Focus on the Prize

August 27, 2018 Monday Message:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” Colossians 1:1 NLT

Paul is counseling the Colossian church about 3 ‘lives,’ or 3 different periods in their lives. We all experience these same 3 realities.

First is our ‘Before Jesus’ story. For many of us, this was not a good time in our lives. We needed a radical transformation; we needed to live our lives a better way.

So next comes the ‘After Jesus’ story, with Jesus choosing us for His kingdom, and us asking Jesus into our hearts and into our lives. We are now beneficiaries of the New Covenant, whereby Jesus has covered our sins, making it possible for us to see heaven from the inside. And as grateful Christians, we try to live our lives as Jesus instructed, but we don’t always get it right. Shortcomings…

Paul tells us to not worry too much about life on earth. Rather, look forward to a 3^rd reality: heaven itself, eternal life in the presence of the Father.

Paul uses the analogy of running a race. Don’t worry about how long the race is – don’t worry about how tired you’re getting, how out-of-breath you are – your legs are getting sore, your feet hurt. Don’t focus on any of that. Paul says to keep your eye on the prize. In a race, it might only be a trophy – it might only be an olive branch – but in the case of running the race of life alongside Jesus, the prize is eternity in the presence of the Father.

Keep your eye on the prize!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Guest Worship Leader David Boeltl.

Righteous Live by Faith

August 20, 2018 Monday Message:

God’s promise: “My righteous ones will live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38a NLT

God has given us the means to receive eternal salvation – His Son Jesus Christ and a New Covenant master-plan. And since Jesus is now Lord of our lives, then it behooves us to live our lives as Jesus directed.

In John 13:34, Jesus taught: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The importance of loving our brothers and sisters was so important that Jesus stated it three times, so we wouldn’t miss the point. Picture the wonderful world it would be if all others treated you the way they’d like to be treated. Imagine a world filled with love and acts of good works – where the people you meet every day would fill you up with encouragement. That’s the ‘Jesus’ plan!

Of course that picture is of an ‘ideal’ world, not our ‘real’ world. God has given mankind free choice and the power to choose incorrectly. Our ‘real’ world is filled with greed and hate and other sins, and sometimes life isn’t easy.

The Bible encourages “patient endurance.” Persevere. “Then you will receive all that he has promised.” And that promise is heaven itself, eternity in the presence of the Father. Heb. 10:36

“We are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.” Heb. 10:39

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Rev. Jeff Boyer will open up Hebrews 11.

Reconciliation - Once for All Time

August 13, 2018 Monday Message:

“God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” Hebrews 10:10 NLT

The Hebrew people were constantly trying to atone for their sins, primarily with animal sacrifices. We may not understand that in 2018, but that was the Hebrew tradition at the time, their ritual and tradition. It was how they had been raised.

But God had other plans - newer, better plans for us. Jesus brought us the New Covenant which supersedes the Law of Moses. And Jesus’ offering of himself for the sins of the world – past, present and future sins – is a one-time offering that lasts forever.

While God granted us freedom of choice so we could accept or reject His offer of reconciliation, His desire is that ALL would repent and return. God wants us all to be with Him in his eternal Kingdom, forever and ever. All we have to do is say, “Yes,” to His Son Jesus.

“When sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.” Heb. 10:18

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. I’ll continues our study in Hebrews chapter 10. See you at church!

Sinners Redeemed

August 6, 2018 Monday Message:

Jesus speaking: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 NIV

One of my favorite ‘Jesus’ stories concerns the thief on the cross. There were in fact 2 thieves. One was arrogant, belligerent and confrontational. He shouted at Jesus, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other thief was humble and contrite. By this time, everyone in that region had heard of Jesus and the miracles he performed, and most had heard him speak at one time or another. So in spite of his errant ways, this second thief knew who Jesus was and believed.

He turned to our Lord and said, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

But Jesus did better than just ‘remembering’ the man. Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in paradise – heaven!” Heaven is spending eternity in the presence of God, and hell is eternity separated from God. Jesus granted this believing thief entrance to the heavenly kingdom.

The thief was saved by grace through faith, and that’s all that was required. There was no other ritual needed, no other sacrifice needed, no other ceremony required. Jesus didn’t say, “Let’s get down from our crosses and run over to the Jordan and get you baptized!” All salvation demanded was faith in in the Redeemer.

And it’s our faith in the Redeemer Jesus that assures our eternal destination in the next reality!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Pilla continues our study in Hebrews.