I don't listen to many of the sermons of my contemporaries.  For the most part, this is because I can't help but play the "comparison" game with them--a game I usually lose . Such is not the case with Tim Keller.  I figure I'll never be able to preach like him, and that is a good thing.  I enjoy Tim Keller's preaching immensely.  His sermons are deeply intellectual but, like CS Lewis, easily accessible.  Bottom line, he is an older man I respect and his sermons are smarter and shorter than mine will ever be.  He can accomplish in one 30 minute sermon what would take me 30 sermons. Below is a link to, quite possibly, the best sermon I have ever heard from anyone. It is about our Covenant God and, unlike most "sermons" preached today, it proclaims the gospel boldly, clearly, and simply.  Enjoy.http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/covenant-relationship

To say we should aim to "please God" can easily sound anti-gospel. I believe we should hope to please God, if for no other reason, because God hopes for us to please Him. Pleasing God is the same thing we would hope that our own children would want to do for us.  Whether or not my children "please" me through obedience does not dictate my love them for them.  If I'm displeased with my children's disobedience, that does not mean that I cease to love them. My unconditional affection for them is not based on their behavior.  At the same time, my greatest hope for them is to please me because I believe that their obedience will lead to joy, success, and long life. As their Father, therefore, I can desire, expect, and ask them to please me through obedience.  Without question, my hope is that their obedience is their [...]

So, do women have to wear head coverings or not?  I believe the answer is no.  Of course, there are a few Christiansgroups that continue the practice. Many individuals, groups, and denominations use this text to support their belief and, although we disagree, I respect their faithful commitment to Biblical authority.  The question is not whether the practice should be stopped by churches that do, but whether or not it should be required for all of Christian churches who don't.  I believe that asking the right questions reveals this to be a practice that is not normative, nor required.  The New Testament does not evidence a clear command to practice this in all churches nor is there a repeatable pattern or form in Paul's other letters. Church history does indicate this practice became somewhat normative but, as with many things, recent church history has eliminated the practice as a whole. As with [...]

Last night, I had the joy of wrestling through a difficult text with a small group of friends. The text, 1Corinthians 11.2-16 has proven to be difficult to understand and receive.  Commands about marital authority and/or warnings against androgyny are not popular topics in today's culture.  Additionally, there are verses dealing with head coverings and statements about angels watching church services that are just plain confusing. Pastor Chris Rich preached a sermon on this last Sunday and wisely focused on what the passage clearly does say about the relationships between men and women, husbands and wives. Our discussion last night brought to mine several issues that might be helpful in dealing with texts like this. It would be difficult for anyone to read this text and not come to the question:  "Are woman supposed to wear head coverings or not?"  Before answering that question, we must determine whether or not the passage [...]