Preaching Good News!

For, June 8, 2026, Monday Message:

Luke 4:43 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.”

Early the next morning, Jesus left Simon’s house, preparing to leave the city. People begged him to stay, but he explained, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.” Jesus was on a mission trip, sent from God’s Kingdom to planet Earth with a goal, an agenda, a mission.

The Good News is that Jesus himself would pay the penalty for the sins of the world, and that believers would be redeemed. He could explain the Tanakh and Torah, and teach us God’s ways, that God loves us, and that he made a way for us to return home.

There are far too many cities for Jesus to visit himself, so eventually he sent his Apostles and disciples to proclaim the Kingdom on his behalf. And before ascending back to the Father, he told the believers to continue making disciples of all nations. That’s still our mission nowadays. Jesus wants us to share the Good News with as many as possible before his return.

He’ll be returning soon, and that’s our Good News for today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Who Is This Guy?

April 27, 2026, Monday Message:

Mark 11:27-28 NLT: “Jesus and the disciples were walking through the Temple area, when the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

Those posing the question didn’t really like Jesus. They were prejudiced against him. He was a threat to their authority and income. So they asked him kind of a trick question. If Jesus said he was on his own, he wouldn’t possess the authority to demand compliance. If he said he was sent by God, they would demand proof.

Jesus answers their question with one of his own, like the storybook troll asking you to solve a riddle before crossing a bridge. “I’ll answer your question if you can answer mine. What about John the Baptist? Who gave him authority?”

The priests and teachers didn’t know how to answer. They hadn’t obeyed John, so they couldn’t admit that his words were heaven-sent. On the other hand, they didn’t want to say John was merely human, because most people thought John was a prophet. So this collection of the greatest religious minds in all of Israel finally answered, “We don’t know.” Duh!

Consequently, Jesus refused to give them an answer. To him, the answer should have been obvious. Who would know all of God’s laws, the best way for us to live? Who could heal any malady, making people as good as new? Who could raise Lazarus from the dead? Everyone may not have known that Jesus is God’s Son, but they should have been able to discern that his actions were heaven-sent.

Jesus wants us all to answer that question, “Who do you believe he is?” Read and re-read the eyewitness accounts until you get it. Jesus is the heaven-sent Son of the Most High, who was sent here to rescue mankind. His mission was successful!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Holy Saturday!

For Holy Saturday, April 4, 2026:

Matthew 27:64 NLT, asking Pilate: “We (the leading priests and Pharisees,) request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”

The leading priests seemed unconcerned with spiritual authenticity, unconcerned with truth. To them, Jesus was a threat to their power and money. People had left the Synagogue to follow Jesus, and their tithes had gone to Jesus rather than the Temple. Because Jesus was a perceived threat, the leading priests and Pharisees plotted to kill him, which goes against everything they stood for. Now they were worried that Jesus’ prophecy would come true, that he would rise in three days. Men were sent to guard the tomb so that no one could steal the body and falsely claim that Jesus was alive.

The Great Exchange: Remember that while on the cross, the sins of the world were heaped upon Jesus, and His innocence was imparted to believers. That’s a massive amount of forgiveness, but that was the Father’s plan to bring believers home. That was Jesus’ mission, to rescue mankind from Satan’s territory. You could say that Jesus was on a mission trip to planet Earth!

One more thing: Many of us learned the Apostles’ Creed growing up. There’s a mistranslation that has always bothered me. The creed states, “Jesus was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell.” Friends, Jesus did not go to hell. He went to Sheol, a place for the dead. It is not heaven, and it is not hell. It may involve judgment, since Moses wrote, “The anger of Yahweh is a flame which burns in the ‘depths’ of Sheol.” But believers are already forgiven by the work Jesus did on the cross.

I suspect that not much happened on Holy Saturday, since that day is the Sabbath for Jews. It’s the Lord’s day, not a day for customary work. Jesus will be back to work tomorrow, walking away from his grave. Christians worship on Sunday, the day we realized that Jesus had conquered sin and death at the same time! In the meantime, "Shabbat Shalom!"

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

David's Anointing!

For Tuesday, March 24, 2026:

1 Samuel 16:11c NLT: “At once, send for the youngest, the shepherd,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

God had told Samuel that one of Jesse’s sons was to be anointed as Israel’s next king. Samuel thought he had interviewed all the young men, but God had yet to pull the trigger. So Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” Voilà: David, anointed to be the next king of Israel! Not because his father Jesse decreed it, not because Samuel said so, but because he was God’s choice! Because God said so!

