Enslaved to Non-Gods

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

Tim Keller

Religion & Spirituality, Religion, Religion & Spirituality:christianity, Christianity, Spirituality

4.8 • 15K Ratings

🗓️ 2 May 2025

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This is a startling passage. The context is that the Galatians, who became Christians out of pagan backgrounds, are now falling under the influence of teachers who say, “It’s not enough just to believe in Jesus Christ. You also have to obey everything in the Bible.” Paul says something here which is astounding. He says that if they do that, they will fall back under what he calls the slavery of the non-gods. So we ask ourselves three questions: 1) what are the non-gods? 2) how do they enslave? and 3) how can we be free? This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on February 22, 1998. Series: Galatians: New Freedom, New Family. Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20. Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Gospel in Life.
0:05.1	This month on our podcast, we're doing something a little different.
0:09.2	We've curated a collection of sermons and talks from across the 28 years that Tim Keller
0:13.8	preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
0:16.5	The messages featured this month explore a range of topics that show us how the gospel affects every
0:21.7	aspect of our lives, including vocation, friendship, and the mission of the church, because,
0:27.0	as we believe, the gospel can change everything.
0:37.2	We're going through the book of Galatians.
0:39.4	It's printed in your bulletin.
0:40.9	I'm only going to read the first three verses
0:43.9	because they are very, very pregnant,
0:45.8	and we need to have a delivery.
0:47.9	And we can't get to the rest tonight.
0:52.4	Galatians, so I'm going to read Galatians 4, verses 8 to 11.
1:00.9	Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
1:06.6	But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles?
1:14.5	Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
1:18.6	You are observing special days and months and seasons and years.
1:21.6	I fear for you that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
1:29.1	We'll end the reading right there.
1:31.6	This is God's Word.
1:38.2	Hmm.
	...

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