Jesus the Socialite!

For Tuesday, May 26, 2026:

Luke 4:38-39a NLT: “Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. ‘Please heal her,’ everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her.”

Jesus is particularly good at setting things right, putting things back to their intended way, their intended purpose. Satan and his demons, on the other hand, are known for disruption, for sending situations and people in the wrong direction, well off their intended course. Just prior to this, Jesus had cast a demon out of a wild man, creating a ruckus in the Synagogue. The disciples were starting to believe that Jesus could do anything! Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sidelined with a severe fever, and Jesus was asked to intervene. A few words from the Son of God sent the fever on its way. Demons fear Jesus and his name, so the fever is quickly extinguished. Score “one” for Jesus!

Close friendship and a sense of community are benefits for Christians who live the way Jesus intends for us to live. Christians are meant to love one another and share generously. It’s not unusual for a good friend to do a favor for his/her brother or sister. So when Jesus was asked to help Simon’s mother-in-law, it was a given that he’d pitch in.

When Jesus walked on the Earth, he was a social creature, always visiting someone’s house, taking a meal with others, and hanging out with ‘the guys!’ Invite him into your house today. You might be surprised at all the good that could happen!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Pentecost!

For Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026:

Acts 2:47b NLT: “Each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

Today we celebrate Pentecost. Counting Easter as day 1, Pentecost is the 50^th day, hence the “pente” prefix. A great many people were visiting Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot, thanking God for the harvest or anticipated harvest, among other things.

The believers were all together in one place, praying. In a visible way, the fire of the Holy Spirit descended on the group, preparing them for what was to come next. God made a sound like a mighty wind, which caused the curious to venture out to see what was happening. The Bible doesn’t say there was wind – just the sound!

With everyone now on the street, Peter got up on his soapbox and started preaching the Gospel, saying the same things that got Jesus crucified! Since the crucifixion was over 50 days in the past, I’ll venture a guess that a lot of the attendees had had time to rethink what had transpired. Peter walked them through all of Jesus’ miracles, his teaching, and his authority over life and death itself! He called Christ the heaven-sent Messiah, and this time the multitude was convinced. “Brothers, what should we dot”

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” There were healing pools nearby, so everyone headed in that direction, and the baptisms began! Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

It’s good for a church to recruit 3K new members, but assimilating that many could present a problem. But members of “The Way” didn’t mind and gave their all to welcome the newbies. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.

And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Love Each Other!

For Sunday, May 17, 2026:

John 15:17 NLT, Jesus speaking: “This is my command: Love each other.”

Life was a bit more challenging 2K years ago. So caring for others was a radical departure from just caring for yourself. Jesus could have put any command in this space, but he chose “Love each other” as his theme.

While we were still sinners, Jesus gave his life for mankind’s sins. This is the primary thing for which he’s remembered, not just for wiping our record of sin clean, but for the love driving such an action.

So be nice. Be kind. Care for one another. Share with those who don’t have enough. Love those who don’t look like you or dress like you. Do the next right thing.

As we live our daily lives, quickly run each incident through your God filter. Is it good, is it right, is it fair, is it honest, is it helpful? Should we be doing this thing? Should we be doing more?

The Lord will tell you what to do if you ask!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Love Your Neighbor!

For Wednesday, May 6, 2026:

John 15:12 NLT, Jesus speaking: “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”

Life was not easy 2K years ago. If you wanted to eat, you had to grow food. If you wanted meat, you or someone you knew well needed to butcher an animal, no small task. You could perhaps barter for food by trading your skill, but there was no Cub, Rainbow, Hy-Vee or Aldi. Consequently, the standard modus operandi was to selfishly look out for #1. (or #1’s family.) Daily living became competitive!

When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” He continued, “The second is like the first: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus was setting forth a new paradigm for how to live one’s life. He was teaching mankind to be less competitive in daily living.

Be nice. Be kind, be helpful. Share what you have with others who don’t have anything. Do the next right thing. These commands all fit with Jesus’ goal.

You can see it play out after the Pentecost celebration following Jesus’ ascension. On Pentecost, thousands pilgrimaged to Jerusalem for the celebration. Simon Peter got up on his soap box and said essentially the same things that got Jesus killed. This time, the crowd listened and asked, “What should we do?”

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 3,000 new believers were added to their group that day. Wow! Imagine 3K new members all showing up at your church on the same day! That’s a big problem, but a good problem to have! These newbies didn’t have any place to live, didn’t have more than a day’s food, and didn’t have jobs in Jerusalem. Yeah, big problem. Let’s see how it played out.

Acts 2 concludes, “All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

Jesus wants us to love our neighbors. It worked out on the first Pentecost, and it can still work out today. Decide today to live Jesus’ way!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Love God & Neighbor!