Frankly, there was no way David could have turned down the assignment. Think back to Jonah, called to deliver the “repent and return” message to the people of Nineveh. Fearing for his life, Jonah took off in the opposite direction, went overboard during the voyage, was swallowed up by a giant sea creature who spit him out. Where? On the beach of Nineveh, right where God had called him to be. God always gets his way! It would take a few more years, but David would ultimately assume the position for which he had been earmarked by God.

Have you ever been called by the Lord? First, identify your God-given gifts and talents. God will not call you to a task for which you have no skill, no knowledge. He will not send you on a mission without supplying the tools needed for success. If you’re volunteering to join the “God team,” something He needs will jump out at you, will fall right into your lap. You’ll be better at it than others. It wouldn’t be the same without you! God knows what he’s doing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Serving Mankind!

March 9, 2026, Monday Message:

Matthew 4:24 NLT: “News about Jesus spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.”

As he documents what occurred, Matthew seems amazed that news of Jesus’ healings spread into Syria. But if we look at a map nowadays, the news traveled only about 300 miles. The remarkable thing is that this happened without radio, TV, newspapers or internet! No journalists were reporting on Jesus’ activities. Back then, word-of-mouth was how information went out!

Being heaven-sent with the power of God Almighty, Jesus could fully heal the sick, the injured and the mentally impaired. We often underestimate the negative effects of demon-possession, but Jesus took care of that, too. People healed by Jesus were fully healed!

As this news spread, people began bundling up their sick and bringing them to Jesus. They would travel many miles, sometimes for weeks, to find Galilee, where the healings took place. Jesus wasn’t a slacker. He kept the line moving until everyone who needed healing was healed. Only then was it a time for rest.

As impressive as this all seems, healing wasn’t Jesus’ primary purpose in coming to Earth. It was a side-benefit of Jesus being God in the flesh. Mankind are the beneficiaries of Jesus’ goodness. Around Jesus, miracles were commonplace. We shouldn’t be surprised. Jesus preached for us to love our neighbors. Those who came needed help, he could provide the solution, and not helping wasn’t an option in Jesus’ playbook.

Later in his ministry, Jesus would take the sins of the world to the place of the dead, thereby healing not only the physically sick, but also all of mankind who were cursed with their sin problem. Jesus brought heaven’s healing to everyone willing to accept his help, everyone who desired to repent and return to the Father’s way.

Jesus’ offer of love and forgiveness is still open! Have you made your decision?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Baptized!

     February 2, 2026:

Luke 3:4, 6 NLT: Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ Then all people will see the salvation sent from God.”

Today, we’re looking at John the Baptist, who was on a mission trip for God. He was to encourage everyone to repent and return to the Lord, and to be water-baptized as part of God’s plan for forgiveness and reconciliation. And he was privileged to introduce Jesus the Messiah to the world.

Jesus would eventually be baptized by John. Being without sin, Jesus didn’t really need to be baptized, but chose to do so as an example of what others should do and to identify John as one of God’s servants. John protested, “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you!” But Jesus insisted they fulfill all of God’s requirements.

As Jesus came up out of the water, the Holy spirit descended upon him like a dove, and a voice boomed out from heaven: “This is my dearly beloved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Jesus’ ministry just shifted into high gear! What lies ahead will truly be exciting!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Great Exchange!

For Friday, January 9, 2026:

Romans 6:6 NLT: “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”

Believers are forever with Jesus. Let me explain. As Jesus died on the cross, the sins of the world were heaped upon him. That includes your sin and my sin. And those sins went away with Jesus to the place of the dead. He rose three days later, coming back without those sins. So this resurrected Jesus is without sin, just as He always was. And He is our friend, just as He always was.

Our sinful nature died with Christ. He carried our sins away, thereby leaving us clean and forgiven. This is called the Great Exchange, Jesus taking our sins away and leaving us pure, suitable for residence in God’s forever kingdom of Heaven. Because of Jesus’ mission, sin has lost its power over believers. Believers are no longer slaves to Satan or his Demons. Mission accomplished!

Sin died so that believers might have eternal life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Mission Accomplished!

