Prophecy!

March 11, 2024 Monday Message:

Isaiah 7:14 NLT, Isaiah speaking the Lord’s words: “The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

We all recognize this as a prophecy or prediction of the birth of Jesus. That event happened just like God said it would. By the way, Immanuel means God with us. One important thing to remember is that Isaiah lived 800 years before Jesus! He personally had no knowledge of a virgin birth. Isaiah was simply speaking the words given to him by the Lord. Those words would come to fruition 800 years later!

Prophets have a unique job description. Some people think that prophets can predict the future, but that’s not true. Only God knows the future, and Isaiah is retelling the words God gave him. Listening for God’s voice is the end of Isaiah’s super-powers!

Are there prophets nowadays? Probably, but they don’t get a lot of attention. Journalists only focus on catastrophes, things gone wrong. Apparently Good News isn’t newsworthy. And you won’t hear about prophets in most churches. God is probably speaking, but we have our radios off and hear nothing. And it’s very difficult to hear a prophet if you don’t believe in them!

Same thing with evil demons. The subject of demons seldom comes up in churches nowadays. But let me warn you: Satan never takes a holiday! Satan enjoys an unrestricted earthly battle because so few believe in him. When churches stopped casting out demons, Satan jumped for joy! We rarely talk about the problem, so Satan runs free.

Jesus taught that we should: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons.” Especially nowadays we should follow Jesus’ instructions!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Christmas Eve!

For Sunday, December 24, 2023:

Luke 2:7 Phillips: “So it happened that it was while they were there in Bethlehem that Mary came to the end of her time. She gave birth to her first child, a son. And as there was no place for them inside the inn, she wrapped him up and laid him in a manger.”

We’re on our way to Bethlehem, the city of David. It seems like everyone is going to Bethlehem, since Caesar Augustus required that everyone register for his census in their hometown, and Joseph was a descendant of David. Traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem was an arduous 70 mile journey as the crow flies, but more like 90 miles after winding through mountains and avoiding parts of Samaria. Thankfully, tradition shows Mary riding a donkey!

While in Bethlehem, it became time for Mary to deliver her baby, but every hotel was flashing “No Vacancy” signs. The couple took refuge in a stable amongst the livestock. Since a stable has nothing to accommodate a new baby, Mary swaddled the newborn and placed him in a feed trough, a manger.

The couple named their baby “Jesus” as the angel Gabriel had directed. “Jesus” is the Greek form of Joshua, which means ”the Lord saves.” Others called him “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” Those names define Jesus’ mission statement in coming to earth. In time he would take the sins of the world upon himself, leaving believers sinless and pure, prepared to spend eternity with our father in heaven. Jesus is our Savior, our Redeemer!

So now we take a day to celebrate God’s goodness, God’s rescue of mankind. God’s desire is that none would perish, and Jesus is the one to open the door of forgiveness for all believers! Thank you, Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

The Lord Saves!

For Sunday, December 4, 2022:

Matthew 1:21 NLT, Angel speaking to Joseph: “Mary will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Two thousand years ago, when a man and woman started a new marriage, the groom went away and made plans to add a wife into his life. He’d need a place for them to live, furniture and a way to make a living. The bride went away to gather household items – clothing, dishes and cooking utensils. They had not yet consummated the marriage. When all was prepared, the groom would return to take his wife to their new home.

During this time of separation, Mary became pregnant. Any man would be suspicious at this point, but the angel reassured Joseph: “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ‘Jesus’ means ‘the Lord saves!’ This event was foretold in Isaiah, saying the baby would also be known as “Immanuel,” which means ‘God with us!’

Jesus coming to earth set in motion God’s plan for mankind’s redemption. His desire is that none would perish. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Prepare the Way - #2

Dec. 08, 2014 Monday Message:

Last week we talked about John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry, and the value of advance preparation.

Mary too had been prepared for what was about to take place. The angel Gabriel told her that she would have a son named Jesus who will be called, “Son of the Most High, and like David he will reign as King of Israel, and his kingdom will never end.” Wow! from Luke 1:31-33 CEV

Mary was somewhat confused: “How can this happen? I am not married!”

Gabriel explained God’s power, the power of the Holy Spirit, and told her that her child will be called the Holy Son of God!

Mary agreed, saying, “I am here to serve the Lord.” She was now prepared for all that would happen, and therefore played her role perfectly when it was time.

This is a great story, but I have to ask: What if she had NOT been properly prepared? What if she just turned up pregnant one day?

An unwed pregnant woman would be an embarrassment to her family, estranged from her fiancé, and could be stoned by her community.

But Mary had been prepared – she knew the inside story of what was about to happen. It took another angel to bring Joseph around. But then Mary and Joseph in turn prepared their close family and friends for what was about to take place, as the prophesy of Isaiah was being fulfilled: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel – God is with us!” Isaiah 7:14b NIV

“Jesus” means “The Lord saves!”

Norton Lawellin

Every Sunday Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, Dec. 14, we welcome all as Pastor Michael Pilla continues our Advent journey.