Sheep vs Wolves!

February 13, 2023 Monday Message:

Matthew 7:15 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

The Lord wants everyone to love him, but he created us with the freedom to choose. When the Holy Spirit taps us on the shoulder, we can say ‘yes’ or no.’ If we were forced to love God, that love would mean nothing. So God gave us brains and expects us to use them. And as part of that, he gave us the gift of discernment.

With his scriptures as a handbook for living, we should be able to easily tell right from wrong and good from bad. We should be able to spot evil from a mile away, even if it’s disguised in sheep’s clothing.

Note that the wolf is almost always disguised in sheep’s clothing. No one ever says, “I’m evil, I want to do bad stuff to the world, and I want you to join with me.” No, they talk about a different way, a new way, a better way according to their propaganda. They try to sell you that their corrupt system will somehow be an improvement. Hitler claimed the world would be better under his rule. That’s a narcissistic lie. Communism paints a rosy picture. Everyone chips in, and everyone is provided for. But in practice, many more want to receive than want to contribute. In practice, Communism just doesn’t work.

As we grow closer to the end times, the wolves will persist. We’re told to keep our eyes peeled for many false prophets and the anti-Christ.

Always check under the sheep’s clothing to see what is inside!

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

False Prophets

July 28, 2014 Monday Message:

Jesus: “Beware of false prophets.” Matt. 7:15a ESV

Jesus adds that false prophets come disguised in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. It’s bad enough that their teaching is untruthful; but they’re also intentionally furthering their agenda through deceit and lying.

Last Sunday, I told our congregation to take out their Bibles, so they could double-check what they’re hearing. At our church, we intend to teach only the truth, so we can stand this test. ALL churches SHOULD be able to withstand this test.

But as more and more mainline denominations deviate from Biblical accuracy, it becomes more challenging to spot the wolf in sheep’s clothing. It’s important that we all fact-check everything that we’re being told. If we’re passive, it’s far too easy to fall victim to the deceit.

How fortunate we are to live at a time when everyone’s cell phone can contain a Bible app. But therefore, as Christian leaders and teachers, we need to fact-check everything we’re saying. If we spit out inaccurate information, we’re in trouble; some teenager has probably already looked it up! 

The early church taught “sola scriptura,” meaning “only scripture,” “only God’s word.” They believed that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative word of God. If all we really need is God’s word, we can exclude a lot of church tradition and individual interpretation, and believe only the facts.

Sticking with God’s Word is a lot easier than trying to sort out sheep and wolves.

Norton Lawellin

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, Dan Pilla opens up Acts Ch. 5.