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

Sabbath!

 For Sunday, April 26, 2026:

Luke 4:16 NLT: “When Jesus came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.”

 Looking at that text, we already know about Jesus, we know about Nazareth, we know about synagogues and the Sabbath. What strikes me as the teachable moment are the words, “as usual.” It was normal and customary to attend a religious gathering, to praise God and worship him on the Sabbath. It would have been far more unusual to NOT attend!

 I know a pastor whose son asked on Sunday morning, “Dad, do we have to go to church today?”

Dad: “That‘s about the dumbest question I’ve ever heard! We don’t HAVE to go to church; we WANT to go to church!”

 Church is where we meet our best friends, like-minded individuals. Church is our community, our fellowship. But most of all, we gather to praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, giving thanks for our creation and rescue from sin. We worship God as the head of everything. We’re thankful for the offer of life after this life, and for God honoring us with the offer of eternity in his Kingdom. We get to hear scripture from the Bible to inspire us to face another week!

 Church is a good, safe place to invite others. Bring your new friends. Help make disciples of all nations!

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!

Pentecost!

June 2, 2025, Monday Message:

Acts 2:1 NLT: “On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place.”

The Jewish Pentecost, 50 days after Passover or Pesach, celebrated the upcoming harvest. Also known as the Festival of Weeks, it occurred seven weeks after Passover. Most Christian churches celebrate Pentecost this coming Sunday, so let’s have a look!

The first Christian Community, known as The Way, were a tight-knit bunch. They had all been eyewitnesses to the many healings and other miracles performed by Jesus. They had watched him die on the cross, and yet rise from the grave three days later. Their eyes did not lie; they were 100% committed to the fact that Jesus was God’s Heaven-sent Son.

Opposing The Way were the Roman government and Jewish leadership. Caesar claimed to be god and didn’t like any competition. He taxed all who lived there. The Temple priests and Pharisees led religious matters in the region, and they intended to keep that power. Tithes were brought to the Temple or a local Synagogue, and those leaders didn’t like the idea of tithes going anywhere else. In both cases, it was all about power and money!

So believers met privately in secret places that only they knew. They lived in fear of both opposing groups. This “togetherness” gave them fellowship and a sense of community and safety. When God decided it was time to make his move, he found the believers all together in one place, their minds on the same page, all willing to pull in the same direction. This seemingly residual team would be the start of something big – the birthday of the church! What an exciting day! Don’t you wish you could have been there?

Each of us can help with church growth nowadays. Just invite someone to come to church with you. Offer to pick them up! That’s what Jesus said we should do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Celebration!

For Wednesday, March 19, 2025:

Leviticus 23:1, 2b NLT: The Lord instructed Moses, “These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as official days for holy assembly.”

The first festival appointed by the Lord is kind of a surprise. It’s the weekly celebration of the seventh day or Sabbath. Jews worship from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday. Christians worship on Sunday, the third day after the crucifixion, when Jesus was resurrected. He conquered sin and death on that same day, events worthy of celebration!

Celebrating Passover is a big Jewish deal. It commemorates God rescuing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. God says that remembering Passover should continue for all time. First Harvest and Harvest acknowledge the God of Provision’s goodness. The Day of Atonement is when sins are confessed and taken away. The Festival of Shelters celebrates construction of the Tabernacle and God living amongst His people.

Christians celebrate Christmas when Jesus came to earth to ultimately rescue mankind. Good Friday is the crucifixion day when Jesus died and took the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Easter or Resurrection Sunday is when Jesus arose from that place of the dead, leaving our sin behind! Pentecost is considered the birthday of the church.

It’s good to gather with our church friends to celebrate the goodness of Father God, His Son our Redeemer and the Holy Spirit, our helper and advocate. Look forward to each Holy Day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Sabbath!

For Tuesday, February 25, 2025:

Exodus 31:13a NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you.”

On weekdays, most of us put on our work clothes and leave home to do whatever we do to earn a living. Anything from a suit to a hard hat is appropriate, depending on our careers.

The Sabbath day is different. Believers wake up focused on our God, the central theme of the day. We dedicate this special day to honor the God Almighty who makes us holy. We gather with our fellows to worship and pray. Fellowship is a key part of honoring the Sabbath. Families meet with other families. Worries, cares and disagreements from the previous week are set aside as we celebrate together. Our focus is on loving the Lord and loving our neighbors! The Sabbath is a good day!

I serve at a church that, for logistical reasons, meets on Friday nights. I don’t think God is as concerned with what day of the week it is, as he is that we consistently designate a special time to worship and honor him. For most people, their work week is wrapped up and they immediately turn to the Lord, and that’s good!

I don’t ever think of the Sabbath as a “do nothing” day. For obvious reasons, priests, pastors, church musicians and Bible teachers have a very busy day. Even observant Jews in Moses’ day would have to feed and water their animals on the Sabbath. You could help with some of the Lord’s work: visit shut-ins and the sick; help at the food shelf or serve meals to the needy; be an usher or park cars at church. Think of things that would be helpful to the Kingdom. Do good!

