Podcast Summary: "Awe: Hallowed Be Thy Name"
Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life
Release Date: February 3, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "Awe: Hallowed Be Thy Name," Tim Keller delves deep into the transformative power of authentic prayer and its role in reshaping our passions and loves. Drawing from Psalm 63 and exploring the Lord's Prayer, Keller provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and practicing genuine praise and adoration of God.
Exploring "Hallowed Be Thy Name"
Keller begins by unpacking the phrase "Hallowed be Thy Name," emphasizing its call to treat God as utterly sacred and holy. Referencing historical theologians like St. Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Calvin, he explains that this phrase urges believers to "praise and adore" God with a heart captivated by His magnificence.
"Hallowed be thy name means to praise and adore. It means to be captivated, astonished to be melded with grateful joy for who he is and what he's done."
— Tim Keller [03:45]
Five Aspects of Praise and Adoration
Keller outlines five essential aspects necessary for genuine praise:
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Thinking:
Engaging the mind to enumerate and analyze God's attributes. Drawing parallels with romantic love, he likens this to listing the qualities one loves in a partner, fostering a deeper appreciation."First of all, praise means thinking and thinking it out and analyzing it and enumerating the glories of God."
— Tim Keller [05:10] -
Expressing:
Translating thoughts into articulate expressions of praise. Keller underscores the importance of vocalizing praise, whether through music or spoken words, to fully engage with God."He's not just simply thinking about God's glory. He's expressing it."
— Tim Keller [10:00] -
Appraising:
Assessing God's worth by comparing His attributes to other aspects of life. This appraisal leads to a reordering of priorities, placing God's greatness above worldly concerns."If God is this strong, why am I afraid?"
— Tim Keller [15:20] -
Beholding:
Experiencing God's presence viscerally. Using sensory language, Keller describes how true praise involves sensing God's power and love, moving beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment."He is saying, because I know that your power and glory and love, but I actually experienced your power and glory and love."
— Tim Keller [12:45] -
Experiencing Grace:
Embracing the undeserved grace of God transforms our perception of Him from a mere provider to one worthy of adoration. Keller illustrates this with the story of David and connects it to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus."Your salvation is by grace. It's undeserved. And that is what turns God into someone not just who's useful, but who's beautiful to you."
— Tim Keller [16:10]
Insights and Discussions
Keller integrates insights from notable thinkers to enrich his teachings:
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C.S. Lewis on Praise:
Referencing Lewis's Reflections on the Psalms, Keller explains that praise completes enjoyment, turning personal joy into a collective adoration of God."We delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise does not merely express but completes the enjoyment."
— Tim Keller [09:30] -
Jonathan Edwards on Sensory Experience:
Highlighting Edwards's distinction between rational knowledge and sensory experience, Keller emphasizes that true praise involves feeling God's attributes deeply, beyond intellectual understanding."You can't actually sense the sweetness of honey without not also rationally knowing that it's sweet."
— Tim Keller [13:50] -
Simone Weil and Meditative Praise:
Keller shares the story of Simone Weil, illustrating how meditating on God's grace leads to a profound transformation of the heart, aligning one's loves with divine beauty."She experienced what David experienced and what you can experience if you see him bearing the blame for you dying on the cross for you."
— Tim Keller [16:45]
Conclusion
Tim Keller concludes by reaffirming that genuine adoration of God reshapes our hearts, freeing us from fears and addictions by anchoring our loves in His unwavering grace and beauty. He encourages believers to engage deeply in each of the five aspects of praise—thinking, expressing, appraising, beholding, and experiencing grace—to cultivate a prayer life that truly honors God’s sanctity.
"Praise him with a heart. You can go to Psalm 33 and other places. It says, praise him skillfully because the joy comes out."
— Tim Keller [14:30]
Through this structured approach, Keller offers listeners a roadmap to transform their prayer practices, fostering a deeper, more meaningful connection with God that transcends superficial religious routines.
Note: This summary excludes advertisement, introductory, and concluding segments unrelated to the core sermon content to maintain focus on the substantive teachings presented by Tim Keller.