Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. Jesus taught us to call him our Father. In the Bible, God has many names, but only one character, absolute holiness combined with infinite power, love, and justice. Today, we'll come to grips with the Father we worship. 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, why is our concept of God so important? Dave, first of all, I want to say a word to all those who are listening who have had a father who perhaps has been abusive. Maybe he rejected you. Perhaps he was an alcoholic.
perhaps you don't know your father. But I want to emphasize this, that your father has influenced you more, even if you've never met him, he's influenced you more than you realize. What's so wonderful is that God can be our father. Indeed, God is the father of all who believe on his son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, to those of you who are hurting today because of an earthly father. I encourage you to learn to get to know the heavenly father, to begin to worship him, and you'll discover that you do have a father in heaven who cares. And of course, he's the one who does desire worship, and he is entirely worthy. As a matter of fact, I'd say this, that if you are just beginning the Christian life, or if you have doubts about the Christian life, listen to this message very carefully and learn to worship God, and you'll discover that he is indeed real, our Father who art in heaven.
Well, you listen carefully. It is often said, and it is completely true, that the most important thing about you is what you believe about God. Tozer said that. But today in America to say I believe in God is one of the most meaningless statements that anyone could possibly make. And the reason is the word God is a canvas upon which people have been able to paint whatever picture they wanted of the Almighty.
so we have different gods all manufactured according to our image and our own liking we have today the God of my health and wealth he exists to make me happy God wants you to be happy and God wants you to be rich and God wants you to be prosperous and healed so there's that God that's out there we have the God of my self-authentication that's who God is God exists to make me feel better about myself. God is there to show me how valuable I really am. We have the God of my gender. We have female goddesses that people write about and talk about. The God of my inner child.
If you want to find God, what you need to do is to go deep within. I don't know about you, but when I go deep within, I find sin. I don't find God. And then there's the God of my near-death experience, the God of light, who doesn't judge anybody and who allows everybody to go into heaven. There's that God and dozens of others.
To quote again the words of Don McCullough, the worst sin of the church has been the trivialization of God. We prefer the illusion of a safer deity. We have pared God down to manageable proportions.
Somebody said we have cows for milk, we have sheep for wool, and we have God to come along and to affirm our every craving. Is this the God that we worship? I think not. But who is the Father whom we worship. Who is this Father?
Who is this God? And before I tell you about him, I have another question I have to ask you. What is the purpose of your life anyway? Is it to make a lot of money, to become relatively well-known, to be able to have a really great retirement account and then in the end die of cancer, which is what everybody seems to be doing? Is that really the purpose of life or is it somewhat higher than that?
The Bible says this about us. It says that we are a peculiar people. That's the King James and I kind of like it. Don't you think we are a little bit peculiar? Those of you who are visiting, you may think that about us.
It does mean special people. And then it says that you should show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Those of you in the balcony who know Jesus as Savior, did you know that that's your calling? And those of you on the lower floor and those of you who are watching by means of the internet or listening on the radio, did you know that as a Christian your purpose is to show forth the excellencies of God and make God look good in the presence of a very, very skeptical world?
So what I'm going to do in the next few moments is to show you how every attribute of God, that our response to that attribute enables us to show forth the excellency of God Everything that you learn about God is transforming Sometimes a series like this is thought to belong to the theologians Could I speak candidly and tell you that theology is too important to leave with the theologians? Because theology, God, is completely transforming.
So let's just dig right in now without any more adieu. The first attribute I'd like to introduce you to of this father whom we worship is self-existence, self-existence. Exodus chapter 3 verse 14, God says to Moses, I am that I am. I exist because I exist and I am who I am and not who you want me to be. Psalm 90 verse 2, from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God, his eternality and self-existence.
Wow. Did you know that God always existed? God is the uncaused cause. Nobody created God. He was always there.
Now you can't get your mind around that. There have been moments when I've meditated on it and it seems as if your mind just goes to the edge and then you pull back and say, Lord, I can't go any further because everything that I know had a beginning. To think that God always was, well, that's the answer. God always was. I can prove to you logically that it is so.
Because all of us know that out of nothing, follow this carefully now if you've just been half tuned in, give it the full blast here, okay? Out of nothing, nothing comes. If there were nothing in eternity past, there'd be nothing today because out of nothing, nothing comes. The fact that you are in existence or something exists means that there was something that always existed and was not created because you can't create anything out of nothing.
So God always has existed. You know the scientists who say, and Time Magazine had an article about this not too long ago, you know the stars were formed so many billions of years ago.
Well, thank you very much. But where'd all that stuff come from in the first place? did nothing create nothing? No, something created, and that something has to be of necessity uncreated, the self-existence of God. You say, well, how do we show forth that excellency?
Well, we do, my friend, because once we understand this, we realize that God is the only independent being in the universe. All of us are dependent. Anything that we have is derived. It is not intrinsic to us. God is the independent being, and since the fall, man has always wanted to be independent.
