In the body of Christ there is great diversity. Mature Christians enjoy the gifts of every member of the body, since each believer has a unique contribution to make to the growth of the kingdom of Christ on earth.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Christians are blessed to be a part of an invisible assembly—the body of Christ that transcends denominational barriers. It is so vital that we understand the body of Christ and our part in it.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

If people aren’t serving where God wants them to serve in the local church, the whole ministry is shortchanged. What are spiritual gifts, and why is it so vital that we find out how God has gifted us?   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

God has a place of service for every Christian, and a spiritual gift every Christian can use to benefit others in that place of service. Let’s learn how to identify those gifts, and, how to put them to work.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The COVID-19 blame game has not helped. Pointing the political finger does not bring back the lives of those lost. But what if global death and destruction is only beginning? What if our present distress is only a foretaste? In this message we take a frank look at the biblical future for fallen humanity, and what we as believers must learn if we’re to be victorious in this dark time.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

As COVID-19 has raged, people are desperate to return to normalcy. Some see dark forces manipulating the population. Others are resigned to face a disease for which there is currently no cure. What can we learn from natural disasters when, and if, COVID-19 finally passes over us?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

It’s comforting to ask God for help in times of trouble. But what if God is the One who sent the trouble you’re going through? What do you ask of a God who brings destruction? It’s important to set the record straight on the “why” of plagues like COVID-19.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Lockdowns, economic chaos, sickness, and death—COVID-19 has changed us all forever. Agendas are flying as the press and politicians maneuver for advantage. The ultimate question: what is God saying to us through a deadly pandemic? In this message we open our hearts and minds to find out.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

To an outsider, hearing people speaking in unknown languages no doubt raises more questions than it does answers. So Paul argued for clear teaching in known dialects. In this message we receive more teaching on a controversial gift.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Some feel that the gift of tongues is crucial evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Others say that modern tongues do not form words in any known language. In this message, Erwin Lutzer begins a careful study in First Corinthans 14, a study you won’t want to miss.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Our motivation for service in the body of Christ, and for serving our marriage partners, must be found in what the Bible calls love—a love that comes from God. Only then can we endure life’s tough times, and remain faithful to our commitments to the people in our lives.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

For the Apostle Paul, love is the glue that binds together the body of Christ and makes it a place of mutual service. Without love, our best efforts are without true purpose. In this message, we turn to a famous Bible chapter to learn why love is the highest motivator of all.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The local church you attend is but one small part of an enormous worldwide assembly that will be fully gathered in eternity. Until then, we live and serve others where we are, knowing that our life now only foreshadows what lies ahead.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The body of Christ involves accountability to “those who have the rule over you.” This means being part of a local fellowship. In this message we’ll turn to First Corinthians chapter 12 to learn what the local church is all about, and how to find out where we fit.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In the body of Christ, everyone has a gift with which to serve others. Knowing what that gift is, and putting it to work, are keys to satisfaction and joy. As each believer does his or her part, the result is a marvelous harmony. In this message we learn to unwrap and use our spiritual gift.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Many Christians miss out on the great adventure of finding their place in the body of Christ and learning how to serve in the power of the Holy Spirit. In this message we want to ignite in you a passion for the church you attend and renew your excitement in being used by God.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In the Garden of Eden, the serpent beguiled Eve. Likewise, satanic substitutes for God often look very good. Although popular, the teachings of the occult are the doctrines of demons. As believers, it’s vital for us to understand what the Bible calls “sound doctrine.”  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Our culture is into occult phenomena like never before. Whether by internet, TV, movies, or music, the occult is underscoring more and more of our culture’s values. In this message we learn what this should mean to the committed Christian.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Christians are awash in a sea of pleasures, having time for everything but God. Many waste their time in a myriad of ways, and the options only keep increasing. In this message all of us receive a challenge to get our priorities straight.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

A commercial once said: “You only go around once in life. Grab all the gusto you can.” This advice, of course, is foolish. In this message, we hear a challenge to a pleasure-mad culture that’s infecting the church: a challenge to reach for the real pleasures God offers.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

God designed sex for a covenant marriage relationship, not for a succession of one-night stands. In this message we confront the allure of sexual affairs, which poison our souls and undermine our ability to make commitments. How can we be free from this sin?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Extramarital sex and divorce are choices that can ruin life for all concerned. Too many people, even Christians, ignore the warnings and pay a high price in the long run. The sexual revolution has a very dark side, and we’d better count the cost.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave some pointed teaching on morality, telling those in lust to pluck out their eyes. Jesus was showing the seriousness of sin. In this message, we investigate Matthew chapter five, and find some tough love from the Son of God.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Since we all have sexual desires, it’s tempting to satisfy those desires outside of God’s will. In this message, we take a sobering look at the damage done by pornography in our culture, a flood of uncleanness most prevalent on the internet.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Like quicksand, alcohol draws in its victims until they can no longer free themselves. The temptation to drink is best handled by never taking that first sip. In this message we learn why it’s almost impossible to say, “I’m quitting tomorrow.”  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Alcohol is the tolerated drug, and alcohol abuse is costing our society billions in lost productivity, lost relationships, and lost lives. Too many Christians misuse what they feel is their freedom to drink by drinking one too many. In this message we learn the unvarnished truth about alcoholism.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

People who watch lottery winners on TV often think their number will come up someday. So, they keep buying a few more tickets. However, gambling is a shortcut, bypassing honest labor. And for a Christian, it violates all God stands for.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

From lottery tickets to riverboats, gambling spells big trouble. It takes money from those who can least afford it, those hoping for a “big break.” Some say they would never gamble. Yet the lure of fast cash leads many Christians into serious trouble.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Most of us have too much stuff. In our greed we look at our neighbors, note their possessions, and say, “I need everything they have.” Greed is insidious, and unless it’s put to death, it will choke the life out of a Christian.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Greed says, “I want more.” Greed is the first of the seven secret snares that Pastor Lutzer is exposing. It lies like a serpent within our souls, and it wants to destroy us. In this message we learn how to break the power of greed in our life.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Satan tries to derail our walk with God. He appeals to natural desires and gets us to fulfill them in destructive ways. In this message we learn more about a war from which there’s no escape until heaven, and we learn how a Christian can best defeat temptation.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

We face temptations every day. They draw us away from God and toward destructive choices that can ruin our lives, families, and futures. We must shake off complacency, realizing we’re in a state of battle with our mortal enemy, the devil.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The Bible’s famous prodigal son demanded his inheritance and spent it all in a big hurry. Reduced to eating with pigs, he knew he needed to come home and face the father he had spurned. In this message we learn what it takes to get a prodigal to reverse direction.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Many parents have heavy hearts, knowing that a son or daughter is far away from them, and from God. A famous Bible story gives hope to all parents of prodigal children. In this message we find encouragement and strength.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

As part of a classic dysfunctional family, Absalom rebelled against his father David. He went his own way and ended up losing his life. The story is in the Bible for us to read and heed its warnings. In this message we find crucial lessons for all parents of prodigal sons.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Why is it that some kids want to leave home and experience what the world has to offer? Often, they end up in ruins, wishing they’d never left. In this message we look at one prodigal son who left, and never returned. His name was Absalom.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

God’s desire is that our giving be cheerful, not driven by a sense that we’re in trouble if we don’t give. He wants our hearts first, and only then our open pocketbooks. Let’s learn about giving from Paul’s admonition to the church at Corinth.    Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Farmers know it’s pretty simple: no seeds, no plants. No plants, no vegetables. No vegetables, no harvest. They know all about the laws of sowing and reaping, laws God set in motion a long time ago. In this message we’ll explore what Paul wrote about this to the church at Corinth.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Some might see giving generously to the church as a waste. Jesus told a parable exploding this myth once and for all. The bottom line: money given to transform the lives of others bears a thousand-percent return-on-investment.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