For Friday, December 12, 2025:

Hebrews 12:2 NLT: “We continue keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

When Jesus returned to the Father, God must have said, “Good job – well done! You have solved mankind’s sin problem!”

We honor God by claiming his Son as Lord and Savior of our souls. Our faith in Jesus includes us in the family of God. He was sent to rescue mankind, and from the cross he said, “It is finished. The job you sent me to do is completed. Souls of believers will now start coming home!” Jesus knew his mission, and – seeing the result – determined that the effort was worth the outcome.

Our Savior is now seated at God’s right hand, the seat of honor. His mission was a gift to all mankind because of our faith, trust and love for the Son!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Father Knows Best!

For Saturday, October 18, 2025:

John 14:24b NLT, Jesus speaking: “Remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.”

We have grown accustomed to Jesus speaking this way. Most of us, one way or another, have some sort of Christian education, so Jesus’ words don’t sound strange to us. But 2K years ago, people were still trying to figure out religion. If Jesus had told them everything straight away, they might not have believed him. So he keeps feeding them pieces of the theology puzzle that they can assemble as the Holy Spirit leads.

In today’s scripture, Jesus tells us that the words he teaches are not his own. They originate from God the Father. From this we can assume that Jesus and the Father know each other well and are on the same page. They believe the same things, and both want mankind to behave the same way. Their commandments are identical. And apparently, Jesus knew the Father long before he came to Earth. Apparently, Jesus has already seen heaven from the inside! When he says, “The Earth is not my home,” there’s another place, Heaven, God’s Kingdom, their eternal residence. Jesus is right there alongside his Father.

We would be wise to cherish all of Jesus’ hints, the theology puzzle-pieces. Pray that the Holy Spirit would show you the big picture, the truth about who Jesus is, who sent him to visit the Earth, and his mission. I believe his primary mission is the redemption of mankind by forgiving our sins. Once forgiven (and therefore sinless,) we can join God in his eternal Kingdom.

The Lord’s desire is that none would perish, and all would repent and return. Jesus is the Captain of the team, bringing God’s desires to fruition!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!

For Thursday, September 18, 2025:

John 13:36 NLT: “Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”

And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”

Jesus gave Peter an answer, but the answer didn’t fit the question. In this exchange, Jesus never said where he was going. Jesus wisely avoided topics that most people wouldn’t understand. Remember that at that time, there was debate over life-after-this-life. Pharisees thought it was possible, but didn’t know much about it. Sadducees didn’t believe in a hereafter, so it was a dead topic with them. Jesus knew exactly what was to happen, but the true scenario would seem impossible to most people. Dying, going to the place of the dead, back to life in 3 days – doesn’t seem logical. Doesn’t seem possible!

Jesus challenges Peter with a prophecy: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Simon Peter – I call him Mr. Impulsive – shouts out, “Not me, Lord! I would never forsake you. I would be willing to die for you!” Dying in support of Jesus would be good, but dying unnecessarily would be bad.

In the courtyard: “Didn’t I see you with Jesus earlier today?”

Peter: “Nah, couldn’t have been me. You got the wrong guy!”

In the courtyard: “I think I recognize you. Aren’t you one of the 12?”

Peter: “You’re thinking of someone else. I’m from out of town!”

In the courtyard: “You were talking to Jesus earlier, over by the fire.”

Peter: “You keep talking about Jesus. I’ve never even met the guy!”

Rooster: Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!

Some folks call Peter a coward or say that he abandoned Jesus. Yes, he saved his own skin, but I prefer to line that up with God’s vast eternal plan. You see, God had already earmarked Peter to lead the disciples following the resurrection. He was the point-person for the first Christian church, The Way. Peter needed to stay alive to do the work God had given him to do! God gave Peter purpose.

If you’re not dead, you’re not done! Peter lived to fulfill God’s purpose for his existence. We all live to fulfill God’s purpose for us. We can love our neighbors, serve others, love our Lord and encourage others to love him too. That’s our mission; that’s our assignment.

Without purpose, it may be our time to leave the planet. (Just my opinion.)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Paid In Full!

September 15, 2025, Monday Message:

Hebrews 10:12 NLT: “Our High Priest (Jesus) offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”

Jesus fully understood his primary mission. He was the final sacrifice atoning for the sins of the world. That includes your sin and my sin, and past, present and future sins. Yes, even future sins not yet committed are covered by Jesus’ sacrifice. If we repent and return to the Lord and acknowledge Jesus as our Savior, He will confirm our heavenly reservation. We will be seated at the wedding banquet in the Kingdom, thereby confirming our relationship with the Son.

Jesus did it right the first time. We don’t need another sacrifice. Nothing could be greater than the offering of God’s Son’s life to atone for the sins of the world. One and done!

By that one offering, Jesus made perfect all those lined up behind him. None of us are perfect. All who walk on the earth have fallen short of God’s glory. And yet when we fall in behind Jesus, he renders us sinless, forgiven and in a way, “perfect,” eligible for residence in the Kingdom!

So my advice is to repent and return, and to then follow Jesus into the hereafter! Eternity can be awesome! Our transition to eternity fulfills God’s vast eternal plan for believers! Believers are “IN!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Obedience and Faith!

For Saturday, August 23, 2025:

John 13:2: “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.”

The Jesus we worship is both fully God and fully human. He was heaven-sent to redeem mankind, and this mission remained front-of-mind throughout his ministry. At the same time, he knew that mission would incur brutal treatment, suffering and eventually death (in the human sense.) Being fully God, he had control over everything. He could have pulled the plug on this mission at any time to save his skin. But that would have sabotaged the greater mission. He was willing to endure personal misery to bring heaven’s mission to fruition. We call this obedience.

God wants to see obedience in each one of us. Jesus’ mother Mary replied to the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Total obedience! The concept is to 100% agree with the Lord. “Whatever God wants, I’m in!”

How did this scenario end? Jesus was raised from the tomb three days later, eventually returning to heaven and reuniting with the Father. Mankind’s sins had been forgiven according to God’s plan. You see, God’s plan always works out for the best! Pray that you and I could better learn obedience. And give us faith to persevere until it’s our turn to live in the Kingdom.

Obedience and faith – a good combination! Trust God – everything will be all right in the end!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Good News for All!

For Thursday, July 31, 2025:

Mark 13:10 NLT, Jesus teaching his disciples about the end times: “The Good News must first be preached to all nations.”

How long will this age last? When do the “end times” begin – and end! Good questions! The disciples in the Bible certainly had an interest in knowing the answers, as do we!

Jesus says that the Gospel or Good News must first be preached to all people everywhere. All of mankind deserve an opportunity to repent and return. Everyone gets a chance to express repentance, receive forgiveness and claim the right to join Jesus in the hereafter. He has gone ahead to prepare a place for all who believe.

 “All nations” implies that new believers may not look like you. New believers may speak a different language. Realize that there is really only one race, the human race, and Jesus awards everyone a chance to be included in the Kingdom. This is why so many churches support international missionaries.

It’s important to prayerfully consider your call. Years ago, God sent me to the inner city of Minneapolis. There’s drugs, crime, far too many single parents and sometimes no parents. I call that the lost generation, missing parents while grandma tries to hold the family together. Fortunately, grandma is usually carrying a Bible, so there’s hope! That’s my mission field. Where’s yours?

Mankind is made to worship, and most people are seeking spiritual answers. They’ll listen if we’re willing to teach. But non-believers won’t accidentally attend our churches. That’s why we must leave our buildings and carry the Gospel to the people we’re called to reach. That’s why every place on earth can be a ministry opportunity.

Always be prepared to share the Good News!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Beware Greed!

For Tuesday, June 10, 2025:

Luke 12:15 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Our God, Jehovah Jireh, is a God of provision. He gives us all we need for the work he has given us to do. He will not send us on a mission without equipping us for that mission. I thank the Lord that he set me down in the US, a land of abundance. I have everything I need, and most of what I want.

But not everyone is as blessed. One of our African readers sent me a picture of a young boy with what could only be described as a bowl of mush. The boy had a big smile, grinning ear to ear, happy that he had something to eat today. I don’t know if he had anything to eat yesterday.

Mankind’s tendency is to want just a little bit more. OK – show of hands – How many want to keep up with the Joneses? (Nowadays it might be keeping up with the Kardashians!) That’s not a good thing. Here, Jesus is counseling his followers to not be greedy, to be content with what they have been given. On judgment day, it won’t matter if you drove a Kia or a Cadillac. Either way, you can’t take it with you!

Amassing earthly stuff won’t get you any heaven points. Loving the Lord and loving your neighbor will help with that. That’s what Jesus said to do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship