Prejudice!

May 4, 2026, Monday Message:

Luke 4:22 NLT: “Everyone spoke well of Jesus and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. ‘How can this be?’ they asked. ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son?’”

Prejudice. It’s a practical word that has taken on a bad connotation. Nowadays, when we think of prejudice, we think of people from one country disliking those of another, simply because they’re from that other country. Racial prejudice is hate based only on skin color. And a number of people always seem to hate the Jews, but I’m never quite sure why.

Prejudice simply means “to pre-judge.” Prejudice could be based on logical assumptions, and not necessarily hateful in nature. In human terms, Jesus was the son of Joseph, so everyone assumed that Jesus would have learned from his father, who was a tektōn, a builder or craftsman. Given the lack of trees in the region and the amount of stone available, it’s more likely that Joseph was a stone mason rather than a carpenter.

But the people are amazed when Jesus reads scripture and speaks in the Synagogue. They hadn’t seen this coming! If he could artfully cut stone, that would have fit their prejudice. But to discover that Jesus could not only read scripture, truly understand scripture, and clearly explain it to others didn’t fit their pre-judged model. Jesus’ gracious words were contrary to what was normal for the time, looking out only for oneself. Again, it wasn’t what they expected.

Jesus is setting the stage for what bystanders around him should expect to see in the future. Friends, prepare yourselves. Expect the unexpected. Watch for problems to be supernaturally resolved. Miracles will be brought to fruition right before your eyes. You can watch it all happen, and wonder, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” Don’t allow your prejudice to overturn what your eyes can see!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus In the City Fellowship
The Father’s House
Truth and Freedom Church

Benevolent Leadership!

For Tuesday, November 14, 2023:

John 4:9 NLT: “The woman (at the well) was surprised (when Jesus spoke to her), for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, ‘You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?’”

Aren’t you tired of all the prejudice in our world, people hating each other for no good reason? In this account, Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along. Jews considered Samaritans “unclean.” Samaritans worshiped a creator God, but on their own mountain, not in Jerusalem. Samaritans held scriptures that sometimes differed slightly from the Jewish version. In fact, these two group are related, probably cousins. So why not get along? Jesus in fact threw out the old prejudices and traditions. He was determined to strike up a friendly relationship with this woman, and so he did!

In 1887, in a letter to his bishop, Lord Acton wrote, “Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.” He had good insight into human nature. If someone has enough power, benevolent leadership seems to fall by the wayside. Benevolent Leaders are predisposed to doing good and loving those under their authority. It’s not so bad living in a monarchy if the king loves you unconditionally. God’s Kingdom is like that.

Our capital city recently held an election, and as it turned out, the entire city council is now female! On talk radio, callers suggested a second election, or requiring half the council to step down. Why? There really is no problem. Voters thought that these women were the best candidates. They received the most votes! Do you know what will happen? They’ll serve to the best of their ability, the city will be fine, and there’ll be another election in a couple years.

Male vs female; black vs white; Russia vs Ukraine; Israel vs Nation of Islam; I’m sick of it all. Jesus didn’t live that way, and he didn’t teach us to live that way. I believe the whole world would be better off living as Jesus taught. Let’s all push in that direction!

More tomorrow! Blessings!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

I Am!

For Tuesday, July 19, 2022:

John 4:25-26 NLT: “The woman at the well said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”

Jesus asked the Samaritan woman at the well for a drink. Traditionally, Jews and Samaritans didn’t associate with each other. The Jews considered Samaritans impure and spiritually off track, but in fact they were cousins. Samaritans still worshiped God Almighty and were waiting for the promised Messiah, to which Jesus replied, “I am, the one speaking to you.”

Jesus pushed prejudice aside. He stayed another two days in Samaria teaching about God and the Kingdom, and many Samaritans became believers. This is Jesus proving that his forgiveness of your past and his promise of salvation are for ALL people! You and I are included!

The Savior of the world is for ALL the world!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Loyalty to God!

For Sunday, December 5, 2021

Matthew 5:10 NIV: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

There are always pundits who poke fun at religious folks. And sometimes the “poking fun” turns into prejudice and persecution. Jesus is telling us to stick with God no matter what. Loyalty will be rewarded. Believers will get to see heaven from the inside; those ridiculing us will be abandoned on the outside – forever!

I don’t believe that God micromanages earth. Oh sure, he can intervene when necessary. But he allows us great freedom in settling small matters. Sometimes mankind isn’t too good at it! The great equalizer comes when we enter the life after this life. Remember when Jesus said that the first will be last and the last will be first? In the next life, God puts everything in the proper order; he numbers everything His way, the right way!

In the end, everything will be OK - we have been promised hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Psalm 52 - Eternity

July 11, 2016 Monday Message:

“Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?” Psalms 52:1b NIV

Much has gone wrong in our nation this past week. Prejudice, discrimination and racial injustice once again surfaced, reminding us that not much has changed in 3,000 years.

The impulsive, trigger-happy people on both sides will prove to have been short-sighted. They failed to consider that our earthly stay is but a moment. Eternity, the next reality, is our eventual destination. Eternity in the presence of God is reserved for those who call Jesus, “Lord of their lives,” those who put their faith, hope and trust in him.

But prejudice and injustice go against everything that Jesus taught. The unrepentant perpetrators’ next reality will not be pleasant. The Bible speaks of hell and a lake of fire. Their future will NOT be in the presence of God, and eternity is a very, very long time.

The Good News is that God doesn’t want any of us in that situation. There is no sin so big that Jesus can’t forgive, and “repent and return” is always the best option, an option God has prescribed for ALL of us. Hope to see you all in the next reality!

“I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.” Psalms 52:9a

Norton Lawellin

Come worship with us! This Sunday, July 17, 2016, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This week – Romans 14.

Change My Heart

Jan. 20, 2014 Monday Message:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…” (Rev. 1:1a NLT)

When Jesus returns to establish the new heaven and the new earth, the old heaven and the old earth will pass away. And the bad parts of the old earth - things that were misguided, off-track – let’s just say - Wrong – all those things will pass away too.

Gone forever will be anger, murder, theft, lies, jealousy, sickness and death. And prejudice. None of these things comes from God. They’re the result of sinful mankind living in a fallen world.

Our bibles tell us that prejudice existed 2,000 years ago. Nathanael asks, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46a) And others query, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee?” (John 7:41b) Prejudice clouded their understanding of God’s own Son!

Our country has outlawed racial discrimination, and some people think that the problem is fixed. It is not. It will only be fixed when people’s hearts change. Laws don’t change people’s hearts – Jesus changes people’s hearts. So let’s all pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday at 10:30am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week we welcome Dan Pilla as we continue our study in Luke.