Eternal Life!

For Saturday, April 25, 2026:

Romans 8:11 NLT: “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”

Two important things happened between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. First, the sins of the world were heaped upon Jesus, who was otherwise sinless. His primary mission in coming to earth was the rescue of mankind from our sin problem. I believe this occurred when Jesus declared, “It is finished.” His mission had been accomplished. He would take those sins to the place of the dead, leaving mankind spotless, eligible to take up residence in God’s heavenly Kingdom.

And on resurrection Sunday, Jesus was raised from the dead and walked out of the tomb. He proved to everyone that there is life after this life, and that death is not the end. Believers, those who call Jesus “Lord,” will receive that same reward. We call it Assurance of Salvation.

If you’re looking for a guarantee of someday seeing heaven from the inside, here it is. No other religion can promise Assurance of Salvation. This scripture quotes the words of Jesus, which we know to be true! They’re in the Bible, which is also truth!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Prophecy Fulfilled!

For Wednesday, April 8, 2026:

Luke 24:13 NLT: “The same day as the resurrection, two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem.”

The story of Resurrection Day wouldn’t be complete without a look at the walk to Emmaus. The two men were believers, and had traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. But the crucifixion put a damper on things, and the two decided to return home.

Their walk began as the women discovered the tomb open, and the body of Jesus missing. Where was he? Suddenly a third man began walking alongside the first two, and they struck up a conversation. The newcomer asked, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

The first two looked sad. “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about what happened the last few days; bad things that happened to Jesus of Nazareth.” Somehow, they didn’t recognize Jesus. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.”

Jesus responds by explaining scripture: “Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Arriving in Emmaus, it was getting late, and the two invited Jesus to stay the night with them. He agreed. As they sat down to dinner, Jesus blessed the bread, broke it, and... Voilà! Their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus, who immediately disappeared from sight!

The two did a 180º and headed back to Jerusalem. They felt compelled to share this Good News with the remaining 11 apostles. Jesus is alive! He can walk and talk! He has risen from the dead, just as he said he would!

To Jesus and those who love him, death is not the end!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Cleaning Out the Temple!

March 30, 2026, Monday Message:

Mark 11:15a NLT: “Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices.”

Yesterday, we celebrated Palm Sunday, when Jesus made his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. People waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna, save us, save us now!” Both the Pharisees and the Roman army ordered Jesus to silence his people, but Jesus told them that even rocks would cry out, celebrating the return of God’s Son to Jerusalem, celebrating sins being forgiven!

So today became the day to clean house at the Temple. It seems to me like Jesus had a list titled “Things to do before the crucifixion,” and this topped the list.

The Temple had three general areas. The innermost was the “Holy of Holies,” reserved for God. The Temple Sanctuary was for worship, sacrifices and Jewish traditions and rituals. The outer court was where all hell broke loose, and I mean that literally. Lies were uttered, scams took place and merchants took advantage of visitors.

Let me explain. Devout Jews would travel hundreds of miles, bringing their best animal to sacrifice to the Lord at the Temple. Upon arrival, they were told that their animal wasn’t suitable, and they would have to purchase a different animal, which was conveniently available right up the street at an inflated price. Of course, the visitors only had their native currency, so money-changers saw an opportunity to make another unfair shekel. This was the scam taking place in God’s house, and Jesus would have none of it. He drove the animals out of the Temple, and overturned the money-changer’s tables! Jesus stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He concluded: “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

Jesus’ opinion on this hasn’t changed. There will be times when we need to collect money at a church, but honesty should be the key: no scams and no over-inflated prices. You don’t want Jesus to have to overturn your money tables!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Expect the Unexpected

For Wednesday, January 28, 2026:

Three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, the women visited the tomb to care for his body. They encountered a man dressed in a white robe.

(Mark 16:6 NIV:) “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”

Jesus conquered both sin and death during the same event. He first took the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Then he rose from the grave, defying death. When dealing with Jesus, expect the unexpected!

We’ve been retelling this story for 2K years, so we’ve heard this all before. But Jesus’ followers were witnessing this scenario for the first time. The closest to this anyone had seen was when Jesus resurrected the daughter of Jairus, or perhaps when Lazarus was brought back to life. But never before had anyone made themselves alive again. Clearly, Jesus had authority over life and death.

This is extremely good news for those of us who believe. Jesus had proven beyond a doubt that there indeed was life after this life. Death is not the end. Because our sins were taken away and forgiven, believers have a reservation in God’s forever heavenly Kingdom. We are blessed with Assurance of Salvation, something no other religion has.

Put your faith, hope and trust in Jesus, and your life after this life will be a good one. Jesus won’t let you down!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Emmaus!

For Saturday, January 3, 2025:

Luke 24:13 NLT: “That same day, (Jesus’ resurrection day,) two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem.”

The crucifixion and resurrection were not the end! The risen Jesus now seems to have traits of the Father himself: omnipresence and omnipotence. He could appear at any place at any time and had life-changing power.

