Jesus = Real!

For Wednesday, February 21, 2024:

Mark 13:4 NLT, Disciple’s question of Jesus: “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?”

As Jesus and the disciples sat on the Mount of Olives, Jesus explained what would take place in the future, what we call the end times. So their logical question was, “When? How soon?”

Jesus gave broad answers, not specifics. His first warning is about false Messiahs: “Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.”

We live in a country where false religions are abundant. Especially deceitful are those with ‘Jesus’ or ‘Christ’ in the name of their denomination, but no Bible in their church. They sound legit, but their philosophy is flawed. Some rewrite the facts and publish their own bible full of lies. Others write their own holy book. Jesus warns us: “Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’” Don’t fall for it!

 
The United States was founded on Freedom of Religion. I appreciate the wisdom in separating government from church. But among the founders, the differences were between Methodists, Baptists and Lutherans. Small differences, but they’re all Christian. I doubt our founding fathers envisioned Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus living shoulder to shoulder alongside Christians. I don’t have a good answer.

As Christians, we need to be strong in our convictions and our devotion to Jesus. Don’t fall for a fake version of the real thing!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Focus on Jesus!

March 7, 2022 Monday Message

Matthew 24:13 NLT: “The one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Jesus tells us that being a believer won’t be easy. Many will be arrested, persecuted and even killed. There will be false prophets regularly telling lies, trying to take our focus off Jesus. Eventually, the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

Paul compares a spiritual life to an athletic contest. Run the race in such a way as to win, and keep your eye on the prize. Our prize is heaven, spending our life after this life in the presence of the Father. Jesus made that possible for us. He left us with us hope!

Don’t let the world take you off-point. Like the hymn says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus,” and keep them there!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

False Prophets

July 28, 2014 Monday Message:

Jesus: “Beware of false prophets.” Matt. 7:15a ESV

Jesus adds that false prophets come disguised in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. It’s bad enough that their teaching is untruthful; but they’re also intentionally furthering their agenda through deceit and lying.

Last Sunday, I told our congregation to take out their Bibles, so they could double-check what they’re hearing. At our church, we intend to teach only the truth, so we can stand this test. ALL churches SHOULD be able to withstand this test.

But as more and more mainline denominations deviate from Biblical accuracy, it becomes more challenging to spot the wolf in sheep’s clothing. It’s important that we all fact-check everything that we’re being told. If we’re passive, it’s far too easy to fall victim to the deceit.

How fortunate we are to live at a time when everyone’s cell phone can contain a Bible app. But therefore, as Christian leaders and teachers, we need to fact-check everything we’re saying. If we spit out inaccurate information, we’re in trouble; some teenager has probably already looked it up! 

The early church taught “sola scriptura,” meaning “only scripture,” “only God’s word.” They believed that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative word of God. If all we really need is God’s word, we can exclude a lot of church tradition and individual interpretation, and believe only the facts.

Sticking with God’s Word is a lot easier than trying to sort out sheep and wolves.

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, Dan Pilla opens up Acts Ch. 5.