Persecution

For Sunday, January 15, 2023:

Matthew 5:10-12 NLT, Jesus speaking: “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

The character traits herein described don’t seem to be valued by the world. In fact, believers not only are not valued, but they are objects of much anger and persecution. Nowadays, we give a lot of awards for power and personal achievement, far fewer humanitarian awards.

Keep in mind that at that time, our opposition was Rome. They falsely accused Christians of cannibalism because of the last supper; immorality because of loving one another and private meetings; treason because Christians would not worship the Roman gods; and revolutionary sedition for saying that Jesus’ return would be an apocalyptic end of the world. Families split when one became a Christian and the other did not. The world persecutes Christians because their values and character seem to be outside the norm.

But the persecuted should shout for joy! Jesus is promising that the reward for persecution for His sake is the Kingdom of Heaven, and that’s Good News! Hope to see you there!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Sheep among Wolves!

 For Saturday, March 12, 2022

Matthew 10:16a NLT, Jesus urges caution as he commissions the apostles: “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves.”

These apostles weren’t sent to strange foreign lands. Jesus told them to approach only the Jews: “God’s lost sheep.” Turns out that the people of God may not always be receptive to a call for repentance! The life of an evangelist is not easy!

My church, Jesus in the City Fellowship, has been called to south Minneapolis, and I can identify with being sent as sheep among wolves. We are three blocks from the police station that was burned to the ground. We’re about a mile from where George Floyd lost his life. The wolves are vicious.

But every once in a while someone sees the light, someone’s life is radically transformed through the power of our Lord Jesus! And then it’s all worth it! Our spiritual batteries are recharged with hope, and we’re determined to once again dance amongst the wolves, in Jesus’ name!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Loyalty to God!

For Sunday, December 5, 2021

Matthew 5:10 NIV: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

There are always pundits who poke fun at religious folks. And sometimes the “poking fun” turns into prejudice and persecution. Jesus is telling us to stick with God no matter what. Loyalty will be rewarded. Believers will get to see heaven from the inside; those ridiculing us will be abandoned on the outside – forever!

I don’t believe that God micromanages earth. Oh sure, he can intervene when necessary. But he allows us great freedom in settling small matters. Sometimes mankind isn’t too good at it! The great equalizer comes when we enter the life after this life. Remember when Jesus said that the first will be last and the last will be first? In the next life, God puts everything in the proper order; he numbers everything His way, the right way!

In the end, everything will be OK - we have been promised hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Please God!

November 22, 2021 Monday Message

Matthew 5:11 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

Jesus is wrapping up “The Beatitudes,” the opening of his Sermon on the Mount. He’s telling his listeners that being a believer won’t always be easy.

Instead of acknowledging the one true God, many people choose to make god-like decisions themselves. They want to be in charge, in control of everything, not submitting to any God. They will mock you, lie about you and propagate evil against you if you speak out in favor of the Messiah!

This is where Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek. As we live our lives, the one we’re trying to please is the Lord, not those who oppose us.

The Message Bible puts it like this: “Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds!”

If we believe in the Son, his Father will be pleased!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Rescue Me!

For Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Psalm 18:5 NLT: “The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path.”

We tend to think of David as the mighty king of the Israelites. But there were many stumbling-blocks along the journey to get there. David faced many enemies, some replete with entire armies carrying real weapons! David’s life was genuinely threatened!

The same God who anointed David also rescued him from persecution. David writes, “God rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters.”

This lets us know that no matter how bad life may seem, a powerful God is always able to rescue. With God on your side, there is always hope! “Lord, you hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents. For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name.”

When rescued, David composed worship songs of praise and thanksgiving! We should at least say a prayer!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Psalms 142 - God Cares

May 21, 2018 Monday Message:

“I cry to you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.’” Psalms 142:5 NIV

There was a time in David’s life when it felt like everyone was out to get him. David lamented, “Nobody cares about me.”

It may SEEM that way at times, but in fact God ALWAYS cares about you. David, praying from inside a cave where he was hiding, knew to turn to God when the going got tough.

