Wow! Of all the Tim Keller sermons I've heard, this one made it happen. I'm a lifelong musician and I've always struggled with my motives for the hard work - the intense labor involved in learning, practicing, composing, and producing, and my inevitable feelings of disappointment with the way others received my creations. He's absolutely right; my despair came about because the music I made carried with it the hope that my audience would recognize me personally. Beneath that, what I really desire is to create music that inspires joy - brings happiness to others. Now I stand in the brilliant radiance of Jesus Christ the Lord, apprehending the perfection of his works, and I now know that I can rest in my own. By losing my cursed life - my need to make a name for myself, I have found a blessed life in his name. With my name contained in his and sheltered by it, I can now proceed to do what I do best to his glory. I'm a secular musician and no glory thief. Yet now with the right perspective about work, I have found peace. Christ is the eternal light of the Kingdom of God. Startling though it may seem, I walk in that place now. God's blessings to Tim Keller.
Thanks for this comment. I could have written pretty much exactly what you wrote here. I wish I could say that I have completely figured out how to make music without my ego casting a dark cloud on it. But I am able to catch glimpses - some longer than others - of what the freedom of God is like - the freedom that He would want us all to operate in- A freedom where we can do our work without the encumbrance of fearing how it will be received or trying to "prove ourselves" to others. Practice the instrument, write the music, mix the track, arrange the orchestra parts, etc and leave the results up to Him. Then smile and say thank you God for the ability to make music. I am praying that you are gaining more freedom each day as I also long for. Amen
As a craftsman, this is so refreshing to hear! It is easy to get into the mindset that we are only as good as the quality of our work, which leads to trying to impress others and make a name for ourselves. Being in this "rat race" is not life-giving at all and not what God wants for us. Doing good work FOR GOD brings true peace, and true respect from others. Thank you for the wonderful sermon Tim!!!
God bless this effort with fruition. A man is given a vision, not for his own glory but for the glory of God on high, amen. I was blessed by this and will listen again. My mom always said there is no shame in any work as long as you do it to the best of your ability. Brother Lawrence said that while doing dishes in the monastery, he meditated on the verse to pray ceaselessly. He felt that if everything he did was dedicated, done as if for the Lord, as if the Lord was standing and watching Him (which He is) then he is praying ceaselessly. Shalom
Faith and works must be integrated together and they are definitely important together. True faith will result in good works or at least the person trying to live differently as they have become New Creations in Christ! We are saved by Faith and the worst actions can't cancel salvation but the Bible makes it clear that belief alone isn't enough for Heaven, describing how even the demons believe ultimately.
St. Paul writes that the CALL to become Christian is not earned by doing the works of the Jewish law. This is because Jewish converts to Christianity thought that the CALL to become Christian itself had to be earned by doing works of the Jewish Law. Jewish Christians wanted to exclude Gentiles from becoming Christian because Gentiles were so deep in sin and sexual immorality and were not following the Law. Paul reminds Jewish Christians that God called Abraham BEFORE he was circumcised and before he had followed the Law. But after accepting the Call we have to do good works of course.
Depends on the war. We see acts of God saving people in war all the time. I like the instance of Major Washington being saved in the Battle of Monongahela in being preparation for his leadership in the revolutionary war. And then God's hand with Washington crossing the Delaware river.
War itself is not righteous, as it is the slaughtering of God's creation. However it is often used as an instrument of justice, which God allows. It is presumptuous for us to interpret God's will through wars, but we can see it sometimes explicitly told to us in scripture. You can see it in Judges when foreign nations come and destroy his people for their unrighteousness. Just my two cents about the matter.
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Wow! Of all the Tim Keller sermons I've heard, this one made it happen. I'm a lifelong musician and I've always struggled with my motives for the hard work - the intense labor involved in learning, practicing, composing, and producing, and my inevitable feelings of disappointment with the way others received my creations. He's absolutely right; my despair came about because the music I made carried with it the hope that my audience would recognize me personally. Beneath that, what I really desire is to create music that inspires joy - brings happiness to others. Now I stand in the brilliant radiance of Jesus Christ the Lord, apprehending the perfection of his works, and I now know that I can rest in my own. By losing my cursed life - my need to make a name for myself, I have found a blessed life in his name. With my name contained in his and sheltered by it, I can now proceed to do what I do best to his glory. I'm a secular musician and no glory thief. Yet now with the right perspective about work, I have found peace. Christ is the eternal light of the Kingdom of God. Startling though it may seem, I walk in that place now. God's blessings to Tim Keller.
Thanks for this comment. I could have written pretty much exactly what you wrote here. I wish I could say that I have completely figured out how to make music without my ego casting a dark cloud on it. But I am able to catch glimpses - some longer than others - of what the freedom of God is like - the freedom that He would want us all to operate in- A freedom where we can do our work without the encumbrance of fearing how it will be received or trying to "prove ourselves" to others. Practice the instrument, write the music, mix the track, arrange the orchestra parts, etc and leave the results up to Him. Then smile and say thank you God for the ability to make music. I am praying that you are gaining more freedom each day as I also long for. Amen
Wow, I’m a musician too, and it’s really helpful to read comments like this! God bless you!
@@esauponce9759, do all as if you are doing it for the Lord. Let Him be your conductor, as it were. Shalom
This is by far the most practical yet touching sermon I've ever heard in my 30s. Off to fixing my resume...
SPEECHLESS! Jesus, thank you so much for all the wisdom you graciously provided do Mr. Keller, and thank you for allowing me to hear that!
God bless Mr. Keller!
As a craftsman, this is so refreshing to hear! It is easy to get into the mindset that we are only as good as the quality of our work, which leads to trying to impress others and make a name for ourselves. Being in this "rat race" is not life-giving at all and not what God wants for us. Doing good work FOR GOD brings true peace, and true respect from others. Thank you for the wonderful sermon Tim!!!
God bless this effort with fruition. A man is given a vision, not for his own glory but for the glory of God on high, amen. I was blessed by this and will listen again. My mom always said there is no shame in any work as long as you do it to the best of your ability. Brother Lawrence said that while doing dishes in the monastery, he meditated on the verse to pray ceaselessly. He felt that if everything he did was dedicated, done as if for the Lord, as if the Lord was standing and watching Him (which He is) then he is praying ceaselessly. Shalom
If you close your eyes while listening, it sounds like Jeff Goldblum. Good message.
You are creating a greet deal of security and love.. through this simple sermon. From a person who has struggled with finding work .
Thank you Jesus. This is a very hard truth to grasp especially in today's day and age where work and worth are equivalent. Help my heart Holy Spirit.
Uplifting & wonderful message. GOD bless you and your work.
Faith and works must be integrated together and they are definitely important together. True faith will result in good works or at least the person trying to live differently as they have become New Creations in Christ! We are saved by Faith and the worst actions can't cancel salvation but the Bible makes it clear that belief alone isn't enough for Heaven, describing how even the demons believe ultimately.
Rest ❤
Love the Coltrane reference.
Jesus is Lord
Faith and work is matter for modern christian
Glorious
Apostle Paul of 21st century
St. Paul writes that the CALL to become Christian is not earned by doing the works of the Jewish law. This is because Jewish converts to Christianity thought that the CALL to become Christian itself had to be earned by doing works of the Jewish Law. Jewish Christians wanted to exclude Gentiles from becoming Christian because Gentiles were so deep in sin and sexual immorality and were not following the Law. Paul reminds Jewish Christians that God called Abraham BEFORE he was circumcised and before he had followed the Law. But after accepting the Call we have to do good works of course.
I would love to know what Mr Keller's opinion on Christian's involvement in War is? Not a topic that is often talked about
+Adrian Evans What's your opinion?
I am a pacifist myself
Depends on the war. We see acts of God saving people in war all the time. I like the instance of Major Washington being saved in the Battle of Monongahela in being preparation for his leadership in the revolutionary war. And then God's hand with Washington crossing the Delaware river.
But would you say that God approves of the Warfare itself? Or would you say that he is simply using the situation for his own plans?
War itself is not righteous, as it is the slaughtering of God's creation. However it is often used as an instrument of justice, which God allows. It is presumptuous for us to interpret God's will through wars, but we can see it sometimes explicitly told to us in scripture. You can see it in Judges when foreign nations come and destroy his people for their unrighteousness. Just my two cents about the matter.