Christian Post article - Rev. Tim Keller on work

NEW YORK – Pastor Tim Keller challenged a crowd of New York City professionals Sunday to rethink how they view work and to debunk the notion that spiritual vocations matter more to God than secular work.

Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, explained why all work matters to God and why God matters to work in a lecture held at the Hunter College auditorium for members of the church’s vocation groups. The lecture is the fourth entry in an eight-part lecture series organized by the church’s Center for Faith and Work, which represents professionals from at least 15 industry sectors, including the arts, business and healthcare.

In making his case that all Christians are “priests” in their respective fields, Keller contrasted the approach to work by the medieval church and the radical reformation with that of the 16th century protestant reformer Martin Luther.

The Medieval Church took a “triumphalism” approach to society that attempted to dominate and make all things Christian where as those in the Radical Reformation encouraged “withdrawal” from society, which they believed to be “Satan’s world.”

Both approaches, according to Keller, had a tendency to look down on the work out in the world and only consider work in the church as God’s work.

He explained that Luther’s theology offered a “middle way” and a biblical approach to work, in which there was no dividing Christian work between “spiritual estate” and the “temporal estate.”

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“He says, hey, do not say only people inside the church are doing God’s work. Oh no. We are all priests. Therefore, every Christian is doing God’s work,” said Keller, citing Luther’s reference to the passage in 1 Peter 2:9.

Keller said that God could easily give us His gifts without our help but it is through our works that He wishes to involve, train and include us as part of the family. Quoting Luther, he went on to point out that although man’s work is “child’s performance,” they are the “masks of God” by which He works.

“God doesn’t have to do it that way but He is. He’s loving you through other people’s work. He goes as far as to say that the baker and the farmer in work is God in disguise. These are the masks of God. God is loving you and distributing His gifts through work,” said Keller.

The New York pastor also put the value of work in perspective by looking at Jesus’ occupation.

“There is no menial work. Jesus came not as a philosopher, not as a general. He came as a carpenter,” said Keller. “The Bible says that all works matter to God. All works. Not just works that make money.”

Christians, meanwhile, should always reflect upon how God matters to their work, added Keller.

He cautioned against serving idols in work, whether it be profit in business or self-expression in art, instead of serving God.

Belief in the Gospel, according to Keller, should impact one’s motivation of work, work ethic and treatment of others around them in work. He urged listeners to continually gather together and through talks and prayer, accumulate wisdom on how God can have a greater impact in their field.

“You are in a very big city, New York. It is an exhausting city. It’s a very hard place to work. It’s a secular city so it’s very hard to bring your values onto the way you work,” said Keller. “Therefore, because of the power of the Gospel, I call you to think like a prophet, serve like a priest, and plan like a king. It means getting together to think, think, how does the preeminence of God reign in my field. It means serving each other and serving people around you in the city.”

The “Gospel & Culture” series seeks to prepare the congregation for effective engagement in the culture of NYC. Organized by the church’s Center for Faith and Work, the lecture series will be held one Sunday every month and will culminate with the first Faith & Work conference this fall.

Human heart, evil, but transformed?

The problem of the human heart is real, not just a remediable social artifact.

http://www.city-journal.org/2010/20_3_otbie-persistence-of-evil.html Nice review on the problem with a secular-progressive or humanism realist world. No counter to evil.

Facebook Story - New Trend Or Old Practices

I know I am not a kid anymore. It does strike me that this generation of 20-30 somethings does "business" or life a little differently. It is not so simple. The whole Friends with benefits thing - is it an exaggerated problem? Did Mark Zuckerberg steal or cheat his way to a few billion dollars? Is he any more ethical than others in business? And if so, why object to Wall Street's few rogues who cause damage? Apparently alot of young people don't see a problem with what Mark Zuckerberg did. Do you? And why is that? Also, a bigger question is - "Has technology destroyed/disrupted mature, long-term relationships that contribute to society for good?"

You Deserve It!!!!

Yes, you do. But not because you are so special. But because He is. Ephesians 1:4-5

A better world?

It was over 20 years ago today.....okay, a little bit more...but who is counting. oh bliss in the 80's...before AIDs, before Al Qaeda, before the U.S. went into bankruptcy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOA4ixV-3jU

Feeling good and so in love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--cqAI3IUI

Short Support?

What do you think about supporting short term missions' trips? Are they worthwhile? What is the impact? Who gets more out of it?

Enjoy the summer.

Are you ready for it? The "it" is summer and the wonderful things that come with it - the beach, the water, wearing less clothes, the air conditioning after a long stroll, the relaxed attitude our neighbors have and the joy of feeling the warmth of the sun. Do you feel the warmth of the Son in your day? If not, consider the practice of quiet time each day at 7AM or 8AM with a quick reading and prayer. Let me know how your daily practice is.

None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself . . . —Acts 20:24

today's utmost for his highest scripture. He makes it clear that we need a vision, a calling from God, to remove our focus on the world's distractions/comforts. A calling, to serve our mighty God, will help to relive us from mindless productivity and myopic living. Have you attained your calling? If not, are you seeking one? Start now.

Repairing the garden | Faith & Leadership

Repairing the garden | Faith & Leadership

Where are you in 2010?

Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

For those who are in transition in relationships or jobs, or just in a "season", take heart. Your heavenly father and your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are here for you. Reach out.

We give up!

"...Give yourselves to God... surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes." Romans 6:13 (TEV)

God is not a cruel slave driver, or a bully who uses brute force to coerce us into submission. He doesn't try to break our will, but woos us to himself, so that we might offer it freely to him. God is a Lover and a Liberator, and surrendering brings freedom, not bondage.

Today's Rick Warren devotional.

The Right Time

John 13:37 Peter said onto the Lord, 'why cannot I follow thee now?'

We try to control every aspect of our lives without realizing it is a losing battle. We are too insignificant to control or plan or scheme our way to our planned future. God answers all prayers according to his perfect will. We have to spend enough time with him - adoring, seeking and listening - to understand this. A good start to the new year.

Now we're cookin'

Saw Julia and Julie last night w the Mrs. Fun movie. Foodie, blogger, and living in NYC. Merry Christmas to all in cyber space.

God interrupting

There is a saying in Yiddish, 'Man plans, God laughs" I had it all planned this AM, an intense devotional to set the tone for the day. Then as I was finishing my bagel and ready to commence my quiet time, a colleague stopped by to chat. I could have asked him to come back later, but as we spoke and as it went on, it was just a wonderful God moment. I respect this colleague much as he is a few years ahead of me professionally and spiritually. We chatted about our respective ministry and lives and prayed. What a wonderful time. It really interrupted my near OCD of sticking to a routine and not straying. Now, if this happens several times a day, I won't get anything "done" but we all need God to remind us that the mission is the people. So my prayer this AM is to keep modeling, the best I can, Jesus to everyone I come in contact with but even more for co-laborers in the Harvest.

My Utmost for His Highest today is 'whatever you do, do all to the glory of God —1 Corinthians 10:31.

The Company You Keep

Malachi 3:16Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 17"They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

Do your friends keep you on the straight and narrow or do they let you go astray. If they don't help you cling to God, what shall you do? Prune? Thus sayeth the Lord.

Simply Saved

If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life —Romans 5:10

Thanks be to God for his mercy and grace upon me and you, who believe, and live lives worthy of the calling that we have been given. This message is given freely to those who acknowledge their sinfulness and need for reconciliation with God. No, not perfect people, no, not unblemished lives, only because of God's gift of his son at the cross can we even think, let alone mention, our great God's name.

Stewardship

Luke 12:48 But the one who did not know his master’s will 1 and did things worthy of punishment 2 will receive a light beating. 3 From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, 4 and from the one who has been entrusted with much, 5 even more will be asked. 6

Did the bubble pop? I just went to the wedding of a friend and it was opulent, extravagant and probably over the top. I am so happy for the couple. They are smart, warm, and have an embrace life attitude. But the event probably would put alot of people to shame. Alot of $$ and time went into the planning and execution of the wedding. But then I thought about it, as a % of wealth, it probably was less than what people with ordinary means would spend. How does your faith guide you in how you consume and spend? Not just $$, mind you, how do you spend your time, do you build relationships or "consume" people?

Way of the World

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing, and perfect will. When you wake up do you like what you see? When I turn on the news, there is alot of unease. There is brokenness. This is the world we have. If it was all there was, it would be a bleak world. A world of sickness, corruption, and injustice. Against all these things is a wonderful knowledge that our Creator, who wants and has provided victory against all these things through His Son, Jesus. Then I say, 'thank you'.

Construction Business

There has been a joke running around China that the national bird is the Crane because of all the construction that is taking place. This note is not about China or cranes but about letting God use us to build up His Kingdom. Last evening, an elder of our church shared his testimony on his love for NYC. A love not driven by $, influence, or other trappings of the city. Instead, he and his family has denied themselves of a less expensive lifestyle by staying in the city and being a part of the city. He cited 1 Chronicles where David and Israel embark on building the Temple - the house of God. With the Gospel as the foundation of our lives, we will give up ourselves to live it out.

1 Chronicles 22:1: Then David said, "The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel.: