Trinity

Feb. 24, 2020 Monday Message:

“Israel, remember this! The Lord (Yahweh)—and the Lord alone—is our God.” Deut. 6:4

While the word “Trinity” isn’t in the Bible, facts throughout the Bible point to the Trinity principle:

a) There is only one God.

b) The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.

c) While the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are ONE God, they are forever distinct. This is one of the mysteries of our faith. “God things” aren’t always explainable in human terms, but we have faith in the Bible and we believe.

We have one God who has made himself known to us in three persons, three different forms. So while we have a “Trinity” understanding of God, Christians are unflinchingly Monotheistic. God speaking: “Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” Isaiah 43:10

Jesus himself claimed the “Trinity” concept for us when he instructed his followers to, “Go and make disciples of all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matt. 28:19

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, March 1, 2020, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Jesus cures leprosy and paralysis, Luke 5:12-26 “Healings!” See you at church!

He is Risen!

Feb. 17, 2020 Monday Message:

“In fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.” 1 Cor. 15:20

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ – him rising from the dead – is the greatest feat in human history. Our entire religion hangs on this fact. Jesus showing us life-after-this-life gives us hope that we too can experience a life-after-this-life.

Jesus’ crucifixion is well documented in secular history, and the Roman Centurions were good at their jobs, a ruthless lot. And there is no historical disagreement that Jesus was placed in the tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.

That women discovered the empty tomb actually lends credibility to the story. If this account were fictitious, the discovery would likely be credited to important men, not a group of women.

The risen Jesus appeared to many people, the first being Mary Magdalene, and later the apostles, followed by the “Doubting Thomas” incident. And Paul writes, “He was seen by more than 500 followers at one time.” At the time, most of the 500 were still alive and could have challenged Paul’s writing if it were not accurate. 1 Cor. 15:6

Early Christians were persecuted for their beliefs, which turned the Roman empire upside down. They faced torture and even cruel death for their beliefs, and it’s inconceivable that people would die for a cause unless they actually knew it to be the truth.

Since those eyewitnesses were devout believers, so too can we be assured that Jesus is OUR Redeemer. He went ahead to prepare a place for us in his Father’s Kingdom. See you there!

Blessings,

Pastor Norton

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll look at Jesus gathering his first ministry team, Luke 5:1-11. See you at church!

Messiah?

Feb. 10, 2020 Monday Message:

John-the-Baptist speaking: “Jesus, are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matt. 11:3

Jesus proved that He was heaven-sent by remaining sinless throughout his entire life. Numerous Bible-authors testify to this claim: 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 John 3:5, 1 Peter 2:22. And Jesus asked this question of those trying to execute him: “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?” Of course no one responded. John 8:46

The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus healing any diseases that afflicted those he encountered, both physical and mental ailments. And I’m always amazed by the number of people in-dwelt by demons. Jesus simply commands the evil spirit to leave the person, and out they come, shouting, “Jesus – we know who you are!” Only someone heaven-sent would have authority over both disease and Satan’s evil spirits.

Don’t forget that Jesus commanded the high waves and winds to settle down. There are days I’d like to be able to control the weather! “Enough snow, already!”

Jesus demonstrated power over life and death, telling the Roman officer, “Your son will live.” And his personal resurrection says it all; He’s the consummate authority over life and death.

But the best gift of all is when Jesus told the afflicted ones, “Your sins are forgiven.” He offers that same gift to all who repent and claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

Blessings,

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Van Dickerson will continue our study in Luke as we welcome guests from the New Hope tour.

Who IS This Guy?

Feb. 3, 2020 Monday Message:

“Who do you say I am?” Matt. 16:15; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20

Simon Peter answered the question for all of us. “You are Christ, Son of the Living God.”

If we’re a member of a church following Jesus, we should want to know who he is, know who we’re following. Jesus explains this to the group of Jews questioning him: “Though you do not know my Father, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Before Abraham was born, I am!” - the same words God used to identify himself to Moses! (John 8:49-58)

Near the end of his time on earth, the High Priest Caiaphas asked Jesus, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

And once again Jesus answered, “I am! And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus resurrected not only himself but also his friend Lazarus and the Centurion’s servant. Control over life and death is clearly a power reserved for the Holy One.

And when Jesus healed a paralytic in Luke 5:20, he said: “Friend, your sins are forgiven,” a pardon that could only be granted by God himself.

Doubting Thomas needed convincing evidence about Jesus’ resurrection, and was told to put his finger into the nail holes and thrust his hand into Jesus’ side. Clearly he ‘got it’ when he said, “My Lord and my God.”

Who do you say that He is?

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll look at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and some early miracles. (Luke 4:31-41) See you at church!