Pentecost!

June 2, 2025, Monday Message:

Acts 2:1 NLT: “On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place.”

The Jewish Pentecost, 50 days after Passover or Pesach, celebrated the upcoming harvest. Also known as the Festival of Weeks, it occurred seven weeks after Passover. Most Christian churches celebrate Pentecost this coming Sunday, so let’s have a look!

The first Christian Community, known as The Way, were a tight-knit bunch. They had all been eyewitnesses to the many healings and other miracles performed by Jesus. They had watched him die on the cross, and yet rise from the grave three days later. Their eyes did not lie; they were 100% committed to the fact that Jesus was God’s Heaven-sent Son.

Opposing The Way were the Roman government and Jewish leadership. Caesar claimed to be god and didn’t like any competition. He taxed all who lived there. The Temple priests and Pharisees led religious matters in the region, and they intended to keep that power. Tithes were brought to the Temple or a local Synagogue, and those leaders didn’t like the idea of tithes going anywhere else. In both cases, it was all about power and money!

So believers met privately in secret places that only they knew. They lived in fear of both opposing groups. This “togetherness” gave them fellowship and a sense of community and safety. When God decided it was time to make his move, he found the believers all together in one place, their minds on the same page, all willing to pull in the same direction. This seemingly residual team would be the start of something big – the birthday of the church! What an exciting day! Don’t you wish you could have been there?

Each of us can help with church growth nowadays. Just invite someone to come to church with you. Offer to pick them up! That’s what Jesus said we should do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Protection!

For Saturday, June 10, 2023:

2 Thessalonians 3:2 NLT: “Pray, too, that followers of Jesus will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer.”

Life isn’t always easy being the hands and feet of God on earth. Never underestimate the number of people working against you! Never underestimate the power of Satan. The Devil is real, and his pesky demons are akin to throwing sand in the gears.

The Evil One already has considerable influence over what we call “the world.” So now we find him at work in our churches, spreading lies, gossip and false theology. We must be vigilant in adhering to the Bible and doing exactly what Jesus said to do!

Pray that God would place a cloud of protection around his believers. Pray that Satan would be ineffective in our churches. Pray that only the truth of the bible would be taught in our houses of worship!

Pray that the light of Jesus would shine on all believers today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Psalms 140 - Keep Me Safe

May 7, 2018 Monday Message:

“Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked.” Psalms 140:4a NIV

I like the story of the footprints in the sand. There are two sets of footprints – that’s Jesus walking alongside you. But for a while, there is only one set of footprints, and our first inclination is to ask, “Jesus, where did you go?”

But in our ‘footprints’ story, Jesus replies, “That’s when I was carrying you!”

God-sightings at major crossroads in our lives make for great testimonies. But most days aren’t that exciting. Some days we just need to maintain, to live one more day for the Lord, and our prayer is, “Lord, just keep me safe.”

Jesus wants to walk with you every day as you live out your life; but if you need extra help, he will carry you.

“The upright shall dwell in God’s presence.” Ps. 140:13b ESV

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, May 13, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Pilla continues our sermon series from Hebrews 2:1-4.