That's our big struggle, is to submit to God, because sin says, I'm my own God. You know those beautiful babies that we just dedicated a few weeks ago? A few weeks ago, a few moments ago I should say. See to God a thousand years is a day and a day is a thousand. You know those babies we just dedicated?
Sweet as they were, all boys. You could give them little t-shirts the moment they were born and the t-shirt would say, worship me and we'll get along just fine. And there are some adults who don't outgrow that t-shirt. You see, there's something within us that says what we want to do is to be our own God. But we are dependent.
And how does that work itself out in our lives? First of all, we are a humble people. A proud Christian is a contradiction in terms. It's a square circle. how could you possibly be proud of anything who make it thee to differ from another or what hast thou that thou hast not received and if thou hast received it why dost thou glory as if thou hast received it not we don't take any credit for what God does through us because we know who we are we are very dependent and we are a very thankful people thankful for the least of God's mercies because we know that we are undeserving.
We bring nothing to the table except our great need, and we come to God, who is the only independent being in the universe. We come with helpless, broken dependency, and we make God look good and show his excellencies to a skeptical world. Let's look at a second attribute, holiness. In the opening chapters of Isaiah, he pronounces six woes. Woe to the drunkards.
Woe to the people who cheat widows. Woe to the people who are dishonest in their gains and in their dealings. Woe, woe, woe, woe. And you think, well, you know, Isaiah, if you've got six, seven's the perfect number. Where's the seventh woe?
That's in chapter six where he sees God and he says, woe is me. woe is me because he's seen the holiness of God you see when we understand the holiness of God we are not now quick to judge others because when we see other people sin we know that we're capable of doing the very same thing so when we do judge and sometimes it's necessary we do it with a heavy heart because we know we know we know that in the presence of God we're all sinners and we're all saying, woe is me.
So we are very careful in what we say. And also, because we know God is holy, we actually hate sin and love righteousness. And when we love sin, as sometimes we as Christians do God rebukes us And God begins to work in our lives in such a way that we begin to hate iniquity and love righteousness because God is righteous and his holiness reminds us of what that standard is And God births in our heart a love of holiness that we didn't have before. And it has to come from God because that's not something you and I generate just by going to church. The holiness of God.
Third, you have the wisdom of God. the wisdom of God. Romans 11 33, a passage that I hope someday to preach a series of messages on. Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out.
For who's known the mind of the Lord? Who's been his counselor? Does God ever get his angels together and say, Michael, teach me a little bit of philosophy because I'm weak in that area. Has God ever asked anybody for counsel? His knowledge is innate, his knowledge is immediate, and his knowledge is exhaustive.
And he's got it all, and he is a very wise God. He can see around corners like you and I can't. And as a result of that, we trust him. We are a trusting people. We don't trust many human beings because we've been disappointed too often, but we trust God.
A couple of months ago, I was walking in the forest preserve with my five-year-old grandson, Samuel. We decided to go off the beaten track and take a different trail that led beside the river, and I had an idea as to where the trail would come out, and then we came out, and now we were on the beaten track on the way home, and we got to the point where we had turned on the fork of that road. And Samuel says, Papa, we go this way. I say, no, honey, you don't go that way. Papa, this is the way.
No, Samuel, we don't go that way. I think you're wrong, Papa. No, I'm sorry. You follow me. I said, you trust me.
And this little boy said, yeah, but it's so hard to trust Papa.
Now, I was in a place, this is the forest preserve where I walk regularly. I was in a place that I had been probably a hundred times. I knew exactly where we were, but little Samuel was saying, it's so hard to trust, Papa. And I thought to myself, you know, God's been down the road that you and I are concerned about. God's been down that road, as we shall see in a moment.
But you see, because he is a wise God, we are a trusting people. We actually believe that God's way is best, and so we entrust our way to God, and we live with that sense of anticipation and dependence on his wisdom. And we're a praying people because we don't know that we have enough wisdom to live in this world. We know that and so we cry up to God and say, what shall we do? And we expect him to answer because he alone has the answers.
And then we're a wise people. We're not caught up with all of the trappings of the world. Could I be forgiven if I were to tell you that I don't really know who in the world Jessica and Nick are? And would it be okay if I were to tell you I don't really care whether they're dating, whether they're divorced, how many times they've been married, or whatever they're doing? They're no more important than other couples that I know.
In my mind, they're not nearly as important. I have no idea why they're on all of these newspaper covers and magazines. Jessica and Nick, what have they done for society? I have no clue. Maybe they've done wonderful things.
Is it okay if I were to tell you that the baby that was born to Tom Cruise, why all this publicity? Is that baby that he and his girlfriend had any more important than any other baby that was born in Cook County this week to unmarried parents? Is it any more important? I don't think so. Or to married parents as far as that's concerned.
Is it okay if I tell you that I don't know the name of his girlfriend?
Now, after that, I expect to be arrested and hauled into court, in politically correct court, charged with cultural insensitivity. Christians know the difference between food and trash, all right? They are not seduced by the values of this world. Why? Because we know that God is wisdom and we are a wise people.
We know the difference between time and eternity and we know that eternity is longer than time and we live that out in our values and our lifestyle. God is wise. Number four, immutability. Immutability means that God is unchanging. Thou, O Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou remainest. They shall wax old as doth a garment, and as a vesture. Thou shalt roll them up, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Hebrews 1.10 and following.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever. The motto here at the Moody Church, I am the Lord and I change not. My friend, I trust that as you listen to these messages, you understand how deeply we believe, not only in God, but of course, everything that the scripture has revealed.
Now, if you were to ask me this question, Pastor Lutzer, what is it that encourages you the most? I would say it is when we receive a response from people in different languages, because after all, running to win is in 50 different countries in seven different languages. I have in my hands a letter from someone who listens in Spanish. This person writes, It is edifying to listen to these programs filled with wisdom for our instruction It necessary to hear the Word of God every day for our spiritual nourishment and to do God will And then they go on to thank God for Pastor Lutzer, but of course I want to emphasize that anything that I have ever contributed to their spiritual nourishment is because of the grace of God. But be that as it may, these are the kinds of letters we receive because of people just like you.
Very quickly, would you like to become an endurance partner? That's someone who stands with us regularly with their prayers and their gifts.
Well, I sure hope that you have a pen or pencil handy because this is what you can do. You can go to rtwoffer.com. That's rtwoffer.com. And when you're there, you click on the endurance partner button. Or you can pick up the phone and call us at 1-888-218-9337.
Right now, go to rtwoffer.com. It's time now for another chance for you to ask Pastor Lutzer a question about the Bible or the Christian life. There are some dark secrets none of us wants to know. Jennifer just ran into one. As a result, she needs some serious help, Pastor Lutzer.
Here's her story. My parents divorced when I was very young, and my mother remarried, so my stepdad raised me. Throughout the years, I did connect with my biological father, and we've become friends. In fact, he walked me down the aisle for my wedding. Because he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
I've been spending more time with him, with the approval of my mother.
However, I was stunned when he said he needed to say something to me before he died, namely, that he is not my biological father. I'm reeling from confusion.
Now I don't know who I am. Do I confront my mother with this and ask her to tell me who my real father is? She's old and frail, and I'm not sure how she would handle exposing a secret I'm sure she hoped would never be revealed. And yet, I can't bear to live without the truth. Please help me.
Jennifer, thank you so much for letting us know that this is on your mind, and thank you so much for your question. A couple of things. First of all, I do believe that you should approach your mother. I think that if you do it in the right way, even though she's older and possibly, indeed, you're right, she wished that this secret would never be revealed. On the other hand, she might be waiting for an opportunity to clear her conscience.
Just imagine what she has been through keeping this secret to herself. It's been very, very difficult.
Now, the way in which you approach her is by assuring her of your love and your acceptance and providing an atmosphere where it's okay to talk about this rather intimate issue. But I think that if I were in your shoes, as long as your mother is alive, I would approach her and ask her for an explanation and to find out, indeed, if it's possible, who your father really is. Secondly, Jennifer, very important, understand that your real identity is based in your faith in Jesus Christ. You may never discover who your father is, but that does not lessen your value as a person. God has created you in his image.
He has saved you. You belong to God, and in that you must rejoice. Let me give you a word of encouragement and a word of hope. I know someone who was told by his mother at the age of 23 that the man he believed to be his biological father was indeed not his father. He had the very same experience that you have, Jennifer.
Who am I? Who do I belong to? Where do I go with this? As a matter of fact, his mother even told him that the real father, his real father, was a surgeon in the area.
Now, the man never did go meet his real father, but he came to grips with the fact that he belonged to God, and ultimately he could live without having met his real father. Today, this man is mightily used of the Lord, bringing revival and encouragement to many, many churches. Be encouraged. God is your father. You belong to God, even though your identity, your real identity on earth might always be a question.
Words of hope for Jennifer and for all in her situation from Dr. Erwin Lutzer. Thank you, Pastor Lutzer. If you'd like to hear your question answered, go to our website at rtwoffer.com and click on Ask Pastor Lutzer or call us at 1-888-218-9337. That's 1-888-218-9337.
You can write to us at Running to Win, 1635 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60614. How can one describe God? How can one describe anything infinite? The best we can do is to list his attributes. Erwin Lutzer is teaching about the Father we worship.
He's doing that by giving us the primary qualities God has These qualities open a door of understanding A door letting us catch a glimpse of His greatness As well as His grace Next time on Running to Win That door will open for you Thanks for listening For Pastor Erwin Lutzer This is Dave McAllister Running to Win is sponsored by the Moody Church Thank you.
