Forgiven forever!

For Tuesday, November 25, 2025:

Romans 5:1 AMP: “Since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).”

Christians are saved by grace, God’s gift to us, through faith, believing in the Father and his Son, Jesus. On the cross, Jesus took away the sins of the world. Through this monumental miracle, we were given a clean slate, a fresh start, a do-over on living our lives. Prospective believers are asked to commit to a decision of believing and accepting God’s gift of reconciliation. Through Jesus, our sins are separated from us as far as the east is from the west. Our sins are at the bottom of the deepest ocean. In the book of life, the column titled “sin” will be blank. No scratch-outs; no eraser marks; just blank white space.

Believers will find that they have been redeemed, bought back from Satan. Jesus paid the price to rescue us. So now in our minds, we need to discard the image of being a perpetual sinner. We need to look, act and live out the role of someone whose sins no longer exist! Believers are holy. Believers have joined the Jesus Team!

We may not be perfect, but day by day we’ll grow closer to God. Progress, not perfection. Pray to love the Lord more today than yesterday. Accept with gratitude God’s gift of salvation and eternal life. Shout out, “Jesus, I’m with you!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Humble!

For Sunday, August 17, 2025:

Luke 18:9 NLT: “Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else.”

Two men entered the Temple to pray. They could not have been more different, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee thought highly of himself, saying, “I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!”

Tax collectors are thought to be the worst of all sinners. This traitor had switched sides and was working for the Roman oppressors. This man clearly knew he was in the wrong. “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.”

The repentant sinner was justified that day, not the Pharisee.

Jesus concludes his lesson: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” The Bible says, “Don’t think more highly of yourself than you ought!”

Oftentimes, taking a step down results in being lifted up!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus In the City Fellowship

Brothers and Sisters!

For Wednesday, September 20, 2023:

Romans 8:29-30 NLT: “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.”

God’s people are the believers, those 100% dedicated to God, Jesus and his plan for our salvation. Jesus is the firstborn, but as believers we are adopted into the Holy Family. Apparently God’s plan is to re-make each of the believers until they fully resemble Jesus. God taps believers on the shoulder and calls them to join his Son and all the other believers. God arranged for the price of our sins to be paid in full. Jesus took care of that. So believers are now justified in God’s sight, worthy of being his son or daughter! God’s glory now surrounds believers, eternal residents of the Kingdom! Welcome to the family!

God provided for everything!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Judgement!

For Saturday, September 10, 2022:

Psalm 62:12b NLT: “Surely, O God, you repay all people according to what they have done.”

David was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king of Israel while he was still a little shepherd-boy. Many years would pass before the death of Saul, before David could claim his position. Back then, disagreements between individuals were often settled by fighting, and many who wanted the kingdom for themselves made very real threats against David’s life. The future king David was forced to flee and hide, rather than be killed.

David’s loyalty to God Almighty was repeatedly tested, but David never flinched. God was his unchanging rock, the solid foundation upon which all things were created. He waited quietly for the Lord, knowing that in God’s time he would ascent to his calling, to lead the nation of Israel.

Almost an afterthought, David comments that surely God will repay people according to what they have done. God is fair and just, in addition to his being holy and righteous.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Psalms 68 - The Family of God

October 31, 2016 Monday Message:

“God sets the lonely in families.” Psalms 68:6a NIV

Your church should be like your second home, and your “church family” should be your new extended family. Some of us have earthly families; some of us do not. But God welcomes us ALL into HIS family with open arms. When you’ve been adopted into the Holy Family, that’s your forever home. Your best friends are there. It’s your sanctuary when the world around you is dishing out tribulation.

“From your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.” Psalms 68:10b

Jesus taught us to love each other, to care for each other, and to share. If someone in God’s family has been blessed with abundance, that’s so they can help fellow family members and others.

“Our God is a God who saves.” Psalms 68:20a

When we pass from this life to the next life, the whole family will get to see heaven from the inside. Jesus has made it so that we can spend eternity in the presence of the Almighty, and that’s really Good News!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, Paul deals with sin in the Corinthian church. See you there!

Jesus is the Answer

June 18, 2012 Monday Message:

Paul: “A person is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” Gal. 2:16a

Those of us alive in 2012 have always had access to a Bible. Long ago, the church collected, verified and authenticated the writings we know as our Bible. We can read and understand how God’s story begins, what occurred, and how it will unfold in the future. We have “systematic theology” - we know how Christianity “works.”

Following Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, worship began without the systematic theology model. These believers knew that Jesus was the Son of God and Savior of the world, but lacked the details of how this new “Christianity-thing” ought to work.

Most of Paul’s letters were written to help establish and give clarity to this new systematic theology, defining how Christianity works, and to encourage straying groups of believers back onto the proper path. Paul would check with and sometimes even confront the Jerusalem apostles in an effort to keep the Good News true to what God had shown him.

Nowadays we know that a person is saved only by faith in Jesus Christ, and phrases like “saved by grace through faith” just roll off our reformation tongues. The answer is simply, “Jesus.” It’s never Jesus-plus-something else. Just, “Jesus.”

Aren’t you glad we have 2012’s clarity about our eternal destiny?

Norton Lawellin

This Sunday I’ll be teaching Galatians 2 at Jesus in the City – the old location – lower level of Trinity First, 1115 E. 19^th St., Mpls., 11am.

We’re looking forward to July 29 – that’s the day that Jesus in the City Sunday worship moves to the Oliver Ministry Center, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue. Note the new service time: 10:30am. Prayers covering this transition and move would be appreciated.