Podcast Summary: The Upside Down Kingdom
Podcast Information:
- Title: Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life
- Host/Author: Tim Keller
- Description: Sermons by Tim Keller, founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC and NY Times best-selling author of “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism.” For more sermons and resources, visit www.gospelinlife.com.
- Episode: The Upside Down Kingdom
- Release Date: July 2, 2025
Introduction to the Upside Down Kingdom
In this episode of the Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast titled "The Upside Down Kingdom," Tim Keller delves deep into the transformative teachings of Jesus as presented in the Sermon on the Mount. Positioned within a springtime series focusing on what it truly means to live the Christian life, Keller contrasts Christianity with both the secular world and traditional religion.
The Context of the Sermon on the Mount
[00:03]
Keller sets the stage by explaining that the Sermon on the Mount is one of the classic biblical passages that offers profound insights into living as a Christian. He emphasizes that Jesus's teachings in this sermon are not merely different but "radically different from religion."
Keller notes that there are two accounts of the Sermon on the Mount in the Bible: a shorter version in Luke Chapter 6 and a more extended version in Matthew Chapters 5 to 7. Both accounts associate the sermon with a mountain setting, symbolizing a place of revolution and transformation.
Jesus as a Revolutionary Leader
[00:29]
Drawing parallels between historical revolutionaries who hid in mountains and Jesus's choice to preach from the mountains above the Sea of Galilee, Keller characterizes Jesus as a "revolutionary" who aims to establish a new kingdom with values and power fundamentally different from the existing world order.
He outlines the three critical components of any kingdom:
- Pattern (Values): The foundational beliefs and priorities.
- Power: The ability to implement these values.
- Product (Results): The tangible outcomes and impact on people's lives.
Keller asserts that Jesus's kingdom introduces a total reversal of values, power, and outcomes compared to the conventional societal kingdom.
The Right Side Up vs. Upside Down Kingdom
Keller introduces the concept of two opposing kingdoms:
- Right Side Up Kingdom: Represents the world's conventional values—power, comfort, success, and recognition.
- Upside Down Kingdom: Embodies Christian values—weakness, sacrifice, grief, and exclusion.
Notable Quote:
"The Upside Down Kingdom is a total reversal of your attitude toward the things that the world thinks are so important. Power and comfort and success and recognition."
— Tim Keller, [22:30]
The Impermanence of Worldly Values
Keller emphasizes the transient nature of the right side up kingdom's values. [00:29]
He argues that prioritizing power, comfort, and recognition yields only temporary satisfaction. When rooted solely in these “now” values, individuals inevitably face emptiness and sorrow as these worldly successes fade.
He draws from biblical references to illustrate that living for the now without considering eternal implications leads to ultimate dissatisfaction.
The Paradox of Blessedness in Suffering
A significant portion of the sermon focuses on the paradoxical nature of Christian blessedness amid suffering:
- Blessedness Amid Weeping: Christians are called to **“weep” but still be “blessed”, indicating a deep-seated satisfaction that transcends circumstances.
[21:07] - Rejoicing in Exclusion: Even when excluded or persecuted, believers are instructed to “leap for joy” because their ultimate reward is in heaven.
[21:07]
Notable Quote:
"Blessed are you who weep now. Blessed are you who hunger now for you will be satisfied."
— Tim Keller, [22:30]
The Power Behind the Upside Down Kingdom
Keller explains that the strength to live out the upside down kingdom comes from Jesus's own example and the gospel's transformative power. By reversing his fortunes with believers, Jesus empowers Christians to live free from the controlling desires for power, comfort, and recognition.
[22:30]
He contrasts the responses of Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar from the Book of Daniel to illustrate the impending downfall of the old kingdom and the rise of the new. Belshazzar’s indulgence leads to ruin, whereas Nebuchadnezzar’s recognition of God’s sovereignty results in restoration.
Practical Implications for Christians
Keller provides practical applications for living in the upside down kingdom:
- Generosity: Living generously, even to the point of financial risk, reflects the kingdom's values over worldly security.
- Integrity: Standing against injustice without fear of losing status or even life demonstrates the kingdom's power.
- Community: Associating with and valuing those whom the world deems weak or undeserving aligns with Christian priorities.
Notable Quote:
"Christians are willing to go out and sacrifice themselves. And when I use the word reckless, I don't mean irresponsible, I mean reckless as far as the world would understand."
— Tim Keller, [22:30]
Duality of the Gospel’s Impact
Addressing a common theological debate, Keller clarifies that the gospel impacts both the literally poor and the spiritually middle-class:
- For the Poor: It emphasizes salvation by grace, leading them to open-heartedness towards the gospel.
- For the Middle-Class: It redirects their focus from self-reliance to dependence on God’s grace, fostering humility and generosity.
[22:30]
This duality ensures that the church comprises individuals from varied backgrounds, all unified by the overarching values of the upside down kingdom.
Conclusion: Embracing the Upside Down Kingdom
Keller wraps up by urging listeners to choose the upside down kingdom over the right side up kingdom. He emphasizes that living according to Christian values isn't just a reaction against worldly norms but a proactive embrace of a life empowered by Jesus’s sacrificial example.
Notable Quote:
"Don't be like Belshazzar, be like Nebuchadnezzar. Live in the upside down kingdom, not in the right side up kingdom."
— Tim Keller, [22:30]
Closing Prayer
The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer requesting the ability to apply the teachings of the upside down kingdom, fostering greater generosity and a redefined sense of community among believers.
Additional Resources
While the primary focus of the episode was the sermon, an advertisement segment briefly highlighted the New City Catechism Devotional and the New City Catechism for Kids as excellent resources for deepening faith and assisting in catechesis.
Final Thoughts:
In "The Upside Down Kingdom," Tim Keller masterfully navigates the complexities of Christian living in a world governed by opposing values. By dissecting the Sermon on the Mount, he illuminates how embracing an upside down perspective—prioritizing humility, sacrifice, and eternal rewards—contrasts starkly with the world's pursuit of power and recognition. This episode serves as a compelling guide for Christians seeking to align their lives with the transformative teachings of Jesus, encouraging a profound shift from societal norms to divine principles.