Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. When a church undergoes persecution, it can still exhibit the joy of the Lord despite the trials. That's what happens when God's presence is very real, as it is during times of revival. Today, a further look at a church when God shows up. From the Moody Church in Chicago, this is Running to Win with Dr.
Erwin Lutzer, whose clear teaching helps us make it across the finish line. Pastor Lutzer, is it normal for long periods of time to pass during which God does not, as you say, Show up. You know, Dave, I'm finding that question a little difficult to answer for this reason. God is always with His people. He exists, of course, in his people, thanks to the Holy Spirit.
So in that sense, God is always with us. But in answer to your question more specifically, obviously there are times when churches are dead. Jesus, you remember speaking about the church in Laodicea, says you think that you are alive and well, and you do not know that you actually are poor, you're naked and of course Jesus says to the church at Sardis, You are dead. One of the things that should characterize the church is, of course, its aliveness, if I can use that term. It needs to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit even in the midst of difficulty and persecution.
You know, I've written a book entitled Managing Your Emotions, and I wrote that book because The emotions are indeed affected by the blessed Holy Spirit of God, and what you and I need to do is to understand that emotions are God's gift, but of course they can be misused. That's why the subtitle of this book is God's Good Gifts Gone Wrong. For a gift of any amount, we're making this book available for you. It discusses such issues regarding human love versus divine love. It helps us to understand that God wants us.
to walk in the Spirit, and to that extent The Spirit of God affects our emotions.
Well, here's where you can contact us. Go to rtwoffer.com. or you can call us at 1-888-218-218. 9337.
Now at the end of this message, I'm going to be giving you that contact info again, but let us remember. When God saves us, He changes us. from the inside out. It is the Lord God who begins the church through choosing people to eternal life. And what does he choose them for?
To leave their sins? Yes. He chooses them out of the world, but they are for himself. You know? God wants you.
It's your heart. It's everything that you own, all of your loves. And so God chooses us for Himself. And once you know that, you know that the God who chose you is not going to give up on you, and He's going to be with you until the end. And that gives confidence.
And Paul says, our word came onto you, not in word only. If all that you hear from me today are words, and so that you conceptually understand the message, And so that you can know what I'm saying. If all that happens, if that's all that happens to you, Then We have failed. in our prayer life. and in our yieldedness, because the word should never go out just in word only.
Should always go out with the demonstration of power, the power to convict, the power to change, the power to transform. That's the way the word of God should go out, and with much conviction. That settled conviction that you belong to God, that God is number one in your life, and that really nothing else matters about God and His promises, it is that overwhelming conviction. That you should experience when the Word of God is read and when it is preached. If it goes out in word only, it's not transforming.
It may challenge the mind. You may learn new ideas, new insights. But unless it is transforming to the heart, Not just the emotions, but the actual heart. Then of course there's a disconnect. And you and I know people, don't we?
Who hear the word? I called my family last night in Canada, and there's a man who died suddenly, unexpectedly, of a heart attack. Age 75, a very, very wealthy farmer who wanted to buy up most of the land in his area and almost did. And the only thing that was said at his funeral About his spiritual life was that he attended church and he'd always say to the pastor, good sermon.
Well, all right, we'll take that. Good sermon, better than I guess, bad sermon. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Like the woman said at the door to the pastor, you know, Your sermon is like a cup of cold water to a drowning man. Think about that a little bit, folks.
Think about it. But his wife says he had no spiritual interest at all, none. Came and sat, came and listened. Always left. unchanged.
That's the word in word only. But when it comes with. the power of God and conviction. There's that settled idea. of walking with God and knowing that you do.
Even apart from arguments, even apart from the apologetics for the Christian faith.
Well, anyway, Paul says it was a confident church. It was a joyful church. You'll notice in verse 6, he says, That, and you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction with joy. Can you put those two words together, those two phrases? You received the word in much affliction.
I mean, the blood was running down their backs because of persecution. And yet you received the word with much joy. How do you have joy? You can't unless God shows up. Because, first of all, what God does is He takes care of the nagging conscience.
Can you imagine? How joyful you could be if your conscience didn't trouble you over sins that you've committed, over relationships that are broken, and mistakes that you have made. Can you imagine? Having all that taken away, and then to be given the confidence that no matter what the fluctuating circumstances are, that you belong to God forever because He chose you to belong to Him, it brings a sense of joy even in the midst of great. Affliction.
And this church had it because God. Showed up. Joy. There was a time when God visited some churches that I will tell you about in some future message. Where there was so much joy And because I wrote something about it, I interviewed a lot of people.
Somebody said there was so much joy in my heart when I got rid of all of my sin and I began to. Concentrate. On Jesus. He said that sometimes I couldn't sleep and I'd say, God, turn off the joy so that I can get some sleep. You ever had to ask God to turn off the joy?
So that you can sleep. It was a joyful church. Let me say also, number four, that it was a growing church. It says in verse 8. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
How in the world did they do that? It sounded forth, only place in the New Testament where that word is used.
