Advent!

 December 1, 2025, Monday Message:

Luke 1:59b-60 NLT: “They wanted to name Elizabeth’s baby Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

As this baby matured, we would know him as John the Baptist. John was the forerunner, opening people’s minds and hearts as he set the stage for Jesus.

We too prepare for Jesus’ arrival with the Christian tradition of Advent, which means the arrival of something of great importance. On the church calendar, Advent is the four weeks preceding Christmas. Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, with three more to come. Advent is not in the Bible, although God arranged for John to pave the way for Jesus.

In the US, with Halloween (All Hallows’ Eve) and Thanksgiving behind us, our focus turns to Christmas. We bring trees and decorative branches indoors. We wrap special gifts for the wee ones. We lend extra support to charitable needs in our communities.

But most of all, we should keep Christ in Christmas. Yes, we’re celebrating Jesus’ arrival, his human birthday. But more importantly, we’re celebrating the rescue of mankind and the forgiving of our sins. And having been forgiven, Jesus prepared a place for us in the hereafter, eternity in the presence of the Lord. We’re celebrating the Assurance of Salvation for believers, made possible by his Son!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Dr. Luke!

For Thursday, November 20, 2025:

Luke 1:3-4 NLT: “Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, followed by Advent and then Christmas. So I thought is would be a good time to review Luke from the beginning. Luke was never a major disciple of Jesus, but rather a once-removed disciple of Paul, who the risen Jesus personally converted on the road to Damascus. There are records of Luke traveling with Paul and evangelizing alongside him.

Luke was also known as a healer, a physician, so we would expect him to have above-average intelligence. As Luke authored his Gospel, he quoted eyewitnesses who had seen and heard the Savior speak; eyewitnesses who had personally seen miracles play out! I look at Luke as an investigative reporter who interviewed countless people and condensed their stories into an accurate biography of Jesus’ life. He’s writing to “Theophilus,” which means, “Lover of God.” We don’t know if Theophilus is a person, a group of God lovers, or all those who love the Lord nowadays. Perhaps, “All of the above!” Luke stresses the accuracy and truthfulness of his Jesus biography. So listen up and take good notes!

So that we know our location on the timeline of history, Luke tells us that Herod was the king, and Zechariah was serving as a Temple priest. Z’s wife Elizabeth was barren, so they were without children. And Luke tells us, “They were both very old.” Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations, and yet, childless.

The odds were against anyone serving in the Temple sanctuary. It was the day for Z’s group to serve, but they chose by lot which individual would receive the honored call. Much happened while Z was serving, which we’ll cover next time. See how this plays out in God’s vast eternal plan! Hint: Elizabeth was a cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Rescue!

For Friday, November 25, 2022:

Mark 1:2 NLT: “The Good News about Jesus the Messiah began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way.’”

This coming Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, four weeks in which we prepare for our Lord’s arrival. God was preparing us for that arrival! The Lord sent prophecy through Isaiah 700 years before the actual event!

The messenger turned out to be John the Baptist! He counseled the Jews to repent and return to the Lord, so that when Jesus arrived, they’d be in a godly state of mind. That just makes Jesus’ work go more smoothly.

The plan for our redemption was in motion! Heaven doesn’t leave its wounded on the battlefield! We are rescued, redeemed by the work Jesus did on the cross. Both then and now, salvation was at hand!

God is in the rescue business!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

You're Included!

November 23, 2020 Monday Message: 

John 17:20 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.”

In one simple sentence, Jesus included us in the growth plan for Christianity. The original disciples told others, who told others, etc. And before he returned to the Father, Jesus reminded his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. We call that the Great Commission, and it’s intended that all believers would share the Good News with others. 

Hard to believe, but Jesus prayed for us 2,000 years ago. The scripture says he prayed for “all who will ever believe in me,” and that’s us! Appreciate the magnitude of Jesus including you in his prayers for the Holy Family!

This coming Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. What a perfect time to weave the impact of a redeemer coming to rescue mankind into our thoughts and our messages. Jesus WILL come again, fulfilling the prophecies, just as he did the last time! 

Blessings and safety as we begin this week!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Prepare the Way

Dec. 01, 2014 Monday Message:

“John will lead many people in Israel to turn back to the Lord their God. He will go ahead of the Lord…” Luke 1:16-17a CEV

Never underestimate the value of preparing the way. That’s what John the Baptist did - he prepared the way for Jesus.

Jesus could have simply appeared at the appointed time: “Hey! Great Redeemer, here! Anybody interested?” Probably not.

But John got the people ready: “Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!” He told the people to expect the Messiah, to watch for the Messiah. John encouraged people to repent and return to the Lord, and he baptized them in the Jordan. When Jesus came forth for baptism, John said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the One…” And John testified that the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, like a dove from heaven.

Because of John’s work, when it was time for Jesus’ ministry to begin, people were ready for it. “I’ve heard about this. I’m on-board; I want to be part of it too! So this is what John was talking about!” In other words, the people weren’t taken by surprise; they were well prepared.

By the way - it’s always a good idea to thoroughly prepare your congregation for any significant change. Preparing the way, you see, is biblical!

Norton Lawellin

Every Sunday Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, Dec. 7, Pastor Michael Pilla continues our Advent journey.

Advent = Adventure!

Dec. 02, 2013 Monday Message:

“Your wife Elizabeth will give you a son, and you are to name him John.” (Luke 1:13b) 

If your family had a big vacation coming up, a major out-of-town trip, you wouldn’t just jump in the car and take off. First there would be planning. What cities should we visit? How do we get from one to another? Let’s plan a route.

Once we’ve arrived, whom do we plan to visit? We should let them know that we’re on the way! What attractions do we want to see? Do we need to buy tickets? Do we need hotel reservations?

Before we can even think of leaving, we need to pack a suitcase. How long will we be gone? Will it be warm or cold? What clothes should I bring?

Who’s going to watch our house? Somebody should pick up the mail. Should we stop the newspaper delivery?

2000 years ago, the Son of God was planning a major journey into our world, and God wanted to prepare the way for the King of kings. John the Baptist was the point-person for this preparation project.

John had two key items on his agenda:

1. “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Right here, right now! Let everyone know! No longer would we have to look to heaven to find God; He would be walking among us!

2. “Repent and return to the Lord.” This has been a recurring theme throughout the Bible. From the Garden of Eden until today, people have needed to get right with God and change their lives; becoming radically transformed by the Holy Spirit.

This past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent, which has the same root as our word, “adventure.” That’s a good description of what we’ll be celebrating this month – the Son of Man coming to redeem us! What an adventure!

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 Sunday, Dec. 08, Pastor Daisy continues with the story of Jesus coming to our world, Luke 1:26-45. See you at church!