We all need to walk with the Lord 24/7, because God intends to walk with us 24/7.  You never know when you might need help, so it’s good to have the Lord close at hand.

Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matt. 6:26

God wants to always be there for you!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, May 27, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. I’ll continues our sermon series in Hebrews 3:1-6. See you at church!

Psalms 109 - Vengeance vs Joy!

Sept. 11, 2017 Monday Message:

“Help me, Lord my God; save me according to your unfailing love.” Psalms 109:26 NIV

We don’t know which event caused David to send Psalm 109 to the worship leaders. Clearly someone was making David’s life miserable, or some opposing country was making Israel’s life miserable. The text contains an exceptional number of curses and bad wishes against the oppressors. David was asking God to intervene, to stop the insults, persecution and evil behavior.

Sometimes insults, persecution and evil fall into all our lives. We’re not altogether different from David.

Which opens up the greater question: “Does God ever let sin like that go unpunished?” The short answer is, “no.” “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Deut. 32:35, Romans 12:19-20

But we don’t know God’s timetable for setting things right, and in fact, we’re told to not concern ourselves with those details. Knowing that Jesus is returning soon, we should always be very joyful. Jesus said, “You will be happy when people are not kind to you and do bad things to you. You will be happy because you love me, even when they say many bad things about you that are not true.” Matt. 5:11

Sometimes it’s challenging, but let God handle the retribution while you handle the joy of knowing Jesus. Like the song says, “Don’t worry – be happy!”

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers next Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll use John 17 to set up our Corinthians series this fall. See you at church!

Psalm 35

February 29, 2016 Monday Message:

“Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!” Psalm 35:1

The Bible says, “To all who would receive him, (Jesus,) to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 In other words, believers have been adopted into the Holy family, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities afforded all family members.

So God’s family is your family now; you are on God’s side of things. And if you’re on God’s side, then reciprocally, you’d like God to be on your side too. That’s what David was asking in Psalm 35. This could have been over a conflict with Saul, or with David’s son Absalom, or something else – we don’t know. But we hear David’s plea, “I could use a little help here!” Just as God helped and protected David, he can do the same for you and me.

“How long, LORD, will you look on?” Psalm 35:17a This speaks to God’s timing. Personally, I’m perpetually out of sync with God’s timing. I tend to want to put good things into action right away. So why isn’t God working with me on this? Maybe it’s not the right time yet. Maybe I need to get more people on-board. Maybe I shouldn’t start out under-resourced. God will decide when the time is right, and His timing is always perfect.

Because God has been good to David, he writes, “My mouth will proclaim Your righteousness, Your praises all day long.” Psalm 35:28 Join David in his praise, today!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at 10 am every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, March 6, 2016, we’ll dig deep inside Romans Ch. 3. See you at church!

Psalm 12

August 17, 2015 Monday Message:

“Help, Lord, for no one faithful remains.” Psalm 12:1a HCSB

Do you ever have the feeling that the world is falling apart? That’s how David felt as he penned Psalm 12. Not only were people plotting against him, but God’s rules – His value system, His ethics - were no longer honored by most of the world. David was caught up in a battle where there were no rules.

Not much has changed. Jews have been persecuted for thousands of years. Radical Islam has never been kind to Christianity. Religious minorities are persecuted every day, and slavery has been reinstated in some countries. It’s a sin-filled world in which we live, and Jesus will fix it all when He returns.

Declared or not, we are engaged in a world war, a religious war. What has changed is that some of the battles are occurring on our own soil. Traditionally, our conflicts have been fought in distant lands. But nowadays, for the first time, terrorists are setting off their bombs right in the USA.

God recognizes and separates the good guys from the bad guys. Those who love the Lord will be protected, while the evil ones will get what they deserve. God will not be deceived.

Pray for God’s protection in our country, for peace in the world, and for Jesus to come quickly to straighten out this mess. Claim the promise, “You, Lord, will guard us.” Psalm 12:7a

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Aug. 23, Pastor Retha brings the message, Davie B. leads worship, and New Hope tour joins us. A salad-bar lunch follows the service.