Jesus' Power!

For Sunday, May 31, 2026:

Luke 4:40 NLT: “As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one.”

Jesus has exceptional healing power. If a human body isn’t working right, odds are there’s a defect that needs to be corrected. That defect is the result of sin in the world, the result of Satan’s efforts. This isn’t to imply that the sick person did anything wrong. But sometimes Satan picks at us, hoping we’ll give up and abandon God.

When Jesus began healing in the Bible, a lot of details is written about the process. “Jesus prayed; he laid hands on the person; he made a paste out of mud, and rubbed it on the blind man’s eyes.” But Jesus’ healing became so commonplace that later accounts simply say, “He healed all those who needed healing.”

Those Jesus sent out were given a mission: Heal the sick, cleanse leprosy, raise the dead and cast out demons. He also gave us instructions to make disciples, baptize and welcome the newcomers into the fellowship. We are to love God and love our neighbors.

As we go about our work, Jesus said we should use his name. Make it a habit!

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 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

Baptized!

For Tuesday, April 14, 2026:

Luke 3:21-22 NLT: One day, when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

This happened over 2k years ago. I’m amazed that with no telephones or texts, no radio or TV, no internet or Twitter, that somehow a crowd of people would hear that John the Baptist was once again in the Jordan River, advising people to repent and return. The crowd assembled, and John shouted, “The kingdom of God is at hand!” Oh, to have been in the crowd that day!

Jesus was present, and he stepped forward to be baptized. In a semi-private conversation, John said that Jesus should be baptizing him! After all, God’s Son didn’t need his sins washed away! He was sinless! But this was a lesson in obedience, honoring God the Father as Lord of your life. Jesus is said to be fully God and fully human, and the human side of him submitted to the Father as he walked on this Earth.

I wish I could have seen the dove descending upon Jesus and heard the voice of the Father. I imagine God’s voice to be big, booming and bold, but that’s just conjecture, not in the Bible.

Christians are to be baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. It matters little who leads the ceremony. This is a case where Jesus said, “Use my name!” That’s what’s important. Baptism is part of making disciples of all nations, Jesus’ final instructions before ascending into heaven.

He went on ahead to prepare a place for believers! Is your name on his “Things to do” list?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Corrupt Tax Collectors!

For Saturday, February 28, 2026:

Luke 3:12-13 NLT: “Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ John the Baptist replied, ‘Collect no more taxes than the government requires.’”

A lone Roman didn’t feel safe amongst the Jewish population. The Jews were angry, having been mistreated, persecuted and over-taxed. So Rome lined up others to do their dirty work. They arranged for Jews to do the tax collecting from other Jews. This meant that the tax collector would have to have abandon his fellows, his family and probably his religion. Consequently, he had no friends and was known as a scoundrel, a traitor. But he got paid well for his misery.

Our scripture today calls them “corrupt tax collectors.” That’s almost a redundancy! Tax collectors were known for assessing a little extra to put in their own pockets, so most tax collectors were wealthy. Now, they may have put religion on the back burner, but it never entirely left them. So here we find them listening intently to John the Baptist. He stops their sinful, corrupt nature in its tracks. “Collect no more taxes than the government requires!”

A few listened to John, many vowed to change their life and stop the skimming. This is an example of the radical transformation we talk about as people come to know the Messiah. Each of us has habits in our lives that we’ve put off changing. It’s never too soon to change direction, to leave the sin behind and follow the right path. Don’t put it off! Cause God to smile down on you! Do the right thing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Switch Sides!

For Saturday, June 7, 2025:

Acts 2:41 NLT: “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.”

When good things occur that defy logic and common sense, I credit God. It could be the Holy Spirit or Angels, but ultimately, God is behind the scenario.

50 days ago, a similar crowd of Jews was shouting, “Crucify him!” Maybe they had time to think about what had transpired. Perhaps Peter’s speech, making a case for Christ, touched their hearts. Or did God simply open their minds to see the truth?

HOW it happened doesn’t matter nearly as much as WHAT happened. Remarkably, 3k people decided to switch sides. Previously, they were at odds with Jesus and his disciples. But now they’re friendly, seeking advice: “Brothers, what should we do?”

Repent and return to the Lord is the answer. Be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. Abandon the self-serving Pharisees, and sign on with ‘The Way,’ the group following the teaching of Jesus. People of The Way love their neighbors and will welcome newcomers with open arms!

Friends, this is serious business. Making a decision to follow Jesus is life-changing. Nothing will be the same, and most likely will be better. With Jesus setting your agenda, new doors will open and new opportunities will arise. So get out of the driver’s seat, and give Jesus a turn! I predict that you’ll like the result!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Priesthood of All Believers!

For Saturday, March 29, 2025:

John 14:12 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.”

Jesus wants to leave unflinching believers in his wake. The fact that he will be returning to the Father shouldn’t end the goodness he brought to earth. He is anointing believers, authorizing them and leaving them with the power to continue his good works.

In Matthew 10:8, Jesus tells those being sent on his behalf to, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons.” These instructions aren’t just for pastors; they are for all believers! This is basic Christianity. We should also be able to explain mankind’s sin problem, and Jesus paying the penalty for those sins. We should make disciples of people from all nations. And when the candidate is convinced, we should be able to baptize them!

I once attended a church supper, and everyone was waiting for the Pastor to say grace, to pray over the food and the event. The Pastor joked, “Were you waiting for a ‘professional prayer?’ Any one of you could have done this!”

Jesus, give us the courage to step out and do the good works you have assigned to all believers. Amen!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Happy New Year!

For Saturday, December 31, 2022:

Matthew 3:11b NLT, John-the-Baptist’s prophesy about the coming Messiah: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. I baptize with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

This is the final day in our calendar year. At midnight everywhere, people will say, “Out with the old; in with the new!” It’s a time to start afresh!

A good start would be including more of Jesus in your life and in your heart. It’s a good time to commit or re-commit to believing that Jesus was who he said he was, could do what he said he could do, and to make him Lord of your life! Seek Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire. It’s a decision you’ll never regret.

The birth of this one humble man turned out to be so significant that we re-started our calendars with the birth of our Savior. The years after Jesus’ birth are AD, Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord. Before Jesus was BC or before Christ. Secularists have changed that to “Before Common Era,” but Christians know what it really is. Without Jesus, there would be no BC or AD! Now you know what we’re really celebrating!

Happy New Year!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Anticipation!

For Saturday, December 24, 2022:

Luke 1:57-58 TLB: “By now Elizabeth’s waiting was over, for the time had come for the baby to be born—and it was a boy. The word spread quickly to her neighbors and relatives of how kind the Lord had been to her, and everyone rejoiced.”

This was a time of great spiritual activity and anticipation. An angel had visited Zechariah in the Temple. An angel had visited Mary, and then Joseph. Zechariah had been promised a son who would announce the soon-to-arrive Messiah. Zechariah’s son was to be named John. Mary was told that she would be birthing that Messiah, and Joseph was assured that his wife had been faithful. The Messiah-baby was from the Holy Spirit! They were to name him Jesus which means Savior.

As you might expect, everything happened just as they had been told. John-the-Baptist turned out to be a strange fellow, living in the wilderness, wearing clothing made of coarse camel hair and relying on locusts for sustenance. Nonetheless, many people came to hear his message: Repent and return to the Lord, for the Kingdom of God is at hand! Those who agreed were baptized in the Jordan.

At about age 30, Jesus began his public ministry. We celebrate his arrival tomorrow, on Christmas day. After Jesus, everything was different – better! He atoned for mankind’s sin-problem. People are still talking about it 2,000 years later!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Eyewitness!

For Thursday, August 18, 2022:

John 1:32-34 NLT: “Then John (the Baptist) testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon Jesus. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”

In a courtroom, eyewitness testimony carries a lot of weight. When the witness says, “I watched the crime occur; I saw it with my own two eyes;” and points, “That’s the person who did the crime,” the trial is nearly over. It’s very difficult for a defense attorney to refute the testimony of an eyewitness.

We need to remember that the Bible is far more than just interesting stories. The Bible is full of eyewitness accounts of actual events. The Gospel writer John wanted to testify to the world about Jesus being the Son of God, so he wrote exactly what happened during the three years he ministered with our Redeemer.

The Gospel of John is the true testimony of an eyewitness!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Pentecost!

For Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022:

Acts 2:36 NLT, Peter speaking: “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

Today we celebrate Pentecost, a magnificent day! The believers were all together, waiting and praying, when the Holy Spirit came upon them like little flames. A sound like a big wind drew a huge crowd. Peter got up on his soapbox and gave the best “come to Jesus” speech ever, using many of the same words that caused Jesus to be crucified 50 days earlier. He spoke truth, using Hebrew scriptures to back up his words.

This time the crowd listened, and asked, “Brothers, what should we do?” 3,000 were baptized and added to their flock that day.

Pentecost is considered the birthday of the church. You can attend one of those churches today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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