AI Summary
5 min readHead Over Everything
Tim Keller opens not with a moral lesson but with a theological puzzle. The passage he is working from—Ephesians 1:22–23—claims that Jesus Christ is already "head over everything for the church." This is not a future hope but a present reality. Yet the world looks nothing like it is being governed by a good and powerful ruler. How can both things be true? Keller's answer draws on two theological concepts that most Christians rarely think about: common grace and providential control.
Common grace: God's gifts scattered everywhere
The first mechanism by which Jesus rules the world now is through what theologians call common grace. Keller defines it carefully: God preserves and beautifies human society by continually provoking goodness, wisdom, greatness, and beauty even in people who do not obey or believe in him. This is not the same as saving grace. Special grace converts a person, changes the heart, and gives new birth. Common grace gives gifts—artistic skill, leadership ability, moral character, technical genius—without necessarily changing the recipient's relationship with God.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:39) **Jesus as Head Over Everything** - Keller introduces Ephesians 1:22-23 and the two ways Jesus is head: over the whole world for the church, and over the church as his body.
- 2 (03:35) **Common Grace Explained** - Keller defines common grace as God preserving and beautifying society by giving gifts of goodness, wisdom, and beauty to all people, believers and non-believers alike.
- 3 (11:35) **Practical Implications: Avoiding Confusion and Envy** - Keller warns that without understanding common grace, Christians will be confused and resentful when non-Christians have more talent or morality.
- 4 (17:01) **The Morality of Common Grace vs. Special Grace** - Keller contrasts static, common-grace morality with the living, growing character produced by special grace.
- 5 (19:22) **Humility and Appreciating Non-Christian Gifts** - Keller argues that common grace should humble Christians and stop them from dismissing non-Christian art, leadership, or skill.
- 6 (21:46) **All Common Grace is "For Us"** - Keller emphasizes that all the gifts scattered through common grace—Mozart, Cyrus, great leaders—are ultimately for the benefit of the church.
- 7 (22:31) **Providential Control of History** - Keller introduces the second way Jesus is head: through his complete, sovereign control over all events and history.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on October 18, 1992. Series: Salvation From the Outside In. Scripture: Ephesians 1:22-23.
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.
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