Praying Our Fears – Timothy Keller [Sermon]

Tim Keller sermons via Gospel in Life: Anxiety is a deep fear that threatens your sense of self. But we must obey Christ in times of hardship, and place our hope in Christ's sacrifice on our behalf.

This sermon was preached by Rev. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on March 5, 2000.

[Eliza-zs]

I must have listened to this sermon 50 times over the past 10-15 years. Tim Keller was so insightful, so gentle, and so missed.

[bubblegumprincess]

This is one of the BEST descriptions of anxiety. Wow. Tim Keller was prolific and is missed.

[rebanelson]

Listening to this for the 3rd time in four years. There is too much to grasp in one hearing. Pastor Keller was one of a kind!

[DG-mvzw]

As a believer currently going through a terrible episode of anxiety, I found Tim's word to be free from superficial platitudes - providing us with scripture-centred, functional advice. God's given him a wisdom and insight seldom found among christian teachers and pastors. Bless that man's ministry and all glory be to Yahweh who loves us enough to tell us the harsh truth about the human condition and how helpless and hopeless we are without him.

[jointedlegs]

I miss u pastor Tim Keller. Thank u for blessing us with your teachings.

[sumring]

Currently listening in 2023, and this way if teaching is so comforting, plain and scripture-centered. I love every example that helps me to apply and relate to what characters in the Bible have experienced!! God is good

[niac]

"You're scared to death the degree that you've put your glory in something that can die." - Tim Keller || What or Who have you put your glory in?

[lindarizzo]

I dont know how to put into words what Im feeling, my prayer's are now in tears!

[samchandar]

Bro Keller is the present day avatar of Spurgeon who gifted us The Treasury of David- what a down to earth, relatable and powerful way of showing us to use the lifeline to get out of our fears lifelong. Praise the Lord!

[villarrealmarta]

We don’t need God’s approval of us, we need God’s approval of Christ whom he does approve. When we are in him we are also approved, not by our own efforts but because of God’s mercy.

[debgodinich]

Love you and miss you too. Thank you for your prayers and beautiful message. God he with you now and always. Keeping His angles around and about you. For Lord Jesus Christ is my strength and Rock ❤️

[Tsungie]

"Anything bad that happens to you is part of your sheilding" -word

[sheilawavamunno]

I recently got The Princess and the Goblin and I totally loved the reference to "following the thread" 🤗. Mostly, I am grateful for the Word because I needed to be reminded. I have cried a lot these past few weeks...now I just need to remember that God is doing something...and may this pain all be for His glory and may I be more like Yesu for it🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

God richly bless you!!

[yuq]

Psalm3: 1-8 David's praying fear.
2 levels, 4 steps out.
Fear is healthy threat, while anxiety paralyzes people.

"Follow the threat, relocate your glory, see the subsitute, remember the people."

[poppylove]

Loved Tims example of our first feelings of fear, as a babies, when we are born, his describing our first reaction to coming into the world! Lol!

[pamelabyrd]

I'd really like to know what christian teachers mean by obedience, especially Tim Keller. I am convinced that I am not capable of changing myself. I cannot change what's in my heart. For instance, even if I look like I'm being patient, I'm livid on the inside. But for instance, when I'm consumed by the gospel and the reality of God's love for me, the more I learn about His character through His word, and see His grace being poured out in my life, my heart responds to that in ways like; I can't help but be patient, because I'm aware of my sovereign God working all things for my good and I understand His patience with me a little more... Now this is an ongoing, growing thing. But, literally when I set out to the love God with all my heart, I find within 15 mins of that effort I fall short, and that first and most important command, which all the rest of His commands rest on, along with love your neighbor as yourself. So here's my confusion; it's a daily fact that I am disobedient, but observing and getting to know my God seems to be changing my heart, just a little at a time mind you... But this seems to me that God is surely with me and has not left me, I am more obedient than a year ago, yet still severely disobedient. I respect Tim more than any other teacher I've listened to at length, but I just am so confused that he would say, obedience leads to God's protection. Maybe heard him say it wrong, but it seems that's what's being communicated and I just can't seem to reconcile it. I understand God has unending grace and unfailing love and He's faithful, even when I'm not. It seems transactional to propose that you must obey in order for God to love you, which love is not transactional, never. Grace only comes when I'm wrong. Otherwise, it wouldn't be grace. Love, grace and mercy cannot be earned or maintained. To try and earn and maintain them defeats what they really are. They are based on who God is, not me. They are afforded me by God's work, not mine. Yes I want to obey God! I want a heart that does not want to sin. But, I am sinner at all times. But by God's decision and work, I desire a heart that doesn't want to sin (I couldn't say that a year ago). Maybe I'm saying the same thing over and over. But Jesus said at the end of Matthew to observe His teachings, not obey, like some translations say. It's like putting the cart before the horse. Knowing God through His word and grace seem to lead to faith in God, and that leads to joy in Him, and that seems to lead to progressive obedience.... Like, a genuine love and reverence for my God, and it results in better behaviors (not perfect). I can act moral, but is my heart full of joy for my God? If it's not, that's breaking the first and most important command "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength". I'll end with this - Luke 10 38:42
Tim, I would love to hear your thoughts because I am genuinely confused by this and it comes up often. - "Obedience leads to..."

[Dbby]

Needed to hear this today’s the fear of the end time and I know that God will protect us.

[treavam]

Yes, That's right. Some present losses mean He is keeping us away from more profound losses.

[andrewjohnson]

This is amazing! I was contemplating fear last night through my journal and wrote down a couple of things that Keller put much more simply and correctly: "Maybe the reason we are told to fear God repeatedly is because His ways are perfect, and other than that should be feared." Keller pretty translated that to Trust God. I love his four steps. Very good listen, and I will probably come back to this video repeatedly throughout the years.

[darcandelaria]

Please pray for me I have a fear of driving. I know how to drive but I don't drive. My husband does all the driving but now that we have children I would like to drive but now my fear is greater because I fear for their lives while I drive. I'm afraid to make a mistake. The fear is paralyzing to the point I have panic attacks when I try to get behind the wheel.