Bible = Truth!

For Saturday, June 17, 2023:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.”

Our God-given Scriptures, the Holy Bible, are our owner’s manual for life. Every word represents truth according to God himself. It’s God’s way of teaching mankind and equipping us for serving his kingdom.

The Apostle Paul is counseling Timothy and his church that ALL Scripture is valuable. We can’t pick and choose which parts of scripture to believe. It’s all or nothing! “What part of ALL don’t you understand?”

Knowledge of God’s Word qualifies Bible teachers and equips us to help spread the Good News. When Jesus said to go and make disciples of all nations, God’s truth is what we teach.

It’s all in the book!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Team Jesus!

January 31, 2022 Monday Message

John 15:6 NLT, Jesus speaking: “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

If you’re enthralled with who Jesus is and what he has done, the appropriate response would be to help out with growing his Kingdom. If you’re ‘taken’ with the Messiah, you should want to be a part of his action!

Pastor Rick Warren wrote in the Purpose Driven Life that a non-serving Christian is a contradiction. We should more than just believe in Jesus. True believers sign up for the “Jesus Team!” The Intelligent Designer has equipped each of us with unique gifts and talents. Therefore there’s a place for everyone to serve in the Kingdom organization.

Don’t think that your efforts will go unnoticed. Jesus says that a fruitful Kingdom brings glory to the Father, and that pleases him. You’ll have a twinkle in your eye and joy in your heart, and so will the Father! You’ll be filled with love for the Lord, and receive assurance of salvation! You’ll have eternal hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Purpose!

For Friday, September 3, 2021

Romans 12:7 NIV: “If your gift is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach.”

I once heard a pastor compare a church congregation to a jigsaw puzzle. Every piece is different, but every piece is necessary. If all the pieces don’t show up, we’ll never get to see the big picture.

Jesus compared the congregation to a human body - many parts, all different, but all very necessary, and all dependent upon each other.

Knowing we’re a necessary part of a larger group fills us with purpose!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

God's Call

Sept. 9, 2019 Monday Message:

Gideon answered God: “Forgive me, Lord, but with what am I to save Israel? Why, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I’m the youngest person in my father’s house!” Judges 6:15 Complete Jewish Bible

It seems that when God taps someone on the shoulder for a task, the standard response is, “You’ve got the wrong guy!” Compared to the God doing the calling, most of us feel inadequate. But God isn’t just assigning us a task. God isn’t expecting us to accomplish His goal with no support. What we need to realize is that God already has a plan, and we are just a part of it.

When God asked Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses said, “You’ve got the wrong guy!” But God had hand-picked Moses for this task since he was a baby. God caused Moses to grow up in Pharaoh’s court so he knew the language and the government systems. God had equipped him for the task. Furthermore, the plagues would finally convince Pharaoh to let the people go free. Moses, you’re not in this by yourself!

When God called Jonah to Nineveh he ran – he went in the opposite direction! But God, through a bizarre series of events, brought Jonah right where he needed to be to warn the people of Nineveh to repent and return to the Lord!

Question: With 135,000 in the Midianite Army, why did God reduce Gideon’s soldiers to 300? How could they possible win the battle?

Answer: It wasn’t just 300 soldiers – it was 300 plus God, and with God they could accomplish anything!

So when God taps us on the shoulder for a task, we should get in the habit of saying ‘yes,’ knowing that God will be in it with us. You might be God’s perfect person for the mission!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. This week is the Men’s Retreat, so Pastor Van Dickerson will wrap up Philippians 4, guest Worship Leader Jerry McCluskey.