February 23, 2026, Monday Message:

Hebrews 13:16 NLT: “Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”

If something in the Bible is extra-important, the writer may repeat those words. They’ll change the text only slightly while restating the principal. The Bible says it twice for emphasis. We get to see it twice so the words sink in!

To facilitate doing good and sharing, Moses taught this message, and Abraham led his followers with these principals. Later, John the baptist previewed these lessons before Jesus, who taught this behavior throughout his entire ministry. These thoughts were some of Jesus’ last reminders as he transitioned to the life after this life.

In the Epistles, followers of Jesus are teaching these things to the Hebrew believers and the Roman converts. Paul dispensed these instructions as he planted churches throughout Asia Minor.

Today, we are the ambassadors bringing these words to the world. “Love God and love your neighbor.” Be nice, be kind, be helpful. Look for the next way to do the right thing. Instead of only looking out for #1, put “Loving the Lord” at the top of your agenda, followed by “compassion and caring” for those on the short end of life. Any prayers for ourselves should come after those items!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Please pray for peace in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Drug kingpin “El Mencho” and eight of his cohorts were killed in a Mexican military operation, and the Cartels are responding with violence. The airport is closed, school is cancelled and the town is basically on fire. Buildings and vehicles are being burned, including busses and the giant Costco store. Most roads are closed, and people are advised to shelter in place. The violence is spreading to neighboring towns in and around Jalisco, including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, all US tourist destinations. Pray for everyone’s safety, for the violent killings to end and for the peace of the Lord to reign in the region.

Choose Wisely!

For Saturday, February 7, 2026:

Romans 6:18 NLT: “Now you (believers) are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.”

That great songwriter (and philosopher) Bob Dylan observed, “You’re gonna have to serve somebody.” Realize that, and decide today who you will serve.

The easy way and oftentimes the most profitable way is to follow the corrupt. Accept bribes, perpetrate scams, and only look out for yourself.

The better way, God’s way, puts truth and honesty at the top of our things-to-do list. We’re to love our fellows, and see that they have enough to eat and clothes to wear. Jesus specifically tells us to care for widows and orphans, those beaten up by wars, violence and corrupt governments.

We understand that we become slaves of whatever we choose to obey. You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living on earth and eternal life in the hereafter. It’s a choice! As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

"Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you!” Romans 6:17

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Acts 2 Church!

For Sunday, June 8, 2025:

Acts 2:42 NLT: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”

Christians always seemed to be at odds with the world, so they stuck together. Caesar claimed to be god, and he didn’t like the competition. Pharisees didn’t appreciate this new splinter-group draining their power and resources. Jesus never succumbed to the world, so being on the “outs” seemed normal to the disciples. Therefore, the Christians hung out with each other, forming their own community within Jerusalem. They prayed together, worshiped together and took meals together. Remembering Jesus, they celebrated the Lord’s Supper.

Q: How many people are coming to dinner? A: 3,000 more than yesterday! It’s a good thing that supper wasn’t in the church basement! Many of these new believers were from out-of-town. They didn’t have jobs in Jerusalem or places to live. This proved to be a test of Jesus’ new command, to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Property and possessions were sold, with the proceeds donated to those in need. The church thrived!

Never forget that the Holy Spirit moved within this group. That’s what made it work! The apostles performed many signs and wonders, healings and miracles. The Holy Spirit had fueled the “Repent and Return Revival,” kicking off the entire Pentecost scenario!

"And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” In other words, adding 3k believers that first day was just the beginning. Today, there are 2.4B people worldwide who identify with Christianity, about one-third of the world. That number is increasing, but we still have work to do.

Count yourself blessed if your church mirrors the Acts 2 church. Your new members may not look like you or speak your language. That’s OK. Worship together, take meals together and love one another. Be kind, be helpful, be generous and do the next right thing. That’s what Jesus would do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

PS: Jesus called the Samaritan “good,” even though he was a Samaritan!

Ambassadors!

April 28, 2025, Monday Message:

Mark 16, Shorter ending, NLT: “Jesus himself sent the believers out from east to west with the sacred and unfailing message of salvation that gives eternal life. Amen.”

Scholars have unearthed Gospels of Mark with different endings. Some end at 16:8, some add a short paragraph, while a few offer an additional dozen verses. Since these are consistent with other Gospel writings and reinforce redeeming principles, they deserve a look.

This shorter ending supports the Great Commission that ends Matthew 28. Jesus said we are to love our neighbors, and that includes sharing the way to heaven with them. There is only one road leading to eternity with the Father. Those of us on that road are told to include all who will come to believe. They can choose to walk with Jesus or not—their choice. But the offer includes ALL who choose to believe.

I especially like these words: “unfailing message of salvation…” Jesus prepaying the penalty of sin for believers actually happened. “It is finished!” It’s guaranteed. If your eyes are on heaven, Jesus will get you there every time. He never fails. We call this Assurance of Salvation.

