If you have any other gods before God—and we all do—to that degree that you have other gods before him, you’re in bondage, co-conspirator with your own jailers.
God in his grace seeks to liberate us—with the most liberating of all of the Ten Commandments: “I am the Lord thy God … thou shalt have no other gods before me.” What he’s saying there is, “I’m the only God there is; all others are imposters. My yoke is easy, and the yoke of any other god is bondage.”
Let’s look at Jonah as a case study and see 1) how you can detect the things in your life that are controlling you, and 2) how you actually abandon those gods.
This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on October 1, 1989. Series: Ten Commandments 1989. Scripture: Jonah 1:1-10.
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.

Released on 9 Jan 2026