Running To Win

Dave McCallister: Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and proctor of our faith. Paul was an able defender of the gospel even when standing before kings. His passion for truth caused one king to doubt his sanity. Today, more about Paul in Caesarea as he appeals his case to the emperor and is eventually sent to Rome. From the Moody Church in Chicago, this is running to win with Dr. Irwin Lutzer, whose clear teaching helps us make it across the finish line.

Dave McCallister: Pastor Lutzer, I doubt the Romans had ever encountered anyone quite like Paul.

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer: And you know, Dave, the reason for that is because the Apostle Paul well, let me put it this way, nothing would stop him. Here he is in prison. He writes the book of Philippians from prison, and he does not even ask people to pray that he will be delivered from prison. As a matter of fact, he uses his prison as an opportunity to share the gospel. So, a man like that, of course, yes, you may be right, Dave. There's no one else quite like the Apostle Paul, and of course, he wrote many of the books of the New Testament.

But I want to speak to all who are listening today and ask you this question. Do you feel as if you're in a hole, so to speak? You're filled with discouragement, hopelessness, a treadmill? Well, at the end of this message, I'm going to be giving you some contact info, and you can receive a resource that we think will be of tremendous help, especially to those who may think that they are beyond all possibility of forgiveness. You are in hopelessness. Well, guess what? God is there for us, and we want to help you on your journey.

You realize that when you preach the gospel, when you share with a friend, whether you go across the ocean or do it here in America, there is a battle between light and darkness, between Satan and God. The essence of all false religion, including the misinterpretation of Judaism that Paul had where he thought that the law could convert him, not understanding that the law was to create convictions so that he'd go to Jesus. You realize that all false religion is basically demonic. And when we share the gospel, the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ has to come into people's lives so that they see the light and through the word hear a voice.

And that's what conversion is really all about. And so, the Apostle Paul is sent to do that. You know, the Bible says in the end time people are going to deceive and they are going to be being deceived. And we're living certainly in an age with all kinds of deceptions. Someday I'm going to preach on the topic of self-deception. Its implications are huge. Now, the Apostle Paul is giving his advice and Festus has something to say in verse 24. As he was saying these things in his defense, Festus, who's listening there with King Agrippa, says, Paul, you are out of your mind.

Your great learning is driving you out of your mind. You know, excuse me, Festus. You may have this very very wrong. Paul is not out of his mind, but you may be. You must understand what's going on here in the text. Isn't that interesting? You know, Larry Poland is a friend of ours who is here at the Moody Church, and he works in Hollywood attempting to lead Hollywood people to Jesus Christ. He is a witness there. And he told some of us a very interesting story that he led a Hollywood executive, as I remember it, to saving faith in Christ.

And over lunch, this executive said, You know what I find interesting? He said, here I am through a successive number of failed marriages. My children are on drugs. And I was drinking more than I should have been. And nobody said anything. They just kind of accepted it. And now, when I tell them I've become a Christian, they say you must be crazy. So, Festus here says, Paul, you're out of your mind. He says, I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things.

Remember King Agrippa claimed to be Jewish. For the king knows about these things, and I'm speaking boldly. Verse 27, King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe. And Agrippa said to Paul, In a short time, would you persuade me to be a Christian? Uh, that sometimes has been interpreted to mean do you think that I'm almost persuaded to be a Christian? I think that's the way the King James version translated it. It's probably more accurate the way it is here. It's a sarcastic comment. Do you really think that in such a short time uh, you know, with your arguments, I'm going to become a Christian.

I'm going to become a part of this hated group called Christians. I don't think so. And then the Apostle Paul answers and says, verse 29, whether short or long, would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am except for these chains. I mean, I'd prefer that they not be in prison, but may they all become as I am. And here the Apostle Paul gives us a great example of personal witnessing. He becomes our example. He is a prototype of witnessing wherever he is to the truth of the gospel.

What Paul is really saying is I wish that all people would be just like I am, except, of course, for these chains. Just imagine for a moment the Apostle Paul could say things that King Agrippa or Festus could never possibly say. They couldn't say something like this. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. They couldn't say that. They couldn't say I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live, I live by faith of the son of God who gave himself for me.

They they they couldn't say that. They were not able to say the things that the Apostle Paul was able to say. They couldn't say I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. They didn't know that. Just look at the contrast here. Actually, they are on trial, but they don't realize it. It's not Paul. Here they are with all of their regalia, with all of their entourage. There is King Agrippa dressed in purple, and he's wearing a crown. And the Apostle Paul in chains is richer than he is and better off than all of this pomp and ceremony.

