Running to Win - 15 Minute Edition

In a time of coming judgment, Jeremiah wept over the fate of his people. Do we in America weep for the many sins of our nation? In this message, Pastor Lutzer identifies four crossroads where America chose the wrong direction, calling darkness "light." Let's discover why we can hope in God despite the direction of our nation's morality and spiritual state.    Click here to listen (Duration 14:35)

When God judges His people, His question is clear: "Don't you see how serious your sin is? Turn to me." Great deception took hold in ancient Israel, leading to idolatry and judgment. The same pervasive mindset is having destructive effects all around us. In a time of inverted values, we can have hope. God is still seeking for those who will turn to Him in repentance.   Click here to listen (Durati...

What was once wrong is now celebrated, and what was right is now considered wrong. To become so confused, people must believe devastating lies. In this message, we'll isolate four lies about a nation's sins, and their inevitable consequences. We as Christians must offer Christ's hope, forgiveness, and help today.     Click here to listen (Duration 14:35)

Misconceptions about God have consequences. God isn't endlessly tolerant, putting up with any attitude or behavior. God had Babylon take Israel captive after Israel had endlessly deceived itself through idolatry. But neither does He impulsively condemn. What is it about our concept of God that needs adjustment?    Click here to listen (Duration 14:35)

When we get serious with God, He begins to show us the idols in our lives because He 's the only One worthy of our worship . In Jeremiah's day, Israel forsook God—the fountain of living water—for idols, which were like broken cisterns that hold no water. Because of this, God's judgment fell. In this message, we'll make three key observations about true freedom from idolatry. Let's consider the imp...

What will it take for us to give up today's idols of sports, business, relationships, and fame to return to God? The prophet Jeremiah told Judah of God's coming judgment. Despite a clear warning, the people clung to their idols and did not repent. In this message, we'll unveil three characteristics of idolatry so we can avoid the self-deception of our own idolatry. God has called us, in this cultu...

What does faithfulness look like in a nation that is under judgment? After Israel's long disobedience, God orchestrated for Babylon to take them into captivity. They became a minority in a pagan land, just like Christians are fast becoming a minority in America. In this first message from the series "The Church In Babylon," we'll look at the uniqueness of Jeremiah's calling and how the church can...

No one who stands against God will ultimately win. God's plan for the devil involves unlimited torment in a lake of fire that will never go out. In this message, we'll discover the last of the five characteristics of hell, prepared for the devil and his angels. The lake of fire is just and eternal. Let's take a sobering look at the ultimate punishment for rebellion against a holy God.    Click her...

Something in all of us cries out for justice. For Satan, justice will be both severe and certain. Since Satan's been cast out of heaven, he's continued to tempt, oppress, and attack as the prince of the power of the air. In this message, we'll discover five characteristics of his ultimate destination—the lake of fire. With Martin Luther, we can rejoice that the devil's "doom is sure."    Click her...

The ravages of Satan show up across time. But the devil's doom is certain. He's on death row, howling until he meets his destiny in the lake of fire. In this message from Revelation, we're assured of the devil's demise in three decisive stages. Let's take an encouraging look at the end of the Accuser, Satan.   Click here to listen (Duration 14:35)

Self-rule is the root of sin, from which all the other troubles and sins stem. In a culture that elevates self-determination and actualization, submission to God is vital. In this message, Pastor Lutzer exhorts Christians to die to self-rule 1.) in Christ, 2.) by a choice, and 3.) by faith. This is the key to freedom from Satanic oppression.   Click here to listen (Duration 14:35)

Is it possible for the devil to oppress a believer and even speak through their lips? Christians need to rid themselves of every evidence of these strongholds. In this message, we'll learn from a true story of divisiveness in church and demonic oppression. The devil can do a lot of damage to the cause of Christ when believers give way to a spirit of self-will.    Click here to listen (Duration 14:...

Many Christians have given the devil a foothold in their lives, and the result is tragic. In this message, we find parallels between us and Satan, specifically regarding "self-will." By God's grace, we can put an ax to the very root of this self-will. Believers who are burdened by satanic influence need not remain in bondage. There is hope in Jesus' name.    Click here to listen (Duration 14:35)

Many Christians have given the devil a foothold in their lives, and the result is tragic. In this message, we find parallels between us and Satan, specifically regarding "self-will." By God's grace, we can put an ax to the very root of this self-will. Believers who are burdened by satanic influence need not remain in bondage. There is hope in Jesus' name.    Click here to listen (Duration 14:35)

Some Christians dabble in the occult, thinking there's no danger at all. But we must forsake every activity that gives Satan a foothold in our lives. In this message, Pastor Lutzer offers five truths to overcome the enemy's attacks and not allow any foothold. We can walk in the light by putting on the full armor of God and completely submitting to Him.   Click here to listen (Duration 14:35)

The Bible says that Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking to devour. But he can't get in unless the door is open. In this message, we'll recognize ten doors Satan uses to get a foothold in our lives and how to slam those doors shut. We open many different doors to Satan's deadly influence including: guilt, drugs, occultism, and sexual immorality. In Christ, we can overcome the sins that devour us....

Some think ghosts are merely "ectoplasmic energy." Other's fear ghosts constantly. Let's learn the facts about haunted houses, ghosts, familiar spirits, and other forms of demonic influence, and why Christians must shun them all like the plague. In this message, we'll clarify the three stages of demonic control or enslavement. When we begin to identify the doors that Satan uses to get a foothold i...

When temptation hammers us, we don't have to be crushed. When Satan comes against us, we can be assured that God is still in control and knows what is going on. In this message, we'll learn how Jesus stood against Satan's temptation by submitting to God, relying on the Spirit, and standing firm. Because our God remains sovereign over the devil, we can defeat temptation.    Click here to listen (Du...

Did you know that Satan cannot act independently of God? Satan is on a short leash. Satan wants us to think he has godlike powers, but he can't trip us up unless God gives permission. In this message, we'll discover how God uses Satan to discipline the disobedient and purify the obedient. There's no equal heavenly conflict between the powers of light and darkness – God remains sovereign over all. ...

Curses. Hexes. Spells. Can a Christian be a victim of one of these? Satan wants to corner us like he did Job and Peter, so we feel trapped in sin or the evil influence of others. In this message, we'll continue a pastoral conversation with Erwin W. Lutzer about five truths we need for spiritual deliverance. Let's discover the truth about curses and face our defeated foe Satan.   Click here to list...

Many of us feel that God doesn't love us or that He's alienated from us. Although Satan is a defeated foe, he's "out on bail" for now, trying to destroy each of us. Understanding his tactics is crucial. In this message, we'll examine the first of five truths we can hang onto when facing spiritual attack. If we belong to God, we have no reason to be under the curse of Satan.   Click here to listen...

We all deserve to be eternally separated from God in the lake of fire, prepared for Satan and his angels. But God sent Jesus to die on the cross in our place to redeem us. In this message, we'll summarize five ways in which the cross defeated Satan, crushing his head. Through the cross, God not only silenced Satan but also reconciled us back to himself, securing our decisive victory and redemption...

The cross goes against the grain of our innate sense of fairness. But the death of Jesus paid the penalty we deserved for rebelling against God. That death also put Satan on notice that his doom was inescapable. In this message, we'll begin to celebrate five ways the cross is our destiny's pivotal point. How could it be that while were still sinners, we would be permanently reconciled to God?    C...

Does Satan seem to have the upper hand personally or nationally? Satan attempted to stop Jesus in multiple ways by killing Him as a baby, corrupting Him in the desert temptation, or inciting Judas' betrayal. In this message, we'll see from both Zechariah and Colossians that the serpent's doom was made certain by the sacrifice of a suffering Savior. The cross of Christ is the centerpiece of the hum...

Even if we sometimes feel weak or weary when the enemy attacks, Christians are not just victims. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, Satan turned his focus to striking at the birth of the Promised One. Satan has always struck at the people of God. In this message, we'll prepare for the battle with three observations from God's vantage point about spiritual warfare. We are responsible to resist the d...