Prodigal Son - 2

For Tuesday, July 15, 2025:

Luke 15:13 NLT: “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.”

Today we’re continuing with Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, the one who demanded his share of the inheritance while dear old dad was still alive. Moving to the big city, he quickly squandered all his money on wine, women and song. And in a perfect Murphy’s Law scenario, when his money ran out, the region’s food also ran out. Our prodigal was forced to accept employment from a farmer who raised pigs! To Jewish people, pigs were unclean, non-kosher animals. And here he was tending to their needs like a slave. Pigs were fed pods after the desirable beans had been removed, and our prodigal was so hungry that he would sneak some for himself. Wow – taking a meal with pigs! He had hit his bottom.

The younger son thought about his situation and applied some logic. “Back home, even the hired hands have enough to eat, and here I am starving.” There was only one solution. “I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” And he did just that.

The surprise comes from the father, who was watching and waiting for the wayward son to return. The father ran out and met his son on the road. The kid confessed his inappropriate actions as he said he would, but the father’s response was quite unexpected. “Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” So the lost son was fully forgiven and restored, and the celebration began. The lost son could be any of us. His father is our Father in heaven!

In relating this story, Jesus taught the value of repent and return. When our lives get off track, repent and return is the only solution. He also let us know that our Father has a boatload of forgiveness, more than you might expect. God is good, even when we’re not!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Entourage!

March 24, 2025, Monday Message:

Numbers 1:44, 46 NLT: “These were the men registered by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, all listed according to their ancestral descent. The total number was 603,550.”

How many people love the Lord? And how many of them could fight if the need arose to defend the Israelites? It’s important for a leader to have an inventory of assets, so that leader can make good decisions when problems arise. The Lord commanded Moses to take this census, and the Israelites made it happen.

God wanting Moses to know the potential size of his army tells me that he expected trouble. The people already living in Canaan, modern-day Israel, were not going to roll over and willingly give up their territory. But the Israelites will emerge victorious because it was the Lord making this their destination. God was on their side, and if God is on your side, who can stand against you?

Resettlement of the people of Israel was no small endeavor. I always assume that the majority of the 600K men are married and each family has at least two children. That means 2.5M people followed Moses out of Egypt, a much larger Exodus than in the movie!

God sent his Son Jesus to forgive the world’s sins and give everyone who would call him “Lord” a fresh start. The first Christians were all converted Jews, looking to get closer to God. And you can’t get any closer than following God’s Son! Nowadays we can be born into a Christian family. But make no mistake, each of us must make our own personal decision to claim Jesus as Lord. Heaven celebrates when even one person repents and returns to God Almighty. Like the angels, we too should celebrate when someone comes to know Jesus as Lord!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Passover – A Celebration!

For Sunday, February 2, 2025:

Exodus 12:11 NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses, “These are your instructions for eating this (Passover) meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the Lord’s Passover.”

God wants his people prepared. We’re going somewhere. Today! Be ready! Get dressed and be ready to go. Wear shoes and have your walking stick nearby. Don’t dawdle. Get right to it! God has an agenda for you today. Today is the day we’re all leaving Egypt!

By now you should have asked your Egyptian hosts for silver and gold. Surprisingly, they will be glad to finance your exit. Pharaoh is your foe, but the general Egyptian population was glad to host the Hebrew people for a time, and they will comply with your request.

This Passover miracle is so important, it is to be remembered and celebrated annually. God said so. Let us never forget all the good things He has done for us. The Passover lamb was for the Hebrew people. God’s Son served as the Passover lamb for Christian believers. He took our sin away so that we could reside in God’s forever Kingdom.

There is just one God in the entire universe, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the Hebrew God, and He is the Christian God. He is a loving and forgiving God. He is our God! Hallelujah!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Press On!

For Sunday, June 18, 2023:

Philippians 3:14 NLT: “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

Motivational speakers tell their listeners to first set a goal. If it’s not clear where you’re going, how will you know when you have arrived? Define what it is that you’re trying to achieve. Then you can divide that into incremental steps, and check things off as progress is being made.

Everyone knew about Greece’s national foot-races, the forerunner of today’s Olympics. The prize was often a wreath of olive branches, not particularly valuable but extremely coveted. Runners were told to keep their eye on the prize. Imagine yourself wearing the wreath! Picture yourself receiving accolades from your peers!

So Paul is comparing our journey towards heaven with a Greek race, something with which his audience would be familiar. There may be missteps along the way, but that’s not the issue. The Christian prize has eternal ramifications, and we are counseled to not get off on a side track. We’re to keep our eyes on victory, on the big prize. Jesus has already done most of the running for us, so have faith in him and in the Father. Remember that Jesus’ mission was to rescue mankind, and he always does a good job!

Celebrate your progress in the eternity race! Be joyful! Let your face know!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Jump for Joy!

For Wednesday, August 3, 2022:

Malachi 4:2 NLT, words of the Lord: “For you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.”

OK, you have to remember that in Bible times, most people knew how farms and ranches worked. You couldn’t go to Coborn’s and buy the cut of meat you wanted for dinner. If you wanted beef, you had to raise it! And when you’ve just fed the calves, the young-uns, they want to run and play just like little kids! Nowadays we might just say that those who revere God will jump for joy!

That’s always been part of my philosophy, that worship should be fun, something to which we look forward, something that excites us. Worship should never be a burden. Worship is an opportunity to connect with the Lord, and that’s always a good thing.

I love it when young children hear the worship music and start to dance. We should all frolic like well-fed calves! That’s what the Bible says!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Rise Up, O Lord!

For Thursday, May 5, 2022:

Psalm 21:13 NLT: “Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.”

This one verse in the Bible contains two distinct thoughts. The first is as needed nowadays as it was in David’s time: a call for God to rise up, take charge and be noticed. Mankind needs God to define truth and to stand up for the righteous, so that even non-believers can clearly see that there is a creator God!

David has faith, fully expecting God to come through for the believers. Therefore praise and worship are called for. And David believes worship should be a celebration! Play music, sing songs, throw your entire self into the celebration! Worship should be a happy time, something to which we look forward each week – or each day, because we can worship at home too, or in our cars!

Thank the Lord for the hope he has given us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Joyful!

For Thursday, June 3, 2021

Psalm 149:3 ESV: “Praise the Lord’s name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!”

You’ve heard the term, “Jump for joy!” I’ve seen children so excited about something that they just can’t sit still! They’re running and shouting and jumping into the air! We should come before the Lord like children, not just with their child-like innocence, but also with their child-like enthusiasm!

Thankfully, in the 21^st century church, we no longer have to sit in straight rows on wooden benches with our heads down! While corporate worship requires order, coming before the Lord should be a celebration! Attending a church and worshiping the Lord shouldn’t be a burden; it should be joyful, fun and something to which we look forward!

At church we see our friends and have a good time. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Blessings to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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