You see, King Agrippa had a crown, but he wasn't able to say with the Apostle Paul near the end of his life, he says, Behold, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all those also who love his appearing. Agrippa couldn't say that. So, Paul is saying, I wish that all people would be like I am. I don't want them to be in chains, but I want them to be able to testify to the truth of the gospel, no matter where they are.

And in this way, show God's grace and God's power. Let's take another look at this and help us to understand it even more particularly in our situation. First of all, let's look at this whole passage and realize that God is bigger than injustice. God is bigger than injustice. You know, God said, I want to get Paul to Rome. That was very clear to the Apostle Paul. He received six visions in the book of Acts, and one was that he was going to get to Rome. So, he knew he was going to get to Rome. The question is, how is God going to get him there?

And the way it happened is Paul was falsely accused in Jerusalem, taken to Caesarea, in prison falsely for two years with no charges against him, brought up between Festus and Felix and eventually King Agrippa giving his defense. And that's the way God got Paul to Rome. In fact, the chapter 26 ends with Agrippa saying to Festus, This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar. But he appealed to Caesar, and because he was a Roman citizen, they didn't feel free to do anything else except to let him go. And Chapter 27 is when he was shipwrecked on the way to Rome.

And what a story that is. But that's the way God got him to Rome. It's through misunderstanding, false accusations, false imprisonment because God says, Paul, I want you to remember that I'm not with you only in the good times. And isn't that true? It's true of me. In the things that happened to me that are good, I see God. I don't see God in the things that happened to me that are bad, or at least in my judgment bad, injustice, and whatever else may take place. I don't necessarily see God there, but God says, I am there with you.

Remember Joseph? He was falsely accused. Uh, he was falsely accused, and the Bible says in the book of Genesis, it says, And the Lord was with Joseph and promoted him so that he became an assistant to Potiphar. And then you know the rest of the story, how Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph. Joseph was thrown into prison and was there two years. And in the very same chapter, what does it say? It says, And the Lord was with Joseph in prison and blessed him there. Will we all remember that God is with us in our exultations and God is with us in our demotions?

And God stays with us in both instances, and he can be depended upon to be with us, no matter the circumstances. And so, what we have here is a great lesson. Injustice does not hinder the purpose of God. After all, Jesus was actually nailed to the cross because of injustice, right? I mean, he was falsely accused. He went through all this. And in the midst of that evil, the will and the ultimate purpose of God was accomplished. Paul reminds us that no matter what happens to us, whether it's in the legal system or elsewhere, what we must see is God in the midst of that which comes against us.

There's another lesson, and that is this, that um, this happens to be a very good apologetic for the gospel. If you don't know how to share your faith and you're afraid of all those questions that people might ask, why don't you just tell them what Jesus did for you? Because what Jesus can do for us is what no other religion can possibly offer. You can change religions, but in the process you do not change your heart. Your heart remains the same. But those who trust Jesus as Savior discover that the conversion experience actually goes down to the level of desire and aptitude.

That's why the Apostle Paul could say, I was evil, I was insolent. In 1 Timothy, when he discusses his conversion, he says the Greek word means I was sadistic. I not only killed Christians and tormented them and tried to get them to blaspheme the name of Jesus, but I enjoyed doing it, Paul says. And this becomes the Apostle Paul who later on writes those words. Now, the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Where else can you find a change like that? Evie Hill was a great African American preacher, and he preached a sermon from this pulpit one time during a pastors conference.

By the way, um, he is in heaven today, and I remember how he began the message. He began by saying I have two wives. He said, one is in heaven, the other is on earth. And I think that's about the right distance between them, he said. But then he preached a message entitled God at his best. And he talked about when was God at his best, and he very eloquently talked about creation and talked about the stars and talked about beauty and talked about all that. And he said, no, no, that's not God at his best.

And then he took us back to his background, a little boy growing up in Mississippi and having the gospel explained to him with the help of his mother and believing on Jesus. And he said that was God at his best. And you and I must realize that conversion is the great miracle. And here the Apostle Paul very very enthusiastically tells his story. And you may be here today, and you may be kicking against God's will. You are managing your conscience. You are in darkness and you're trying to live with it. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul.

I saw a light and I heard a voice. And today you can respond to both. Do you remember the phrase son of Sam? Many of you are far too young to remember that, but I do. A man who was terrorizing New York in 1977 one murder after another. And some time later, he was arrested and his name was David Berkowitz. David Berkowitz was taken, put into prison, given I think about six life sentences. Many years ago when I was in New York, Jim Simbala, wonderful pastor in New York, told me that he was meeting regularly with David Berkowitz, who at that time was the assistant to the chaplain in jail.

And David Berkowitz, the son of Sam, you can go online as I learned last night, and you can actually hear his testimony about the sense of darkness and evil. He said, I had no control at all over what I was doing. I just did it, no matter who it hurt. He is today a man having Bible studies in prison and leading others to saving faith in Christ. Why? Because the gospel actually saves sinners. Aren't you glad for that, by the way? Now, if God has talked to you today, would you believe on Christ? Would you trust him as Savior?

Whether you're listening to this here in the sanctuary of Moody Church or online or by radio, if God has talked to you, aren't you finding it hard to resist him? God calls you to himself through the word, through the gospel, and through the message that transforms. Our Father, today we pray that you might gather in for yourself those who do not know you as Savior. We thank you, Father, for the great strength and witness of the Apostle Paul, the transformation that you brought. We thank you for his chains that represent your grace in the midst of heartache, tragedy, and disappointment.

We pray in your name. Amen. Well, this is Pastor Lutzer. I want to speak very carefully here, but I have to say that often times failure is good if it leads us to God and we experience his mercy and his grace. You remember what Jesus said, Those who are forgiven much, well, they love much. And that's one of the reasons I wrote the book entitled Failure, the Backdoor to Success. I wrote it because I recognized that there were people who failed miserably and yet God used them. He took the various aspects of their life and wove them together into something good.

And so, this is a book of hope. It will direct you to the right path. And by the way, this is the last week we're making this resource available for you. Once again, the title of the book Failure, the Backdoor to Success. Sure hope that you have a pen or pencil handy because here is the contact info. You can go to rtwoffer.com. That's rtwoffer.com, or you can pick up the phone and call us at 1 888 218 9337. I believe that this resource that we have emphasized is going to not only help you on your spiritual journey, but give you an optimistic spirit when you realize that God takes the worst of failures and he makes something beautiful out of them.

The title of the book Failure, the Backdoor to Success.

Guest (Male): Failure, the Backdoor to Success.

Dave McCallister: Time now for another chance for you to ask Pastor Lutzer a question about the Bible or the Christian life. When beliefs differ within a family, struggles soon follow. Eileen is in Zion, Illinois, and listens to WMBI. This is her story. My question concerns spiritual warfare. My mother and some of her friends heavily believe in battling demons with prayer, praying that the iniquities of your forefathers will be lifted off of you and praying that demons would leave people. I've also read that if you're struggling with immorality, you can pray that the spirit of holiness will come upon you.

I accepted Jesus as Savior when I was 17. And I believe that God is all I need and all I will ever need. I believe he'll protect me against demons and help me live as blameless a life as I can until I'm made perfect in heaven. I believe there are demons carefully watching, poised to strike. And I do believe they can inhabit people. But if God is for me, who can be against me? Why should I pray for some specific spirit when I have the Holy Spirit? This debate is putting a strain on our relationship, and I don't know what to do.

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer: Thank you so much for writing. I really read your question and I appreciated it because what it did is it helped me understand the struggle that this particular issue has brought about in your home. This is what I'd like to suggest. I think that your mother and her friends are extreme in finding a demon everywhere. I don't find within the scripture that what you need to do is to fight a demon. And this is the way in which we fight various sins and struggles. Though demons may be involved, scripturally what we do is we stand upon the rock of Jesus and his triumph.

So, I think that your mother and her friends are really extremists when it comes to finding demons everywhere. But on the other hand, I think that you have taken the opposite approach. You know, you say I believe that there are demons carefully watching poised to strike, and I do believe they can inhabit people. But if God is for me, who can be against me? Why should I pray for some specific spirit when I have the Holy Spirit? Well, you are right. But it almost seems to me that as I read your particular response, you are taking once again an opposite extreme, almost implying that we never have to have conflict with the devil.

So, here's what I propose. Why don't you and your family agree on some middle ground? The fact that there is such a thing as spiritual warfare, it is a reality. The fact that victory comes to the triumph of Jesus and believing in the triumph of Jesus, sometimes we don't know if we're up against the flesh or demonic spirits. We can't distinguish. But the answer always is the same, submission to God, believing in the triumph of Jesus and standing our ground in the midst of temptation. So, you as a family should be able to get along on this issue if each of you met in the middle.

That's my suggestion. Keep reading the word, keep talking, keep uh, discussing. But don't break fellowship over this issue.

Dave McCallister: Some wise counsel for Eileen from Dr. 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. While in prison, Paul wrote to a friend about a runaway slave he had led to Christ. Next time, a glimpse into the heart of Paul like none other in the New Testament. This is Dave McCallister. Running to Win is sponsored by the Moody Church.