Tim Keller | May 1, 2016
Love, the Most Excellent Way – Video Preview
Sermon Summary
Paul’s renowned discourse on love in 1 Corinthians was not intended for wedding ceremonies, but rather as a critique of the Corinthian church’s deficiency in patience, kindness, and humility. The essence of this scripture is the characteristics of a heart transformed supernaturally. It emphasizes the idea that without divine intervention, human nature is resilient and unchanging, and that numerical growth is insignificant without genuine life transformation.
1. What a supernaturally changed heart isn’t
The importance of character over talent, particularly in ministry, is stressed, with a focus on the necessity of a transformed heart. The dangers of conflating talent or ministry with genuine heart change are spotlighted, along with the crucial role of love and humility in leadership. The qualities of love – patience, kindness, humility, and selflessness – are described, stressing that true transformation stems from a heart supernaturally changed by love, not merely superficial acts of goodness.
2. What a supernaturally changed heart is
Love, as depicted in 1 Corinthians 13, is personified and not merely an abstract principle or a set of practices. It is an active force, a love that always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres, and never fails, a love that can only be embodied by Jesus Christ. Christianity, therefore, is about encountering this transformative love, not mistaking gifts for grace, and never settling for less than a supernaturally changed heart.
April Book Offer
Tim Keller’s How to Find God set of three short books on birth, death, and marriage addresses these key milestones in your life and shows you how the Scripture teaches us to face each one with God’s help. They are books of pastoral care, designed for specific life situations you or someone you know will go through.