Eternal Destiny!

For Wednesday, February 22, 2023:

Matthew 8:11-12 NLT, Jesus speaking: “And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

While living in my college dorm, I attended a Bible study. I explained that my family belonged to a church for years, and that we were pledging members. But they kept asking, “When are YOU going to become a Christian?” I didn’t get it at first, but they were challenging me to make my own personal commitment to Jesus. They wanted me to have Jesus in my heart! They were right!

Without Jesus, many who just put on a Godly show won’t see heaven from the inside. In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees were the problem, beating others over the head with God’s law while they failed to love the Lord and love their neighbor. They had become judges and enforcers, but those traits won’t endear you to your Savior.

Converts who truly believe will be ‘in!’ Hypocrites who only pretend to be a part of the fellowship will be out. In heaven, believers will sit down to dinner with the Saints. But those on the outside will face suffering and despair. God gave us freedom to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to our eternal destiny – choose wisely!

Only you know if you love Jesus enough to meet him in heaven!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Eternal Destiny!

For Sunday, October 30, 2022:

Revelation 1:18 NIV, Son-of-man speaking: “I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

Q: Who determines your eternal destiny – your place of residence in the life-after-this-life?

Here we are told that it’s Jesus, who called himself “Son-of-man.” He first did these things himself. The Roman Centurions certified Jesus’ death, and he was placed in a tomb. But three days later he was up, out of the grave and walking around, something ultimately witnessed by hundreds of people. He had conquered death!

And when Jesus died, he took the sin of the world to the place of the dead. Having their sin forgiven and removed, believers can now count on spending eternity in God’s presence. He gave us us assurance of salvation.

Jesus alone holds the keys to overcoming death and hell, and that’s Good News!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Decision!

For Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Matthew 14:1-2 NLT: “When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, he said to his advisers, ‘This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.’”

Herod Antipas, known as Herod the tetrarch, was in a perilous place. He had heard Jesus speak, he knew the evidence of who Jesus was, but he concocted his own theory as to the source of Jesus’ power. Herod never made the transition to becoming a believer. Sitting on the fence, he perpetually made the incorrect decision. Unfortunately his eternal destiny rested on that decision. He’s what I call “almost-a-believer!”

Many of us have an “almost-a-believer” in our circle of friends, and Jesus calls us to give them hope. He commissioned us to take the Good News to the four corners of the earth and make disciples, believers, followers of the Son of God. Jesus said that no one comes to the Father except through him, so everyone needs to know about the redeeming Savior.

If we spread the Good News about Jesus, everyone will have a chance to believe and be saved. People will be offered hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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