Love of Money

For Thursday, July 24, 2025:

Luke 16:13 NLT, Jesus speaking: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

In the audience listening to Jesus’ teaching that day were Pharisees, who dearly loved their money. Jesus is challenging them to love God more than their money, to always put God first. Let me summarize this for us: Money – you can’t take it with you. But the love of God can be an eternal part of your life, and even the life after this life! Jesus is counseling us to pick one!

When the subject of money comes up, I’m always reminded of one of my go-to sayings: “People get squirrelly about money!” That’s not good, but it’s my observation. Regular people, nice guys and gals, sometimes turn possessive and narcissistic when money is involved. It’s like something within them changed when the topic turned to money. Irrational statements are made, and irrational decisions come forth all because of money. Squirrelly.

We need money and we need God, but they’re two separate things. Money is never to be worshiped; God is! It’s that same God who gives us money so that we can help widows, orphans and the poor among us. So be generous and love your neighbor! If you run short, God can always give you more!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Acts 2 Church!

For Sunday, June 8, 2025:

Acts 2:42 NLT: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”

Christians always seemed to be at odds with the world, so they stuck together. Caesar claimed to be god, and he didn’t like the competition. Pharisees didn’t appreciate this new splinter-group draining their power and resources. Jesus never succumbed to the world, so being on the “outs” seemed normal to the disciples. Therefore, the Christians hung out with each other, forming their own community within Jerusalem. They prayed together, worshiped together and took meals together. Remembering Jesus, they celebrated the Lord’s Supper.

Q: How many people are coming to dinner? A: 3,000 more than yesterday! It’s a good thing that supper wasn’t in the church basement! Many of these new believers were from out-of-town. They didn’t have jobs in Jerusalem or places to live. This proved to be a test of Jesus’ new command, to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Property and possessions were sold, with the proceeds donated to those in need. The church thrived!

Never forget that the Holy Spirit moved within this group. That’s what made it work! The apostles performed many signs and wonders, healings and miracles. The Holy Spirit had fueled the “Repent and Return Revival,” kicking off the entire Pentecost scenario!

"And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” In other words, adding 3k believers that first day was just the beginning. Today, there are 2.4B people worldwide who identify with Christianity, about one-third of the world. That number is increasing, but we still have work to do.

Count yourself blessed if your church mirrors the Acts 2 church. Your new members may not look like you or speak your language. That’s OK. Worship together, take meals together and love one another. Be kind, be helpful, be generous and do the next right thing. That’s what Jesus would do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

PS: Jesus called the Samaritan “good,” even though he was a Samaritan!

Faithful!

For Sunday, December 29, 2024:

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT: “The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”

Think about it – Humans make one faith decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, and in return God walks with us for all of our remaining days on earth, even ushering us into the next reality. Believers eventually get to live in God’s presence in God’s eternal Kingdom! Seems like believers get the better end of that deal!

But that’s the character of our God – far more generous than we deserve. God wants each of us on his team, and once we make that decision, his mercy is never-ending. The Bible says that God and his Son Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. He will give you strength to reject the temptations of the evil one.

Strength comes from a close association with like-minded believers. We support one another. If we’re all of the same mind, pulling in the same direction, it will be far more difficult for Satan to divert us. Satan is never on holiday, but it’s hard for him to accomplish much if we’re true believers and those surrounding us are also true believers.

On Sundays we gather in God’s house! Satan is not welcome there.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Benevolence!

November 27, 2023 Monday Message:

Romans 15:26 NLT: “The believers in Macedonia and Achaia (Greece) have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.”

Jerusalem was the center of religion at that time. Believers gathered for worship, and their church was known as “The Way.” It was good that they all believed, but the business model was unsustainable.

In Acts 2, 3,000 were added to their new members class that day. Imagine 3,000 people walking in to your church next Sunday! Where could you put them all? Could you feed them at the potluck? Many of these newbies were from out of town, visiting Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot. They needed housing, food and friends. People of The Way were willing to share, but there was a limit to their resources.

I have raised a lot of money for worthy causes simply by letting people know the need, and then creating an opportunity for them to give. It’s not rocket science. People generally want to help. Paul had let the believers in Greece know about the shortfall in Jerusalem, and they too wanted to help. They passed an extra basket earmarked to sustain the church in Jerusalem.

Tomorrow is “Giving Tuesday” in the US, a day when people across the country are encouraged to think about their communities and to help those in need. It’s a welcome reminder of how followers of Jesus should think every day. Jesus said we should love our neighbors, and we can show our love by sharing from our abundance.

Be kind, be helpful, be generous!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship