Jesus and His Father!

For Wednesday, April 16, 2025:

John 12:50 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I know God-the-Father’s commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”

Friends, listen to Jesus. He didn’t come to judge the world; he came to SAVE the world, to redeem mankind. Ever since Genesis, humans have been fraught with a sin problem. Jesus’ mission was to take those sins of the world to the place of the dead, leaving mankind with no record of sin, and therefore suitable for residence in God’s eternal kingdom.

Salvation is really pretty simple. Just stick with Jesus whose purpose is to redeem you. It’s probably easier for us to understand the completed scenario summarized in our Bibles than it was for the Israelites 2k years ago, perhaps hearing only one message on one day. And they feared the Pharisees expelling them from their Synagogues.

The Father sent Jesus. The Father gave him the words to say, the message to deliver. “When you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”

You’ll walk in the light if you follow Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Walk in the Light!

For Tuesday, April 15, 2025:

John 12:36 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”

Jesus, God and heavenly things are light. Satan, demons and all evil are darkness. Addressing the crowd, Jesus shows that he still has a sense of humor, stating the obvious in a “duh” moment: “Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going!”

Ever the evangelist, Jesus is recruiting for his team until the end. For him, sharing the Good News is a 24/7 task. That job has been reassigned to today’s believers. We’re to make disciples of all nations. Jesus has delayed his return so we can add to our number. He wants to give everyone the chance to have an abundant life after this life!

The Apostle John, arguably Jesus’ best friend, said it best: “To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God,” daughters and sons of the Most High! We’ve been adopted into the Holy Family!

Walk in the light!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Vast Eternal Plan!

April 14, 2025, Monday Message:

John 12:23 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.”

Jesus, being fully God and fully man, can see into the future. He knows the fickle crowd who shouted, “Hosanna,” will soon be chanting, “Crucify him!” His assignment is to take the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Three days later comes the resurrection, and eventually Jesus returning to the Father. If that’s God’s plan, he’s “in” for the whole distance.

Once again, Jesus uses an agricultural analogy, hoping to make it easier for the layperson to understand. You simply bury some little seeds, and they give you a big field of wheat. Like those little seeds, Jesus will die, and today we have 2.3B Christians worldwide.

Those who love the world will belong to the world in which Satan is currently running rampant. Those with their eyes on eternity will move into the next reality with Jesus, living in the presence of the Father. God WILL separate the sheep from the goats!

This whole scenario fulfills God’s vast eternal plan for the rescue of mankind, from the Triumphal Entry to Jesus’ demise to the resurrection and the New Covenant. Jesus has much to teach in the time remaining. We call it “Holy Week!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Direct Connection!

For Sunday, April 13, 2025:

John 16:23 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Following my resurrection, you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.”

On the cross, Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead. And with sins forgiven and the penalty paid in full, mankind can directly approach the Father. When Jesus died, the curtain protecting the Holy of holies, separating mankind from God was torn – torn from top to bottom, so it was God doing the tearing! We no longer needed a middle-man, an intercessor, a priest. That is why we pray directly to God our Father in the name of Jesus.

 "You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” In Hebrew jargon, a sinner is said to be “far from God.” Someone who repents and returns to the Lord is “closer to God.” Tearing down the curtain allows us to be closer to God. So apparently God desires us closer to him. He wants a relationship with each of us!

Many things changed with the New Covenant Jesus introduced to the world. A closer relationship with Father God gives us a foot in the door of eternity!

Today is Palm Sunday. Lift your hands and sing with joy! With your family, celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into the Holy City! See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Dancing!

For Saturday, April 12, 2025:

John 16:16 NLT, Jesus speaking: “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”

Of course Jesus is teaching about his impending resurrection. This was prophesied in Psalm 30: “You turned my mourning into dancing.” Worship Leader Tommy Walker turned it into a song that Ron Kenoly made famous. Even Bob Dylan penned the song, “Death is not the end.”

Funerals are often solemn, sad affairs. We miss the one who died, and their demise leads to our grief. But a celebration would be a better fit with our theology. When a believer dies, they enter the next reality, which means Jesus will greet them with open arms. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Tomorrow, Palm Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In a few short days, the fickle general public will turn shouts of “Hosanna” into “Crucify Him.” He will be placed in a tomb on Good Friday, and by Sunday he’ll be raised, walking around where everyone can see him. He will turn our mourning into dancing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Heaven-Sent!

For Friday, April 11, 2025:

John 16:7 NIV, Jesus speaking: “It is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate [Counselor, Comforter, Encourager] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.”

I’m always amazed at the quantity of teaching that took place between Palm Sunday and Good Friday. There’s a boat load of knowledge believers must have so that they can remain locked in after Jesus returns to the Father. He said, “I am returning to the one who sent me,” so we have no doubt as to Jesus’ origin.

"The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.” If we critically examine Jesus’ time on earth, it’s quite obvious that he’s heaven-sent. We should absolutely believe a truth-telling miracle worker. It must have been frustrating for Jesus when eyewitnesses refused to commit, refused to buck the status quo. They were afraid of what others might think, including Synagogue leaders and Pharisees. Confessed sin can be blotted out by Jesus’ work on the cross, but an additional sin is not entrusting Jesus with this task.

There will be judgment when we die and enter the next reality. The judge will find believers not guilty, their penalty having already been paid by the Son. Unbelievers, those of the world, will fall in with the prince of this world, Satan, who has already been judged.

Thank you, Jesus, for thoroughly teaching us prior to your departure. We’ll be eternally grateful!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth!

For Thursday, April 10, 2025:

John 16:2 NIV, Jesus warning believers: “You will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.”

God doesn’t change, and sin doesn’t change. If God said a behavior was sin 3k years ago, it’s still sin today. Mankind can’t and shouldn’t arbitrarily adopt a new law or ignore the old laws and assume that it’s OK with God. Sin, disrespecting God, is never OK.

I once worked for a church that was seriously off track. The Sr. Pastor and I were brought in to help get them back to the Word. Unfortunately, that pastor became ill, so I was the lone voice advocating for God’s way. I led a Bible Study for the Worship Team, often attended by many other church members. Our discussions frequently contradicted what had been taught the previous Sunday! The denomination eventually assigned a new Sr. Pastor, and one of his first moves was my termination. They must not like dissension! Pastor David Housholder said it best: “We were voted off the island!”

That’s precisely what happened to Jesus. He was no longer welcome at Synagogues led by the Pharisees. Heresy was being taught at the Temple, his Father’s House. And as Jesus is preparing to leave the earth and return to the Father, he leaves us with these warnings. If it can happen to Jesus, it can happen to anyone!

So always seek a church with a high view of the Bible. Be a part of the truth team! May God bless each and every one of you – have a joyful Palm Sunday weekend!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The World vs Jesus!

For Wednesday, April 9, 2025:

John 15:18 NIV, Jesus speaking: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”

For simplicity, let’s separate all the people on earth into two groups: those destined for heaven who love God and his Son, and those who have rejected Jesus and his Father. The Bible refers to those non-believers as “the world.” Remember that Satan currently occupies the world and will take every opportunity to throw sand in the gears.

It’s not always smooth sailing for believers. The same world that hated Jesus may cause trouble for you too. Satan will put demons in your path. That’s why our beliefs need to be locked in, nonnegotiable. Sometimes we have to help our brothers and sisters cast out demons. That’s what Jesus did.

True believers are sanctified, set apart from the world. But we must integrate with the world if we are to share the Good News, something Jesus commissioned us to do. It’s kind of a balancing act, sharing the Gospel while remaining set apart. Backsliding should be nowhere on our agenda!

If the world hates you because it hated Jesus, rejoice! You’re linked with other believers! You’re OK! It’s the demons who should beware of the name Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Grow the Kingdom!

For Tuesday, April 8, 2025:

John 15:5 NIV, Jesus speaking: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Jesus continues his urgent last-minute teaching as he prepares to go to the cross. He wants current believers to be locked in, so that they won’t forget about him and drift away. Historically, that has been the Israelite’s trend. God is good to them, everything’s going OK, and then they say, “Thanks, God, but I can take it from here!” And God gets put on the back burner. Jesus expects better than that from his followers.

2K years ago, the economy of Israel was largely agricultural. Therefore Jesus uses an agricultural metaphor to make his point, something everyone at that time would understand. A grapevine is a large stem that grows from the ground. It sprouts smaller branches that actually produce the grapes. That branch must remain connected to the vine to produce fruit. By the way, if it no longer produces fruit, it must be pruned from the vine so as not to waste resources.

