Miracle Source!

For Thursday, April 16, 2026:

John 12:17-18 NLT: “Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were testifying about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign.”

Jesus could perform miracles, and miracles impress people. Many were in Jerusalem for Passover, hence the large crowds. They had traveled to experience religious things, and all the buzz was about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Everyone was impressed, but it was kind of like they all had attended a magic show. They worshiped the miracle itself, but not where it came from, who did it, why they did it and who that person is.

Jesus intentionally took his time traveling to Martha and Mary’s house, arriving after Lazarus had died. “O Lord, if only you had been here,” cried the women. They’re thinking in earthly terms. Knowing what we now know about Jesus, he could have healed Lazarus from far away. But to Jesus, this needed to be an event. This was about showcasing the glory of the Lord. He wanted Lazarus clearly dead before calling him out of the tomb – a BIG miracle! Perhaps then people would recognize that this was heaven-sent, and that Jesus was God’s only Son!

Friends, don’t just appreciate the miracle, the event itself. Worship the supernatural entity that brought the miracle to fruition. Worship God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – as they bestow miracle after miracle on believers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Prophecy!

November 3, 2025, Monday Message:

John 14:29 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.”

Sometimes things are so unusual, so out of the ordinary, that a lot of people won’t believe what just happened, even if they witnessed it with their own two eyes.

Here’s an example. Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, had died. His body was kept in a closed tomb as it began to decay. Mourners had gathered to console the family. Lazarus was wrapped up like a mummy, a burial tradition.

Jesus was summoned. He dragged his feet getting there, waiting for two extra days, so that what he was about to do would increase in significance. After all, this event was for God’s glory! By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days!

Jesus told Martha that her brother would rise again. She thought he meant in the next reality, in the life after this life. But NO! Jesus meant right now! He had workers roll away the stone, Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!,” and out he came, grave clothes and all!

Locally, this incident became the focus of much discussion. Many thought it was a trick, a prank involving a magician. No one had ever seen anything like it, someone brought back to life after being dead four days. So at this point, it made more sense to disbelieve than to believe what they had witnessed.

Our lesson here is about the value of prophecy. Prophecies tell in advance what God is about to do, and when it happens, we can say, “That was God!,” rather than questioning what occurred. Prophecy is advance confirmation of a God-driven event! Jesus had been sharing signs of the end times, so that when it happens, we can easily recognize it and believe.

When you witness signs pointing to the end times, start saying, “That was God!” He has already told you what to expect!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Jesus Messiah!

July 21, 2025, Monday Message:

John 12:10-11 AMP: “The chief priests planned to kill Lazarus also, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away [from the teaching and traditions of the Jewish leaders] and believing in Jesus [following Him as Savior and Messiah].”

Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. You may recall that Lazarus became quite ill and eventually died. It was Jesus, Son of God, who brought him back to life four days later! Jesus was intentional about waiting four days to arrive, so that observers could be certain of the miracle and glorify God Almighty! This same Jesus would eventually hold all power over sin and death.

2,000 years ago, there was no radio, TV or internet. So when someone returned home and asked, “What’s been happening,” they expected detailed information. “Tell me everything!” Lazarus being brought back to life was #1 on the local buzz. People couldn’t stop talking about it, and many perceived Jesus to be the prophesied heaven-sent Messiah. Many shifted their allegiance from the Jewish priests to Jesus. Nowadays, we’d call it a Church Split.

Sidebar, just my opinion: I believe that faith in God’s Son, Christianity, was never intended to be a separate religion. It should have been just Judaism Chapter 2, a continuation of God’s relationship with Earth’s people. Jesus was raised Jewish, and observed and taught the centuries-old commandments and traditions. Replacing the Old Covenant with the New Covenant should have been a continuation, not a complete break and a restart. Count on humans to get it wrong!

The Chief Priests first plotted to kill Jesus, and now they’re planning the demise of Lazarus. When your religious leadership has murder on its agenda, you know for certain that it’s time to make a switch. Clearly the train had gone off the tracks.

God always favors life. First, he created everything from scratch, and then he commanded all creation to, “Go forth and multiply!” Reproduce your own kind. Make more like yourself, and fill the earth! God never said, “Figure out who to kill, and make a few animals extinct. There are far too many _____.” (snails, tortoises, dolphins, birds – you pick!)

One more thing. Last Friday, I was at the Rice County Fair in Faribault, MN. A couple had brought their newborn baby, and everyone wanted to take a look. A young girl, all smiles, told me excitedly, “He’s not even a week old!” By the time I backed off, at least 35 people had gathered to see God’s creation! They were ignoring the cows, chickens, goats and horses on display and focusing on the infant! The parents should have been awarded a blue ribbon for their exhibit! Moments like this make God smile!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Gifts and Talents!

For Tuesday, May 13, 2025:

Luke 10:42 NLT, Jesus, speaking to Martha: “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Some people get Mary and Martha mixed up. Which is which? I was taught to think of Martha Stewart, in the kitchen, doing cooking demonstrations on TV. That’s Martha. Mary (same name as Jesus’ mother) is the one listening at Jesus’ feet.

The question arose as to which woman was doing the right thing. Probably both! Martha was called to be the consummate hostess, providing for the disciples’ daily needs. Mary was enamored with Jesus’ knowledge and teaching skills. She didn’t want to miss a thing! To her, there was nothing better than hearing Jesus speak!

In the end, Jesus didn’t change a thing. He didn’t command Mary to help out in the kitchen; and he didn’t command Martha to abandon the kitchen and listen to his message. Even though we encounter Martha and Mary in the same scenario, we need to remember that they are each uniquely created with distinct skills and different interests. Jesus knew when to leave well enough alone!

Have you identified your gifts and talents? Like Martha and Mary, some of us have the gift of hospitality while others shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a kitchen! There are a multitude of tasks that need doing in a Christian community. Surely there’s a need where you could best serve. Find something that’s a good fit for you.

Pastor Rick Warren says that a non-serving Christian is a contradiction!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Opportunity!

For Sunday, August 21, 2022:

Luke 10:39 NLT: “Martha’s sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.”

I love this story of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Their question: What’s the best thing to do when the Son of God is under your roof, in your house, speaking in your living room? Martha set about preparing food for Jesus and his entourage, while Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to every word.

Jesus approved Mary’s decision. After all, they made dinner every day, but today might be their only chance to hear Jesus teach! To hear words directly from His mouth is an opportunity not to be missed!

At church, we read from the Bible and hear an inspired message. It’s an opportunity not to be missed!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Dead Man Walking!

Nov. 11, 2019 Monday Message:

Jesus speaking: “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” John 11:25b NLT

At the home of Mary and Martha, their brother Lazarus was dead – really dead! He’d been dead long enough that his body was wrapped, prepared for burial and placed in a tomb. Guest were crying, wailing, mourning. They put on ashes and tore their clothes. Lazarus had been dead for four days.

Jesus had been summoned, but it’s like he was dragging his feet. When he heard of the illness of Lazarus, Jesus didn’t even leave for two more days. He says this is for the glory of God, so that everyone will understand who He is.

Arriving at their house, Jesus prayed in a loud voice so that everyone could learn! Jesus claimed, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” Then Jesus asked Martha if she believed this – but that question should be for all of us. Do you believe what Jesus said?

Dead Lazarus lived once again; everybody present witnessed it!

Jesus himself conquered sin and death on the same day – as a free gift for mankind! Without resurrection and life after this life, there’s no point to our theology. You too can receive Jesus’ gift – forgiveness of all sin and life after this life - if you believe!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Pilla teaches about the prophecies concerning Jesus.