Jesus commissioned believers to cover the earth with the Good News, the Gospel. Our assignments vary. Some missionaries travel internationally. That’s the mission God assigned to them. For years, I went to Lake Street. Lately, I’ve moved over to University Avenue. God will put on your heart where you are to help spread the Good News.

All believers are Jesus’ ambassadors!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Commandments!

For Sunday, February 23, 2025:

Exodus 24:12 NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there, and I will give you the tablets of stone on which I have inscribed the instructions and commands so you can teach the people.”

How many commandments did God give mankind? Jewish tradition says 613. God highlighted 10 key points on the tablets he gave Moses. Jesus simplified it further, saying that if we’d love God and love our neighbors, we would be on the right path!

If there’s something important that you need to remember, write it down! God did it himself in the Bible, so it’s good advice for us all, not just for religious things, but for business things and life’s lessons as well. Nothing is lost due to faulty memory or misguided oral translations. Print the principle in big letters and post it on your wall! Or put the principle under the glass on your desk. That implies that the principle can’t be changed since we can’t reach it. Or do as God did: etch it in stone! Tradition says he wrote on the stone with his finger! Can you do that? (Rhetorical question; you don’t need to answer!)

Why was Moses given the tablets? Why have we been given the Bible? So that we can teach others! Let’s all use our gifts and talents to share the Good News! It seems that would please the Lord!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Financials!

December 30, 2024, Monday Message:

2 Thessalonians 3:12 NLT: “We command such (lazy) people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.”

When “The Way,” the first church, was founded, people sold houses and property and donated the proceeds to the church, with a “what’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine” attitude. It sounds a little like communism, and mankind isn’t very good at that! Before you know it, people are tempted to take more from the co-op than they’re putting in. Lazy! And in reality, widows and orphans are unable to add resources, so some of us need to contribute extra to care for those needy. That’s what Jesus would have us do!

It’s the same in our churches nowadays. Some will be able to donate large amounts, others much smaller. Churches have very real expenses. I once worked for a church with leaky windows, where paying for heat in January and February was always challenging. We’d often have to launch a “second effort” mid-year financial campaign, but we always survived. Those who could give gave even more!

But there comes a time when it’s obvious that donations will no longer support the amount of ministry to which we’re called. Sometimes the current business plan is unsustainable. Time to increase donations or cut back on ministry, or both!

As leaders, we need to be good stewards of God’s resources!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Follow the Leader!

For Tuesday, June 25, 2024:

1 Peter 3:1b-2 NLT: “Even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.”

This is “leading by example.” I’ve said many times that before Jesus, most people only looked out for themselves. But now everyone could visually witness the good will of “The Way.” Their love and kindness seemed like a better way to live. Caring about your brothers and sisters was a new idea, but people liked what they saw and wanted to become a part of it.

The early church grew by following a caring lifestyle. People wanted what these Christians had, and willingly signed up! Each day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved! The population of The Way greatly increased!

This wasn’t a hard sell. No one needed shouting evangelists or a revival tent meeting. Simply seeing others live their lives following the model of Jesus was enough to convince new believers! They will know we are Christians by our love!

All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. Can you get onboard with that philosophy?

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Fellowship!

For Thursday, May 9, 2024:

1 John 1:3-4 NLT: “We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.”

Friends, this isn’t a bunch of lunatics conjuring up a new religion. What they’re telling people to believe is exactly what they saw with their own two eyes. The author personally knew Jesus, watched him minister and saw miracles with his own two eyes! What’s being stated here is truth. Much more than a religious plank, it’s an eyewitness account of what actually took place!

Note that the author isn’t gaining anything by adding others to this value system. It sounds like the believers are just trying to make new friends. “Fellowship with us! Fellowship with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.” Happiness can be fleeting. Happiness can come and go depending on circumstances. But joy, eternal joy, is a “forever” gift. Believer’s hearts are grateful for the joy of being rescued from sin by Jesus. Joy is something of substance; it’s unchanging Good News from above.

Joy is something to be shared with others!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Tell Everyone!

For Thursday, October 5, 2023:

Romans 10:14-15a NLT: “How can people call on Jesus to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?”

Paul’s situation is unique. He was called by Jesus himself on the road to Damascus. The incident changed the rest of his life! He planted new churches everywhere he went. Paul was an evangelistic miracle!

Believers nowadays are also called to evangelize, but we have a home church or an organization to “send” people into the mission field and a place to bring new converts. I have a friend who has evangelized overseas many times, but now works in the organization’s home office sending others. Both jobs are important.

You don’t have to go overseas to evangelize. Personally, my mission field is near Lake Street in Minneapolis. Others do the Lord’s work at the gym, the grocery store, the lunchroom or their neighborhood. It’s all good! Where is your mission field? Others want what we have!

"That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:15b)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship