Eternal Address!

For Saturday, June 21, 2025:

John 10:11 NIV, Jesus speaking: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Jesus again uses an agricultural analogy to make his point. Most young men and some women had experience in sheep-tending. So let’s examine the commitment level of the various shepherds.

Hired hands are just that. “I’ll watch your sheep, but I expect a paycheck.” They’re only in it for the money. You don’t have enough money to get them to stay on through big problems.

The chief shepherd is a leader. He makes certain that the sheep have food and water. Pesky little varmints come by, and he runs them off.

The real test, though, comes when a bear or a lion approaches. These carnivores threaten not only the sheep but also the life of the shepherd. And this is where we separate the men from the boys. Hired shepherds may turn tail and run for safety. But if the shepherd is the owner of the sheep, he will fight to the finish to protect them. He would jeopardize his own life to protect the flock.

And that is what Jesus did. He laid down his own life to settle our sin debt, thereby buying believers eternal life in the Kingdom. Jesus was the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his flock.

You can have an eternal heavenly address because of what Jesus did!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Your Purpose!

October 24, 2022 Monday Message:

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”

I’m reminded of Pastor Rick Warren’s best-selling Christian book, “The Purpose Driven Life.” God had a specific reason for creating you. It’s like the world is a giant jigsaw puzzle, and you’re the missing piece! Are you willing to ‘fit in,’ to fulfill your mission in God’s vast eternal plan?

Of course God gave us ‘free choice,’ so we can either live God’s way or find our own path. Here God is telling us in advance that his plans are good, and that God’s way will give us hope for a bright future.

God’s way is also easier, the path of least resistance. Ignoring God’s calling and choosing your own way leads to an uphill struggle, usually not worth it. The Lord’s way is the best way!

The Good Shepherd only wants the best for the sheep in his flock!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Good Shepherd!

For Friday, September 23, 2022::

John 10:11 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”

When Jesus walked on earth, a lot of the economy was agriculture-based. Most boys had grown up tending sheep. So when Jesus used this analogy comparing his mission with the job description of a shepherd, most people knew what he was talking about. But while they understood sheep and shepherds, they were slow to understand that Jesus himself would be giving his up his life to redeem mankind.

Jesus further explains: “I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” Jesus came to the world through the Jews, but his mission is to offer salvation to everyone – to all who believe!

Jesus is describing the life after this life, eternity in the presence of Father God, available to all the sheep from many flocks, including yours!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Good Shepherd!

For Saturday, June 4, 2022:

John 10:9-10 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Yes, I am the gate for the sheep. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

2,000 years ago, tending a flock of sheep was a common job. People lived in an agriculture-based economy, and sheep were a source of food and clothing. Sheep are hardy, subsisting on tufts of grass the shepherds hadn’t yet spotted. At some point in their life, almost every male took a turn at caring for a flock, and the women certainly knew what they were doing. My point is, that’s why Jesus made the comparison of God caring for us like a shepherd cares for their flock. It was a good analogy; most people had a perfect understanding of what he meant.

Nowadays most Christians know about shepherding too, because we seek an understanding of Jesus’ teaching. The thief comes to kill and destroy, but Jesus came to lead us to greener pastures!

Follow the Good Shepherd!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Good Shepherd!

For Friday, November 13, 2020 

1 Peter 2:25 MSG: “You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.”

A lot of people amble through life in a reactionary mode. With no goal and no plan, when something happens they simply react to it. Sometimes it’s a good response, but oftentimes not. The first response is often to lie, minimize and rationalize what occurred. Circumstances dictate their life’s direction. 

On the other hand, God’s people are PROactive. Knowing the Lord, we have a plan for our lives, a heavenly goal in place. God has given us a name, and the Good Shepherd will keep us safe. Believers live for things of substance, things that matter eternally. Setting our sights on heaven gives us a lot of hope in this life!

Blessings and safety to all today! 

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

"God Trend"

For Thursday, July 30, 2020.

Matthew 9:36 NLT: “When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Jesus always showed compassion to those in need. Of course he did. This points to the unchanging character of God, “the same yesterday, today and forever!” I call this a ‘God Trend’ – something we can always count on.

The infirmity didn’t seem to matter - Jesus could help with anything! In he preceding verses, Jesus brought a Synagogue leader’s daughter back to life, cured a woman of bleeding, and then two blind men started following him. What do you think happened? Their faith in Jesus allowed their sight to be restored. Next Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and at the end he thanked Jesus personally! Can you see the trend?

The character of Jesus remains the same nowadays, but our problems are a little different. We’re in the midst of a Global Health Crisis and Civil Unrest. Jesus can deal with these problems as easily as the others if we come to him with an ounce of faith. Right now our world looks like the confused and helpless sheep. We need to turn to the Good Shepherd!

Blessings and safety to all today and always!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406