Sin Problem

For Thursday, August 31, 2023:

Romans 7:15 NLT: “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”

OK – Show of hands: How many of us can identify with Paul’s dilemma? When at the end of the day, we reflect on that day’s events, we find some sinful incidents when our goal was to remain sinless. It’s confusing to Paul, and should be confusing to us as well.

Fortunately our old self died with Christ, and our new self is living under the New Covenant: love, forgiveness and second chances. Our goal is to live a good life and to unflinchingly stick with Jesus.

As for the sin issue, Jesus has our back!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Accept the Gift!

For Wednesday, August 30, 2023:

Romans 6:23 NLT: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

As Paul counsels the Roman believers, he’s contrasting an eternal heavenly life in God’s presence with eternal death, separation from God and the Kingdom. God created mankind with the freedom to choose. In fact, a choice is required. We can choose to be a slave of Satan, or a slave under a benevolent God. The correct choice should be obvious!

Eternal life is a free gift, but we must choose to accept it.

Live like you made the right choice!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Only God!

For Tuesday, August 29, 2023:

Psalm 77:13 NLT: “O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?”

2K years ago, believers didn’t know what we now know. At that time, believers lived amongst people who believed in many gods. There was a god for favorable weather and a good harvest; a god for rain and a god for sunshine. None of these “extra” gods exist. The psalmist asks the rhetorical question, “Is there any god as mighty as you?” In fact there are no other gods.

Jesus prayed only to his Father in heaven, and taught believers to do the same. Since Jesus took away the sins of the world, we can approach Father God directly. God wants to hear from us. God desires a relationship with us in. As we became believers, we were adopted into the Holy Family. We became children of God.

Praying to our Father is family business.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Choose Wisely!

August 28, 2023 Monday Message:

Romans 6:16 NLT: “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.”

As people live their lives, they inevitably pick sides. Some choose to be good; some choose to be evil. That choice determines how a life will go, and sometimes how a life will end.

Organized crime and even street gangs have their own set of rules and loyalty requirements. Those choosing that life become slaves to those rules or face retribution from the bad guys. Their leader is Satan.

On the other hand, good people including Christians become slaves to Jesus’ instructions – kindness and love for our neighbors The difference being that if we have shortcomings, we are offered love and forgiveness. That’s what Jesus taught.

Choose your associates wisely!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

People of God!

For Sunday, August 27, 2023:

Romans 6:15 NLT: “Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!”

Paul answers a stupid question. I call it that because thinking that people of God could live in constant sin is ludicrous. Those who believe should emulate Jesus’ way of living. He was sinless and had an abundance of love!

Our motivation has also shifted. When living under the law, we were trying to obey God’s commands. But when living under the new covenant, we live like Godly people out of gratitude for Jesus’ gift to us. Jesus took away the sin of the world leaving us suitable to take up residence in the Kingdom, and for that we’re very grateful!

Heaven awaits those who believe in the Son!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

False Teachers

For Saturday, August 26, 2023:

Jude 4a NLT: “Some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches.”

In the USA, church membership is in decline. Historically, people drift away from God until they’re in deep trouble. Then they call on the Lord, pleading to be rescued. God tells those people to repent, and when they do, he puts his rescue plan in motion, and the people turn back towards God, get closer to God – until they become complacent and start falling away again. This cycle repeats, over and over. When will God say enough is enough and put an end to this folly?

To find prospective Christians, it’s necessary to be in the world. But when it’s time to worship or sit under Bible teaching, we need to hear only truth and honesty. We need to hear from people with a high view of the Bible, who believe every word is God-inspired and truthful.

Choose carefully where you worship!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Grace!

For Friday, August 25, 2023:

Romans 6:14 NLT: “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.”

Interesting. It’s having the Law – knowledge of right and wrong – that makes mankind vulnerable to sin. We could always make a mistake and choose incorrectly!

But Paul writes that we are no longer living under the Law. Believers live under God’s grace; believers are forgiven children of God. Our sins have been washed away! Jesus went on ahead to prepare our place in the hereafter. We’re “IN!”

God’s laws are still a good idea for living, but obedience is no longer our ticket to heaven. We are saved by grace through faith!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Sin AND Death!

For Thursday, August 24, 2023:

Romans 6:9 NLT: “Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.”

Christian theology about Jesus dying to take away the sins of the world is common knowledge. We need to also remember that in three days he rose from the dead, conquering death in this 2-for-1 miracle! Put another way, sin and death both bit the dust in the same Godly event!

Believers are the beneficiaries of this double miracle. Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead, so they are no longer a burden. He also promised us that death is not the end. He proved that there is life after this life, and promised us that faith in him would be our ticket to the afterlife!

As Jesus ascended into heaven, he stated that he was going ahead to prepare a place for the faithful. Jesus’ promises are always true!

"Absent from the body; present with the Lord!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Book of Life!

For Wednesday, August 23, 2023:

Romans 6:8 NLT: “Since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.”

As a young student, when someone in our class misbehaved, the teacher would threaten, “This is going on your permanent record!” We were scared to death! We weren’t told who got to see our permanent record or where it was kept. But the mere thought of our misdeed being recorded for perpetuity was enough to restore order for quite some time!

For believers, the Book of Life is our permanent record. When someone dies, heaven searches the Book of Life for our name and the record of everything we did while we were visiting earth. But when they look under the column marked “sin,” it will be blank white space as if we had never sinned. No corrections, no scratch-outs, no erasure marks – just white space! Any record of our sin was paid for and removed as if it never happened. That’s grace, Jesus’ free gift to us!

Believers are saved by faith in God’s Son Jesus. When we enter heaven’s pearly gates, explain that you’re with that one guy just off God’s right hand. Stick with Jesus and everything will work out!

That’s what Jesus promised; that’s what the Bible says!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Wisdom!

For Tuesday, August 22, 2023:

Psalm 111:10 NLT: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!”

We all know that “fear” means being afraid. But there are alternate definitions for this word. Merriam-Webster’s says fear is also “profound reverence and awe, especially toward God,” and that’s what the Bible is meaning here.

I heard something at church that really applies. We should all carry this definition in our hearts. “Truth is God’s opinion on everything!” So when you’re not sure what to do, check your Bible. Get God’s opinion on the matter. God’s opinion will be the truth!

God will not change his mind. God, his Son and their value system are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. So when we seek God’s truth on a matter, lock that answer in. It’s a forever answer.

Wisdom seems to be a rare commodity nowadays, but God dispenses it freely to believers! Be one of the believers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Salvation!

August 21, 2023 Monday Message:

Romans 6:5 NLT: “Since we have been united with Christ in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.”

Jesus was sent to earth by the Father. He taught, healed and died to take away the sins of the world. But he didn’t come with instructions, with a users manual. No one had written a “How It Works” sheet, a handout for new believers.

The remaining Apostles knew that faith in Jesus was the key. Intelligent converts like Paul put the pieces together and wrote letters to others to teach them about salvation. This is what we’re reading in Romans. Diligent researchers like Luke reported in great detail how Jesus had rescued mankind.

In Jesus’ day, there was considerable disagreement about any kind of life after this life. Jesus removed all doubt! According to the Bible, over 600 people saw him up, walking around and heard him speak after being declared dead and then placed in a tomb. A crowd watched Jesus ascend into heaven as he returned to his Father’s Kingdom.

Jesus promised to prepare a place in the hereafter for all who believe! We’re going there too!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship