The Inside-Out Kingdom

In this article, Tim Keller presents a sermon on Matthew 5:11-20. He maintains that Christianity is “utterly different from religion,” and that is a key to understanding the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus sets out two ways of life that look a lot alike: One offers religion, but the other offers a gospel goodness. Gospel goodness is brighter: it is attracted to human need and attractive to outsiders. It is deeper, a matter of the heart, not mere ethical reformation. It is sweeter, growing out of knowing God as our loving Father. And it is higher, because of the utter perfection of Jesus Christ. Keller concludes that this inside-out kingdom makes you free to sacrifice your life.