Lukewarm - Bad!

Aug. 04, 2014 Monday Message:

Jesus: “Lead us not into temptation.” Matt. 6:13a

Jesus teaches, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” Jesus doesn’t condone middle ground. God wants us on his side, hot; and if you’re against him, then you’re cold; but at least you and God know where you stand. Both Exodus and the Revelation teach about this.

I believe that God thoroughly detests lukewarm. If you’re caught in the middle, you lack discernment to separate good from evil, the sheep from the wolves. At the root of lukewarm is deceit. Lukewarm lives in the valley of temptation. It leans toward trickery, half-truths, and being able to switch sides if it becomes convenient. It’s really taking no stand for either side.

Like I said, if you’re hot or cold, at least you and God know where you stand. Lukewarm allows you to waffle back and forth, never actually making a decision for Jesus and the Kingdom. You are deceiving yourself. You’ve heard a lot about Jesus, and foolishly think your eternal destiny is secure. But lukewarm isn’t welcome at the wedding.

Jesus taught us to pray against lukewarm, against the valley of temptation, and to be delivered from the evil therein.

May you all be “hot” today!

“Deliver us from evil.” Matt. 6:13b

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 we’ll look at many signs and wonders, Acts Ch. 5:12-16. See you there!

False Witness?

November 05, 2012 Monday Message:

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16

A false witness is a liar, a prevaricator, and if he lies about his neighbor, he probably lies about everything and can’t really be trusted at all. Of course, “deceiving your neighbor” flies in the face of “loving your neighbor as yourself.”

This well-known commandment isn’t just about courtroom testimony. In fact, it includes gossip, exaggeration, slander, and anything put forth as a truth, which is, in fact, false. Speech intended to rob a person of his good name or character is against the spirit of this law.

Suppressing the truth when the truth could benefit your neighbor is wrong, as is putting forth the truth when it can only injure someone. Not everything true needs to be said.

None of us likes being lied to, but we sometimes experience it in an imperfect world. We do not expect lies to come from the mouths of believers. It’s far worse when we’re deceived by pastors or church elders, and the Bible says that God will hold them to a higher standard.

“There are things that the Lord hates and cannot tolerate … someone who tells one lie after another." from Proverbs 6:16-19 GNT

Godliness and honesty must walk hand-in-hand. That’s what the Bible says.

Norton Lawellin

Exceptional worship and teaching last Sunday, and if you weren’t there, you missed it! This week we continue in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF,) North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am.

NL