Tim Keller | The Gospel-Centered Church and Justice

 

2013 VISION New England – REFLECTION #3 | PASTOR Tim KELLER

Read previous posts:

Reflection #1 | Pastor Tim Keller – Gospel-Centered Church and Evangelism
Reflection #2 | Pastor Tim Keller – Gospel-Centered Church and Discipleship

This is a continuing series reflecting on 3 discussions given by Dr. Timothy Keller at 2013 Vision New England held in Lowell, MA on Saturday, October 26. If you'd like to listen to what Keller had to say for yourself, here are the video and audio links:

– Gospel-Centered Church and Evangelism video or audio
– Gospel-Centered Church and Discipleship video or audio
– Gospel-Centered Church and Justice video or audio
 
Notes are provided below. If you want to hear more details about what I thought, feel free to drop me a line.

Dr. Tim Keller | Saturday, October 26

Deuteronomy 15:1-18 – Gospel-Centered Church and Justice

Unless we are famous for our charity and justice, we should not wonder why so many want nothing to do with what we have to say. God reminds His people that the nations are watching:

"Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!' For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today? 'But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren." – Moses (Deuteronomy 4:5-9)

After Moses' many reminders for the people of God to not forget what they have seen God do for them, he provides a 3-fold call for them to do justice in Deuteronomy 15:1-18. 

1. Give to the poor with astonishing generosity.

"Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do." – Moses (Deuteronomy 15:10)

– This giving is on top of the first 10% of income (the tithe is the minimum).
– Not giving is not being stingy; it's considered sinful and wicked.

2. Empower the poor, don't just given them charity.

"There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need." – Moses (Deuteronomy 15:11)

"Give him a generous farewell gift from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. Share with him some of the bounty with which the Lord your God has blessed you." – Moses (Deuteronomy 15:14)

– We're not just here to give them a little, but to give freely and liberally – financially, emotionally, and spiritually because with a God who became flesh there is no aspect of life that is not spiritual.

3. Hope for the poor – you're not called to cynicism.

“There should be no poor among you, for the Lord your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession." – Moses (Deuteronomy 15:4)

"There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need." – Saint Luke (Acts 4:34-35)

– The radical sharing that occurred in the early church was seen as a fulfillment of what God commanded the people to do in Deuteronomy. In fact, the end of Acts 4 directly quotes from Deuteronomy in the Septuagint (Old Testament in Greek) – "There should be no poor among you" ... "There were no needy people among them."

The gospel of grace changes your attitude to the poor; remember, that's how God sees you spiritually in your addictions, appearances, and disregard for your responsibilities.
And the gospel of grace changes the poor's attitudes toward themselves. 

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man." – Jesus (Luke 6:20-22)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." – Jesus (Matthew 5:3)

The gospel of grace in a community transforms relationships and social structures amidst the poor and wealthy.

"Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today." – Moses (Deuteronomy 15:15)

We need to remember that we give mercy and seek justice because God sought justice and gave mercy to us. And He didn't just do it "spiritually;" He became flesh to touch us and heal us and be among us. And now the church is His body, meant to live out the gospel in all of its implications in word and deed. 

As He moves us toward the fulfillment of His promises, we are to bless others as we have been blessed – sharing the Word of God as well as the physical and longsuffering compassion of God.

– Sully

Curiosity piqued? Something inside you being stirred? Go ahead and connect.