Cornerstone!

For Wednesday, September 16, 2026:

Acts 4:11 NLT: “Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’”

In a building, a cornerstone holds intersecting walls together. But when used in this context, the cornerstone holds theology together. The coming of Jesus represents the arrival of the New Covenant. What changed?

Under the old covenant, God’s people were supposed to follow laws or commandments. In general, people weren’t very good at that. The only hope for salvation was if God would intervene, and he did by sending his Son Jesus, who would eventually become the sacrifice for the sins of the world. No longer would people have to strain to remember 613 commandments. They could claim Jesus as their Savior, thereby rejoicing in assurance of salvation.

Jesus was at first rejected by religious leaders. Unfortunately, some still reject him. But eyewitnesses saw truth in Jesus’ teaching, and he was recognized as the cornerstone for all 2.6B Christians in the world.

Claim this for yourself. Is Jesus the cornerstone in your life?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Jesus' True Words!

October 6, 2025, Monday Message:

Luke 20:17b NLT, Jesus, quoting Psalm 118:22: “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”

Last Sunday, our preacher stated that the death of a martyr often triggers a revival or a revolution. When Jesus was about to face death, He was rejected by all those who should have been his biggest supporters: Priests, Bible teachers, Pharisees and Temple leaders. His (Father’s) foundational principles became the cornerstone of The Way, which became Christianity, the world’s largest religion with 2.3B followers. Turns out that it’s best to NOT reject Jesus!

Any gods prior to Jesus (and his Father) were fictitious, made-up gods. Back then, you could buy a god-statuette – even a nice silver one – at the local market, bring it home and put it up on your mantle. And what you had was a nice decoration, not any kind of a real God. Jesus performed healings and miracles that were well documented. Jesus even raised a few people from the dead, notably Lazarus, the Centurion’s son and the Widow’s Son. After Jesus, there was a significant decrease in fictitious gods, because Jesus’ actions were factually recorded.

Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Every word Jesus said has proven to be true, and this statement is no exception. People who say that all religions lead to heaven are wrong.

Other examples: Martin Luther was trying to get his denomination back to the Bible. He nailed his list of issues to the church door in Wittenberg. He used Gutenberg’s printing method to publish the Bible in his native language. He was never trying to break away from the church or to start a new religion. But when he passed, his followers continued the work, calling themselves “Lutherans,” and Protestant Christianity was born.

In 1964, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance. He continued on that path while preaching Jesus until his demise. When he was assassinated in 1968, the Civil Rights movement went into high gear. The protests, marches and positive changes increased. His efforts changed our country forever.

I always try to keep these messages non-political. Our topic is Jesus, not politics. But I couldn’t help but notice the many references to Jesus and forgiveness as the news covered Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Perhaps Jesus will serve as the common denominator to draw our nation back together. Perhaps we will love one another once again! After all, that’s what Jesus said to do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Eyewitness!

 

For Tuesday, June 11, 2024:

1 Peter 2:7b NLT: “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”

As Peter is writing to Christians, he quotes Old Testament scripture. These same words were in Psalm 118 as a prophesy. Now those words have come to fruition concerning Jesus. He was rejected by the religious hierarchy and the governmental authority. But along the way, Jesus added convinced believers to his number. Many people were eyewitnesses to the insightful teaching, miracles and healings. When someone has seen a miracle with their own two eyes, it seems impossible to alter their thinking.

If you had witnessed, “The blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor,” your conviction will not be shaken! Add to that the casting out of demons. Jesus offers us a complete “Savior” package!

We base our faith on eyewitness testimonies of those who walked alongside Jesus. He was rejected by many, but he is our cornerstone!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Cornerstone!

June 10, 2024, Monday Message:

1 Peter 2:6 NLT: “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

Many people knew that there was a spiritual significance surrounding Jesus. But was this supposed to be Judaism 2.0? Or perhaps a whole new religion, something entirely different? Suffice it to say that there were believers before anyone knew how Christianity worked!

There’s a lot to take in – That all mankind has sinned; that Jesus, Son-of-God, came to arrange forgiveness of those sins. He gave his life to complete this assignment, and God calls his Son the Cornerstone, the solid foundation upon which the rest of our lives can be built!

God will be walking alongside us as we learn about his Son. As we garner more knowledge about Jesus, we’re locking in our salvation. God’s desire is that none would perish, and that all would repent and return.

Be a part of the group that repents and returns!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Cornerstone of Hope!

For Thursday, April 14, 2022:

Matthew 21:42 NIV: Jesus asked the religious leaders, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’”

When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this Jesus’ words, they realized he was telling the story against them. Sadly, their goals were too shallow. They were seeking only liberation from Roman occupation, while Jesus was sent to liberate them from their sin problem.

Today, faith in that same Jesus will separate us from our sins. Believers know that Jesus took all the sins of the world to the place of the dead, and left those with faith cleansed, prepared to take up residence in God’s eternal Kingdom, Heaven!

When God’s people were seeking hope, he sent his Son, Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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