Sometimes it's translated it echoed. or it's used for the blast of a trumpet.
Sounded forth. The word of God came to you and it surrounded the entire area because of your witness. In fact, not only in Macedonia, but it went even beyond that. You see, as ships came into the harbor at Thessalonica, Everybody said, did you know what's going on in town? People are turning to Jesus Christ.
And the people who are turning to Jesus Christ treat their wives better than the rest of us. They are people of integrity. You can't get them to lie or to cheat. In fact, some of them left their businesses because they had to be cheating. They never.
Attended the baths anymore because there was too much immorality going on there. And suddenly you have these transformed people who love each other and who are together and without a program necessarily for missions. Word begins to spread all throughout the area that something unusual is happening in Thessalonica. And Paul says, it's as if you took the word of God that we gave you and now you used it. And through its transforming power, it's touched the whole area.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if from the moody church sounding forth the gospel would go out? To the city of Chicago and beyond. And of course, to some extent, it is going forth to the world through our missionary witness. We have so much that can be done. And from us, the Word of God can go forth and can sound forth.
throughout the area. And that's what happens when God shows up. The best advertisement for Christianity is a transformed Christian who loves, who is not judgmental, who has a different attitude of integrity. That's the best advertisement for Christianity. The worst advertisement for Christianity is a Christian.
Who's angry? Petty. judgmental Selfish. and in other ways difficult to get along with. If you fit into that category, don't tell people you're a Christian.
All right, do us a favor. Keep your faith. Private. All right. I could tell you a story along that line where a young woman.
wrote a letter to someone else. wrote a note to someone else in the organization and says, I just want you to know that I'm a Christian too. But because I do A, B, C, D, I don't want anyone to know it.
Well, that is a bad advertisement for Christianity, but the best advertisement are other Christians. The best advertisement for Jesus is tomorrow morning. in banks and hospitals and all throughout the Chicago area wherever God has planted us. all being strong witnesses. To our faith.
Notice also, it was a focused church. Paul says now. In verse 9, for they themselves report concerning us, the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and the true God. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. You turn to God from idols.
Did you know that you can't turn from your idols? You don't have the strength to turn from your idols. Once you begin the pathway of sin, you cannot turn around. That's why some of you are struggling so deeply with issues and addictions. It's because you can't turn.
The only way you can turn from an idol is to turn to God, the living and the true God, and that you can do in the name of Jesus and through His strength. And then you begin to understand the idols for what they are, and you can turn from those idols. And suddenly, God becomes more important to you. than the idols themselves. I want to be clear today, if you do not value God above all other things, you may not be converted.
Because what God does when we're converted is He gives us a love for God. He gives us a love for Jesus, whom having not seen, ye love. You can't turn love on and off like you can a faucet, can you? You can't wake up in the morning and say, well, today I'm going to love God. You don't have that power because we're basically desire-driven and to some extent a prisoner of our desires.
If we love God, it is God implanted within us when we were converted. and by the ministry of the blessed Holy Spirit. And so we turn to God from idols. All the things that we've insisted upon that we need, all of the rationalizations. for who we are.
and suddenly we discover that in the process God has shown up. and we are a different people.
Well, these are the characteristics of a church where God. has shown up. And that's why we're praying this year. That's why we are fasting this year, because we're asking the question. Are we ready to have God show up?
at Moody Church. Let me say that when God shows up, It's a It's a terrible time. And it's a joyful time. It's always both. I'd seen it.
Terrible because God goes down deep into our souls. And he begins to deal with all of the hidden sins and agendas that we cover and rationalize. And it's painful. Just painful. Talk to someone who was in a church where God showed up.
She said, for three weeks I could not do housework. I was under such deep conviction of sin. It's messy when God shows up. But then The joy comes. And the freedom comes because once we see God for who He is and we see sin.
for what it is. We begin to say to ourselves, There is no value in all the earth. that can be compared to the Almighty. And God shows up. And then there's reconciliation.
Oh, the pain of reconciliation. I love to tell the story. But perhaps you've heard me tell in Canada. where God showed up in Western Canada in the early 70s, many years ago. What happened is there were two brothers who had not talked to each other for years because they had.
A different opinion of themselves, there were family squabbles, things in their history they didn't want to deal with. Quite frankly, one walked into one door of the church and the other walked in the other, and they knew where the other was so that they would never have to meet. And now suddenly God shows up. Hmm. The pastor took them to the basement of the church.
Said, I'm not leaving. And he asked the elders to gather around, said, We're not leaving until the two of you are reconciled.
Well, one knew that he was caught at least, and he said, okay, I'll reconcile. Pastor said, that's not good enough. And they began to pray there, and the Holy Spirit came upon that group, and One man. Was under such conviction, he began to pound on the downstairs wall in such a way that they could hear him in the congregation. They could hear him upstairs.
And these two brothers were reconciled, and the next night they sang a duet. And people said, we can't believe it. If God can do that for them, why can't He do that for our family? You see, that's what happens. When God comes to church.
