5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer

Do you know what all is included in the "price of the ticket" of your salvation? We all know that God sacrificed His Son for us. Today we'll see how there's nothing that He will withhold from His children!

We know that Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for the good of believers. But how do we understand this verse when we can't see how our circumstances could possibly work out for our good? Let's take a deeper look at this multi-faceted, transformative promise.

Romans 8:28 is a promise we can claim as children of an awesome God! This week, we dive into the certainty and the comprehensiveness of this promise.

None of us are strangers to suffering. We understand all too well the "groaning" that Paul describes in Romans 8. But Paul reminds us not to minimize the value of suffering. Our trials should make us eagerly long for our heavenly inheritance!

If you are a Christian, then you are a joint-heir with Christ. What does that mean? It means that you are set to inherit everything that belongs to Christ in God the Father. That's what it means to be a child of an awesome God!

When we consider the character of God, we reach the limits of our imagination. Today, we consider what it means to know God as "Abba, Father." You and I, as believers, have direct access to the eternal Father who secures our salvation!

This week, join us as we begin a six-part series in which we explore the amazing riches that are ours in Christ Jesus—because we are children of an awesome God!

Today, Pastor Lutzer introduces us to three people who struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. If you face these same struggles—or know someone who does—we pray that these stories will be a source of great encouragement to you.

We all know how it feels to be disappointed in the wake of an election. But as a Christian, how should we handle that disappointment? This week, Pastor Lutzer reorients us to an eternal perspective.

Many pastors have been asked lately, "Is COVID-19 the judgment of God?" That's a complex question, and this week, Pastor Lutzer gives his answer. We pray that this video will help you to process and think biblically about the current situation we are facing both nationally and globally.

It is clear that the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy will be—and already is—tremendous. But could this move us in the direction of a far more concerning outcome? And will we as Christians stand firm in our convictions even if the consequences are serious?

Life is uncertain. Nothing exposes this more than the crisis of COVID-19. And yet, God is completely in control. Do we trustHim even in the midst of this pandemic?

Some think that religion and politics shouldn't mix. But politics and morality are often intertwined—and so we as Christians must adhere to the truth when politics impinge upon Scripture.

As believers, we are one in Christ—not because we share common interests, but because we share a common life! And this bond far transcends any political opinions or disagreements.

The church of Jesus Christ is not a political party. In a day of division and hostility, we must remember that the cross of Jesus Christ unites us.

As Christians, it is crucial for us to recognize that the flag of our nation—or any other nation—must be subservient to the cross of Christ. This is especially true at times when the cross is in opposition to the flag.

The theologian Augustine wrote about "the City of God" and "the City of Man." When it comes to politics, we Christians are citizens of God's city. But we are still called to play a role in the city of man.

Have you ever thought about how you can prepare for Heaven? Life is short and eternity is long. What can you do now to anticipate the afterlife?

In the invisible world, Satan stands to accuse us day and night. But, praise God, Jesus also stands to defend us 24 hours a day. Romans 8 assures us of this marvelous truth!

If we could see the invisible world, we'd be surprised about the amount of activity going on around us all the time. Angels are out there and though they do not participate in our redemption, believers can trust that angels are on our side.

Where we go when we are in trouble tells us a lot about who we are. When Saul was in trouble, he went to a witch. Others might turn to alcoholism, consumerism, or workaholism. When you are in a tight place, where and to whom do you turn?

Jacob met God in the wasteland. What wasteland are you experiencing today? No matter what it is, you can rest assured that God will meet you there.

Did you know that the invisible world is just as real as the visible? The apostle Paul says that our afflictions are in this world, but they are "working for us an eternal weight of glory."

We often make resolutions at the start of the new year. What if we committed to one of the easiest resolutions? To simply pray for God's glory to be known in our lives every morning before we get out of bed.

As we conclude our study on the attributes of God, think about this: the God who created the stars and inhabits eternity is concerned with your wounds and healing. This truth should bring us to our knees in praise!

The best is yet to come. Do you believe that through God's unsearchable riches, you can overcome?

Have you ever realized that God doesn't think like you? His ways are different than our ways and His thoughts are different than our thoughts, and this truth should lead us to worship.

In acceptance of God's will, there is peace. And if we accept the sovereign God and worship Him, He carries us along despite all of the mysteries.

We should stand in the presence of the unsearchable God with much reverence. But at the same time, we can leave things in His hands with much confidence in His trustworthiness.

Despite the mystery and the unanswered questions, God is worthy of our trust. Do you believe He will finish what He begun—to take you all the way to the finish line and beyond?

Where is God amidst storms, disasters, and catastrophes? If God is all-powerful then why do these tragic events occur?

Other religions claim some kind of blood sacrifice or offering for redemption, but it is only in Christianity that God himself becomes the sacrifice. The God who created is the God who redeems.

If you are saved today, it's because the same God who said "let there be light" at creation said "let there be light" in your heart. Do you trust that the God who is all-powerful has done this great work?

Have you been misunderstood? Have you been accused or wronged? Be encouraged that an omnipresent God knows you and sees you.

We know that God is present everywhere at all times. What does this mean for us personally? It means that God sees you—and cares for you—no matter where you are.

God is present everywhere, as we learned last week. But one of the distinguishing traits of His people is that He is present in us as well!

There is nowhere we can go where God is not—even if we wanted to, we cannot flee from His presence.

God knows the secrets of the heart; there are no parts you can hide from Him.

Does your heart condemn you with guilt, shame, or malice? Thankfully, God's understanding of us is greater than what others or even we believe about ourselves.

Did you know that you were known by God as long as He has existed? And for those in Christ, He has loved you for all eternity—past, present, and into the future.

The omniscience of God can be a terrifying reality, but also one of the most comforting truths of His character. He who knows us the best, loves us the most.

God declares the end from the beginning. He knows all things—and this has huge implications for our Christian lives.

Are we willing to accept the attributes of God that we aren't so comfortable with—such as His vengeance, wrath, and jealousy?

Our ideas of God are always too small. We are not dealing with a tame God, but the God of the Bible who is jealous and wrathful.

To be jealous for God's name means that we have zeal to see Him honored: the kind of jealousy God commends, not the kind the world provokes.

We tend to think of jealousy in negative terms, but the truth is that God has every right to say, "I am a jealous God, and I expect the exclusivity of your worship."

Every day of your life is an investment in something. The weight of God's eternal justice is recognized in the fact that not everyone will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

It's hard to fathom the existence of hell, so much so that today's leading denominations want to explain it away. This week, despite its difficulty, Pastor Lutzer discusses the doctrine of hell.

Do you fear God's judgement? In Christ, the justice of God has already been satisfied for you. This week, Pastor Lutzer examines the grace and justice of God.

Is there an age of accountability? How does God judge children who die? What does a just God do with babies who pass away? This week, Pastor Lutzer encourages us to trust God's justice even in life's most difficult circumstances.