Jesus Changed Everything!

March 25, 2019 Monday Message

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28

Before Jesus, believers were told to keep their distance from God. Moses was told by God-in-the-burning bush, “Do not come any closer.  And take your sandals off your feet – this is Holy ground.” Only authorized Priests could do certain things at the Temple, and only the Highest Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, only once a year, attempting to atone for the sins of all the people.

Jesus changed everything! Instead of advising people to keep their distance, Jesus said, “Come to me!” Jesus is the dividing line on this earth, between God separating himself from sinful mankind, and Jesus welcoming us home with open arms.

For all the good things Jesus did when he walked with us on earth, I believe his PRIMARY mission was the rescue of mankind. Jesus took the sins of the world upon himself, and he was the atonement for everything wrong in the world. That’s why Christians don’t have to do stuff to earn their way into eternity. The work was finished on the cross by Jesus. That’s why we say Christianity isn’t a “have to DO religion”; it’s an “already DONE religion!”

There’s nothing Jesus would rather do than to make our lives better – both our life here on earth, and our life in the next reality.

“Then the savior came, and He took the blame – changed everything!” from “Love Came Down,” Lenny LeBlanc & Lindell Cooley

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. This week, Jesus meets Zacchaeus – find out the whole story! See you at church!

Humble, like a Child

March 18, 2019 Monday Message

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them.” Luke 18:16a

Back when Jesus walked on this earth, it was the custom to bring children to the Rabbi, especially on their 1^st birthday, so the teacher could touch them and bless them.

But the disciples, acting as gatekeepers, tried to keep people from bothering Jesus. Turns out they had it backwards. In the original language, Jesus says to not just ‘allow’ the children to come, or to ‘permit’ them to come. It’s more like ‘cause’ them to come, or ‘see that it happens this way.’

And Jesus’ invitation isn’t just for children. We’re ALL told to come to Jesus, humbly, like innocent little children. We should have nothing on our agenda when coming before the Lord, other than worship and prayer. Jesus says that those who submit themselves before him “like a little child” are the ones who will see the Kingdom of God.

Have you ever brought a child to church to be blessed?

Have you prayed to the Lord humbly, innocently, like a little child? Lately?

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, March 24, 2019 at 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. We pray for good health for our lead Pastor Michael Pilla, that he can return to the pulpit next Sunday.

God has Your Back

March 11, 2019 Monday Message

“God has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Heb. 13:5b

God’s promises are seldom private. If a blessing is given to one believer, it’s available to ALL believers. There is not a high blessing too good for you, nor a generous mercy not available to all.

As we read in our Bibles about the love and care God has bestowed upon his people throughout the centuries, that’s the same love and care with which he showers each of us. All Christians are equal beneficiaries of God’s blessings.

As believers, we have been adopted into the Holy Family and have equal rights and privileges with all the other children of God. Nothing is withheld from us, and God loves every one of his creations. And that lasts until we leave this earth and enter the next reality, where God will care for us as well.

There is nothing you can want or ask for or need that God can’t provide – nothing in this world, nothing in the next world – nothing in all of creation. God has your back: “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together. Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, March 17, 2019 at 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. Pastor Pilla returns; Jesus teaches about the Rich Man. Luke 18:18-10

Kingdom & Second Coming

March 4, 2019 Monday Message

When people have questions about the end times and life after this life, we often look to Revelation. But when the Pharisees had questions about these matters, they turned directly to Jesus, who offered these explanations:

“The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.” Luke 17:20b-21

So as believers, we’re already living in God’s Kingdom and have been called to do His work. According to Jesus, that work is to make disciples of all nations. We can start in our own little corner of the world.

Jesus taught that living in God’s Kingdom and His Second Coming are two completely different things. No one knows exactly when Jesus will return. People will continue to have parties and banquets and weddings right up until that time. But on that day, a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A worker out in the field must not return home. (Luke 17:31)

When God says, “It’s time – get going!” what we need to do is get going, quickly! Believers will be joining Jesus; doubters will be left behind. “That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.” Luke 17:34-35

As each day passes, we are one day closer to the second coming!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together. Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. This week I’ll continue our “Basics of Christianity” series with 3 of Jesus’ lessons: “Parable of the Persistent Widow,” “Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector,” and “Jesus Blesses the Children.” See you at church!