by Timothy J. Keller
The following sermons are in MP3 format. To download, right click and save to your hard drive.
The Strategies of Darkness
The Bible depicts demonic powers vying against God and attacking His creation and His people. This means that every Christian needs to understand the strategies of the devil in order to resist him. Satan is fundamentally a liar. He lies to us about God and attempts to persuade us to worship anything rather than God. However,ultimately satan is vulnerable. He cannot withstand the truth of God. Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13, Luke 10:17-18; 2 Peter 2:4; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; John 8:43-44; Mark 5:9; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Acts 5:3; Genesis 3:1; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; Ephesians 4:26-27; 1 Timothy 3:6; Matthew 18:21-35; Colossians 2:15; Mark 3:27; 1 Corinthians 10:13
Sin and Temptation (YouTube)
Tests come from God,but temptation or the enticement to sin comes from what's inside of our hearts. Every trial is a test that can move you toward the crown of life,but it can also could push you toward death. To deal with temptation we must deal with our underlying desires and reorient them to a new love. James 1:9-15
Sin as Predator
We drastically underestimate the power of sin. Sin,by its nature,hides itself. It crouches at your door; it always looks smaller than it is. Your sins are not done with you when you think you are done with them. But there is hope in the gospel. Genesis 4:3-15, Hebrews 12:24
Sin as Slavery
Why do we sin even when we know right from wrong? Sin is a power that enslaves us,but we can be freed from its power by encountering God through worship. Scripture: Numbers 11:4-6,10-20
A Promise of Hope
Adam and Eve sinned even before they ate the forbidden fruit. As soon as they asked themselves why they should obey God,they had sinned in their hearts. Sin is when we remove God as the ultimate authority and enthrone ourselves in God's place. By elevating ourselves at the expense of God,God's good world became broken. Yet,the story of Adam and Eve does not end with despair but with hope. God,in the midst of his judgment,promises that a day will come when one of Eve's children will utterly annihilate the power of sin.Scripture: Genesis 3:11-24, Romans 8:22; Genesis 9:13; Revelation 12
How Sin Makes Us Addicts
The definition of sin is when you replace God with something or someone,and the result is an addiction of spirit. There is an attraction at the spiritual level every bit as powerful as sexual attraction at the physical level: You cannot produce your own meaning in life,your own worth,your own security. Spiritually speaking,if it's not God who is the source of your meaning,then you're in bed with something else. Scripture: Jeremiah 2:1-8; 23-32
Spiritual Warfare
Many today don't believe in evil beings or even that there is even evil out there in the world. What is so overly simplistic about these views? How does one "underestimate" or "overestimate" the power of supernatural evil beings? What are some key strategies that the devil uses on believers? What is the difference between an "accusation" by the devil and a "temptation"? This Ephesians 6 sermon teaches us whom we fight (not only flesh and blood), what we fight (the schemes of the devil), and how we fight (with everything!). Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 4:26-27; 1 Timothy 3:6