Citizens of Heaven

Aug. 26, 2019 Monday Message:

“We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.” Phil. 3:20a

Mankind has claimed, negotiated for and oftentimes fought wars over ownership of a piece of land. Israel claims their country’s land because God gave it to them; the Palestinians say they were there first. This dispute has gone on more than 3,000 years, and continues to this day.

The border between the United States and Mexico has been in the news a lot lately. It’s just a jagged line drawn on a map, drawn by mankind, and a lot of residents in the region wish it wasn’t there. They have friends, relatives and employment opportunities on both sides of the line. Free back-and-forth access would improve the lives of a lot of people, yet we spend millions enforcing the man-made line, with no end in sight.

Believers have a better deal. Paul teaches that believers can think of themselves as “Citizens of Heaven,” and if we are “Citizens of Heaven,” then we are just resident aliens visiting earth. Suddenly borders don’t matter so much. In heaven, US believers and Mexican believers may have adjacent rooms – who knows?

Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not yet the end! God is still in charge!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla opens up Philippians Ch. 4 on this holiday weekend. Welcome Guest Worship Leader David Boeltl.

Your Room is Ready!

Aug. 19, 2019 Monday Message:

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 KJV

This conclusion to Psalm 23 assumes that we have already said “yes” to the Lord being our Shepherd, leader of our lives. Our Shepherd – the one God who has made himself known in three different forms: Father, Son and Holy Spirit – has included all believers in His Holy Family.

So when it comes to life after this life, Christians have “Assurance of Salvation.” In this scripture, “surely” or “assuredly” is the operative word. Jesus has gone ahead to prepare your room – guaranteed – you can count on it! The original language says that God’s everlasting lovingkindess, His mercy and love, will pursue you – chase you down – every day of your life; and you will dwell in God’s house for many, many years.

After this life, we’ll check in to God’s house for the rest of our days. Your room is ready - see you there!

Norton Lawellin

Citizens of Heaven

Aug. 12, 2019 Monday Message

(Jesus speaking:) “If I go prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3 ESV

Are you proud that Jesus is holding a spot for you in the eternal kingdom? We all should be ecstatic! Eternity in the presence of God is an incredible gift. Shout it out - tell others!

In Luke 16, Jesus teaches about the rich man and Lazarus, who both died. Lazarus is taken to Abraham’s side, heaven, while the rich man found himself in Hades. And from the fire of Hades, the rich man could see Lazarus in Paradise, as he begged for a touch of water.

I believe the agony and heartbreak of Hades is seeing that little glimpse of heaven in the distance and knowing that you can never get there – a perpetual reminder of a bad decision that cannot be undone.

Charles Spurgeon writes that we should work hard to impress ourselves with a deep sense of the value of the place to which we are going.

See you in heaven!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets Sunday Aug. 18, 2019, 10:30am. Founding Pastor Michael Pilla opens up Philippians ch. 2 as we welcome guests from Westwood Church and the New Hope Tour. Special treat: Worship led by “People of Hope!”

Heavenly Reservation

Aug. 05, 2019 Monday Message

“God created human beings in his own image; male and female he created them. Then God looked over all he had made, and saw that it was very good.” from Gen. 1:27-31

God had a plan right from the start. He told the man and the woman to “fill the earth and govern it.” God held up his end of the bargain. But given free choice, mankind made some selfish decisions, and the whole thing went sour.

Nonetheless, God didn’t give up on his creation. His desire is that none would perish, but that all would repent and return. So Jesus came to earth to pay the penalty for everything mankind did wrong. And if you accept the forgiveness of Jesus, you have a guaranteed reservation in the eternal kingdom. Jesus went on ahead to prepare your room!

Basic Christianity is pretty simple: Accept Jesus as your savior, and you get to see heaven from the inside. See you there!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets Sunday Aug. 11, 2019 We’ll open up Philippians ch. 1, where they’re counseled to live as “Citizens of Heaven!”