(My 2¢...) I believe Jesus was fun to be around. He was often the first invited to a dinner or party. His life always had purpose, but he’d find a fun way to accomplish his goals. He wasn’t against pranking someone, and when the day ended, they’d all have a good laugh!

On resurrection day, our two men were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a short day’s walk. These believers were returning home after witnessing a brutal crucifixion and the death of their spiritual mentor, when a third person suddenly joined them. The discussion turned to recent events in Jerusalem, specifically the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. That third traveler pretended that he hadn’t heard about those events, and the first two quickly got him up to speed. “We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.” In their minds, it was over. Jesus was gone forever.

But now the third man had to set the record straight via the scriptures. “Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” He took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining the things concerning recent events.

Darkness was about to fall, and the two encouraged their new friend to stay the night. As they sat for dinner, their guest took the bread, blessed it, and gave some to each person. And voilà, their eyes were opened! That’s when Jesus disappeared from view. Turns out they had been walking alongside Jesus himself! Turns out Jesus was in their house, sitting right at their table! What an honor!

I’ll bet that Jesus left with a hearty laugh and a twinkle in his eye, having further educated these believers with a heavenly prank!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Presence of Jesus!

For Saturday, August 30, 2025:

Mark 14:7 NLT, Jesus speaking: “You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.”

Jesus knew his time on our planet was limited. And his point is that if you have the opportunity to speak with the Son of God, or perhaps sit down and take a meal with him, to always exploit that event. You may never get another chance.

Remember when Martha remained in the kitchen while her sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. If the Master is teaching, you’d better take a chair and listen!

In fact we all need to be intentional about learning. Knowledge about God, Jesus, heaven and the Kingdom is gained bit by bit. So we all need to read our Bibles, listen to sermons, and fact-check the sermon against what the Bible says. Truth is God’s opinion on everything!

We are to love the Lord and love our neighbors, but loving our neighbors never takes precedence over loving the Lord!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Jesus' Dilemma!

For Saturday, August 2, 2025:

John 12:27 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!”

One cannot look forward to crucifixion with joy. Not only is death is the end result, but it’s a horrendous and callous way to take someone’s life. The floggings in the hot sun that preceded the actual crucifixion may have been a blessing for the victim. In their weakened state, death would come quickly. The Romans had perfected this hideous manner of execution.

Jesus was known for healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons. He was an excellent teacher of the Bible, expositing scripture with clarity that had been missing for centuries. But his main purpose in coming to Earth was to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world. If he’s a sacrifice, that implies death, and no one looks forward to dying. But it would be a perfect fit with the Father’s plan for rescuing mankind. So what to do? Do you see the dilemma?

Of course we all know how the story ends. Jesus was obedient, and he chose to take the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Believers are the beneficiaries of his actions. What those around him didn’t quite understand was that he’d be back in three days, full resurrected, brought back to life! Jesus’ followers could see him and hear him speak for another forty days before he ascended back to the Father. The followers could bring their friends and show them the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. Fence sitters would leap to the “Jesus Camp!”

Jesus commissioned us to make disciples of all nations, and we can retell this story any time it might be helpful!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Beginning of the End!

For Tuesday, July 29, 2025:

John 12:23 NLT: “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.”

In this Gospel, the Palm Parade is behind us, and the cross is in the future. Answering questions, Jesus predicts his death.

A terrible time is coming. Betrayal, false arrest, kangaroo court, whippings and finally crucifixion lay in Jesus’ future. Sounds terrible, and it was. But if Jesus is to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world, his death is part of God’s vast eternal plan! Like many things in life, this too will pass, and things will be much better when it does. Jesus’ life will be better as he is resurrected and eventually returns to heaven. Our lives will be better as the penalty has been prepaid for our sins. Jesus made it possible for mankind to spend eternity with Almighty God in His Kingdom.

All those who serve Jesus, those who call him Savior, are holding heavenly tickets. We will join Jesus in the hereafter. Remember that God’s desire is that none would perish; that all would repent and return. Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place for us. No need to pack. Everything will be provided. God is good!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Maundy Thursday!

For Thursday, April 17, 2025:

John 13:21 NLT: “Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

Today is Maundy Thursday. We remember Jesus gathering his best friends for their final meal together. He left us with the sacrament of Holy Communion. “Do this to remember me.” And it’s Jesus’ final night as a human walking the earth alongside mankind. He was betrayed by Judas, falsely arrested and judged guilty by those in power, steps that would lead to his crucifixion. Things appear to have been falling apart at a surprisingly rapid pace! But God may have been thinking, “If Jesus is to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world, let’s not drag this out!” Just my theory.

Most people are sad, even to the point of morbid, on Good Friday. But we should be glad that Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Believers were thereby redeemed! And this whole scenario was fulfilling God’s plan to rescue mankind! God’s plan can’t be bad!

In the Hebrew culture 2k years ago, any part of a day was counted as a day. Jesus died and was placed in a tomb on Friday. Saturday was the Sabbath when no work could be done. And on Sunday, Jesus was resurrected, amazingly brought back to life. Three days! He would eventually return to the Father in heaven!

Mankind would be amazed!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Mission Accomplished!

For Friday, April 12, 2024:

Colossians 2:14 NLT: “Jesus canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”

Jesus’ work is thorough. He leaves nothing unfinished. Not only does he forgive the sins of all who repent and return, he also removes any record of believers ever having sinned. Jesus expunged our sin record, leaving us pure and innocent, ready to enter eternity with the Lord!

I imagine the scenario like this: Those guarding heaven’s gates will assume that since we lived on earth, we are sinners. After all, the Bible says, “All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” They look surprised when they find our names in the Book of Life. And then they’ll slide over to the column titled “sin.” Another surprise – the space will be blank as if we had never ever sinned. No eraser marks, no scratch-outs, no hint that at one time we did sin. You could say that Jesus fully prepared us to meet our maker!

Those who advocated for the crucifixion felt – with Jesus nailed to the cross – like they had won. They did not. In that one event, Jesus conquered both sin and death. His mission was to rescue mankind, and when Jesus was resurrected, he could walk around saying, “Mission accomplished!” (He could have also said, “I told you so,” but that’s not his nature!)

Give thanks to Jesus for granting us a ticket to spend eternity in God’s presence!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Crucifixion

For Thursday, March 28, 2024:

Mark 15:31 NLT: “The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. ‘He saved others,’ they scoffed, ‘but he can’t save himself!’”

A passerby named Simon was forced to carry Jesus’ cross up the hill to Golgotha, the place of the scull. Soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross, and then cast lots to divide his clothes. A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.”

Succumbing to “mob mentality,” everyone passing by – the priests, teachers of religious law, friends and enemies alike – chose to hurl insults at Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself!” It’s easier to kick someone when they’re down.

Two criminals were crucified alongside Jesus, and they too mocked him. But as death drew closer, one changed his tune. He pleaded, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “Today you will be with me in paradise!”

That’s a major plank in our theological platform. Believers, when your soul, your eternal essence no longer requires a body, you will be present with the Lord. Jesus said so!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Day of Crucifixion

For Wednesday, March 27, 2024:

Mark 15:17 NLT: “The soldiers dressed Jesus in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head.”

Apparently it wasn’t enough to just crucify someone at the lowest point in their life. The soldiers had to first make fun of Jesus, to mock him. Jesus had always claimed to be “King of the Jews,” and now he’s about to be crucified. So they dressed Jesus in a purple robe, the color royalty would wear. The soldiers placed a crown on his head, but it was a crown of thorns. They flogged Jesus with a lead-tipped whip.

Then the soldiers saluted and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” They knelt down in mock worship. Jesus was struck on the head with reeds and spit upon. Eventually the soldiers grew tired of mocking Jesus. It was time to move ahead with the crucifixion.

Simon from Cyrene was recruited to carry the cross, and they proceeded to a place known as Golgotha, which means “Place of the scull.”

The soldiers nailed Jesus to his cross, and then cast lots for his clothing. All this happened before 9AM. The remainder of the saddest day in history lay ahead.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Miracles!

For Wednesday, August 9, 2023:

Romans 4:25 NLT: “Jesus was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”

Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead. But that’s not the end of the miracle. Just as predicted, on the 3^rd day, Jesus rose from the dead! He was up, walking about where everyone could see him. So in what was probably the biggest miracle since creation, God and his Son solved mankind’s problems of sin and death. Without sin, we became eligible to spend eternity in God’s presence. And as a friend of Jesus, he promised to prepare our place in the Kingdom.

The question isn’t if we will live forever. It’s “Where will you be spending your time?” I want to live where Jesus lives!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Grief becomes Joy!

May 8, 2023 Monday Message:

John 16:20 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.”

There are only two groups; those who are with Jesus and those who are with the world (the sheep and the goats.) Omniscient Jesus knows what is coming: the betrayal, the torture and ultimately crucifixion. As Jesus dies on the cross, the world – including Pharisees, religious leaders and a lot of the general public – think they have done a good thing. At first glance, it appears they are wrong!

On the other hand, grieving believers will be sad. They had made a commitment to the “Jesus” version of religion, and now their leader, their mentor would be absent.

I think it’s fair to say that at that time, no one other than Jesus really understood God’s plan for the redemption of mankind. A curious juxtaposition of joy and sadness was on the way. Surprisingly, the execution of our Savior did nothing to slow his followers. When Jesus rose from the dead, Christianity grew by leaps and bounds. In fact on the day of Pentecost, 3,000 were added to their number! Knowing that Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead, the believer’s sadness had turned to joy! Believers were redeemed!

But now those who opposed Jesus were beginning to second-guess their decisions and beliefs. Those who thought they were doing the right thing became sad when they examined the facts. And those who mourned Jesus were overjoyed that he rose from the dead! God is good!

Grief turned to joy, just like Jesus said!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship