Brothers and Sisters!

For Wednesday, April 17, 2024:

Colossians 3:11 NLT: “Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

Take a moment and think about how much better the world would be if everyone lived according to the teaching of Jesus. I mean everyone, no exceptions!

If all of mankind lived by the words of Jesus, Putin would have never invaded Ukraine. It’s wrong on so many levels. And Hamas would have never attacked Israel. They’re neighbors, probably cousins; they should get along better! And if Israel had never been attacked, they’d have no reason to retaliate against Gaza, where the bad guys live. Making sure Gaza had enough food would be a priority, not a punishment.

How many times can the good guys turn the other cheek when so much of the world is out of step with Jesus’ teaching? Consider our situation from God’s point of view. When the Messiah was coming to earth, God provided a home for him within the Jewish nation. But now that Jesus has come and gone, does any good thinking persist for separating countries and races? Paul, who heard directly from Jesus on the road to Damascus, says ‘no.’

There is no longer slave or free, Jew or Gentile, and no more black or white. The world should be filled with brothers and sisters in Christ. He is our all in all, our best example for how we should live the rest of our lives.

Jesus said that we should even love our enemies!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Press On!

For Sunday, June 18, 2023:

Philippians 3:14 NLT: “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

Motivational speakers tell their listeners to first set a goal. If it’s not clear where you’re going, how will you know when you have arrived? Define what it is that you’re trying to achieve. Then you can divide that into incremental steps, and check things off as progress is being made.

Everyone knew about Greece’s national foot-races, the forerunner of today’s Olympics. The prize was often a wreath of olive branches, not particularly valuable but extremely coveted. Runners were told to keep their eye on the prize. Imagine yourself wearing the wreath! Picture yourself receiving accolades from your peers!

So Paul is comparing our journey towards heaven with a Greek race, something with which his audience would be familiar. There may be missteps along the way, but that’s not the issue. The Christian prize has eternal ramifications, and we are counseled to not get off on a side track. We’re to keep our eyes on victory, on the big prize. Jesus has already done most of the running for us, so have faith in him and in the Father. Remember that Jesus’ mission was to rescue mankind, and he always does a good job!

Celebrate your progress in the eternity race! Be joyful! Let your face know!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Run the Race - Win the Prize

December 13, 2010 Monday Message:

“(God) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9b

Some of us grew up in Christian households and can’t remember a time when we didn’t love Jesus. Others, like me, can point to a particular day or specific incident when we made a conscious decision to accept what Jesus was offering, forgiveness and eternal salvation.

Still others have loved God, left God, and then returned to God. While you were gone, Jesus never left you. Whatever your path to the Lord, the important thing is that you’re with God today.

The Bible compares our walk with the Lord to a race. We may get a fast start or a slow start. Many will stumble along the way, but get back up and run some more. Some of us will run better when we can see the finish line. We all want to finish well. We will not run a perfect race like Jesus did. After all, we’re human, and he is divine. If we could be perfect on our own, we wouldn’t need rescuing. But God, with heavenly patience, waits for us, and gives up on no one who seeks Him.

This Advent season is a new beginning for the church year calendar. It’s also a good time for a new beginning for each of us. Re-dedicate yourself to the Lord. Get back in the race. And “run (your race) in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Cor. 9:24b

Norton Lawellin