While Christians have bank accounts on earth, we also have accounts in heaven. There we lay up treasures “where moth and rust do not corrupt.” In this message we’ll learn why the long-term view is best: investments in things eternal bear a return we cannot even imagine.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Have you ever considered that God is observing our giving? He sees every area of our lives. Jesus was in the Temple courtyard, watching as the rich made sure the crowds saw them give. Then, He looked intently at a poor widow who dropped her last two mites in the treasury.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

It’s always big news when a wealthy benefactor gives a few million dollars to a college or pays for a new hospital wing. But no one seems to notice a poor person giving a quarter to someone else in need. No one, that is, but Jesus, whose keen eye watched a lady entering the temple courts one day in Jerusalem.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In the book of Exodus, we read of the building of God’s tabernacle. There we find great detail about everyone’s contribution, both of time and treasure, to make the project a success. When we see giving as an act of worship, we cease focusing on the money and begin focusing on God.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Many of us are burdened with debt at the same time as our jobs are in jeopardy. So, what do we do? In this message we begin a series that will show us how to honor God no matter how empty our wallets get. We need to realize that our use of money is one way in which we worship God.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The city of Chicago felt the mighty wind of the Spirit during the days of D.L. Moody, the founder of The Moody Church. We’re learning about those special times when God comes to church, and in this message, we’ll remember God’s work in Chicago.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

We know that God is always with His people, as He’s promised to be. But there are also times of His special presence in power. These are known as times of revival, when new life comes to the church, and then to the community at large. In this message we look back to times when God indeed came to church, and we find encouragement that He’ll do so again.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Some people are early risers, who do their best work in the morning. Others are night owls, who prefer to sleep in and stay up late. The Bible also talks about people of the day and of the night, but the biblical description has eternal significance.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The Christian knows that this present world is not his final home. In First Thessalonians we learn of the glorious return of Jesus to set right all that is wrong, and to take His followers to be with Him. As we wait, the church is called to be watchful.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

There are laws at work in the spiritual universe—laws that can neither be debated, nor circumvented. We may claim freedom from the law as believers, thinking we can do as we please. But God has a word for those of us who feel this way, a word brought to us by the Apostle Paul.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In one sense, we have way too many options to fill our time. A thousand voices demand our attention via radio, TV, movies, and the internet. But developing godly character requires developing our inner lives. In this message we hear a challenge on holiness.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Taking a stand for what’s right means going against the prevailing tide. To do this, we need strength from God—a strength that comes from developing a life of prayer. The Apostle Paul modeled this for us in his writings to the church at Thessalonica.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

It’s not always popular to be seen taking a stand. But when God comes in unusual power to a church, we often see courage and resolve that was not there before. In this message we learn how the ancient church in Thessalonica took their stand, and how we can follow their example as darkness settles over our land.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Servants continue to serve others even when those they serve don’t appreciate it. They know that God watches their service and is pleased. In this message we learn that a serving church is a church where God’s presence is felt very strongly.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Most people set their priorities in selfish ways. It’s unusual when people give others first place. But in ancient Thessalonica, a desire to serve others was evident. Paul commended this church for their service, and in this message, we’ll learn the lessons they learned so long ago.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The church in Thessalonica underwent persecution, but nonetheless exhibited the joy of the Lord, despite their trials. That’s what happens when God’s presence is very real, as it is during times of revival. In this message we look at what happens to a church when God shows up.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

New life comes to a church when revival begins, and there's no doubt we could use a great awakening now. What are the indications that God is making His presence known in a special way? In this message we begin a series from one of Paul’s epistles that tells us what they are.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Loving God with all our hearts, and our neighbors as ourselves, fulfills the law and pleases our Creator. Obeying this commandment means obeying all ten of the commands God wrote on tablets of stone so long ago. They’re not suggestions, they’re commands. So do you love God?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Written by God on tablets of stone, the Ten Commandments defined proper behavior. Those who know and love God not only follow these ten laws, but on a higher plane, they follow an eleventh: to “Love one another, as I have loved you.” In this message we sum up our study of the Ten Commandments by learning how Jesus fulfills the Law in love.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The sin nobody sees can light fires of lasting conflict. Covetousness, longing for what others have, is a recipe for ongoing discontent. And God’s will for us is to be content. The tenth commandment makes it clear: we are not to covet.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

There’s something in all of us that wants what someone else has. But no matter how many possessions we acquire, we can’t take them with us after we die. And this should change our perspective today. The sin of coveting is what God addresses in the last of the Ten Commandments.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Among seven things God hates, the writer of Proverbs lists lying twice. That’s serious for a sin we all commit. Winning in the race of life requires telling the truth. In this message we find out why lying is so prevalent, and so destructive.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Many people frequently exaggerate, brag, or slander. For some, telling a “white lie” is okay. But it’s not okay with God. If what comes out of our mouth is inconsistent with how we live, then we are liars. Lying violates the ninth commandment in the Bible, and God values integrity. Do you always tell the truth?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Theft is theft, whether large or small. It can be obvious theft, such as robbery; but it can also be hidden theft, such as tax fraud, stealing time, or even not paying back a loan. Today in our study of the eighth commandment, we consider how when we steal, we steal from God.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Stealing is on the rise as people say, “what’s yours is mine.” It’s more than burglary. People steal from their employers with hardly a second thought. We forget that stealing of any kind violates one of the Ten Commandments.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

It’s dangerous to get too close to a fire. And it’s also dangerous to get close to a possible sexual sin. That’s why the seventh commandment teaches us to avoid all forms of such sin. Obedience to God’s command results in a life free of entanglements that can stop us in our tracks.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Each of us has a strong desire for intimacy. But keeping our sex drives under control is one of our biggest challenges. Sex in its proper place is a great gift, while passions out of control can ruin one’s future.  So, what should we do in a world that only provokes our desires?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Good relationships provide happiness, and bad ones bring sorrow. Despite fragmenting homes, the Bible has a plan for the family, and God calls us to honor our parents. In this message we hear more teaching on God’s command designed to ensure stable and holy homes.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Long ago, God gave the Ten Commandments as a blueprint for living. Our failure to follow commandment number five is a big reason for the dismal state of many families. In this message we learn an important key to having happy and stable homes. Our parents are not perfect, but we are called to honor them, nonetheless.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

A central commandment of the Law of God is the prohibition against murder. Yet hundreds of people are killed every year in each of our major cities. Life is cheap and gets cheaper when convicted killers never pay the price God commanded. What does God think about this?   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Murder: it’s now so common that we often aren’t fazed by it anymore. But the taking of innocent life breaks one of the cardinal commandments of God. And since Roe versus Wade, that commandment has been broken untold millions of times.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

God made it clear that all of us need to observe a day of rest. The concept is so important that He made it into one of the Ten Commandments. But now, Sunday is just another day to shop, work, or be on the move: not a day for reflection, meditation and prayer. What does the Sabbath have to do with us?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

A century ago, British Olympian Eric Liddell shocked the world by refusing to run on Sunday. Eric was made famous in the movie “Chariots of Fire,” holding fast to his conviction that the Lord’s Day was sacred, and not to be used for sport. These days, many of us use Sunday for watching football, running errands, or even working extra hours. Have we gone off track?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

When someone sues you for slander, you might be fined for defaming a good name. But what’s the penalty for slandering God? The commandment to not take His name in vain goes to the core of His nature, and to the heart of respecting Him as Creator. Do you know how important His name really is?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Christians know that God’s name is holy, and is not to be misused by swearing, cursing, or improper oath-taking. Keeping His name set apart was so important to God that He wrote a command about it with His finger on a tablet of stone.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

“I am the Lord, that is My name. My glory I will not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.” There is no ambiguity here. It’s clear that God will not tolerate the worship of images. But does that include crosses, crucifixes, or icons? Some people find these objects very meaningful. Do they violate God’s commandment?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Is a picture ever wrong? We need to understand God’s commands prohibiting images meant to represent Him. People disobey this commandment daily, giving worship to a vast array of idols, carvings, pictures, and icons. What does God think of these images?   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

