Believers!

For Sunday, September 6, 2026:

Acts 4:4 NLT: “Many of the people who heard Peter and John’s message believed them, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.”

Peter and John had been arrested and jailed for preaching the truth about Jesus. Nonetheless, many people believed them and the number of believers grew to about 5,000 men. Only counting the men was like counting “families,” as most men were married and had at least two children. So this probably represents about 20K people, thereby leaving a significant hole in the Temple’s population.

Previously, the Pharisees and Temple leaders ran everything. All the Jewish people and their tithes automatically went to the Temple. But with these kind of numbers, Jesus and his followers posed a serious affront to both the Temple’s power and its pocketbook.

I believe that Christianity was never supposed to be a new, separate religion. After all, Jesus was raised Jewish. His arrival should have been the next chapter. Instead, the desire for power and the love of money got in the way. Many of those who loved God wouldn’t accept the Son of God!

The life of Jesus is well documented in the four Gospels. If you only consider healings and raising of the dead, it would be hard not to believe that Jesus was heaven-sent. His other miracles serve to reinforce the truth we’ve already learned.

Christianity grows through attraction, so today is always the best day to invite someone to join you for worship. Everyone deserves to know the truth!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Trust in Jesus!

March 2, 2026, Monday Message:

John 14:1 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.“

Followers of Jesus were worried. First off, all the Hebrews were living under Roman rule, and while the Romans tolerated religion, they really didn’t like it. They believed in all their false gods, like a god for rain, for a bountiful harvest, for the sun and moon and stars. Some Romans even claimed that Caesar was God. Of course, he wasn’t.

Next problem, the followers of Jesus found themselves at odds with the Temple leaders. The Temple wanted to be in charge of Hebrew religion, and didn’t like this relative newcomer Jesus pulling worshipers out of the Temple, which also pulled their tithes out of the Temple. As with many things in life, if you’re trying to figure out what’s wrong, just follow the money! Also, when Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, they considered it blasphemy. The Temple attitude was, “We’ve always done things this way, and we’re not about to change.”

Jesus wants to comfort the loyal believers, put them at ease, have them not worry. Rest assured knowing that Jesus and his Father are in charge. Since they’re the creators of everything, we know their power. We can securely leave everything in their hands. Trust God, and trust his Son.

So friends, don’t worry about the future, in this life or the next. Don’t let your heart be troubled. Don’t give defeat a second thought. Put a smile on your face, a Bible in your hand, Jesus in your heart and optimism in your head. With Jesus at the helm, everything will be A-OK. He said so himself! He promised!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church