Matthew!

 For Sunday, June 28, 2026: 

Luke 5:28 NLT: “Levi got up, left everything, and followed Jesus.”

 Being a tax collector is not easy. It involves making a decision to accept a position with the opposition, with those who have been persecuting your people. In simple words, you’re knowingly working for the bad guys! All your Hebrew friends dislike you because you’re working for the Romans.

 The Bible often describes “sinners and tax collectors” when listing evil people. Tax collectors were thought to be a step worse than regular sinners. Most tax collectors lived an opulent lifestyle. It was well known that they’d add a little extra to the tax, and then skim those shekels for themselves. But in spite of their wealth, most tax collectors were not happy. They had been raised as Jews and would be more content living out their divine purpose.

 So when Jesus said, “Follow me and be my disciple,” Levi was primed and ready to go! He threw a huge banquet at his home to honor Jesus. He invited other tax collectors and government officials. He had previously made a decision to become this tax collector, but today he was making a decision to follow Jesus. He was proud of his new decision and wanted all his friends to know, hence the gathering.

 We all have a “before Jesus” story and an “after Jesus” story. No matter how you lived your life before Jesus, those days are in the past. There is no sin too great that it cannot be covered by the sacrifice made by Jesus. Followers of Jesus are 100% forgiven. God is more concerned with your turning point, when you made your decision to follow the Son. That decision changed everything. Believers are then adopted into the Holy Family. As such, we share all the rights and privileges of those who call heaven home.

 That day, Levi wasn’t just deciding in favor of Jesus. He was locking in his eternal destiny. We know Levi as the Apostle Matthew!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
The Father’s House
Jesus In the City Fellowship
Truth & Freedom Church

Testify Truth!

For Friday, June 26, 2026:

John 15:27 NLT, Jesus speaking: “You must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.”

Jesus was telling all the gathered disciples to continue the Good News ministry after he returned to the Father. Some had been with him from the beginning and were eyewitnesses to every miracle and every healing. Others joined the entourage later, but they did so because of what Jesus did for them or from what they had seen. They have sufficient experiences about which to testify!

Consider Mary Magdalene. Jesus cast out seven demons from her, turning her life around. She in turn traveled with Jesus’ followers and helped support them financially. She witnessed the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension. Her testimony would be completely valid.

Each of us has a “before Jesus” story and an “after Jesus” story. Our testimony should be about the positive changes as the result of that transition. Knowing that we are forgiven and have a place in eternity is no small thing! Having Assurance of Salvation makes for a great testimony!

What is your “changed life” story? It’s time to rehearse. Many need to hear what you have to say!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

I'll Be Back!

October 27, 2025, Monday Message:

John 14:28 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.”

Dream with me that we could have been alive back when Jesus was here. We would have been eyewitnesses to Jesus changing the world. After Jesus, everything was different. After Jesus, everything was better!

Allowing demons in our lives is akin to dropping sand into smooth-running gears. Many people suffered life-long illnesses, and Jesus either cured the sickness or cast out the demon responsible for the problem. Sometimes those demons would end someone’s life prematurely, and Jesus would raise the dead, correcting the mistake. Jesus empowered his followers to do as he had done: Heal the sick, cure leprosy, raise the dead and cast out demons. He aided the world in operating according to God’s vast eternal plan.

At this point, Jesus told the believers, “I am going away, but I will come back to you again.” I’m sure that many were distraught when their spiritual mentor said he was leaving. “Don’t go,” they shouted! Those people didn’t realize the benefit of Jesus’ leaving. This act would enable him to take the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Therefore, believers would appear sinless in the Book of Life, eligible to take up residence in God’s Eternal Kingdom. Believers would receive the best gift of all, being Heaven-bound, before they even understood how salvation worked.

Jesus was going ahead to prepare a place for his flock. God allowed a little extra time so that more people could hear the Good News. Jesus promised that He’ll be back. He cannot lie, so, “People get ready...

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Walls Torn Down!

For Wednesday, October 1, 2025:

Hebrews 10:21-22 NLT: “Since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.”

God desires to live among the people he created. The Bible says that God loves us! The problem arises that there can be no sin in the presence of the Lord. By definition, sin and God don’t go together. What to do?

The presence of the Lord was in a special inner room, the Holy of Holies or the Most Holy Place. The entrance was covered by a large, very heavy curtain. Mankind could visit the Temple where God was exalted, but we had separate spaces.

Enter Jesus. After Jesus, everything is different. After Jesus, everything is better! As he died on the cross, Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead and left them there. Mankind had been forgiven, redeemed, purchased back from Satan’s pawn shop, Jesus himself being the ultimate sacrifice for the world’s sins. And since mankind was no longer carrying a sin-burden, there was no longer a need for separation from God. The giant curtain was torn from top to bottom, a sign that God was doing the tearing! There was now nothing separating the creation, mankind, from our Creator God. He says our sins are forgiven and forgotten, and God is never wrong!

If we’re expecting company, my wife wants our place to look nice, so I go outside to mow the lawn and straighten up the yard. I work hard. Then I hear, “You’ll need a shower before they get here!” We want to look our best when meeting someone for the first time! Fortunately, we have Jesus to clean us up before we meet the Father!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship