Running To Win

Dave McAllister: Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. Jesus told his followers, "You and you alone are the light of the world." If we don't bring change to the places where we live, who will? Today, our series on following Christ takes us to the great battle between darkness and light, and why our task is to be the light that draws people to Jesus. 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, Jesus lays on his people a great responsibility: you are the light of the world. If that's the case, we dare not have any darkness in our lives.

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer: The passage of scripture that comes to my mind is actually found in First John. If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another. Actually, what that verse means is that we have fellowship with God, and God has fellowship with us. But as you mentioned in your intro, we are to be a light. Now, light is never intimidated by darkness. But sometimes we are intimidated by the darkness that we're in. But Jesus commands us to shine the light.

I'm holding in my hands a resource that I think will help us do just that. It's a book entitled "Walking with Jesus: A Radical Return to His Priorities." For a gift of any amount, we're making it available for you, and I sure hope that you have a pen or pencil handy so that you can write this down. What you can do is go to RTWoffer.com. That's RTWoffer.com. And when you're there, you can also investigate what it means to become an Endurance Partner. Now, at the end of this message, I'm going to be giving you this contact info again because we do indeed believe that this resource will help you in your spiritual journey. But for now, let us listen.

In ancient times, there was a philosophical theory by the name of dualism. Dualism held that the world can only be explained if we understand that there is a continual battle going on between the forces of light and the forces of darkness, the forces of good and the forces of evil. The problem with the philosophical notion of dualism was that the philosophers were uncertain as to how it would all eventually end. The belief was that in the end, good would triumph, but no one knew why they should believe that good would triumph. After all, in a world in which there seems to be so much evil and where evil oftentimes seems to outnumber the good, what hope is there that in the end, good will triumph over evil?

Of course, the Bible presents a form of dualism too. There is indeed the kingdom of darkness and there is the kingdom of light. The difference is that the scripture leaves us in no doubt as to how it will all eventually end. If we were to take reports from the battlefield day by day, it might seem as if the kingdom of darkness is overwhelming the kingdom of light. But if you look at the long range, and when you see God's plan, you know that in the end, good, God, will triumph over evil.

Do I have to take time this morning to paint for you the picture of the dark side, the evil that is in the world? The kingdom of darkness has various manifestations that are so prevalent in our society. How can you read a day's newspaper, how can you watch the news without having a heavy heart? Alcoholism, causing all of the despair and the brokenness and the brutality connected with that terrible habit. You have, for example, child abuse. I read a letter this week in which there was a young nine-year-old raped by her father and brothers, a story too terrible I know to mention, and maybe it shouldn't be said in public. But you read it and you say, "Oh, God, how much can we endure? Evil is triumphing over the good." We find out that there is much immorality in our culture, abortion that we have just spoken of a little while ago. And all of these manifestations in society represent the kingdom of darkness. What is there in this world to offset the gains made by darkness?

Turn with me in your Bibles to the fifth chapter of Matthew, where Jesus makes a statement that every one of you is familiar with. One of the problems that you have on preaching on familiar texts is that everyone thinks they know everything there's to know about the text. And that's what caused me some concern this week. I said everyone has heard messages on Matthew 5, verses 13 to 14. But I know that you're going to listen as if you've never heard a message on it before. Notice what it says, verse 13. "You are the salt of the earth." The Greek text says, "You and you alone are the salt of the earth." Verse 14: "You and you alone are the light of the world." That's it.

Believers, followers of Jesus Christ in this age, in this world, represent the forces of good. And we are up against a tremendous battle with the forces of evil. And that's the clash that is taking place in our culture. Those are the problems, the frictions that take place is when good and evil intersect and people are committed to allowing evil to triumph.

Now let's look briefly at these two figures of speech and see what they might mean. Jesus said you are the salt of the earth. As Westerners, we don't understand that very well because to us salt isn't that valuable. We take it for granted. In the East, salt was very valuable. Where do you think we got the expression "He isn't worth his salt"? Well, that came from an ancient belief that salt was very valuable. You're not worth your salt, someone says.

Now all of us know that salt is used as a preservative. Salt is to be put on decaying meat in areas of the world where they have no refrigeration. And what Jesus is saying is that the decay of wickedness continues to mushroom. Wickedness continues to increase, and the only way that it can be halted is for you to know that you are the salt of the earth. That means that if wickedness is to stop its great takeover, we must live up to what Jesus said we already are. We are antiseptic for sores and for wounds in society. And you know that as antiseptics, we must recognize that sometimes when we come in contact with the world, there may be pain. I grew up in a time when we used to use iodine when we would hurt ourselves. And then they said, "No, that doesn't work because it hurts. There's some other stuff that doesn't hurt and supposedly does the same thing." But that's what we are in our culture. We are the iodine, we are the antiseptic that says the disease is growing and the sore is beginning to open and the germs are beginning to have free reign, and Jesus said you are the antiseptic to your culture.

Now, salt not only preserves, but salt has another function, and that is it adds flavor. You drive up to McDonald's, you're in a hurry, and so you go through the drive-up area. And you buy a hamburger and you buy fries and you buy a Diet Coke. And the purpose, well, listen now, the purpose of the Diet Coke is to offset the fries, right? So you're there and you purchase this, and then you run back to the office and you begin to gulp it down and you discover that the fries have no salt—tasteless. You see, our responsibility is to take this culture that tastes so bad and to flavor it, to make life bearable.

One of the greatest compliments that was given to my wife before she was married. Before I married my wife, I checked with a number of people that knew her well. I think that's a wise thing to do, by the way. And I asked a young man who was attending seminary who worked with my wife who had a part-time job at a mission in Dallas, the Central American Mission. And he said this: he said that Rebecca brings a ray of sunshine into the office when she comes in. Now, she didn't know I was going to give that illustration today. As a matter of fact, I didn't know that I was going to give that illustration today. But you know, that's what we should be. We should be a ray of sunshine wherever we are. We ought to flavor a world that has no flavor at all, that is involved in sin that is tasteless. Jesus said you're it, you're it. You provide the flavor.

Furthermore, salt stimulates thirst. Salt stimulates thirst. It is often said, you know, that you can take a horse to water but you can't make him drink. That's true, but you can put some salt in his oats, and that will create thirst. Do you know that you and I ought to live in such a way that the world around us is thirsty? They ought to ask us for the secret of our tranquility in the midst of a generation that seems to be overcome by all kinds of pleasures that have such bad aftertastes. And that's what Jesus is asking us to do, isn't it?

You remember that passage of scripture in the 17th chapter of Jeremiah. Whenever I quote it, I have to make sure that people know it's Jeremiah 17. Because when I quote it, they say, "Oh no, no, that's Psalm One." Well, it's not Psalm One. Those two passages are alike. But in the 17th chapter of Jeremiah, it says that the man whose trust is in the Lord has roots that go into a stream of water and his leaves shall not wither in a day of drought, and he shall not cease bringing forth fruit. Why do I mention that passage of scripture? Simply because in days when there are those problems and those needs and we all have them, we as believers ought to live in such a way that is different, that people ought to wonder how we can bear fruit in an arid desert. And it is the strength that God gives. Jesus said you are the salt of the earth.

Let's look at the second passage of scripture. "You and you alone, you and you alone are the light of the world." This is a statement about the fact that the world exists in darkness, and Jesus knew that, didn't he? In darkness, you can't tell the difference between a stone and a piece of gold. You can't tell the difference between a friend and a foe. In darkness, you see images, but darkness does not reveal the true character of what a thing is. You need light for that. Now, what Jesus is saying is that He was the light of the world, and now we're the light of the world. And we are here to help men and women understand their true character.

You see, to every one of us, there is the visible part and then there is the hidden part. We are like the moon with one side that is hidden. And when Jesus came to the earth, there were so many people who did not like him. And He said that men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. And then He said, "Everyone who hates the light, everyone who does evil rather than hates the light and does not come to the light lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who loves the light and does righteousness comes to the light that his deeds might be exposed to prove that they are wrought in God."

I want to tell you something that there is a part of you that you don't want anyone to see. Isn't that true of all of us? Let's suppose we announced in the evening service that we're going to come and we're going to begin with every member of the Moody Church, taking them alphabetically and show to everybody the thoughts and the intents of the heart that they had this past week. And we're going to put it on a video screen. Can't you imagine what would happen? We would run like everything. We would say, "This is one meeting I'm going to miss unless I'm sure that my picture will not be shown." Why? Because we don't like exposure. Jesus said that there is no hope for the world until it is exposed, and it's up to you because you and you alone are the light of the world, pointing men and women, having them be brought to a position where they recognize their need and then know what the solution to their need is. It's up to you. It's up to me.

So Jesus said that light exposes sin and it also guides people. You know that when an airplane comes in, it needs a runway that is well lit. Ships need lighthouses that guide them through the rocks. You can't do that in the dark. You walk in the dark and you stumble. What you need is light. And Jesus said that if men and women are to be pointed the right direction, if they are to be able to read the signs, He said you are the light of the world.

Perhaps you heard about the man who had the responsibility of warning trains. He was a signalman on the railway. And one day he was snoozing in his booth and suddenly a train came and he knew that the train should stop, and he ran out and he began to frantically wave his lantern. And the train bumped into another train and the conductor and others were killed. And the man was taken to court because the question was whether or not he had given adequate warning. And he testified how he had waved the lantern, and the jury believed him because he spoke truthfully and with conviction. But later the man said after it was over and he was acquitted, "I'm sure glad they didn't ask me whether my lantern was lit." In other words, he waved the lantern but the light had gone out. Jesus is saying to you and to me, we're the only lanterns that the world's got. This is it. You say, "Well, mine isn't very bright." Maybe, but this is it. You and you alone are the light of the world.

Now, think of these two figures of speech. Darkness and decay, that's what they represent. Darkness and decay go hand in hand. They always occur together. And as we think about Christ's challenge to us, the salt represents really our character and the light represents our conduct. And Jesus said that you have to be both because you represent the kingdom of light in this world.

