly what he saw.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, Sanctity of Life Sunday. I’m on vacation, and as we drove through Tennessee and Georgia, there were constant billboard urging people to “Choose Life!” Awesome! Join us at 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. David Boeltl leads this week as we welcome our Christmas-in-the-City families and guests from the New Hope Center.

Eyewitness News!

Jan. 07, 2019 Monday Message

“Eyewitness News!”

With the Christmas season in our rear-view mirrors, God has once again reminded me of the authenticity of the Gospel authors.

Matthew is the name given to Levi the tax collector. Tax collectors were working for those who had conquered and oppressed the people of God. In other words, Matthew had flipped and gone to the dark side.

But Jesus flipped him back to the good side. Matthew traveled with Jesus and his itinerant ministry team for three years, was an eyewitness to all that occurred, and wrote down exactly what he saw.

Courts-of-law love eyewitnesses. If someone can say, “I saw it all; I watched the crime being committed; I saw him do it!,” the prosecutor gets giddy and the judge smiles because he knows the trial is almost over. The criminal should start filling out change-of-address forms. It’s almost impossible to argue against an eyewitness.

Which brings me to the final point: Skeptics can tell you they don’t believe in God, but they can’t prove why they’re right. Skeptics have no evidence, but believers have eyewitnesses.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. I’m on vacation – please welcome guest Worship Leader David Boeltl!