Our Walk: The Freedom of Submission

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

Tim Keller

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

4.9 • 16.2K Ratings

🗓️ 20 April 2026

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Christian understanding of freedom is at complete loggerheads with what our culture tells us. And I’d say most of us as Christians have trouble understanding it ourselves. An extremely important concept for understanding the Christian life is the freedom of a Christian. It’s a theme that runs all the way through the New Testament: the paradox that Christians are free through submission, free through service, free through obedience, free through submission to liberating authority. Let’s look at 1 Peter to learn about Christian spiritual freedom: 1) what it is, 2) what it brings, and 3) how it can grow in you. This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on June 22, 2014. Series: Following Jesus. Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17. 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	You're listening to the Gospel and Life podcast.
0:06.8	What does authentic spiritual growth actually look like?
0:10.2	Writing to early believers, Peter outlined several qualities of a life that looks more and more like Christ's.
0:16.1	Today, Tim Keller takes a closer look at how we can develop this in our own lives
0:20.0	and how the resurrection
0:21.2	of Jesus makes true lasting transformation possible.
0:32.9	Today's scripture reading is 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 13 through 17, chapter 4 versus 1 through 5,
0:40.9	and chapter 5 through 11.
0:44.7	Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority, whether to the emperor as a supreme authority,
0:52.0	or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong
0:56.1	and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good, you should silence
1:02.6	the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a
1:08.8	cover of for evil. Live as God's slaves. Show proper
1:13.3	respect to everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Therefore,
1:21.5	since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever
1:27.4	suffers in the body is done with sin.
1:30.8	As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,
1:36.5	but rather for the will of God.
1:39.1	For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do,
1:43.9	living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
1:54.0	They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you, but they will have to give account to him
2:02.3	who is ready to judge the living and the dead. In the same way, you who are younger
	...

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