It’s in the nature of man to worship something, even deities made of wood and stone—or money, technology, and power. But God makes it clear that we humans have a Creator who will not tolerate any idols, even when the idol is ourselves. In this message we learn why the first commandment requires that nothing replace God in our allegiance.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

God does not tolerate competition. He wants to be supreme in our lives, and He made that clear by writing on a tablet of stone the first of the Ten Commandments. It’s commandment number one for a reason. Do you believe these commandments mean something for your life today?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

On earth, the law of gravity is immutable. God’s moral law has the same force. The commandments He gave to Moses define His character, and His expectations of our behavior. In this message we learn why God’s moral law shows us who we really are.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The great moral code God gave to Moses contains principles for governing our relationships with God and with each other. That code shows us who we are, and more importantly, who God is. In this message, we begin a series on The Ten Commandments and what they mean for us today.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Satan uses demons to influence and indwell people, leaving behind a trail of destructive choices and actions. The victims of these actions are then left with pasts that are hard to deal with. But God can turn victims into victors.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Philosophers have long wrestled with the root cause of evil. One major cause is our enemy Satan, who seeks to destroy in any way he can. And yes, people can be influenced by the devil to perpetrate evil deeds.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Those who have a conscience can feel shame: that sense of embarrassment when caught in a sinful act. But there’s also the painful shame that victims of sexual abuse bear, that isn’t their fault. How should we deal with shame?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

To understand why people become sexual abusers, we need to understand the “why” of dysfunctional families. First, we look at a Bible family scandalized by abuse and its damage. Then, we’ll see how God can heal the deep scars left behind.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

When the young are sexually abused, psychological scars are left that may never be healed. One common experience is grief—that gnawing sadness that’s always just below the surface.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Sexual abuse does terrible damage. Relationships all throughout the victim’s life suffer due to early experiences children should never have. But there’s hope for the abused, and even for the abuser.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The truth of the resurrection of Jesus is so transforming that its enemies will do anything to suppress it. Thus, some clam that the bones of Jesus have been found in an old box. In this message, our focus is on an ancient tomb in an ancient city, and on the purported evidence that Jesus never rose from the dead.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

We hear it frequently: a new archeological find supposedly “disproves” the biblical account. Some have even claimed that the bones of Jesus and His family have been found. However, these “discoveries” turn out to have nothing to do with Jesus, or they are simply lies.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In our day, few people see sin as a big deal. They dismiss sin as simply “mistakes.” Many people will do anything to avoid the horror of the cross of Christ. Only that sacrifice removes the stain of the sins we bear before a holy God. In this message we will look at the redemptive plan of God as brought to focus on that cruel cross.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Conspiracy theorists tout all kinds of wild schemes and fill the internet with their blogs. For some time, the theory has circulated that Jesus did not die on the cross—He merely fainted and woke up in a tomb. This is another lie about Jesus, a lie that tries to nullify the whole reason for His coming: to be a sacrifice for sin.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The Bible is clear: Jesus was born of a virgin and had no earthly father. In terms of salvation, that’s critical. The sinful nature we all share was never passed on to Jesus, so He could then be the perfect sacrifice for sin. Without that perfect sacrifice, none of us has any hope of seeing eternal life with the Father.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

People with a troubled past are said to have “skeletons in their closet.” Some say that Jesus has a big one in His. Some who look at the life of Jesus cannot accept any supernatural factors. Thus, the virgin birth of Christ is dismissed as a myth. For these people, Jesus has a dark secret: who was his real father?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Why do people tell lies? Usually, because they have something to hide. And deep down, all of us have sin to hide. People are telling new lies about Jesus these days—lies that hide their need for a Savior. Pastor Lutzer’s current series sheds light on six of these lies, and in this message we’re focusing on the lie that “Jesus became the Christ.”  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Some say that the Jesus who changed history was a just a man around whom many legends developed after his death. They say His disciples invented all sorts of stories to turn a simple teacher into the Messiah. In other words, the Jesus of history was given the role of Christ by His followers. In this message we look at a third major lie being propagated by those who reject the real Jesus.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The idea of “only one way to God” seems narrow-minded to many people. It is a common belief that all roads lead to heaven. But God has revealed one and only one way to Himself and that is through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Modern spiritual leaders decry any absolutes, except the right to be happy, healthy, and wealthy. Media stars say “God’s not fussy,” and too many of us believe them.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

