Beware False Teachers!

For Wednesday, November 13, 2024:

1 Thessalonians 2:15 NLT: “Some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity.”

Just because someone is born a Jew doesn’t mean they’re good people. Similarly, someone born to Christian parents and raised up in a church isn’t necessarily a good person. God gave us all the freedom to choose, and each of us needs to make our own decision to follow Jesus!

When pushed, a lot of people will point to a Bible, but they haven't seen the inside of a church in a long time. Beware! You don’t just need to own a Bible. You need to open it up, read what it says, and then adjust your behavior to conform to God’s point of view.

False teachers can wear fancy robes and preach inside a building with a cross on the outside, but they’re not the real thing. It can be quite deceptive! That’s why we all need to memorize truth from our Bibles and sit in congregations where that truth is taught.

God’s way is the right way!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Word!

For Tuesday, November 12, 2024:

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NLT: “We never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.”

Believers should have what’s called a “high view” of the Bible, meaning the scriptures are God-inspired and true. Therefore the theology we teach is not your idea or my idea; it’s all God’s ideas! The Holy Spirit opens people’s hearts, and we fill them with the Good News of salvation through Jesus!

Some preachers motivate their listeners with the fear of hell, and chastise them for wrongdoing. Personally, I’m not good at that. I’m more likely to teach what the Bible says, and assume that the desired action would be self-evident. If we truly believe that the Bible is God’s word, how could we not obey?

If we know what God has spoken, we’ll know what to teach!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Believers!

November 11, 2024 Monday Message:

1 Thessalonians 2:12 NLT: “We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.”

The Holy Spirit touches people, preparing their hearts to learn the Good News of salvation through Jesus the Messiah. Others are called to be the hands and feet of God on earth, sharing the Gospel with those who have been prepared. The convergence of the two groups is a beautiful thing! The Bible says that all of heaven celebrates when a believer is truly convinced, when they repent and return to the Lord!

Take a minute and think about your assignment in Jesus’ goal. What is your function in the ‘make disciples of all nations’ project? When believers are all pulling in the same direction us, we can move the world!

In the US, this is Veteran’s Day where we honor those willing to fight for the freedom we all enjoy. Blessings!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship