Forgiveness!

January 6, 2025 Monday Message:

John 8:7b NLT, Jesus speaking: “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”

An adulterous woman had been chased down by the Pharisees, and a crowd gathered. The law of Moses says that she should be stoned. Retribution and revenge topped the Pharisee’s agenda that day.

But Jesus had other plans. This was a teachable moment. Repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation always topped Jesus’ lists!

Loving the Lord and loving his neighbors were always #1 and #2 on Jesus’ agenda.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Will!

For Sunday, March 03, 2024:

Mark 14:36b NLT, Jesus praying: “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

The plan was for Jesus to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world. That’s his main mission, his main reason for coming to earth. But incredible pain and suffering go along with that. No one, including Jesus, would look forward to such a thing.

Jesus prays in the garden at Gethsemane. He understands the urgency of this matter. His disciples do not. They kept falling asleep. “Lord, if there is some other way to achieve your goal, I’d be open to it.” But obedient to the end, Jesus concluded his prayer: “Not my will, but your will be done!”

With Jesus atoning for mankind’s sins, heaven was possible for far more people. Those who would trust God’s plan – claim Jesus as Lord and Savior – can now become residents of the Kingdom!

"The Lord is patient toward mankind, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Restoration!

January 15, 2024 Monday Message:

Psalm 32:5 GNT: “I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins.”

God’s desire is that each one of us would repent and return; that none would be lost. So when we confess our sins before the Father, his eye isn’t so much on the sin as it is on our restoration. That’s what’s most important to him. God is focusing in on our repentance. God is in turn dispensing forgiveness and restoration. Remember, forgiveness follows repentance!

Q: If God is willing to completely forgive confessed sin, what should we do? The answer is obvious. We should forgive just as God forgives! God sends our record of sin to the bottom of the deepest ocean; separates it from us as far as the east is from the west.

Therefore when a believer returns to our midst asking for forgiveness, our job is to offer complete and total forgiveness and restoration, no exceptions! Welcome the transgressor back into our community with open arms. Restore their pecking order within the Holy family. Treat them with love and kindness. That’s what God would do.

Remember the woman caught in adultery? The religious leaders dragged her in front of the crowd, demanding that she be stoned. “What do you say, Jesus?”

Our Savior showed the woman an abundance of mercy. “Let the one who has never sinned cast the first stone!”

At this point, I believe she was plenty sorry she ever considered adultery! It all ended like this. One by one her accusers dissipated until no one remained except Jesus and the woman. He counseled her, “Go and sin no more!” No anger; no vengeance. Just love and a second chance – a simple, “Make a fresh start and try to do better next time!” That’s what Jesus did!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

God's Desire!

For Sunday January 14, 2024:

2 Peter 3:9b NLT: “The Lord is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

As a child, I attended my parent’s church, which displayed a painting that depicted a very tall God standing above a miserable sinner on his knees. God was pointing down toward the fires of hell, inasmuch as saying, “Get down there! That’s where you belong!” Nothing could be further from the truth!

Mankind has been trying to figure out God and religion for thousands of years. Many still get a lot of it wrong! In the back of our minds, we have the Hebrew/Jewish model, whereby we were given God’s laws, God’s commandments, and a pass/fail system for seeing heaven from the inside. That system ignored mankind’s propensity to fall off the straight and narrow path. It ignored repentance, our ability to come to the realization that sinning is wrong and our desire to set things right with the Lord. It ignored teshuvah, “repent and return.” In that old system, mankind was set up for failure, not success!

But let’s not forget God’s desire, that all would repent and return and that none would be lost. This principle is so important that I’m going to go out on a limb and call it the prime directive! It’s the foundation of the New Covenant, the New Deal. It’s about kindness, forgiveness and loving your neighbor. Our God is a God of do-overs, of keep trying until you get it right! He sent Jesus to teach us about this new plan for salvation.

Consequently, churches of the New Covenant will look different. Rather than containing only pious, holier-than-thou souls, a New Covenant church will be filled with reformed sinners, those with changed minds, changed hearts and changed lives – those who have repented and returned.

That’s what a church should look like nowadays! There’s plenty of room to accommodate even more penitent sinners!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Jesus - The Light of the World!

For Tuesday, January 3, 2023:

Isaiah 9:2 NLT: “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land where darkness casts its shadow, a light will shine.”

After Jesus’ baptism, John-the-Baptist was arrested, so Jesus settled in Capernaum and preached around the Sea of Galilee, fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah. Jesus’ audience was surprisingly receptive, especially considering that they were accustomed to living amongst sin, living in darkness.

The arrival of Jesus was as if someone had turned on a bright light in a world where there was none! Jesus preached a new way of living, caring for your neighbor instead of just looking out for #1. He preached repentance, forgiveness, redemption and eternal life, new concepts for most of these people. It was a far better way to live! It’s the model Jesus put in place for each of us! Finally, believers had hope!

When the people walking in darkness see a great light, it will no longer be dark!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Simplicity!

For Thursday, March 17, 2022

Matthew 11:25 NLT, Jesus praying: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.”

Sometimes we’re too smart for our own good. People fail to believe when they get hung up on some trivial theological detail. You may notice that Jesus didn’t call people to repentance in such a complicated manner as to require a master’s degree. He kept it simple.

I heard a pastor say, “The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.” Mainly concern yourself with redeeming ordinances, the simple rules and procedures that get us assurance of salvation. Sure, it’s always good to learn a little more, to increase our knowledge about God and his Son. But don’t let pursuit of knowledge shadow your view into eternity.

Never allow a quest for knowledge cloud your hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Prove Repentance1

February 7, 2022 Monday Message

Matthew 3:8 NLT, John-the-Baptist to the Pharisees and Sadducees: “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”

John-the-Baptist denounced the Pharisees, Sadducees and other Temple leaders: “You brood of vipers!” He challenged them to live a radically transformed life, a changed life, a much better life as evidence of their true belief in God. Frankly, their past behavior showed no sign at all of loving the Lord. I believe John-the-Baptist was right! And perhaps we should all prove - by the way that we live - that we have repented and returned to God!

Christians are known for good works and for benevolence, but that’s not how we qualify for heaven; that’s not our ticket to the hereafter. But because of what Jesus did for us – because of his gift to us of forgiveness, resulting in our assurance of seeing heaven from the inside - we give back! We support the church, we support charities and we do many good things, but it’s all out of gratitude for what Jesus already did for us. Jesus took the sin of the world to the grave, and left the believers pure, suitable for spending eternity in the presence of the Lord!

"Ibaptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But 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. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire!”

Sounds good to me!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Jesus Explains!

April 12, 2021 Monday Message

Luke 24:45 NIV: “Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”

It’s almost as if Jesus said, “I told you so!” Prophesies about the death and resurrection of the Messiah were abundant in the scriptures. But when you’re actually “in” the story, witnessing events first-hand, perhaps you’re a little too close to perceive the totality of what all is happening.

On the road to Emmaus, the two men were already believers. They were saddened, even depressed by the recent crucifixion of their spiritual mentor. But they didn’t connect the dots – they didn’t understand that everything that occurred was fulfilling prophecy. Jesus was in fact the one at the center of their scriptures. To open their eyes, Jesus held a mini-Bible Study as they walked.

Jesus taught that repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached in His name to all nations, and for us that’s very Good News! Jesus personally solved our sin-problem. Therefore we can look forward to a glorious life after this life in the presence of Almighty God, and that gives us hope – eternal hope!

Blessings and safety to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

God-Trends

June 10, 2019 Monday Message

“The fact is that God is very patient towards you. He has no wish that any person should be destroyed. He desires that all mankind should come to repentance.” (1 Peter 3:9 Phillips)

If you read about God and Jesus in the Bible, there seem to be what I call, “God trends.” Right is right, wrong is wrong, and God’s not about to change his mind. He’s the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Regarding mankind, the God-trend seems to be that God loves us. David writes 23 times about “chesed,” God’s love for believers. The King James translation calls it “everlasting lovingkindness,” since there isn’t a single word in the English language to adequately describe God’s love for us.

God so loved the world that he sent his Son Jesus to cover the sins of all who repent, so that they could be reclaimed for the Kingdom. This fits right in with God’s original plan, the God-trend. His desire is that ALL of us would join him in the next reality, and as the great facilitator, he has made this possible.

God gave us free will; He won’t force you to repent and return. But His desire is that ALL would come to repentance. Jesus has gone ahead to prepare your room!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets Father’s Day, Sunday June 16, 2019, 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. We’ll share a meal following the service as we welcome our guests from New Hope Center. Lead Pastor Michael Pilla continues in 1^st Corinthians 3 – “You belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God!”

Forgiveness

Dec. 10, 2018 Monday Message:

God forgives every sin, but he doesn’t overlook a single one.

Let’s say that your teenage son or daughter was arrested for speeding. As a parent, you can forgive them, but they have to go to court themselves. When it’s time to pay the fine, the judge will look to them, not you.

Every sin has consequences, often not immediately apparent. The Bible refers to this as, “the pleasures of sin for a short time.”

When a reformed criminal becomes a deeply religious person and appeals for leniency, the judge may or may not grant it. Repentance grants you a spot in heaven, a forever place in the presence of God, but it’s not a “Get Out of Jail Free” card.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla will lead us through the third Sunday of Advent. We welcome New Hope tour day.

Which Thief are You?

April 14, 2014 Monday Message:

Repentant Thief: “Jesus, Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

Jesus: “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:42-43 NLT)

Two thieves were crucified with Jesus. One was angry, belligerent and full of himself. In spite of his predicament (hanging from a cross and facing imminent death,) he decided to call Jesus out: “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it – save yourself, and while you’re at it, save us too!”

But the other thief was contrite, repentant. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah. He knew enough about religion to know that in spite of how this looked, it wasn’t the end for Jesus. He knew Jesus wouldn’t be dying, but instead would go to a far better place. “Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

We all deserve death, each of us in our own way. Picture yourself alongside Jesus on that fateful Friday. But remember that Jesus came to rescue us, to redeem us.

So the question is, which thief are you? Do you challenge Jesus: “So you claim to be the Messiah? Then prove it!”

Or do you humbly ask for forgiveness? “Please remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

The promise is that when you go from this reality into the next reality, you will be in paradise – with Jesus!

Norton Lawellin

Resurrection Sunday is upon us! 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. Pastor Michael Pilla looks inside the empty grave.

I and the Father are One

June 27, 2011 Monday Message:

Jesus: “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30

It took just one big bang to create the universe, our world and the vast eternal plan for all mankind. Our God, God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit, created that creation. The reason it all worked so well is that our God of three persons - was of one mind. Isn’t that what we really want as Christians – to be of one mind with God?

Don’t think that you have to be sinless – not one of us has achieved perfection. Rather, think of us as children of God. Yes, children want to please their parents. But children make mistakes, do things that are wrong, and have to say, “I’m sorry,” from time to time. No matter what, parents love us unconditionally, with agápe love that has no limit. God loves you like that.

When you say, “Whoops, I’m sorry,” you are becoming of one mind with your parent. “You’re right, I was wrong, I can see it your way now, I’m sorry.” In the same way, repentance is being of one mind with God. “God’s right, I was wrong, I can see it His way now, I’m sorry.”

When we understand God’s value system, the way he separates right from wrong and good from evil, our thinking can become more like his. God doesn’t change his mind about these things – he’s solid as a rock, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

When we’re on the same page as God, we can become, like David, someone after God’s own heart! 1Samuel 13:14b

Norton Lawellin

Join the Royal Family

January 10, 2011 Monday Message:

If you know David’s story, you know that, for a time, he lived in exile, without the royal diadem. But when David was a King, he lived like a King. David had it all — the finest foods, servants taking care of his every need, and a royal palace to call home.

But David knew that his earthly circumstances couldn’t guarantee eternal salvation. He knew it was necessary to put his faith, hope and trust in something of substance, something of eternal value. In Psalm 27:4, David’s one prayer is to, “live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

David’s earthly life was like a roller coaster — up and down. When he was a small shepherd-boy, David took on Goliath to defend the honor of God. David was anointed to be king, but that made him a target for others who wanted the throne. David finally became king, but then fell into sin during the Bathsheba years. But David repented and returned to the LORD, assuming his role as an earthly ancestor of Jesus and a man after God’s own heart.

David’s life was a lot like many of our lives — we’ve all seen ups and downs, times when we feel closer to God, and times when we drift away. We would all be wise to, like David, repent and return to the LORD. Because Jesus has covered us with his righteousness, we too are people after God’s own heart. Welcome to the royal family!

Norton Lawellin