Above all, remembering the Sabbath reminds us of the goodness of God, the one who sent his son to be the offering for the sins of the world. If we repent and return, God is willing to forgive and forget, and welcome us into his eternal kingdom! God is good!

See you at church!

Pastor 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

It Is Finished!

For Tuesday, April 16, 2024:

Philippians 1:6 NLT: “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Israel is situated along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. If you sailed north and west over 800 miles, crossing the Aegean Sea and then another 25 miles inland, you’d find Philippi, home of the Philippian church. It’s well over 1,000 miles if you’re walking. I find it remarkable that the Good News would spread that far in Paul’s short lifetime! Keep in mind, though, that the population was primed for worship; they were determined to worship something. They prayed to the sun and the moon. They prayed for good weather and bountiful crops. They built elaborate temples to worship these idols. They knew about worship but had not yet identified the true God. Jesus was the answer, and many were now onboard!

God never starts a project and then abandons it, leaving it halfway finished. Some projects like the church in Philippi or like your church are on a perpetual growth trend. Knowledge increases and growth continues until Jesus returns. We as individuals should also be on a growth trend until Jesus returns or until God calls us home. (Churches are managed by people with human faults, so don’t be surprised if the church takes two steps forward, and then one backward! Churches aren’t perfect! But if you wait to find the perfect situation, you’ll never know fellowship!)

Has God finished his work in you? I suspect not! None of us is better than all the others seeking to be good Christians. But don’t worry – God will never give up on you! In fact, he’ll keep feeding you knowledge every day of your life! The day you’re called home will be the closest you’ve ever been to the Lord!

God always finishes what he starts!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Church!

For Tuesday, April 2, 2024:

Colossians 1:2a NLT, to the church in Colosse from Paul and Timothy: “We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Early Christians were considered somewhat unusual. They didn’t fit in with the rest of society. Almost everyone else had a selfish “look out for #1” mentality. But these unconventional Christians shared their resources and loved everybody. How odd!

Epaphras was the Christian leader in their city, and he taught well. Followers of Jesus were “all in!” Believers frequently gave up businesses, homes and land, and donated the proceeds to the work of the church, helping spread the Good News! They had experienced unconditional love and friendship from their new Christian family! There was no going back; this was too good! They had made a decision to join up with these Christians. They liked what they saw, and chose to do life with these people. No one is ever sorry they made that decision!

Paul and Timothy wrote only the one letter to Colosse. It was assumed that all the Christians would be doing life together, and their one message would be heard by all.

At my church, following the Good Friday service, we all received an email from the lead pastor expressing gratitude for all the really good people in the congregation, people with whom we can live our lives. I believe God put us together, and each of us made a decision to stay.

I hope everyone reading this has a good church family that they can count on during life’s trials. God wants us to all experience fellowship!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

One True God!

For Friday, June 30, 2023:

1 John 5:20 NLT: “We know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.”

Mankind was made to worship. Greek and Roman societies worshiped many gods, but none of them were real. Our God, the one true God, has a history with mankind, starting even before the creation of our universe. God’s covenant with Abraham documents God’s desire for an ongoing relationship.

God sent his Son Jesus to earth to better explain what we just couldn’t ‘get.’ Jesus taught and healed, but best of all he solved mankind’s sin problem. As he was crucified and died, Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead, leaving believers suitable for residency in heaven, in the presence of our Creator, for eternity!

The true God wanted us to have eternal life! He chose to include us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Faith = Fellowship!

For Friday, April 14, 2023:

1 John 2:24-25 NLT: “You must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life Jesus promised us.”

We are saved by grace through faith. If we remain faithful to Jesus and his Father, the Bible says that they will remain faithful to us. It’s not a fair deal. It’s not an even trade. Believers are the clear beneficiaries of our partnership with the Lord.

When Jesus walked on earth, people only saw single incidents, individual encounters with the Savior. But following the crucifixion, and later after the publishing of the Bible, we can easily look at the entire body of work Jesus accomplished over his lifetime, much of it documented by eyewitnesses. If you consider everything that happened, you can only reach one conclusion: that Jesus was the Son of God, and we should listen to him! And if you compare Jesus’ life with preexisting prophesies, there’s even more proof. Statistically, it’s way beyond ‘coincidence.’ How can someone not be convinced?

We are asked to believe in a God we cannot see, and are offered life in an eternity so wonderful that we can only imagine its magnitude!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

New Earth!

For Wednesday, November 2, 2022:

Revelation 21:2 NLT: “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.”

God’s work is not finished! He’ll be restoring the New Heaven and the New Earth, and when it’s all finished God will live among his people! He’s restoring what we lost in the fall from grace. This is Good News for us, because anywhere God lives will be perfect! A city this perfect cannot be created by mankind; it a gift from God!

The New Earth, a believer’s final destination, is about community. We can look forward to a sinless, pure, community of righteousness – a Holy City. God’s desire is to live in close fellowship with mankind, and our purpose is to be a people unto God.

God always gets his way!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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