When blindly following their leader, lemmings walk right off a cliff. Many people today are heading for an eternal cliff. These people place their faith in the teachings of modern prophets and gurus—often popular figures in the media. They are promised health, wealth, and friendly angels to help them. Little is said about sin and righteousness. In this message we expose the lie that Jesus is merely one of many ways to God.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The sad story of Judas reminds us that “Satan walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour…” Some say Christians cannot be demon-possessed. But others say they still can be demonically influenced. In any case, a non-believer is fair game for Satan to use, as he did Judas. In this message we learn what really happened during the Last Supper so long ago.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

A few years ago an ancient “Gospel of Judas” document surfaced. Its purpose: to tell us about the “real Jesus.” In this document, Judas is a hero, and Jesus is a fanciful being taking on many forms as the need arises. Written by Gnostics, the reappearance of the gospel of Judas is just another attempt to undermine the Christian faith.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The return of Jesus to this earth will be the event of all time. When He comes, He will take control. And those who have loved and served him will be raised from the dead to greet him. Let’s hear the climactic conclusion to our series on “What We Believe.”  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The Bible gives tantalizing details about a heavenly kingdom beyond all description, a New Jerusalem with streets of gold. In this message we begin a final chapter in “What We Believe,” and a peek through the mists of time into the timelessness of eternity.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

One day Jesus will be united with His church at a great marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven. What that will be like is our focus in this message, as Pastor Lutzer wraps up his study of the church in our series “What We Believe.”  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In Greek, the word is ekklesia, the “called-out ones.” In English, the word is “church,” and if you believe in Jesus, you’re “called out” to be separate from the values of our culture. That’s hard to do, but with the support of a local assembly, it becomes a lot easier.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

It’s clear the devil is having a field day. Evil is running rampant. But a day is coming when a long-delayed sentence of doom will be carried out. In this message we’ll hear about Satan’s present activity, and then his ultimate end.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

If the devil tempted us in a red suit with a pitchfork, we might laugh. But the real devil is clothed as an angel of light. Satan wants you to think he doesn’t exist. But the Bible says that he walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In Bible times, angels were messengers to God’s people. And they’ve been charged with watching over believers. In this life we’ll never know how often they’ve protected us from harm. Let’s learn more about God’s angelic host, and how they care for us.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The world of the spirit is real. Unseen millions of angels hover all around the people of God, serving those who are the heirs of salvation. In this message, we open another chapter in the basic teachings of the Christian faith: a chapter on angels.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The Gospel of Christ simply means the good news about Jesus: His death on the cross brings us forgiveness and life. Let’s learn more about how we can make the good news of the Gospel known to all who need to hear.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Turn on the TV and what do you get? A lot of bad news. But even under Roman oppression, the early church rejoiced in some really good news—the Gospel. They proclaimed the message that Jesus came to seek and save sinners.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Prisons are full of people born in sin—people born with a propensity to do wrong. But as Paul says, we are all “by nature the children of wrath.” In our study of key doctrines, we’re coming to grips with “The Sin We Rationalize.”  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

When you read the Bible, you find that God is not tolerant of something called sin. To sin is to miss the mark God has set for our behavior. Sin is so serious that God sent his only Son to die as a sacrifice to pay the ultimate penalty that ultimate justice demands.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In studying the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian, the acronym “FIBS” provides a way to remember His four key ministries. In this message, we learn what they are and how they should impact your life.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The Bible reveals that God works by the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who believe, providing day-by-day guidance, comfort, wisdom, and insight for even the smallest detail of life. Who is the Holy Spirit? It’s vital for us to know.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Some see the death of Jesus as merely a sad end to a good life. But the Bible tells us that the central mission of Jesus was to die, and then be raised to life by God the Father. Jesus did this to bring eternal life to all who believe.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Jesus Christ appeared on earth over two thousand years ago. The Bible reveals that Jesus is the Son of God, and that all the fullness of God dwells in Him. To see who God is, and what God is all about, all we need to do is look at Jesus.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

How can one describe God? How can one describe anything infinite? The best we can do is to list His attributes. These open a door of understanding, a door that lets us catch a glimpse of His greatness as well as His grace.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Jesus taught us to call God “Our Father.” In the Bible, God has revealed many names, but only one character: absolute holiness combined with infinite power, love, and justice. In this message, we’ll come to grips with “The Father We Worship.”  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

When it comes to the Bible, doubts have to give way to faith that it is what it claims to be—the very word of God. The Bible is the only book that can take you across the gorge of death into eternity. Let’s find out why we can trust the Bible.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

For Christians, the Bible is at the center of what we believe. Can we rely on this ancient book? This message begins a series on the key doctrines that define what Christianity is all about. Let’s learn why the Bible can be trusted.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

If your marriage is in trouble, this message is for you. Today you’ll hear teaching that could bring you back from the brink—principles to help you navigate what may seem to be impossible waters. Your marriage can be put back together.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

If the family is the bedrock of society, it makes sense that stable marriages are the bedrock of the family. That’s why divorce is so damaging. In divorce, there are no winners. Marriage must be viewed as a lifetime proposition.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Only God can count the tears of parents whose kids have gone to the far country. Like the prodigal son in the Bible, their kids chose a path destined for failure. But there is great power in persistent prayer, and our God is a God who answers prayer.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Despite our best efforts, sometimes kids go astray…even Christian kids. Anguished parents cry out to God for a solution. And that’s exactly what God wants us to do in those tough situations.    Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The devil wants to destroy the family, especially the role model of the father. When abuse takes place, abuse of any kind, a father faces severe judgment from God. Step one in coming clean is to acknowledge that the abuse is real.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The dark secret in all too many families is abuse. It takes several forms: verbal, physical, even sexual. The hurt caused by abuse is incalculable, both to the abused as well as the abuser. Let’s hear what to do if we are a victim, or, a victimizer.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In a previous era, people were far more likely to sit and talk than to isolate themselves in front of a screen. Technology, though valuable, is a tool that the enemy uses to addict all of us, and steal time better used for each other—and for God. Are you prepared to hear more on this danger and quite possibly change your own technology habits?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

There’s danger in your house. With a single click, you and your family can access internet pornography on demand. Protecting your family from the evils of a technology we all need is a daunting task. This message provides guidance on doing just that.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Children are a wonderful blessing, but they can also be an immense challenge. Some are obedient and cooperative; others do their own thing no matter what mom and dad say. Let’s navigate the uncertain waters of child-rearing.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Marriage is the one place where God intends for our natural drives to produce children. The Bible calls children “a heritage of the Lord, (and) the fruit of the womb a reward.” But what is the most important thing Christian parents can do for their precious children?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

For too many Christians, dependence on God has morphed into dependence on a credit card. Why go without when it’s so easy to just charge it? Why pray about a need when you can just go buy what you want? Let’s say goodbye to the scourge of debt.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Society says getting in debt is normal. If your credit card isn’t maxed out, you must not be using it correctly! As people feel they have to live beyond their means, debt is destroying all too many marriages and families. What is the answer?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Have you ever felt buyer’s remorse? We all wonder if our large purchase was really the best choice. When it comes to marriage, there’s no place for buyer’s remorse. We have to let go of “what might have been” and honor the commitment we’ve made, as the vow says, “for better or for worse.”  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Americans are adrift in a sea of moral relativism. We need a moral compass. The cross of Christ is that compass, and the church must live by the cross if our culture is to survive. Let’s help the world by first calling the church back to the cross of Christ.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

