Conspiracy Theory!

For Thursday, May 21, 2026:

John 15:18 NLT, Jesus speaking: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”

That scripture tells us that the world somehow got turned around, 180º from where it should have been. After all, Jesus was always kind, nice and helpful. He would give of his own time to heal anyone who needed healing, and there seemed to be no end to this gift of healing. Every word he spoke was the truth, and he was religious, teaching from both the Prophets and Torah. What’s not to like about this guy?

Those against Jesus were cursed with greed and the desire for power. Although Rome ruled the country, the citizens were allowed to practice their ancestors’ religion, as long as they didn’t disrupt the Roman government. No riots, no rallies, no protests. Just follow your ethnic religion – quietly!

This left the Pharisees at the top of the pecking order. They were the ones trying to maintain power and resources. If worshipers went with this radical Jesus cult, they were NOT at the Temple! Furthermore, they probably took their tithes with them! So both influence and shekels going to Jesus threatened the Pharisees’ way of life. Jesus, you understand, was just doing what pleased his Father. But Pharisees initiated a conspiracy to have Jesus killed, to take him out permanently. He was that much of a threat to them that they would violate their own religious commandments!

Hatred for Jesus started as a conspiracy by the Pharisees. Israelites were accustomed to looking up to Pharisees for direction and advice. They were the religious leaders to be followed. When Pharisees spoke ill of Jesus, there was an implied obligation that people should follow their thinking. They convinced the surrounding world to hate the Messiah, which is unfortunate. The crowds changed their mantra from “Hosanna,” save us now, to, “Crucify him!, in less than a week.

I’ve said before that I believe Christianity should have been Judaism, the next chapter. It should have been a continuation of the life believers already knew, following God-the-Creator, God who brought them out of Egypt, God who delivered them to the Promised Land, and now God who sent them the Messiah as a redeemer for the sins of the world. Like Paul Harvey would have said, “The r-r-rest of the story!”

We’re presently living in the rest of the story. Jesus was here for us and promised that he’ll be back. Should we die first, he promised to prepare a place for us in his Father’s eternal heavenly Kingdom! Secure your spot today! All it takes is faith!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Challenge Builds Strength!

Friday, April 24, 2026:

Luke 4:14-15 NLT: “Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.”

After being tested in the desert by Satan, Jesus returned to the region around the Sea of Galilee. The Devil had been tempting Jesus, who consistently rejected Satan’s offers. In this ongoing battle of good vs evil, Jesus was the clear victor. And when you battle the evil one and win, you emerge stronger. In other words, Jesus was in his prime as he began teaching in Synagogues. He was praised, honored and glorified by all.

The same principle applies to us. Satan will continue tempting us throughout our lives. But if we reject the evil one, we will emerge stronger for overcoming this challenge, just like Jesus!

At this point, Jesus’ ministry efforts were focused on teaching. Listening to him speak must have been like having a complete Bible commentary to explain Torah in a way that everyone could understand. Nowhere does it say that Jesus attended a school, a seminary or studied with a particular Rabbi. Being the Son of God, he just knew what the Father would want him to do, preach truth! At this time, there was no organized opposition to Jesus

Lead us not into temptation. But if we find ourselves there, let us grow from the challenge. Let us emerge stronger!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Messenger!

For Tuesday, January 6, 2026:

Matthew 1:20b-21 NLT, Angel speaking to Joseph: “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus [the Lord Saves], for he will save his people from their sins.”

The Angel Gabriel had been busy. He had already visited Zechariah, who would father John the Baptist. He also visited Mary, who was to birth the Messiah’s next entrance to planet earth. Mary loves the Lord and is obedient. “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

Just one problem remains. Mary was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. He doesn’t understand how she could turn up pregnant. To him, she was still a virgin! It was time for Gabriel to finish their education! See above scripture!

Gabriel also explains the purpose of the Messiah coming to our world. “Jesus will save his people from their sins.” No mention of miraculous healings. No expanded teaching of Torah. No casting out of demons. Those are all good things, but not on the tip of Gabriel’s tongue! That’s why I teach that Jesus’ primary purpose is rescuing mankind from our sin problem. God’s messenger angel said so!

Christian believers are the beneficiaries of God’s gift. Jesus’ forgiveness has lifted us from the fires of hell to eternal life with Father God, a much better place. Thank goodness Jesus came to rescue us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Large Crowds Gather!

For Thursday, February 10, 2022

Mark 4:21 NLT: “Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore.”

Whenever Jesus starts teaching the ways of the Lord, a large crowd seems to gather around him. Most people are looking for answers to first-order questions: Who am I, why am I here, what is my purpose? Jesus freely dispenses answers for these long-term questions.

Nowadays, our churches teach from the Bible, and I think it would be fair to say that most churches emphasize the four Gospels, teaching who Jesus was, what he did and re-teaching what Jesus himself taught when he walked alongside us.

When we're teaching the truth about Jesus, we should expect a large crowd to gather, looking to find hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Only Jesus!

July 1, 2019 Monday Message

Many churches, congregations and individual Christians get off track when they start following a human leader rather than simply following Jesus. The Corinthian congregation had divided itself, some following Paul, some following Apollos and some following Simon-Peter and the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.

Paul wrote his first Epistle to the Corinthians to set things straight. His simplified plan for church and worship is this:

#1 Believe only what is written, and in Paul’s day, that meant the Torah, the Old Testament. (The New Testament had not yet been compiled.)

and #2 Worship ONLY at the church of Jesus. It’s great to have leaders like Paul and Peter, but we should not worship them; rather, imitate them as they worship Jesus the Christ.

This is another instance where the basics of Christianity, the redeeming ordinances, are fairly simple. Mankind writes book after book attempting to explain the whole Christianity thing, but it doesn't have to be that complicated. I believe God made his redemption plan simple so that ALL of us could “get it!”

So follow what is written and worship only at the church of Jesus. Simple, right? See you at church!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets Sunday July 7, 2019, 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. Evangelist Wendy calls everyone to commit or re-commit themselves to Jesus. (John 3:16)

Psalms 119 - God's Law

Nov. 20, 2017 Monday Message:

“Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!” Psalms 119:5 NIV

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm as well as the longest chapter in the Bible. It’s an acrostic poem, each section beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet – therefore there the 176 verses are divided into 22 sections.

The Psalm has a lot to do with God’s Law or Torah, stating, “Happy are those whose way is perfect,” which is an ideal goal, but the Bible also says that ALL have sinned and come up short. So let’s back up and look at this.

Before people become believers, they often behave badly. They don’t know what God’s Law is, or what it requires of them. So when they don’t hit the mark, they don’t care. It’s no big deal.

But after we learn the truth about God, his Law matters to us and we really try to get it right. Most of the time we succeed, but once in a while we still make a few mistakes. These shortcomings are called ‘sins.’

That is why God sent his Son Jesus to redeem us. God knows our heart, and when we truly believe, he wants to meet us in heaven. Jesus prepaid the penalty for the sins of all who would call him Lord. That way, believers can spend eternity in the presence of the Father.

“I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.” Ps. 119:8

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together. Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll wrap up 1 Cor. 15 this week, and then Pastor Michael Pilla will lead us through Advent and Christmas! See you at church!