Living or Dying?

April 22, 2024 Monday Message:

Philippians 1:23-24 NLT, Paul writing to the Philippian church: “I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.”

Paul lived during a time when death was a daily possibility. Disputes were settled with violence, executions were a daily occurrence, and Paul was sending this message from prison – not a positive scenario!

Ironically he was imprisoned for preaching salvation through Jesus the Christ. Romans claimed divinity for their current emperor; they considered preaching for Jesus to be preaching against Caesar, a crime worthy of arrest, imprisonment, and who knows what else!

I believe Paul was intelligent and well-educated, a seeker of truth. As a result of his beliefs, he could live or he could die. Paul considered both.

Most people are apprehensive about dying, but Paul’s faith gave him a deep-rooted belief in a heavenly destination in the next life. So to him, death wasn’t to be feared; it was something that we should anticipate joyfully! After all, believers get to spend eternity alongside Jesus in the presence of God! Suddenly dying looks like an attractive option! It doesn’t get any better than that for Paul personally!

But what’s better for evangelism, spreading the Good News about Jesus, and for the church? Paul writes, “To me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. If I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.” Wisely, Paul is leaving the choice in God’s hands. But clearly he’s looking forward to spending more time with Jesus!

Q: Do you fear death, or regard it as an opportunity? Paul advises that we trust the Lord to make that decision. God always knows what’s best!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Goal!

April 17, 2023 Monday Message:

Matthew 16:21 NKJV: “Jesus began to show to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

As unlikely as it may seem, Jesus’ suffering and being killed was the conclusion to his earthly mission. The whole scenario was planned in advance by his Father, God in heaven. Jesus would be resurrected on the third day, and eventually ascend, returning to the Father. But as Jesus died, he would take the sins of the world to the place of the dead. And mankind, having been forgiven, could then join him in eternal paradise. That was God’s plan, to rescue mankind. It would al take place in Jerusalem.

The disciples, not knowing the big picture, wanted to protect Jesus from this persecution. They advised him to not return to Jerusalem. It seemed excessively dangerous. Peter took Jesus aside to give him a little advice and critique what he had been saying: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”

To which Jesus replied, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Peter could only visualize saving one man, Jesus. But Jesus and his Father were out to save ALL of mankind!

Rescuing mankind was God’s goal! Better not get in his way!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship