Dr. Luke!

For Thursday, November 20, 2025:

Luke 1:3-4 NLT: “Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, followed by Advent and then Christmas. So I thought is would be a good time to review Luke from the beginning. Luke was never a major disciple of Jesus, but rather a once-removed disciple of Paul, who the risen Jesus personally converted on the road to Damascus. There are records of Luke traveling with Paul and evangelizing alongside him.

Luke was also known as a healer, a physician, so we would expect him to have above-average intelligence. As Luke authored his Gospel, he quoted eyewitnesses who had seen and heard the Savior speak; eyewitnesses who had personally seen miracles play out! I look at Luke as an investigative reporter who interviewed countless people and condensed their stories into an accurate biography of Jesus’ life. He’s writing to “Theophilus,” which means, “Lover of God.” We don’t know if Theophilus is a person, a group of God lovers, or all those who love the Lord nowadays. Perhaps, “All of the above!” Luke stresses the accuracy and truthfulness of his Jesus biography. So listen up and take good notes!

So that we know our location on the timeline of history, Luke tells us that Herod was the king, and Zechariah was serving as a Temple priest. Z’s wife Elizabeth was barren, so they were without children. And Luke tells us, “They were both very old.” Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations, and yet, childless.

The odds were against anyone serving in the Temple sanctuary. It was the day for Z’s group to serve, but they chose by lot which individual would receive the honored call. Much happened while Z was serving, which we’ll cover next time. See how this plays out in God’s vast eternal plan! Hint: Elizabeth was a cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Book of Life!

For Thursday, May 8, 2025:

Luke 10:20 NLT, Jesus, speaking to the 72: “Don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

None of the 72 had ever cast out a demon on their own. But now, using the name of Jesus, it worked every time! They were amazed!

Of course that’s all good, but Jesus had something much more important to share. Because their sins are now forgiven, their names are written in the Book of Life. That’s a registry of all who will spend eternity in the presence of God Almighty. And that means that they’ve all been rescued from Satan’s eternity, the lake of fire. That’s a gift worthy of celebration!

More people knowing Jesus as God’s Son, the Messiah, means that they too will be rescued. That’s why we’re all on an evangelical mission, so we can read their names in the Book of Life alongside ours!

Having more believers pleases God. His desire is that all would repent and return. Let’s put a smile on his face!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Walk in the Light!

For Tuesday, April 15, 2025:

John 12:36 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”

Jesus, God and heavenly things are light. Satan, demons and all evil are darkness. Addressing the crowd, Jesus shows that he still has a sense of humor, stating the obvious in a “duh” moment: “Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going!”

Ever the evangelist, Jesus is recruiting for his team until the end. For him, sharing the Good News is a 24/7 task. That job has been reassigned to today’s believers. We’re to make disciples of all nations. Jesus has delayed his return so we can add to our number. He wants to give everyone the chance to have an abundant life after this life!

The Apostle John, arguably Jesus’ best friend, said it best: “To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God,” daughters and sons of the Most High! We’ve been adopted into the Holy Family!

Walk in the light!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God-approved!

For Sunday, November 10, 2024:

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT: “We speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”

Paul, who had the first-person encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, knew that the Good News wouldn’t be accepted everywhere. But he remained faithful in answering his call to preach the Gospel. His goal was not to please mankind, but rather to please the Lord.

That goal should be for all of us. We can’t falsify our beliefs or simply pretend to know Jesus, because God knows our hearts. If we’re ‘ALL IN’ for Jesus, we can join the ranks of messengers approved by God. Not everyone will choose to listen to our message, but remember that our goal is to honor God, not mankind.

If God examines your motives, he should find love for our Creator and love for our fellows. We share the Gospel hoping to help our neighbors find a better way. That’s what Jesus commissioned us to do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Jesus' Teachings!

September 16, 2024 Monday Message:

James 2:1 NLT: “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?”

James writes in order to encourage his readers to live consistently with what they have learned from Jesus. Surprisingly, many who know Jesus’ teaching – guidelines for living our lives – don’t put his instructions into action. When Jesus said, “Love your neighbors,” he meant ALL of them!

Jesus came to the earth through the Jews, but he came FOR people of all races, all countries and all colors. Believers who know the Good News have been designated “teachers” – evangelists challenged to make disciples of ALL nations. Jesus said so!

As a nation, the US has a cloudy past in this area. Over 150 years ago, a civil war was fought and won on the principle that all men (people) are created equal. The law says that everyone in the US should have the same opportunities. Everyone has the same right to be included. Exclusion based on someone’s race or color is now illegal.

In 150 years, we have learned that we can change laws, but it’s a lot more challenging to change hearts. If Jesus was still among us, he’d say that there’s still a lot of work to do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Pristhood!

For Friday, June 28, 2024:

1 Peter 3:15 NLT: “You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”

Christians speak of the “Priesthood of all believers.” That doesn’t mean that we all have to wear black garb and quit our day-jobs! But remember that the early church, “The Way,” grew through attraction. Observers liked what they saw, and wanted to become a part of it. So they inquired of the general membership, people like you and me. Explaining their faith wasn’t limited to the apostles or church leaders. All of us are called to task, and should have the proper answers at hand whenever asked. In a way, we’re all evangelists for Jesus!

So a church member has a two-fold purpose:

#1. To worship God and his Son as creators of everything – the ultimate supreme God!

#2. To share the Good News of forgiveness, redemption and salvation through the Son. Remember, God’s desire is that none would perish!

Jesus said to make disciples of all nations, so let’s all get busy!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Perpetual Evangelists!

For Tuesday, May 7, 2024:

Luke 10:16 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”

Believers have been commissioned by Jesus to spread the Good News! It won’t be easy! Jews didn’t like Jesus-followers drawing people out of their Synagogues. They were stubborn, failing at the First Covenant and unwilling to even consider a New Covenant. The New Covenant involves repentance, forgiveness and a fresh start; a do-over! And Rome, in charge of government things at the time, taught that Caesar had divine powers, that Caesar was a god. That these diverse groups could coexist was somewhat of a miracle!

Into this fray, Jesus positions believes as evangelists. But beware! We are as vulnerable as sheep among wolves. At the time, Israel’s economy was agriculture-based. Almost everyone had tended sheep at one time or another. Everyone understood what would happen when wolves showed up! Shrewdness ensures survival!

Jesus says if the audience is listening to the Good News, keep preaching. But if they reject the redeeming message, shake their dust off your shoes and get out of town. Don’t be angry or mad. Be as harmless as little doves. Don’t ever quit being an evangelist. Simply move on to the next town!

There are sinners everywhere who need to hear the Good News!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Evangelist!

For Thursday, September 15, 2022:

Mark 5:18 NLT: “As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him.”

Jesus was an itinerant preacher, meaning he intentionally traveled from place to place to spread the Good News to more people. He had healed this man, cast out the demons, and now it was time to move on. Describing his situation, Jesus often said, “The Son of Man has no home!”

When someone receives a favor from our Lord, it’s natural to want to remain in his presence, and that’s not bad. But sometimes God and his Son have a different agenda. In this case, Jesus told the man to return to his family and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been. The man not only did that, but also visited the 10 towns of that region to further spread the Good News! Eyewitness testimony is always the best!

Jesus turned the demon-possessed man into an evangelist!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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