A culture that rejects Christ is a culture that creates its own standard for moral choices. This moral standard influences our vote, which then determines our nation’s destiny. So, where does true morality come from?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Many who seek justice call for “a level playing field” of opportunity. There is one place where the field is level, and that is at the foot of the cross of Christ. This cross is the only basis for reconciling people of different racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Many of today’s conflicts stem from deep-rooted racial or ethnic strife. It seems there is no human solution in our institutions, systems, and even homes, but there is a divine solution. There is a place of common ground for those who cannot stand the sight of each other.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

On the day that Jesus died just outside of Jerusalem, many people passed by, as many do today, without realizing the eternal consequences of what was happening on that cruel Roman cross. It may seem unjust to our finite minds, but it was because of God’s love that Jesus suffered.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

As we run life’s race, let us not forget that mercy is not getting what you deserve. God was not obligated to save any of us, and yet He has. When skeptics question God’s love, we must point them first to the cross where the Son of God suffered and died—for us.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

These days, polling data is king. In the mainstream media, truth seems to lie with the majority opinion. But when it comes to the cross, the majority culture hates it and finds it offensive. So what should Christians do to demonstrate that the cross reveals God’s power and grace?  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The cross is the centerpiece of history and the core of God’s redemptive agenda. Even before time, God planned the cross of Calvary in order to save people from every nation. But not everyone views the cross this way. As we will soon see, the contrast is startling.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The cross of Jesus was in God’s mind from eternity past. Its benefits extend to eternity yet to be. It is history’s great intersection—the place where God expressed His love to fallen mankind most clearly.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

It is in the cross that we glory. But our eyes are often drawn to secondary things such as political advantage. Therefore, we need to have a clear view of how important the cross really is. Today, we will learn what God the Father thinks of His Son’s cross.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

We need to learn one lesson well. Those who mix the cross and any nation’s flag do a disservice to both. For believers, keeping them distinct is the only way to fulfill our prime mission as ambassadors for Christ to a needy world.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

When it comes to being citizens of both heaven and earth, believers running the race of life need to keep first things first. But how do the two kingdoms of church and state relate? Jesus commanded us to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

The cross of Christ is inherently in conflict with our culture, especially when the media flaunts immorality as normal. Politicians compete for position, while debating issues the Bible settled long ago. Thankfully, the cross can do what politics can’t.   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Our society is disintegrating and many Christians active in politics find themselves increasingly out of place. That is because the cross of Christ is inherently at odds with the culture. But how should we respond?   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

In the face of God’s abundant mercy to Nineveh, Jonah was angry. So, God illustrated to Jonah, through a plant and a worm, that his anger was selfish and childish. And yet, the book ends with Jonah being confronted, while he is still demanding his “right” to feel comfort.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Jonah finally obeyed God, but he took no joy in the revival following his preaching in Nineveh. His self-focus kept him from seeing the big picture. Instead, he sat down and complained to God. Will we learn from Jonah’s mistakes? Will we stop clinging to our own desires?   Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Some of God’s servants have to go through the school of hard knocks before they learn to obey God from the heart. Jonah finally went to Nineveh, but still with a hard heart. He had no real concern for the people of a great pagan city.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

God wants His servants focused on God’s agenda, not their own. It took extraordinary measures to get Jonah back on the road to Nineveh, but he finally went, in body if not in heart. Let’s learn how Jonah’s lessons continued, and the importance for us today.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Ever been at the end of your rope? Jonah was, when he found himself in the belly of a fish. God has amazing ways of getting us to say yes. He arranges conditions so that we will choose to do His will.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

When God wants to get the attention of one of His servants, He has many creative options. In the case of Jonah, God took extreme measures. The belly of a great fish is hardly a vacation, and Jonah got the message.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)

Jonah was determined to avoid doing a distasteful job. He resisted preaching to a pagan city so that they might repent. He would rather hit the road than tell the Ninevites that judgment could be averted. Let’s learn how God blocks Jonah’s escape route.  Click here to listen (Duration 25:02)