Gospel in Life
with Tim Keller
God’s Holy People (Part 2)
Monday, March 10, 2025
Christianity is never a mechanical thing. And the church is not a morality agency—it’s a regenerating agency.
The real goal of the do’s and the don’ts in the Christian life is always character—growing into God’s holy people. The church does bring about moral behavior but, in a sense, as a byproduct. Because what the church is after is to turn people into saints, to create a kind of person.
In Ephesians 5, we learn three things: 1) your Christian faith has to include a saying no as well as a saying yes, 2) Paul explains a few critical things you must say no to (greed, foolish talking, and sexual immorality), and 3) the whole point is not to give us a list of do’s and don’ts, but the point is always to be holy.
This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on May 12, 1991. Series: Christian Lifestyle. Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-7.
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.
Recent Broadcasts
Featured Offer from Gospel in Life

Do You Forgive Easily?
In Tim Keller’s book Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I? he offers practical steps for forgiving others so that you can begin to mend fractured relationships and restart stalled conversations. Forgive is our thanks for your gift to help Gospel in Life reach more people with the message of Christ’s love and forgiveness.