It's painful. But it is so incredibly Blessed. God showed up. in the Thessalonian church. God has shown up in periods of time here in America.
in ways that are extraordinary. memorable and transforming. Do you believe as a congregation here at the Moody Church that God could do it again? Do you believe that that's possible? And if he did.
We would sing, In my life, Lord, be glorified, and it would be a prayer. of yieldedness, of dedication. Of surrender and saying, God, whatever it takes in my life. Be glorified. Are you ready?
Let's pray. And, our Father, we want to thank you today for your faithfulness. Thank you that when you come to church, Everything is different.
Now, Lord. We have lived so long. With spiritual mediocrity. We don't know what this is about. All that we're asking is that you would grace us.
with your undeserved blessing. And we pray in Jesus' name that you might make us as a congregation alive. With the presence and the power of our Lord God, make us a transforming church in Chicago. In this city. and around the world.
Because we are desperate. for your blessing. And for those who are here today who've never trusted Christ as Savior, may they have heard what was said and know that they need to be converted. May they trust Christ. and believe in him.
and be saved. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. My friend, today, even as you have listened to this message, could we all pray?
In my life, O Lord, be glorified. It's so important for us to realize that whether or not God does everything that we think He should, the fact is that. He is within us. He desires to be glorified through us. And whatever that means for any one of us, we should be most honored To surrender.
to him.
Well, at the beginning of this message, I mentioned that I've written a book entitled Managing Your Emotions. I hope that you have a pen or pencil handy because we'd like this resource to be in your hands, to be read, and to be passed along to others. Here's what you can do. Go to rtwoffer.com. Perhaps you've heard me say this before, but RTW offer is all one word.
rtwoffer.com or pick up the phone and call us at 1-888-288. ninety three thirty seven. Thank you in advance for praying for us. Thank you for your financial support. I always visualize that throughout the whole world there are people who are listening, and thank God that that is true, they are listening.
The good news of the gospel is being shared. And it's being shared because of people just like you who partner with us. in this ministry. May God enable us to serve each other And may all the roadblocks that stand in the way be taken away. By his grace.
Thanks again, and we always ask, in my life, Lord, be glorified. It's time now for another chance for you to ask Pastor Lutzer a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Doing the right thing. It's always admirable. But sometimes it's not clear what the right thing is.
Melissa wrote to us, posing this dilemma. With regard to the homeless, how do you reconcile verses such as Matthew twenty five thirty five and Second Thessalonians three, verses six through fourteen? I feel led to give of my time and money to the poor. I want to be obedient to that.
However, I'm beginning to feel conflicted. There are those that are homeless or poor simply because they choose to be. They would rather be idle than have to work and and they expect to be supported by the government or charitable organizations. In one way, it seems that by supporting them we perpetuate their homeless or poor state. On the other hand, am I the one to judge these things?
if my charge is to serve the homeless, should I do so without regard? Melissa, thanks so much for your question. And by the way, the reference that was referred to there, 2 Thessalonians 3, verse 6 and following, emphasizes that Paul says that if a man does not work, neither shall he eat. And so what do we do with that verse?
Well, the clear implication, of course, Melissa, is that he would have opportunity to work, Remember that there are some people in this world who cannot work because there are no jobs. I'm thinking particularly of other countries, though that certainly is true in America today with our financial downturn, where people would love to work but they can't. And so they've become poor. because of the circumstances of life, not because of laziness.
Now with regard to your specific question, Are you the one to judge these things? My own view is this. We should not resist a generous impulse.
Sometimes even on the street I've given people money and I suspect that they probably took it to buy drink. And yet because I'm not sure? I say to myself, I'm giving this in the name of the Lord. And I'm going to trust God. and if they misuse it, Uh that's their responsibility.
I want to be sure that I have been faithful in helping the poor. Melissa? I think the best thing, though, to do, is to work in soup kitchens. Places like this that minister to the poor, where they are actually given the food and they're given the clothes and maybe a place to sleep, At least then you know. that your resources and your time are valuable and they are being wisely used.
That's very different than giving money. to people whom you've never met who sometimes accost us on a street corner.
So uh when we are faced with a decision Let us always be generous. God has much to say about the poor. and we should be committed to them and to their needs. I commend you, Melissa, keep doing what you need. what God has called you to do.
Thank you, Melissa, and thank you, Dr. Lutzer. If you'd like to hear one of your questions answered, go to our website at rtwoffer dot com and click on Ask Pastor Lutzer or call us at one eight eight eight two one eight ninety three thirty seven. That's 1-888-258. 218-9337.
You can write to us at Running2Win 1635 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60614. Running to Win comes to you from the Moody Church in Chicago to help you understand God's roadmap for your race of life.
Next time, why it is that when God comes to church, that church becomes a serving church. Thanks for listening for Pastor Erwin Lutzer. This is Dave McAllister. Running to Win is sponsored by the Moody Church.
