Jesus' Name!

For Saturday, October 4, 2025:

John 14:12-13 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.”

When Jesus designates others to be his representatives here on earth, he tells them to do what he did. Use his name to underwrite miracles. In fact, do even greater works than Jesus did, because he’s planning to return to the Father. Someone needs to continue his earthly work, and you’re “it!” Spiritual gifts are for all believers, not just clergy!

I heard a man from Kenya speak about healing in his country. There are still those who first consult sorcerers and witch doctors. When those options yield no results, the inflicted move on to hospitals and doctors. There, they care for the infirm, but seldom do much to heal the person. Their last resort (should have been their first!) is to come to someone who knows Jesus, who knows the Good News. Jesus said we should heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons. That’s most important, because Satan may be the root of many problems! Large tumors growing from arms have disappeared right before their eyes because the Pastor (the Healer) invoked Jesus’ name! The hospital can then put your sore arm in a sling, but only Jesus can remove the tumor, no surgery required! Internal bodily functions are corrected on the spot. Sight is restored, hearing is restored, and lameness is routinely corrected, all in the name of Jesus.

In some scientific and industrial ways, the US appears to be ahead of Kenya. But in knowing and trusting Jesus, they may have passed us. Our fear of trusting what we cannot see has separated us from the grace of the Almighty!

It’s time to rekindle that relationship!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Called!

For Tuesday, May 21, 2024:

Ephesians 5:8 NLT: “Once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!”

"All you have to do is change everything!” Does that sound simple to you, or quite complicated? When a person becomes a Christian, a radical transformation should take place. Rather than sin, the Christian now takes the high road. Rather than living in darkness, Christians now live in the light! An observer who knew the old person might not recognize the new person! That’s OK!

The change we see isn’t just for the sake of change. It’s a change for the better. Because our sins have been forgiven and we have an inside track to the hereafter, there should be more joy on our faces! By loving one another, everyone will know that we are Christians!

Jesus didn’t forgive you so you could mope around being earnestly pious. Jump for joy! The Bible says that we should share the Good News with everyone, that we should make disciples of all nations. In other words, teach Jesus’ redeeming truth to those who don’t look like you and don’t speak like you.

The Bible speaks of the “priesthood of all believers,” a priest simply being a religious leader or teacher. In the Old Testament, priests followed in the tradition of the tribe of Levi or the priest Melchizedek. Christians follow Jesus. You’re a priest, a Christian leader, if Jesus says you are. Churches don’t make pastors; Jesus ordains Christian leaders!

Are you called?

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Be a Shepherd!

 

April 30, 2012 Monday Message:

Jesus: “I am the good shepherd.” John 10:11a

2000 years ago, everyone understood the duties of a shepherd. There were hired hands that worked with sheep, but they were not the shepherd. If there was a bad problem with the sheep – animal attack, severe weather, disease - the hired men were out of there! These sheep, after all, didn’t really belong to them.

The true shepherd, on the other hand, knew his sheep, and they knew the sound of his voice. The real shepherd would lay down his life for his sheep. He would protect them and keep them safe. He would also take in strays that needed a home, adding to their number daily. But most of all, he would love every one of them.

“As a shepherd” was how Jesus led “The Way.” Nowadays, that’s a good model for how pastors should lead their congregations - caring for them through challenging times, protecting them from outside attacks - but most of all, loving every one of them.

In Latin, “pastor” means “shepherd.” Pastors don’t own their congregation or their church. In fact, they’re servants! The congregation hires a pastor to lead them, and if he leads them correctly, it’s a symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship. In other words, the congregation is eager and willing to follow “servant leadership.”

On one hand, Jesus is “the man,” absolutely in charge, of unquestioned authority. On the other, he healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, fed the hungry, cared for widows and orphans, rescued sinners and tax collectors, and washed feet at the Last Supper.

What would Jesus do? Servant Leadership!

What should you do? Become more like Jesus.

That’s what the Bible says.

Norton Lawellin