I\u2019m grateful for the humor infused into our friendship. But I\u2019m also grateful for the ways Tim Keller encouraged me. One such occurrence was at the conclusion of a conference when I was walking him out of the venue. As we made our way toward the exit, he stopped. When I turned around and walked back to him, this six-foot-five man extended his arm, pulled me in, and said, \u201cYou\u2019re doing really good work here.\u201d It was the most awkward, most affirming hug I\u2019d ever received.<\/p>\n
Yet, what\u2019s equally important to the humor and the encouragement is the way Tim Keller shaped me as a preacher. Before I encountered him years ago, my messages were heavy on how-tos and performance. Do this. Become that. But in every single sermon I preach today, I strive to direct people to worship Jesus and adore him more as opposed to inspiring them to work harder as Christians.<\/p>\n
I believe Tim was quoting D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones when he said, \u201cThere ought to come a time in every message where the pen goes down and the eyes go up and you stop saying, \u2018Oh my God, look at all the things I have to do for you. And you start saying, \u2018Oh my God, look at all the things you\u2019ve done for me.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore I encountered Tim Keller years ago, my messages were heavy on how-tos and performance,\u201d writes @jdgreear<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cBut in every single sermon I preach today, I strive to direct people to worship Jesus and adore him more.\u201dhttps:\/\/t.co\/3sqHHvYefP<\/a><\/p>\n — Christianity Today (@CTmagazine) September 25, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n