Now let's back off for just a moment and look at this passage of scripture and think of the implications. This is awesome. What Jesus is saying is this: that the only thing that stands between Satan and his total control of the world are you believers. That's all that's stopping him from the total demonization of the world. The only thing that is preventing Satan from having a complete takeover is the fact that there are still some believers who are salt and who are light and that's it. And we stand in between a wicked, evil spirit who has demonic spirits to carry out his bidding and we stand between those ugly forces of darkness and society. And if we were removed, bad as things are, they would get worse overnight. Jesus said you and I keep the world from total decay.

You say, "Well, Pastor Lutzer, now can that really be true? Can that really be true? Are you really telling me—can you imagine if I were on a talk show telling the world this? I'd be laughed out of town. I mean, believers are looked at as people that we have to get rid of. The New Age movement says that before the new age of enlightenment can come, several groups have to be exterminated, and fundamentalists are listed already in books among those who have to be put out of the way so that progress can be brought about." You're saying, "Pastor, is it really true that it is we who keep the world from its final state of evil and final judgment of God?" and the answer is yes.

One day there was a man by the name of Abraham who was praying to God. And Abraham said, "Lord, if there are 50 righteous in Sodom, will you not destroy it?" God said fine, for 50 I won't. Abraham rethinks it and says, "Now wait a minute, Lord, maybe there aren't 50. Would you do it for 45?" And you know the rest of the story. 45, 30, 20. Abraham comes back and says, "God, don't be angry with me. Promise this is the last time, really, not again, just this last time. Will you not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah if there are 10 righteous?" God says, "You've got a deal, let's shake."

Abraham walks away thinking Sodom and Gomorrah are not going to be destroyed. He's got it in the bag. He made a deal with God. It's over. Bible says that Abraham was looking on the plain and he looked back and he saw all this fire and brimstone come out of heaven, and he was puzzled. "Why?" he said. "I thought I had a deal with God." But Abraham had made an error. There were not 10 righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah. There were only seven. And that's why God could legitimately judge the city.

But here's the point: before the judgment of God came on Sodom and Gomorrah, God says, "I've got somebody in there, Lot and his wife and his children, and I have to get them out." Carnal as they were, Lot was absorbed by the sinfulness of Sodom and Gomorrah. Nevertheless, Lot had believed on God through the witness of Abraham his uncle, and God says, "I can't blow this city apart in judgment until those who belong to me get out of it."

That's why I hope that no matter how bad it gets in the city, that a lot of Christians stay in Chicago. We ought to pray, "God, give us at least 10, don't ever let it get less." Now, I know there are thousands, thousands. But what God is saying is that the presence of even one or a few carnal Christians hold back the judgment of God because it is the believing world that stands in between the plans and the designs of Satan and his total absorption of the world. You and you alone are the salt of the earth. You and you alone are the light of the world. It is you that stand and hold off the wickedness.

Dave McAllister: My friend, this is Pastor Lutzer. I like to remind myself that Jesus Christ came into hostile territory. He came into a world of darkness to shed the light and, as this series of messages emphasizes, we are to follow in his steps. Now for a gift of any amount, we're making a book available entitled "Walking with Jesus: A Radical Return to His Priorities." I believe that this book is going to be a blessing to you on your spiritual journey and will help all of us understand what it means to be more like Christ. And this is the last week we're making this resource available for you. And by the way, when you go to RTWoffer.com, also you can click on the Endurance Partner button. Find out what that means. We are so grateful to God for the many people who support this ministry, and we like to think of them as part of the Running to Win family. The title of the book, "Walking with Jesus: A Radical Return to His Priorities," and how radical that turn really is.

Let me give you the contact info again. If you wish, you can call us at 1-888-218-9337. That's 1-888-218-9337. Or you can go to your computer, type in RTWoffer.com—of course, RTWoffer is all one word. RTWoffer.com. You'll find information about the book, and you'll also be given an opportunity to learn about what we like to call Endurance Partners. After all, Jesus told us to run the race of life with endurance, looking beyond this life to the next, even as he did when he went to the cross. I want to thank the many of you who pray for us. We're living in an age in which we desperately need people who pray, who uphold us, who support us, and who encourage us, even as we run the race of life together.

It's time once again for you to ask Pastor Lutzer a question about the Bible or the Christian life. All agree that some theological pursuits are a waste of time, such as asking how many angels can fit on the head of a pin. But one of our thoughtful listeners has come up with this challenge for you, Dr. Lutzer: are there now all the angels that there will ever be, or will more be created?

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer: Well, I think that first of all, the Bible doesn't speak to that. But I am of the conviction that there will not be more created. I think when God decided to create the angelic host, and I love that phrase in the Psalms that says "He commanded and they were created," I think God created myriads and myriads of angels and He probably created enough, so I don't think more are going to be created.

Dave McAllister: Simple question, simple answer. Thank you, Dr. 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. Being the light of the world and the salt of the earth are two great life missions. Next time, more about how we actualize the commands of Jesus to bring light and flavor into darkness and bitterness. Please plan to join us. Thanks for listening. For Pastor Erwin Lutzer, this is Dave McAllister. Running to Win is sponsored by the Moody Church.