What Holds Your Heart?
A Tim Keller Sermon Summary
During the 16th Century, with the help of the printing press, Martin Luther’s Ninety-five Theses and the Bible spread through Europe, attacking the Catholic Church, ultimately changing the western history. The first Thesis is the entire life of believers to be one of repentance. Why is repentance so important?
Of the Ten Commandments, the first one is: You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3. Unfortunately, we constantly have different idols throughout our life.
Idols could be earthly things or people. We could base our identity on them. We could define ourselves by them. We could receive lots of praises and admiration because of them. They could become so important to us that life is not worth living if we lose them.
They could be our wealth, fame, relatives, friends, pedigree, power, accomplishment, health, or beauty.
The problem arises if they overshadow everything in our life. Phil3:4-7. They become our idols. They become what we live for. We could be decimated if we lose them. Such over-indulgence causes them to dominate and drive us.
We need to carefully identify these earthly things or people. Unmask them. See how they have messed up our life. Then de-emphasize them and repent.
When we repent, no need to feel very sorry for ourselves, and hate ourselves for making such mistakes. Instead of focusing on ourselves, focus on God and His mercy. See the depth of our sins and the pain we have caused Him.
Rely on what Christ has done for us. Ask God to help remove them from such a high position in our life.
Gradually, stop being defined by them. Be defined by us being God’s beloved children.
Such changes could take a long time. Be patient.
Since we constantly have different idols throughout our life, keep identifying them and repent. Constantly re-orient to focus back on God. Let the love of God drive us.
Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon.
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/removing-idols-of-the-heart-5596/
Of the Ten Commandments, the first one is: You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3. Unfortunately, we constantly have different idols throughout our life.
Idols could be earthly things or people. We could base our identity on them. We could define ourselves by them. We could receive lots of praises and admiration because of them. They could become so important to us that life is not worth living if we lose them.
They could be our wealth, fame, relatives, friends, pedigree, power, accomplishment, health, or beauty.
The problem arises if they overshadow everything in our life. Phil3:4-7. They become our idols. They become what we live for. We could be decimated if we lose them. Such over-indulgence causes them to dominate and drive us.
We need to carefully identify these earthly things or people. Unmask them. See how they have messed up our life. Then de-emphasize them and repent.
When we repent, no need to feel very sorry for ourselves, and hate ourselves for making such mistakes. Instead of focusing on ourselves, focus on God and His mercy. See the depth of our sins and the pain we have caused Him.
Rely on what Christ has done for us. Ask God to help remove them from such a high position in our life.
Gradually, stop being defined by them. Be defined by us being God’s beloved children.
Such changes could take a long time. Be patient.
Since we constantly have different idols throughout our life, keep identifying them and repent. Constantly re-orient to focus back on God. Let the love of God drive us.
Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon.
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/removing-idols-of-the-heart-5596/