Together!

For Thursday, February 3, 2022

Acts 2:1 NIV: “When the day of Pentecost came, the believers were all together in one place.”

God planned a big Pentecost event, something that would require a large number of hands and feet to bring it to fruition. Fortunately, the believers were all together in one place, kind of like being at church. God called them to action, first equipping them with the Holy Spirit.

Peter exposited the scriptures - understood in many languages - explaining that Jesus was the Messiah, a fulfillment of ancient prophecy, and remarkably the crowd listened and was convinced! 3,000 were baptized and added to their number that day, the result of the believers being together, willing to serve!

Believers and the Kingdom both benefit from being together in one place. The Kingdom grows, and the believers find hope!

See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Holy Spirit!

June 28, 2021 Monday Message

John 14:16 HCSB, Jesus speaking: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.”

Christianity is mono-theistic – we believe there is only one God. But it’s complex in that we know our God in 3 different ways: 1. God-the-Father in Heaven; 2. Jesus Son-of-God who walked on earth with us; and 3. the Holy Spirit, our Helper, Advocate, Counselor and Intercessor. Q: If God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are in a room, how many are in that room? A: One! “They are all God,” or should I say, “It is God?” See, it’s tricky!

Most of us can easily conceptualize God in Heaven and Jesus who walked on the earth. The Holy Spirit is more of a challenge. Some churches keep the Holy Spirit locked up in the Apostles’ Creed. At my church, we welcome Him – in fact we count on Him being there for us!

The Holy Spirit along with the Father and Jesus were a part of creation. They all existed from the beginning, and never went away. But they may not be in the story for a while. Example: We didn’t hear much about Jesus in the Old Testament, but then he reappeared in a big way 2k years ago!

And as Jesus was leaving earth to return to the Father, he promised to send a counselor. So when Jesus was once again seated at the right hand of the Father, he poured out that promised Holy Spirit on the believers. That’s what we read about in Acts 2, as 3,000 were added to their number on Pentecost.

Knowing the Holy Spirit is not an experience apart from Jesus – it is evidence of the ascended Christ. We receive reviving life, a gift from our Savior!

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the beginning of eternal life, and that fills us with hope!

Blessings to all this week!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Pentecost Coming!

May 09, 2016 Monday Message:

“When the holy day of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover, the believers were gathered together in one place.” Acts 2:1

This coming Sunday, May 15, is celebrated in many churches as “Pentecost.” Pentecost is the Greek name for the Hebrew “Shavuot” or “Shavuous.” In the Anglican (Episcopal) church, it’s called “Whitsunday.” The Hebrew people were celebrating God giving them the Law through Moses on Mt. Sinai.

But the day has a much different meaning for Christians. First, this is the day when the gathered believers received the gift of the Holy Spirit. There was a mighty sound, like a giant wind, and little flickering flames descended from heaven and landed on each person. There was no mistaking it – no one could miss what was happening. Many churches nowadays use red paraments on their altars, wear red clothing that day and sing, “Send the Fire!”

Next, everyone in Jerusalem heard that sound of mighty wind, and gathered to see what was taking place. Peter then preached the first large-scale Christian “Repent-and-Return” message to the crowd, and many were persuaded. 3,000 were baptized and added to their number that day, so we now celebrate Pentecost as the “Birth of the Church.”

But remember, the first step in that first Pentecost is that the believers were all gathered in one place. They actually got out of bed, got dressed, and went to worship and pray with their brothers and sisters – kind of like us going to church. They were all of one mind, on the same page, shared the same intents and purposes. And look what happened!

So following the example of the early church, I encourage each one of us to leap out of bed next Sunday morning, don something red, and go join your brothers and sisters in worship and prayer. Who knows what could happen next? Send the Fire!

Norton Lawellin

Join us for worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 15. Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday at 10 am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. We’ll look into the Birth of the Church on that first day of Pentecost as it happened in Acts Ch. 2. See you at church!

Community of Believers

May 11, 2015 Monday Message:

“They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Acts 2:42

We attend churches, and those people become our church family. We meet in our home church, and home is where when you go there, they have to let you in. When the church is working right, all the people are doing life together.

Police, judges, courts, governments and legislators are “reactive.” They can react when there’s a problem, but they do little to prevent the problem in the first place, and their actions are a stopgap measure, not a long-term solution.

But the Church can be “proactive,” setting standards that keep people away from life’s problems, BEFORE they get in trouble. Church comes with a built-in value system.

The Bible teaches that church members should love each other as Jesus loves us. It’s “everlasting lovingkindness,” compassion and total forgiveness.

Anyone is welcome to join the voluntary Christian Community, and the greatest gift we can give someone is to include them in our Church family. We welcome others out of gratitude for what Jesus did for us.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, May 17, Pastor Michael Pilla continues in Acts 20.

Community of Believers

April 27, 2015 Monday Message:

“They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Acts 2:42 MSG

Jesus said to make disciples of all nations, but he never said we should do it alone. As the church began, the apostles stuck together, first selecting a replacement for Judas. They believed that Jesus’ intention was that the “twelve” be complete.

After Pentecost, “The Way,” as Christians became known, worshiped and ate meals together, sharing their resources. This gave them a solid home base, a community to be sent FROM, as they preached the Good News. God added to their number daily.

Paul was called into ministry by Jesus himself, and as he spread the Gospel, he often took close friends with him, friends such as Barnabas, Luke, John Mark, Priscilla, Timothy and Titus. There are more, but my point is that he didn’t go alone. He brought a ministry TEAM that first established a local church, a solid home from which they could be sent to do more ministry.

At my church, Jesus in the City Fellowship, we’re good at “sending,” but our home base is a bit sparse. Comparing this with the Biblical example, we know we need to grow our congregation, our base of operations. A stronger “home” will provide for stronger outreach.

Other churches have a solid congregation, but don’t do much “sending.” Ideally, there should be a balance - a strong church with lots of sending. Where is your church in this picture?

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, May 3, Pastor Michael Pilla brings a message from Acts 19:23-41.

A Community of Best Friends

April 20, 2015 Monday Message:

“All the Lord’s followers often met together, and they shared everything they had.” Acts 2:44 CEV

Building a church family should be more than just signing-up people to show up once a week. In Acts 2, the believers became one giant extended family.

Yes, they met for worship as you’d expect, but they also broke bread together, sharing their food happily and freely. Those blessed with abundance would sell a property to help those who needed help. That’s why God blesses some with abundance – so they can help others.

Being a member of a community of best friends was a highly desirable thing, and The Way grew largely through attraction. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

As church leaders, we should endeavor to build that kind of community, the kind that attracts people. We shouldn’t have to coerce membership. If we build an Acts 2 church, people will knock on our doors willingly, seeking to be included in the family of God.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, April 26, Pastor Michael Pilla brings a message from Acts 19, and discusses future plans for JICF.

Community of Believers

June 30, 2014 Monday Message:

“Everyday God added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47b JBP

Following Simon-Peter’s persuasive altar call on Pentecost (Acts 2,) the early church had to work out some details. With 3,000 new members, how were they going to “do” church?

First, they stuck with basics. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and prayer. The Bible says that everyone was in awe because many miracles, signs and wonders were taking place.

But our new believers took things a step further. Many sold their property and possessions and divided the proceeds among the fellowship according to need. Jesus had said, “Love your neighbor,” which they interpreted as, “Take care of your neighbor,” and they brought life to this principle.

This new church had become the centerpiece of their lives. They met in the Temple and prayed together, ate meals together, and in fact had formed an entire “community” of believers. It’s a compelling model, then and now.

They were filled with joy, and the rest of Jerusalem looked up to them. And God added to their number daily.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday, at 10:30am, in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week I’ll wrap up Acts 2 as we discuss the new community of believers.

