Podcast Summary: "Every Knee Shall Bow Every Tongue Confess"

Times Square Church - Sermons
Host: Pastor Tim Dilena
Date: October 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Tim Dilena delivers a powerful sermon centered on the biblical proclamation: "Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." Drawing from Romans 14, Isaiah 45, and Philippians 2, Pastor Tim explores the eternal significance of these words for both believers and non-believers. He challenges the congregation to live with eternity in mind, to reflect on God's unrivaled authority, Christ’s humility and exaltation, and the accountability of every Christian before God.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Celebrating the Work of God in the Church (00:00–06:24)

• Pastor Tim opens by acknowledging the crowd, celebrating the increased attendance, and space limitations due to the growing number of children and attendees.
• 128 people are being baptized, a testament to the church's ongoing discipleship and deepening of commitment beyond initial salvation.
• A warm welcome is extended to online viewers across the globe, with a special shoutout to new groups and university students joining remotely.
• Quote: "There's such a good reason because we're watching God deepen those that are getting saved... it's very exciting to see." (01:15)
• The global reach of the church is highlighted by naming countries and campuses tuning in, reflecting the universal nature of the Christian message.

2. Eternal Perspective – C.S. Lewis and Living for the Next World (05:25–06:24)

• Pastor Tim quotes C.S. Lewis:

  "If you read history, you'll find that the Christians who did the most for this present world were those who thought most of the next." (05:40)

• He rebuffs the cliché, "You're so heavenly minded, you're no earthly good," urging instead to live with an eternal perspective.
• Referencing Colossians 3:

  "Let heaven fill your thoughts. Don't spend your time worrying about things down here... Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God." (06:06)

3. Scriptural Foundations: Mars Hill and the Bema Seat (06:25–16:15)

• Pastor Tim recounts his recent visit to Athens and Corinth, connecting his experiences to Acts 17 and 18.
• Mars Hill (Areopagus): Paul’s sermon to the Athenians using the “Unknown God” as a starting point, culminating in resurrection and final judgment (07:30–09:45).
  • Quote: "Paul preached about a coming judgment... and when they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed... but others said, ‘We want to hear more.’" (09:17)
• The Bema Seat in Corinth: Pastor Tim describes seeing the raised platform where Paul stood trial—a symbol Paul used for the believer's future accountability before Christ.

4. The Judgment Seat of Christ – For Believers (16:16–22:00)

• Romans 14 is underscored as a passage not only for unbelievers but as a challenge to believers about judgment and speech.
• Christians are called to live in light of eternity and will give an account before Christ not for salvation, but for stewardship and words.
• Quote: "The mouth you criticize and judge with is also the mouth you will confess Christ with." (20:25)
• Message paraphrase: when you criticize or condescend, remember that all will kneel before God; focus on your own spiritual life.

5. Three Scriptural Occurrences of "Every Knee Shall Bow" (22:01–37:40)

• Isaiah 45 (Unrivaled God): Emphasizes God’s exclusivity—no rivals, no competition.
  • Tells the story of Charles Spurgeon’s conversion under Isaiah 45:22, "Look to me and be saved..." highlighting the power and simplicity of the gospel (25:15–28:00).
• Philippians 2 (Exalted Christ): Christ was exalted because he humbled himself to death on a cross; all creation will submit to him.
  • Quote: "The man full of himself can never proclaim the Christ who emptied himself." (34:12)
• Romans 14 (Accountable Christian): Emphasizes personal accountability, even for Christians.

6. Living with Eternity in Mind (37:41–48:35)

• Pastor Tim shares personal reflections on praying for holiness—a forgotten but crucial Christian discipline.
  • Quote: "I want to be holy. I want to be holy as you're holy. That's what your word says." (41:06)
• Leonard Ravenhill’s impactful words:

  "The greatest miracle God can do is take an unholy man out of an unholy world, make him holy, then put him back into an unholy world and keep him holy." (42:01)

• A.W. Tozer is cited to warn against being consumed with worldly distractions:

  "The more fascinated we become with the toys of this world, the more we forget there is another world to come." (43:05)

7. The Bema Seat: Christian Rewards, Not Salvation (48:36–51:30)

• Explains that the Bema seat isn’t about determining heaven or hell, but rewards based on how believers lived.
• Outlines five biblical “crowns” (rewards): incorruptible crown, crown of rejoicing, crown of life, crown of righteousness, and crown of glory.
• Quote: "How we live today will determine the words we hear from Christ tomorrow." (50:15)
• Refers to Billy Graham’s final wish:

  "The only thing I want now in my life is to hear the Lord say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'" (50:50)

8. Missing the Point: Eternity vs. Earthly Concerns (51:31–53:25)

• Pastor Tim references a New York Times article advising discussions about end-of-life medical care as "the most important conversation"—he contrasts this with the urgency of settling one’s eternal destiny.
  • Quote: "Eternity is too long to be wrong." (52:43)
• Stresses that everyone will face either resurrection to life or to judgment (John 5).

9. Invitation and Surrender (54:21–57:20)

• Pastor Tim leads a heartfelt altar call, inviting those moved by the message to surrender to Christ now, before eternity arrives by surprise.
  • Quote: "It happens either now by choice or it will happen from authority of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Surrender your life to Him." (56:00)
• A passionate prayer for salvation, echoed by the congregation (56:26):

  “Jesus, I believe your word. It touched eternity in my heart. I believe that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. I’m not waiting till heaven; I’m confessing him now…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "If you read history, you'll find that the Christians who did the most for this present world were those who thought most of the next." (C.S. Lewis, quoted at 05:40)
• "The mouth you criticize and judge with is also the mouth you will confess Christ with." (20:25)
• "There is no one like our God... Make no mistake, Isaiah was saying, here it comes. There is no one like Him." (29:35)
• "The man full of himself can never proclaim the Christ who emptied himself." (34:12)
• "The greatest miracle God can do is take an unholy man out of an unholy world, make him holy, then put him back into an unholy world and keep him holy." (Leonard Ravenhill, 42:01)
• "Eternity is too long to be wrong." (52:43)
• "How we live today will determine the words we hear from Christ tomorrow." (50:15)
• "When the author walks on the stage, the play is over." (C.S. Lewis, quoted at 54:00)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–06:24: Opening, celebration of baptisms, global greetings
• 06:25–16:15: Athens & Corinth visit, Mars Hill & Bema Seat explanation
• 22:01–37:40: Breakdown of Isaiah 45, Philippians 2, Romans 14
• 37:41–48:35: Personal reflection on holiness, quotes from Ravenhill, Tozer
• 48:36–51:30: Explanation of the Bema seat and believer’s rewards
• 51:31–53:25: Contrasting earthly and eternal conversations
• 54:21–57:20: Altar call, prayer for salvation, closing encouragement

Tone and Language

Pastor Tim’s tone is passionate, urgent, heartfelt, and often pastoral. He frequently uses compelling, memorable language ("Eternity is too long to be wrong"), storytelling, and direct calls to action. His language is accessible but theologically rich, combining illustrations, quotations from historic Christian voices, and practical application for everyday life.

Key Takeaways

• Every person—Christian or non-Christian—will ultimately bow before Jesus and acknowledge His lordship.
• Christians are called to live in the light of eternity, judging less, loving more, and serving with humility.
• The nature and authority of God, the humility and exaltation of Christ, and the accountability of every believer are central to the Christian hope.
• Set your heart on eternity now; respond to God’s invitation before it is too late.

For more from Times Square Church and Pastor Tim Dilena, visit tsc.nyc