SPEAKER: TIM KELLER
SUNDAY SERVICE 11 AUGUST 2013
Commentary
In the last 4 video messages, we heard Tim Keller explain how
the gospel ought to undergird God’s church as well as define its community and
ministry. In this episode he explains how a gospel-shaped community ought to
live between two ages – the present age and the one to come. Because of this the church has the responsibility to be like a ‘city
on the hill’ so that the glory of Jesus’ kingship is seen.
“You are the
light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:19
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:19
How is God’s church like the city on the hill?
An alternate city is
gospel-speaking.
Many people admitted this is where it gets difficult. Many of our friends
and colleagues are immediately turned off at the first mention of church or
Christianity. Even an innocent remark about church or one’s faith makes people
defensive.
The question is, how do we value other people as persons and avoid seeing
them as fish to be caught? How can we be gospel-speaking then? Sometimes our
actions will speak louder than words, but at other times we must qualify our
actions with words about our faith in Jesus without an air of superiority.
An alternate city is
neighbor-loving.
The best way Jesus’ followers may be seen as a ‘city on the hill’ is in the
way they love their neighbours. Our compassion towards one another within the church must be just
as visible in acts of love and kindness towards others – the disadvantaged, the
poor, the sick, the stranger, people of different races.
An alternate city is
community-transformed.
The values of God’s church must be radically different from that of the
world at large. We heard how in some cases, exercising radical ethics and obedience
to Jesus may lead to losing one’s job. How does a Christian executive or CEO
execute unpopular decisions like terminating the employment of staff that have
families to feed? What will happen to our own family when we stand up for God’s
Kingdom values?
One of the most striking things that Keller emphasized came from the
reading of John 17:17,18.
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
As you sent me into the world,
so
I have sent them into the world."
We were
reminded that when Jesus sent out his disciples into the world to be witnesses,
he did not pray that God equip them with eloquence or special talents. Instead
Jesus prayed that his disciples be sanctified to display holy lives. Then
in their holiness they become witness to the truth and testimony of what life is like under the kingship of
Jesus. A consistent lifestyle supports the credibility of our message.
As a church that is committed to participating and contributing positively to our community, we pray that God grant us grace and mercy to live consistently for his name's sake.
As a church that is committed to participating and contributing positively to our community, we pray that God grant us grace and mercy to live consistently for his name's sake.
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