Tim Keller's Mini Guide to Proverbs

In an effort to meditate and think upon Scripture in a deeper, more meaningful way, I am going to be blogging through the book of Proverbs over the next few weeks. I thought this breakdown of chapter 3 by Tim Keller and his description of it being a bit of a road map for the rest of the book would be a good way to start this:

Here is how he opens:

In my regular, daily Bible reading over the past year I read through Proverbs 3, a passage I've studied and preached through many times. But during this reading, I realized that in verses 3 through 12 we have all the themes of the rest of the book, and therefore a kind of mini-guide to faithful living. There are five things that comprise a wise, godly life. They function both as means to becoming wise and godly as well as signs that you are growing into such a life:

The 5 points he sees are:

1. Put your heart's deepest trust in God and his grace. Every day remind yourself of his unconditioned, covenantal love for you. Do not instead put your hopes in idols or in your own performance.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart (Prov 3:3-5a)

2. Submit your whole mind to the Scripture. Don't think you know better than God's word. Bring it to bear on every area of life. Become a person under authority.

Lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov 3:5b-6)

3. Be humble and teachable toward others. Be forgiving and understanding when you want to be critical of them; be ready to learn from others when they come to be critical of you.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Prov 3:7-8)

4. Be generous with all your possessions, and passionate about justice. Share your time, talent, and treasure with those who have less.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Prov 3:9-10)

5. Accept and learn from difficulties and suffering. Through the gospel, recognize them as not punishment, but a way of refining you.

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Prov 3:11-12)

For the rest of this article click here.

For more from Pastor Keller's new blog/church planting resource site, Redeemer City to City, click here.

Religion vs Gospel

Last night at The Well I mentioned the distinctions between religion and The Gospel. I read from a list that comes from Tim Keller of what marks religion and what marks The Gospel. Below is some of the distinctions that comes from Tim Keller that has been compiled by The Journey Church in St. Louis.

Click here for the pdf. version.

Here is a few of the distinctions:

Religion
“I obey-therefore I’m accepted.”

Gospel
“I’m accepted-therefore I obey.”

Religion
Motivation is based on fear and insecurity.

Gospel
Motivation is based on grateful joy.

Religion
I obey God in order to get things from God

Gospel
I obey God to get to God-to delight and resemble Him.

Religion
When circumstances in my life go wrong, I am angry at God or my self, since I believe, like Job’s friends that anyone who is good deserves a comfortable life.

Gospel
When circumstances in my life go wrong, I struggle but I know all my punishment fell on Jesus and that while he may allow this for my training, he will exercise his Fatherly love within my trial.

Religion
When I am criticized I am furious or devastated because it is critical that I think of myself as a ‘good person’. Threats to that self-image must be destroyed at all costs.

Gospel
When I am criticized I struggle, but it is not critical for me to think of myself as a ‘good person.’ My identity is not built on my record or my performance but on God’s love for me in Christ. I can take criticism. That’s how I became a Christian.

Click Here for the Rest

Props: Reformissionary

Tim Keller at Google

The Well's community groups went through "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller this past semester. We chose this book in order to better equip our students for their engagements with the culture they are in here in Albuquerque, NM.

We actually look forward to some exciting things coming next year, which we will be announcing over the summer in relation to this book!

During the book tour that Dr. Keller went on, he gave many lectures at places like Cal Berkeley, Stanford, Penn and Google. Below I have embedded his talk he gave to Google. It is a great lecture and engagement and I recommend taking a hour out to watch.

Click here for more Tim Keller Resources.

Reflections From The Gospel Coalition

I have finally had a few minutes to sit down and think about the past 2 days here in Chicago at The Gospel Coalition and all I can say is, WOW!

Trying to take in all that has been shared by the speakers and workshop leaders is like trying to drink from a fire hose. It has been a great 2 days and the things learned truly are life changing if allowed to be. Whether it was the amazing talk on idols by Tim Keller, the genuine humility and honesty of Mark Driscoll, the fire and passion of John Piper and K. Edward Copeland, the pastoral exhorts from Phil Ryken and Bryan Chapell, or amazing testimony of A. Fernando, it has truly been a blessing to hear from such men.

Here are a few reflections:

1. John Piper's message was by far one of the most inspiring and exegetical messages I have heard. His call for pastors to fan the flame with the Word of God, "the white hot" flame of the gospel.

2. Mark Driscoll is a teachable, humble and growing pastor. His talk while probably being criticized and dissected by many was yes filled with 40 points, but also filled with humility and recognition of his own inadequacies. Driscoll has taken many shots from every side, but he is a man of integrity and passion for young men who want people to know Jesus. Men that have been influenced by Mark have become some of the most loving and willing mentors I know. I could not imagine what it felt like to be Mark and know that the group he talked to last night was probably filled with many who were waiting for him to slip, to do that with grace and love is a praise to God for Mark.

3. God has spoken to me along with many others through these men, and the message has been clear and convicting. Preach the gospel, proclaim God's truth to ALL, be courageous and fan the flame of the gospel, the power of God, in face of persecution, criticism and suffering, and do it in love and gentleness.

4. On a personal note, I still feel like a fish out of water at these conferences. I did not grow up in the church, I don't wear khakis and I don't get the Christian sub-culture sometimes. These times though have always provided a great world of learning and humility which I need, always.

All in all it has been a great conference and I feel like I have learned a lot and like always conviction and encouragement is what I take back with me.

Here are a few links to notes from some of the talks:

Tim Keller

John Piper: Manuscript and Audio

Mark Driscoll, yes all 40+ points

Mercy Ministry v.s. Social Gospel-Keller, Carson and Piper

D.A. Carson, John Piper and Tim Keller have given us a series of conversations about various topics that can be watched over at The Gospel Coalition website. Below is the first episode dealing with how pastors and churches should handle the subject of mercy ministry.

John Piper's initial response is convicting and so true.