Running to Win - 25 Minute Edition

During persecution, some believers are spared while others go through torture and death. Do you ever wonder why God doesn't deliver all His people? For three exiles in Babylon, their immediate well-being was less important to them than honoring the one true God. In this message, we'll nail down three lessons for Christians living in America. God's purposes will prevail, even amid persecution.    C...

Every day, cultural and civil pressure mount on the Christian faith. How should believers react? For Israelites in ancient Babylon, there was no freedom of religion. In this message from Daniel 3, we'll explore the context of a true story of courage. How could three men say, "Throw us into the fire, but we'll not deny God whether we are delivered or not?"  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

When authorities tell us to do one thing, and the Bible tells us to do the opposite, what do we do? Whenever possible, we should be in the culture, just like Daniel and his friends in Babylon who worked for the king who had destroyed their homeland. But sometimes, we must resolve to take a stand and draw a line in the sand. In this message, we'll contemplate biblical principles when we face confli...

Christians in America are rapidly becoming like Daniel and his friends in Babylon: out of sync with their pagan environment. How do we reconcile what we believe with what we have to do to live in such a culture? In this message, we'll identify three different ways we can respond to a pagan culture. Before we look at how Daniel stood against the culture, let's find out how he participated in the cu...

Christians are no longer the dominant cultural force in America. How do we live with lasting peace amid a pagan culture? In this message, we'll find three vital lessons God gave exiled Israel to live in His peace—seeking the shalom of the city. Whatever job or situation we're in where we're the minority, we can be encouraged to remain faithful.    Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Should Christians separate themselves from the prevailing culture or engage it with enthusiasm? The surprising answer comes from God's instructions to captive Judah living in Babylon. Under the judgment of God, thousands were taken into Babylonian exile, where they dwelled in a pagan society. In this message, we'll find five instructions God has for His people in Jeremiah 29. We could do well to l...

Do we weep for our nation's destruction? Jesus looked on Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, weeping over the destruction He knew would come from the Romans. Centuries earlier, the prophet Jeremiah wept when the city was destroyed. In this message, we'll ponder lessons from a city under God's direct judgment. Even in the midst of destruction, God's steadfast love will never fail us.   Click here t...

When the judgment of God falls, the things we hold dear are often laid to waste. The city of Jerusalem with its temple was sacked and looted by invading armies, acting under God's ultimate plan. In this message, we'll see how the book of Lamentations exposes Jeremiah's heart as he looks at this devastated city. Through the grief, we'll discover what God holds dear.    Click here to listen (Duratio...

We far too easily gloss over the terrifying nature of God. When Jeremiah proclaimed the coming judgment of God, his fellow Israelites paid him no heed. What will we do today? In this message, we explore further lessons of both warning and encouragement for the people of God in a nation under judgment. Let's point people to a greater country, to another city, whose builder and maker is God.    Clic...

When nation-wide events seem out of control, we need clear perspective as the people of God. Israel couldn't see God's purposes in allowing their nation to be invaded. Just as they were taken into captivity, America may soon feel that same wrath. In this message, we'll begin an examination of Israel's history and nine lessons we must take from the fall of a nation long ago.    Click here to listen...

A lump of clay has no clue what its potter intends to make out of it. Jeremiah chapter 18 tells how God views Israel: as clay on His wheel. In this message, we'll consider two life-transforming lessons for us as a nation and even as individuals. We need a right view of ourselves and a right view of God. Then life can begin to make sense.    Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Many people think they're masters of their own destiny. But God sees His people as clay on a potter's wheel. Since He's the potter, He controls their destiny. In this message, we're going to capture four images from God's metaphor of the potter's house. Let's learn to see ourselves accurately—as vessels God shapes according to His purposes.    Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Many people would like greater wealth and health but are led to believe they don't have enough faith. How can we identify true prophets in these important matters of faith? False prophets draw their false messages from a variety of sources, rather than God's self-revelation. In this message, we take home three words of hope to discern those sources, and determine whether what you're hearing is fro...

Just like the false prophets of Jeremiah's day, contemporary teachers paint God to be whatever they want and people as supposedly "good." They diminish God's holiness, exaggerate their goodness, and hide their real motives. In this message, we learn how to recognize these false teachers and discern their heretical teaching.    Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

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 deception infects our thinking today. 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...

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. We as Christians offer His hope, forgiveness, and help today. In this message, we'll isolate four lies about a nation's sins. What is it about our...

What will it take for us to give up today's idols of sports, business, relationships, and fame to return to God? In Jeremiah's day, Israel forsook God—the fountain of living water—for idols, which were like broken cisterns that hold no water. 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 cultural m...

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 identify five characteristics of hell, prepared for the devil and his angels. Let's take a sobering look at the ultimate punishment for rebellion against a holy God.    Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

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 25:02)

In a culture that elevates self-determination and actualization, why should we submit to God? The devil can do a lot of damage when believers give way to a spirit of self-will. In this message, we'll learn from a true story of divisiveness in church and demonic oppression. Pastor Lutzer exhorts Christians to die to self-rule 1.) in Christ, 2.) by a choice, and 3.) by faith. Otherwise, much damage...

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 25:02)

The Bible says Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But he can't get in unless the door is open. In this message, we conclude an overview of ten doors where Satan harasses us. 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...

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...

Satan wants us to think he has godlike powers. But God wants us to see that Satan is on a short leash. Satan cannot trip us up unless God gives permission. In this message, we'll learn how to submit to God, rely on the Spirit, and stand when the enemy hammers us. The conflict in the heavenlies is not between equal powers of light and darkness. Our God remains sovereign over the devil.    Click her...