God gave Moses commandments on Mt. Sinai and on the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Apart from that, Jesus is our only source of heavenly teaching. So he tells us to remain connected to his words which are now immortalized in our Bibles. Tell everyone and teach truth to newcomers. Remain connected to other believers and to the Church. Stay true to the source so you’re not pruned from the vine.

Apart from Jesus, we can accomplish nothing beneficial to the Kingdom. But with Jesus, each of us can accomplish great things!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Heavenly Words!

For Sunday, April 6, 2025:

John 14:24b NLT, Jesus speaking: “Remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.”

In John ch. 14, Jesus has been leaving urgent last-minute instructions for the believers. Before going to the cross, he claims the ultimate authority for his words, telling the believers that what he speaks is actually from Father God! Now are you listening? Now are you paying attention?

In the believer’s mind at the time, this might have made a difference. But to us nowadays, with the completed Bible in hand, we know that Jesus and the Father are one. Their thoughts are the same, and they’re pulling in the same direction. And when the Holy Spirit, our comforter and advocate, joins us on the planet, it will be more of the same. Those three are one! C’mon, Pentecost!

When the words are from Our Father in Heaven, we should listen up! We should be obedient!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Idols = Bad!

For Saturday, April 5, 2025:

John 14:24a NLT, Jesus speaking: “Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me.”

As Jesus draws closer to the cross, he leaves urgent last-minute instructions and theological details with the believers. (John chapter 14) We’ve been reviewing his thoughts as we draw closer to Holy Week, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday (Easter.)

Our Father in Heaven freely admits that he’s a jealous God. He has no time for those who pursue idols and false gods. The God we love is the Creator of the universe, while a statuette just sits there doing nothing. The God who gave us brains and reasoning is dumbfounded when people fall for a false god – makes no sense! Nowadays, idols can be work, hobby, sport or some other false religion – anything that competes with the real God for first place in our lives.

If someone has no time for God, God will have no time for them. Love is reciprocal. It’s easy to spot the wolf in sheep’s clothing, someone faking love for the Lord. Jesus instructed his followers to love the Lord and love their neighbors. If someone spends no time with God and/or has no compassion for their neighbor’s predicament, they’re probably not a believer.

Those who love Jesus obey his commands and put his instructions in motion. Believers are filled with the joy of the Lord, and God is pleased with their efforts. Believers have been recruited to play on Jesus’ team! Get in the game!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

New Earth!

For Friday, April 4, 2025:

John 14:23 NLT, Jesus speaking: “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”

If we please Jesus, the Father will also be pleased. Remember, they are of one mind, really just one God. The acknowledgment of our relationship with God is our obedience. When the angel told Mary she’d be delivering a savior into the world, she replied, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” That’s obedience! When Abraham set out to offer little Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord, that was absolute obedience. (Thankfully, God stopped the sacrifice – the scenario was only a test of Abraham’s devotion and obedience.)

We often speak of going to heaven when we die. We teach only two choices, heaven or hell. Christians choose heaven, but that’s not our final destination. The Bible promises the “New Earth,” fully restored and perfect in every way. I believe God will restore the Earth to “Garden-of-Eden” specs, and the Bible says that the New Earth will be our forever home. Jesus preparing a place for believers includes restoring mankind’s home, planet Earth.

Jesus says that he and the Father will walk among us, and that’s where I want to be. What an awesome community! We may not even have to fill out “change-of-address” forms!

If it’s good enough for Jesus and the Father, it’s good enough for me!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Ask, Seek, Knock!

For Thursday, April 3, 2025:

John 14:22 NLT, Jesus took a question: “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

If you have no idea where you’re going, how will you know when you’ve arrived? And if you don’t know what you’re looking for, how will you know when you’ve found it? Those seeking the Lord will find him. Those not seeking the Lord can’t identify him. Like I said, they don’t know what they’re looking for!

As Christians, it’s our job to enlighten the unbeliever. We’re to light the fire of insatiable curiosity in the hearts of potential seekers. They need to know about sin in the world, and their inherent need to be forgiven. They need to know that death is not the end; that there’s life after this life. They need to know about the misery of hell and the joyfulness of heaven.

We get to choose between spending eternity in God’s presence or Satan’s presence. Christians have already made that choice. Those entrusted with the Good News should counsel others to make that same wise decision.

No one really wants to spend eternity bobbing in a lake of fire!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship