Heavenly Prize!

For Saturday, October 22, 2022:

Philippians 3:14 NLT: “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

The Apostles in Jerusalem ministered mainly to Jews who had seen the light. But Paul’s mission was to the Gentiles in Greece and later in Rome. Greeks originated the olympic games, so they were quite familiar with finishing a big race and winning a prize. Here Paul compares a Christian’s journey with an olympic race.

Running a marathon is challenging, especially considering its length. It’s easy to run to the corner and back, but 28.2 miles tempts us to just give up, to quit. Paul says, “I press on,” even when there are challenges, even when it becomes difficult. Why? Because those who complete the journey are given a “heavenly prize,” the gift of spending eternal life in the light of the Lord!

The Greeks only won olive branches. But this heavenly prize makes running the Christian race worthwhile!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

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.

Consider the Cost

Jan. 06, 2014 Monday Message:

“A scribe approached Jesus and said, ‘Rabbi, I will follow you wherever you go.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’” (Matt. 8:19-20)

Remember that TV game show where they ask the contestants, “Is that your final answer? – Are you sure?”

Jesus wants people to follow him, to be his disciples, both when he walked the earth and nowadays. He personally recruited the apostles, as well as many of the other disciples who walked with him. On the road to Damascus, Jesus recruited Paul. Today, he calls you and me to participate in His ministry, the church.

But if you’re thinking of joining the throng, Jesus has one more question: ‘Have you considered the cost?’ - ’Is that your final answer?’ If you’re being called to an itinerant ministry, great, but there’s not even a place to lay your head! Yikes! Talk about under-resourced!

Jesus taught that no one should begin building a tower without the means to finish the job. Only a fool would put all his assets into completing half a job. Consider the cost BEFORE you start.

Ministry can be rough – not everything will run smoothly. You will have setbacks and you will hit roadblocks, dead-ends and resistance. Many in the world do not love Jesus like you do. Satan will fight you every step of the way. Can you keep going to the end? Can you finish? Have you considered the cost? Is that your final answer?

Jesus wants us to run the race in such a way as to win the prize. (1 Cor. 9:24)

Norton Lawellin

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. Last week we were frozen out, but the weather should be more favorable this Sunday, Jan. 12, and we’ll resume our in-depth study of Luke 18:18-30. Bring your Bibles!