With God

June 16, 2014 Monday Message:

“Apart from me you can do nothing.” from John 15:5

In Acts 2, the believers were first filled with the Holy Spirit. This super-natural power gave Simon-Peter the courage to speak out in favor of Jesus to the very same group of people who a couple of months ago shouted, “Crucify Him!” Filled with optimism, Simon hoped to reverse their position.

Miraculously, each person could understand the orator in his own language. Simon-Peter went point-by-point through the prophecies, showing how Jesus fulfilled each one. And as he wrapped up his message, it was time for the altar call. 3,000 people had their minds changed and their lives transformed that day; they came forward, and were baptized.

When Simon-Peter hopped out of bed that morning, I doubt that he expected to be baptizing 3,000 new Christians. But he wasn’t working alone. He wasn’t just working his own agenda. This was God’s agenda, with the Holy Spirit in the driver’s seat. And WITH God, anything is possible.

Jesus explains it: He is the vine, and we are the branches. He is the power, and we are his hands and feet here on earth. While you’re here, God will ask you to do “God stuff” once in a while. If you do it alone, it probably won’t work too well. But with God as your partner, you’ll get incredible results.

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday, at 10:30am, in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week I’ll lead us through Acts 2, pt. 2. Bring your Bibles, and bring a friend. See you at church.

Mission with a Church - 2

April 22, 2013 Monday Message:

Last week, we closed our discussion of church mission vs. buildings with some questions. Let’s explore.

1. Are church buildings good things, or bad things?

  Good things. Anything that facilitates ministry is a good thing. Being able to bring the unchurched to your building to hear solid Bible teaching is a prudent use of God’s resources.

  a) Should you contribute to the “building fund?”

  Sure. If a new building is the vision for your church, get onboard.

2. Is it better to be a church with no mission, or a mission with no church?

  A church with no mission is dead, or at least they missed the whole point of the Great Commission. Matthew 28:16-20 So if you had to choose, it would be far better to be on a mission for God than to establish a church that had no purpose. Hopefully, we can have both – a church with a purpose. God’s mission for you could include establishing a local church where one did not previously exist.

3. Does the church where you worship have:

  a) a building?

  b) a mission?

  c) both?

  By now we all know that it’s ideal to have both.

When Jesus started his ministry on earth, he had a job to do, a mission. He did not have a church. He called the 12 Apostles and the many other disciples, followers and believers who then became “the church.” The Acts 2 church didn’t have a building. But even though they met in homes, they were clearly on a mission from God.

Norton Lawellin

Join Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) Sunday, April 28. Lead Pastor Michael Pilla continues our journey in Luke 9:18-27. We meet in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. See you there!

NL

  

Mission with a Church - 1

April 15, 2013 Monday Message:

People tend to think of churches as brick and mortar buildings. “We worship there Sunday mornings, the youth group returns after supper, and the women meet on Wednesday.” But God isn’t concerned with buildings. Buildings will wear out and fall down in a couple hundred years anyway.

What God really wants is for you to get in the game, to get in on the mission, to impact His Kingdom for eternity. Follow the example of the believers when they first came together in Acts 2. Together, they were working on the mission they had been given: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19 They were sharing the Good News with everyone. Think about it - they had a mission, but no church, no building. In spite of that, it all seemed to work. 3000 new believers were baptized in the Acts 2 story.

Don’t get me wrong - buildings can facilitate our ministry by giving the community a place to gather, worship and hear God’s word. But the church building is just that – something that supports our mission and facilitates our work for the Lord. A building might be helpful as we work our mission, but it is not the destination.

Here are some questions to consider:

1. Are church buildings good things, or bad things?

  a) Should you contribute to the “building fund?”

2. Is it better to be a church with no mission, or a mission with no church?

3. Does the church where you worship have:

  a) a building?

  b) a mission?

  c) both?

Answers next week. Blessings as you walk with the Lord this week!

Norton Lawellin

Sunday, April 21, guest teacher Dan Pilla explains how to feed 5k people with 5 loaves and a couple of fish. 10:30am, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF), in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. See you at church!

NL