30 March 2010

Self-Control - Dr. Timothy Keller

8th (and last) Sermon in the Series : The Real Signs of the Spirit

1Corinthians 9:23-27; 10:11-13

23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Spiritual Self-Control

• Passage discusses physical self control and discipline required to succeed in the Hellenic games.
• Do we practice self control by being rational and suppressing our emotions or do we achieve it by getting in touch with our emotions. (Spock vs Data syndrome)
• Our wants and desires are often in conflict---good family life and successful career-are these things really incompatible as Tim suggests?
• We have to follow a standard of judgement to make our choices--we want junk food, but we want to be thin.
• Self control is loving a supreme thing supremely so that everything else falls in place.
• Sharing the joy enhances it for us too.
• We should embody the gospel so others can see how the gospels work through our behavior/example.
• Jesus ran the perfect race of life, but received the crown of thorns so that we can receive the crown of life.
• Self control grows through
• 1) Knowledge of the Scripture
• 2) Community accountability (Hebrews 3:13) 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
• 3) And experiencing and failing the actual trials by trusting God to get us through the temptations.
• Hebrews 12:1-3 -1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

23 May 2010

Humility - Dr. Timothy Keller

7th Sermon in the Series : The Real Signs of the Spirit

Phillipians 2:1-11

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

• Opposite of Humility - Selfish Ambition and Vain Conceit
• We feel that we are empty and ignored and unimportant--it is our sickness.
• Humility manifests itself when we feel content with our circumstances.
• Opposite of Humility - Restless Competitiveness and striving for honor and glory for the sake of recognition.
• We are often contemptuous and ridicule others.
• We are too willful and need a more willingness to repent.
• Opposite of Humility - Self absorption is being irritated when we think we aren't getting what we deserve.
• Humility comes from filling ourselves with Jesus and theology.
• Remember that Jesus emptied himself of glory for us.

16 May 2010

Integrity - Dr. Timothy Keller

6th Sermon in the Series - The Real Signs of the Spirit.

Ephesians 4: 14-15, 20-25, 29

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds;24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

• Truthfulness - Don't be deceitful; don't hide reality from others.
• Committing to a promise - we don't do this when we live together without being married or coming to church without being a member.
• Don't be afraid of commitment or promises.
• Person of integrity is the same in public as they are in private--make sure that what you think and say matches up with what you do.
• Unwholesomeness talk - True words can also be rotten like when you speak the truth in abusive ways; you do it because you value it for yourself
• What is the goal of you telling the truth? It should be to help instead of to marginalize of looking from approval from others.
• Do we get value from being right? (self-righteousness or from God)
• Jesus confesses to the moralist High Priest vs. the relativist Pilate; Jesus spoke the truth and was treated the same by each side

John 18:19-23 - Jesus before the High Priest

19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

20"I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."

22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.

23"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

John 18:36-38 - Jesus before Pilate

36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

38"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. 39But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"

09 May 2010

Kindness - Dr. Timothy Keller

5th Sermon in the Series: The Real Signs of the Spirit

John 15 : 6-15

6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command.15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you

• Nothing humanizes you more than friendship.
• Character of Friendship - Common love, interests, and passions.
• Embracing the Other means being vulnerable through transparency and displaying sacrificial loyalty.

Which means show them who you really are
Giving and receiving critiques well.

• Don't just tell your friends what they want to hear

Proverbs 29:5 - 5Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.

• Remain true even if you aren't getting anything out of the friendship.
• Exodus 33:11 11The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.
• Christian love is social love among social inequalities.
• Self-image is a contradictory patchwork of how you see yourself through others.

02 May 2010

Romans 12_10-21

10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Patience - Dr. Timothy Keller

4th Sermon in the Series: The Real Signs of the Spirit

East Side Morning Service

• Patience - Bearing up and difficulty without giving up.
• Patience is dealing with difficult circumstances and difficult people.

• Forgive those who have mistreated you or you'll be like them.
• Be forgiving, kind, and gracious to everyone no matter how you are treated.

• Bless those who persecute you, meaning pray for them--Ask God to help them.

• Forgive - stop seeking or hoping for revenge on others.
• Don't avoid people; find ways to be of service.

• Be humble, not proud or conceited.
• Proverbs 15:1 - 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
• Proverbs 25:11 11A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

• Oppose gently, humbly, and graciously - We can do this if we truly acknowledge God's forgiveness and Jesus's sacrifice.

25 April 2010

Phillipians 4:4-12

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Peace-Dr. Timothy Keller

3rd Sermon in the Series : The Real Signs of the Spirit

• Peace is Anti-anxiety; Deep calm and inner equilibrium that allows you to be content in every situation; it comes from the sense of being protected by a higher power.
• Peace isn't about expelling negative thoughts, but rather feeling the presence of God that lets you arise above the negativity around you.
• Peace is the belief that the ways of the world transcends our understanding of it.

• Thinking - pondering Biblical doctrine; what are the big picture questions and the meaning of life. We should think about both the good and the bad.

• Thanking - be thankful as you make your request to God regardless of his response, because we know He's on our side.
• Romans 8:28 - 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

• Loving - Love of the immutable being brings transcendence;
• Augustin Confession Book IV - God alone is the place of peace that can't be disturbed
• Christ's Beauty will capture our heart, while there is no peace for the wicked

• Isiah 57:2 - Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 - It all comes back to Jesus - 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.