Does God Control Everything? – Timothy Keller [Sermon]

Tim Keller sermons via Gospel in Life: How are we to understand and receive the absolute, life-changing assurance God offers to us?

This sermon was preached by Rev. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on January 7, 2007.

[francaadah]

Thank you, Tim. Even in death, God is still using you. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for loving me (us).

[torqueguy]

Tim, I've been searching for this message my whole life. I heard about you from my cousin Jules who used to attend your church in NYC years ago. Jules died on Dec 25, 2009 at the age of 50. Before he died, he led me to God and, through your sermons, he's still doing it. Please pardon the corn but I write this with tears running down my face, and I'm a Jersey guy. Thank You

[jaminrice]

My, oh my. What a wonderful teaching, and towards the end when Tim was referencing Spurgeon and really driving the point home... well, there aren't many I know of that can do that like he did. Such conviction and logical, reasonable persuasion. How could anyone not fall in love with God after considering what He did for us?!? Thank you Father, our Creator. Thank you Jesus, our Savior. Thank you Holy Spirit, our Indweller. All glory and honor and praise be to our God forever and ever! Amen.

[bossinater]

This sermon has single-handedly convinced me of Calvinism.

Currently a Reformed Baptist but looking to start attending a Presbyterian church.

[davidbrighina]

Fourth time listening to this sermon and it gets better each time.

[jennymeyer]

This is unequivocally the best sermon I have heard in my life. I need to listen to it about three more times, though, there's just so much to ponder. Easily a lifetime's worth, and beyond. Many thanks, Tim Keller. My prayers are going out to you for healing and comfort for you and your family. God bless you.

[jollyroger]

If uncertainty about God has been present for you, listen to Dr. Keller’s sermon.
Thank you Dr. Keller.

[chuckabean]

"He loves you, because He loves you."

[ofeliaclaudio]

I love how this woman reads scriptures. Who are these women reading the scriptures usually?

[caminandoensuverdad]

“God has put ALL things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.” (Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

[poppylove]

I feel such a heavy weight off me for understanding no matter how much I feel out of control of things in my life, I am reminded that God takes whatever I do or don't do, as inadequate as I may feel, thank God that he is working ALL things out for good. Heavenly Father, help me to remember that even in long and difficult trials, like Joseph...it isn't that you've forgotten me or whatever lie satan tries to get me to believe; I know your Word is true and I can look back on all the times you have worked all things out for good despite my stumbling and doubts in the past trials you've brought me through. Jesus, I pray you will be glorified in my life, despite my weaknesses, I trust you have not abandoned me or forgotten me, which are just due to fear and forgetting that you are not finished, and I've yet to see what your doing behind the scene! Help us to remember you are working things out for good even though what we see and feel cause us to doubt and worry. This was a great message.

[DrewS]

Keller is as soul-winning as a passionate evangelist, but not preachy at all. Anyone can listen to this without feeling talked down to. Love it.

[charliebaile]

I have always loved this message and years ago I told the story to our church (outside of DC) about how Keller would never have come to NYC except a certain professor had a huge impact upon him in seminary and that professor wouldn't have come to that seminary except the son of the POTUS was attending that seminary who was able to secure his visa from overseas and the reason that Ford was POTUS at that time was because Nixon had to resign due to watergate. Hence, if Watergate hadn't happened - Keller says he wouldn't be in NYC and these people wouldn't be hearing him preach, etc. After I told this story a guy from my church comes up to me and said that he knew the very security guard working at Watergate that night and the reason the Watergate scandal was discovered was because the fool did a "horizontal tape job." Whenever you do a tape job to hide the fact that the supposed locked door is not locked is to run tape vertically and hidden in the seam of the door. Well, this guy ran the tape horizontally and the tape bled around to the side of the door and was easily discovered. So, can someone please let Tim know that the rest of the history of his life was changed because of that knuckleheaded rookie tape job. LOL. God in His wisdom....

[MrBruno]

I think the problem comes from the way we understand/use the word "control" and its different nuances. I believe that God works out and fixes everything for my ultimate good, but I don't believe He "controls" everything I say or do or think nor events that my decisions and choices trigger. Or else, what would be the purpose (for Him as well as for us) of giving us free will !? Too often, Christians pastors invoke "God's control over everything" to say that it was God's will for someone to get sick or to suffer an accident for whatever reason (to teach you a lesson, to punish you etc) When it was the devil attacking one of God's children. God does ezventially work out everything for the good of His childrne but that doesn't mean He "controls" everything in the sense that he engineers every event that happens. He has the ultimate say and imo that's much more comforting that thinking He controls everything.

[jpyron]

I needed this for my refresh in 2024 Praise God for His word!!!

[mdrivr]

Thank you Pastor Tim. Your teachings live on for all us of who need instruction. Just what I needed today. Thank you Jesus for your eternal love for us.

[BryanOKeefe-mw]

What a wonderful and incredible sermon. His sermons are simply the best. There is so much in these 45 minutes to ponder and think about how it applies to your own life.

[rickysikes]

A few decades ago there was a debate between my husband and I whether it is freewill or predestination. So, that year I dedicated my yearly ‘ read through the Bible to find out. I put a P for predestined, and a C for our choice. At the end of the year, I discovered that I had about the same amount for both. So, I told my husband that it is both, not either or. He said that was impossible, but I told him it must be possible because both are there. This sermon really explains it better. It will remain a mystery to my human mind, but both are true. I dislike it when a preacher tries to take away the mystery of our mysterious God. If He is God, then of course, He is beyond our understanding, He has to be for we are finite and He is infinite. Whatever god man serves and obeys, that will be the god he will spend eternity with. Find out as fast as you can who your god is by who you are obeying. The god or God we serve will be our reward for eternity.

[frankspeyers]

What a thrill to hear (again) the sweetness of the message of salvation. Thanks Tim for posting this. Warmest regards, Frank

[MauiTec]

The ending brought me tears man. I love this