Worship in Spirit

October 15, 2012 Monday Message:

Jesus, teaching the woman at the well: “God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

God is Spirit, and so are we. It’s important to realize that an earthly body is just a temporary home for our ruach, our spirit, and our nephesh, our soul, the essence of our life.

Our body will not live forever, but our spirit will exist as long as God allows us to continue. That’s why it’s important to know Jesus as your savior. Then your eternal spirit will rest in heaven, in the presence of God, rather than in hell, separated from God.

True worship would be our spirits communing with the Spirit of the Living God. Many of us don’t often get there. Our worship hours are filled with man-made traditions and rituals, and most churches do little to help you connect your spirit with God’s spirit.

And yet that’s what Jesus said we were to do. May your spirit reach out to the spirit of the Holy Father today.

Next week – worship in truth!

Norton Lawellin

See you at New Hope Center Friday Oct. 19, 7pm for Chapel, and we’ll dig deeper into Jesus’ meeting with the woman at the well.

JICF worships Sunday in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am. This week Pastor Daisy Mae Rader teaches from Luke. See you at church!

NL

Come unto Me

October 08, 2012 Monday Message:

“Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” James 4:8a

Before Jesus, mankind was wise to remain some distance from God, separate. Moses came down from Mt. Sinai sunburned! The earliest commands were about maintaining separation and distance. Only the highest priest, the kohen godol, could enter the Holy of Holies once per year.

But Jesus changed everything. He walked with mankind on earth. He developed a community of close friends. Many were notorious sinners, tax collectors, and harlots – Jesus rescued them all. He explained that he had not come for the righteous, but rather to rescue those who needed redemption. The veil was forever torn!

It was not the mission of Jesus to remain separate. God would not have sent a redeemer if we didn’t need rescuing. Jesus said to cause children to come to him, and to also come ourselves. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and over-burdened, and I will give you rest! … and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 Phillips

Today, take one step closer to the Lord.

Norton Lawellin

Last Sunday, Jesus in the City Fellowship experienced an outstanding Sunday of worship, communion and fellowship with Familia de Fe that will be remembered for some time!

JICF worships this Sunday in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am. Pastor Michael Pilla continues our journey in Luke. See you at church!

NL

Serve the Lord - Gideon and You

October 01, 2012 Monday Message:

YHWH: “Pull down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it.” Judges 6:25b NLT

Sometimes God wants us to take action. Even though Gideon loved the Lord, followed the law and brought sacrifices, there was more work to be done.

God had promised Gideon victory over the Midianites. “I will be with you,” said the Lord, “and you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” Judges 6:16

But God also commands us to not worship idols, hence the instruction to “pull down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it.”

Gideon built a new altar on that site and gave a sacrifice to honor God. The people of the town were unhappy about this, and wanted Gideon to die for what he had done. Eventually it was decided to leave vengeance to Baal, who, since he doesn’t exist, did nothing. And after that, Gideon was known as “Jerub-baal,” which means, “Let Baal defend himself.”

Of course the big picture isn’t about any single incident. Gideon’s trend was simply to serve the Lord, through love, sacrifices, tearing down idols and building a new altar for the Lord – whatever God needed. There were no job-description or geographic restrictions on Gideon’s ministry.

Now put yourself in Gideon’s shoes. You already love the Lord and try to honor his commandments; but maybe there’s more to do. It may be something new for you, different from what you have been doing. Talk it over with God, and see what he needs you to do next.

Norton Lawellin

This coming Sunday is the day we’ve all been eagerly anticipating - Jesus in the City Fellowship and Familia de Fe (Spanish language) will be worshiping together, in the main sanctuary of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am. Pastor Michael Pilla teaching, Pastor Walter Chuquimia translating. Potluck follows in the gym – bring something to share!

We’re working on special music for this service – it should be awesome! See you at church!