Prodigal Nation

Monday Message – July 6, 2020.

Luke 15:20 NLT, Jesus teaching the Prodigal Son parable: “The son returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”

You’ve all probably heard the parable of the Prodigal Son, who asked for his inheritance ahead of schedule, then squandered it in foolish lifestyle, and finally returned home with his tail between his legs. In our story, the “father” is a metaphor for “God,” and the “prodigal son” could be any sinner wishing to repent and return.

But pretend with me that the “prodigal son” could be a metaphor for an entire nation, a country founded upon Godly principles, but that now had fallen into secularism, putting God on the back burner. God, of course being a loving and forgiving Father, desires that none would perish. He would want the entire nation to repent and return. And God would welcome them back with open arms!

Perhaps it’s time to re-prioritize God in our nation. That’s why we tell our friends about Jesus; that’s why we invite new people to our churches – to increase God’s presence! We’re trying to give God his rightful place on the throne of our nation!

Blessings as we begin this new week!

Pastor Norton

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Psalms 73 - Earthly vs Heavenly Kingdom

December 12, 2016 Monday Message:

In Psalm 73, Asaph affirms that God is good to believers. BUT – (yes, there’s a “but”) – “But here’s what happened to me.” Many of us may find ourselves in Asaph’s story.

Turns out that some people have been successful. They live in opulence and are proud of it, displaying their treasures openly. “Their eyes look out from fat faces … they wear pride like a necklace.” They begin to question God, and regrettably, their good fortune lends credibility to their claims.

We need to decide if our kingdom is in this world, or in heaven with our Creator. Things of this world will not last, and God has no time for those who are not “with” Him. “Lord, You would put them in a place where they would slip - It will take just a brief moment to destroy them! …like when you wake up from a dream: Lord, when you get up, you will forget that they were there!” In the long run, those against God have no chance at all.

In the end, Asaph went to the House of God and saw the light, and that’s a good model for us all to follow. Jesus is the light of the world, and his house is open to visitors each week. We celebrate the Christmas season, honoring when Jesus came to rescue all who would believe.

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, it’s the 4^th Sunday of Advent – the story is in Luke 1:57-80. See you at church!