"All-in" Faith!

November 10, 2025, Monday Message:

Hebrews 11:22 NLT: “It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.”

This is one more demonstration of faith, and a good example for us. Joseph’s story is unique. He was Rachel’s firstborn but Jacob’s 11^th son, and as it turned out, Jacob’s favorite. Joseph was gifted the famous “coat of many colors,” but a better translation might be “a coat with sleeves.” Men who worked outside in cold weather wore thick vests with no sleeves, leaving their arms unencumbered to perform the required tasks. But Joseph’s coat with sleeves meant he wasn’t required to perform physical work. The elder brothers didn’t like that. Jealousy set in, and eventually the siblings kidnapped their younger brother, leaving him in a pit in the wilderness. He was rescued by Egyptians and subsequently became a servant of Pharaoh.

It all fell apart when Pharaoh’s wife took a liking to Joseph. That landed Joseph in prison until he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream. Joseph’s interpretations were given to him by God, so the grateful Pharaoh restored Joseph’s position, making him kind of like “Secretary of State” for Egypt.

When drought resulted in a food shortage in Canaan, the Israelites traveled to Egypt seeking assistance. In a way only God could plan, the person to grant aid was in the line of Israel’s patriarchs. Of course, Joseph would help his people!

To summarize, Joseph had an unshakable belief in God and God’s ability to make things right. It’s called faith! God had protected him while growing up, and protected him as he was kidnapped. God protected him as he was taken to Egypt and given a good job in Pharaoh’s court. Pharaoh’s wife lied, landing Joseph in prison, where he was protected. God’s truth pleased Pharaoh, and Joseph was restored to a key government position, exactly where God wanted him to be when his Israelite brethren needed assistance!

Joseph’s faith never ended. His faith never got wishy-washy. He was “all in,” forever a fan of the Almighty. More about “all in” faith tomorrow!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Family of God!

For Saturday, October 12, 2024:

1 John 5:1 NLT: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.”

God commanded that we are to honor our parents, but what if that doesn’t work out? I frequently read about problems in families because of absentee fathers, where there is no male leader to set an example for the youth or to make them toe the line. I’ve read of drug-addicted moms who chose to pursue their sin and then left the kids behind. Sometimes there are no parents to honor. What then?

Did you ever consider choosing your own family? I know, it sounds ridiculous, but people in churches call each other “brother” and “sister” for a reason. We can choose people with whom to do life, and believers have indeed signed up for this new family. Believers are “children of God,” adopted into the Holy Family and given all the rights and privileges of natural-born sons or daughters.

We’ll fit right in, because the family we choose shares our values. We all believe Jesus is the Son of the Living God. We believe that Jesus is the only way, the truth and path to eternal life.

Jesus arranged to forgive our sins, and will prepare a place for us in the hereafter. It’s a great family!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Last Become First!

August 12, 2024 Monday Message:

Matthew 5:11-12 NLT, Jesus speaking: “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

Unfortunately, people tend to take sides. Believers do their best to live in the shadow of the Father and his Son, while those who do not believe poke fun at those who do, even persecuting them in matters far removed from religion.

Jesus promises to straighten things out in the next reality. He taught, “Those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” This juxtaposition of pecking order is putting things back the way our Father intended. Heaven rewards loyalty, and Jesus will prepare a special place for believers in his Father’s Kingdom. There believers are blessed with eternal life alongside Jesus. By then we will have been adopted into the Holy Family. Churches that refer to members as “brother” and “sister” have the right idea.

It’ll be a huge family reunion!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Holy Family Membership!

For Sunday, March 27, 2022

Matthew 12:50 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”

Want to be a member of the Holy Family? Want to call Jesus your brother?

As he wraps up this dissertation, Jesus is telling us that he considers believers who follow God’s will members of that Holy Family, his brothers and sisters. Those who repent, return and continue to believe have eternal hope!

This is family business, and you’re now a part of that family!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406