Jesus' Mission, God's Plan

For Tuesday, October 6, 2026:

John 17:1 NLT: “Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.’”

If we had been present that day, we might not have understood what was going on. It might have appeared to us that Jesus and his Father were losing the battle. “Glorifying the Son” required his arrest, a mock trial in a kangaroo court, severe beatings and eventually, crucifixion. On the surface, it doesn’t look like things are going well!

Frankly, Jesus’ disciples were depressed. Though uneducated, they were not inherently stupid. They could sense the trend that their spiritual mentor was about to die. Regrettably, they needed to step back from the situation, or their lives too might be on the chopping block.

Nowadays, we get to look at the big picture. We now know that Jesus died carrying the sins of the world, mankind having been forgiven. Jesus would leave those sins behind as he rose again and walked away from the tomb. In one gigantic event, Jesus had defeated both sin and death! That was his mission. That fulfilled God’s plan.

So friends, don’t quickly jump to the wrong conclusion. God can turn any situation to his advantage. Continue with faith and loyalty to the Son, and trust that God is still on the throne of the universe! In the Bible, the good guys always win!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Made Right with God!

October 5, 2026, Monday Message:

Romans 10:4 NLT: “Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.”

People cling to their old ways, their old beliefs. That’s normal human behavior. The Bible says that God (and Jesus, for that matter,) are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. So most people aren’t expecting anything to change. For example, If God stated a law or issued a command, obedience should please him, and it still does. What changed is the manner in which we receive salvation.

On the cross, the sins of the world were heaped upon Jesus. He took sin to the place of the dead. Our salvation is a free, undeserved gift because of our loyalty to God’s Son. In other words, believers receive salvation, a reservation in God’s eternal Kingdom, not earning their way in but by accepting the sacrifice made for our rescue.

Today’s scripture summarizes the concept. “All who believe in Jesus are made right with God!” It’s that simple!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Power of Jesus!

For Sunday, October 4, 2026:

Acts 4:16 NLT: “What should we do with these men, Peter and John?” the religious council asked one another. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it.”

The religious council has on trial two men who had performed a healing miracle in the Temple. This could be the origin of the saying, “No good deed goes unpunished!” Here we witness the continuation of a conspiracy against Jesus and his followers. Rather than accept what they had seen with their own two eyes, prejudice took over. Prejudice means to pre-judge, and the council’s minds were already made up. A decision had previously been made to quash the upstart religious competition launched by Jesus, and now continued by Peter, John and the others.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Throw off the religion?” Someone saying this isn’t against belief in a higher power. But denominations, religious councils, ceremony and traditions have diverted attention from what should be our primary focus. I recommend that we get back to basics. Get back to what Jesus said and did. He wasn’t fancy and didn’t attach a lot of pageantry to his loyalty to the Father.

While Peter and John were used in the afore mentioned healing miracle, they do not have that power. The council got it wrong. Peter and John can pray for Jesus to intervene in the lame man’s situation, and as it happened, he was completely healed “in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Only Jesus has this power, and he told believers to use his name!

This is Sunday, the day most Christians worship. Bring your Bible. It’s a good day to rededicate ourselves to Jesus and his Father. If necessary, throw off the religion!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church