Podcast Summary: "Jesus Our God" – Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

Host: Tim Keller
Date: September 8, 2025
Episode Theme: The identity of Jesus as God incarnate (“Emmanuel”) and the radically inclusive yet challenging nature of the Christian gospel.

Overview

In this sermon, Tim Keller explores the profound meaning behind the term “Emmanuel”—God with us—from Matthew 1:20–23. He addresses the unique and, in his words, “repulsive and attractive” claim of Christianity: that Jesus is not merely a moral teacher or prophet, but the Creator God Himself who became human. Keller contends that far from being exclusive or intolerant, Christianity is radically inclusive because it is open to all, regardless of past failures or weaknesses. He closes by challenging listeners to respond to God’s costly pursuit of humanity with wholehearted commitment and trust.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Astonishing Claim of Christmas (“Emmanuel”)

• Main Point: The word Emmanuel, meaning “God with us,” encapsulates both the most comforting and the most offensive claim of Christianity: that Jesus is God in human form.

  • Quote: “In that one word, Emmanuel, you have the most offensive and the most comforting, the most repulsive and the most attractive message that the world has ever heard.” (B, 01:12)

• Contrast with Other Views:

  • Western religions (Judaism, Islam): God cannot become human.
  • Eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism): God is continually manifesting in humans.
  • Christianity: The transcendent Creator became human once and for all.
  • Quote: “Christianity says that what happened at Christmas was that the transcendent creator God once and for all took upon himself human nature.” (B, 03:50)

2. The “Only Wayness” of Christianity

• Explanation: The claim that Jesus is the only way to God is not mere attitude, but is intrinsic to the Christmas proclamation.

  • Quote: “If you want to get rid of the only wayness of Christianity, you can’t ask Christians just sort of loosen up their attitude. You have to destroy Christmas.” (B, 05:45)

• Illustrative Analogy: Finding a treasure with a unique map as an analogy for the gospel’s unique claim.

• Challenge to Listeners: The issue is not tolerance, but the truth of the claim: “Is he the map or not?”

3. Is Christianity Inclusive or Exclusive?

• Keller’s Argument: Christianity is far more inclusive than the so-called “inclusive” philosophies.

  • Many philosophies imply only the good, moral, and able can find God.
  • Christianity says anyone—failures, outcasts, weak, or poor—can be reconciled to God, not based on merit, but grace.
  • Quote: “Christianity is radically inclusive. It’s the one religion that says, no matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, … you can be welcomed into his family.” (B, 11:15)

• Biblical Support:

  • Jesus’ ministry to lepers, poor, and outcasts (Matthew 11).
  • Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1: God chooses the weak and despised.

4. The Practical Impact of “Emmanuel”

• Medicine for the Soul: Christmas is “a medicine chest” providing healing for guilt, shame, and striving.

  • Quote: “Emmanuel is a medicine that will handle anything. … God died for you. One drop of his blood will pay for anything. You can put it behind you.” (B, 16:32)

• Addressing Guilt: Keller speaks to those with “guilty consciences,” urging them to accept Christ’s sacrifice rather than try to pay for their failures.

• Responding to God’s Pursuit: Given the lengths God has gone to in Christ to be with us, we should be willing to do whatever it takes to draw near to Him.

  • Quote: “If God, the great God of the universe, would become a wriggling little baby for us, what should you be willing to do to get near him?” (B, 17:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Repulsiveness and Attractiveness of Christianity:
  “It’s the most repulsive because it says Jesus Christ is God. And it’s the most attractive because it says Jesus Christ is God with us.” (B, 01:18)

• On the Delusion of Religious ‘Inclusivity’:
  “What about those of us that are a mess? … Your so-called inclusivity is basically for the able, only for the good.” (B, 10:55)

• On Divine Sacrifice:
  “God redeemed us with his own blood. The blood of God. What is that worth? Anything.” (B, 16:11)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:28–08:26 — The Exclusive Yet Unique Claim of Christmas

  • Context of Matthew’s “Emmanuel”
  • Comparison with other worldviews and religions
  • The “only wayness” controversy

• 09:27–14:30 — Radically Inclusive Nature of Christianity

  • The failure of moralistic religion
  • Jesus’ embrace of the marginalized
  • “All you need is need. All you need is nothing.” (B, 13:45)

• 14:30–17:55 — Emmanuel as a “Medicine Chest”

  • Address to the guilty and the striving
  • The value of Christ’s atoning death
  • The call to respond to God’s costly pursuit

• 17:55–End — Closing Prayer and Application

Conclusion

Tim Keller’s sermon “Jesus Our God” cuts through sentimental notions of Christmas to present its radical core: Jesus is God with us—an astonishing claim that confronts all other spiritual philosophies and yet welcomes anyone, regardless of history or status. Keller repeatedly emphasizes the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the open invitation to draw near to the living God, finding in Him healing, freedom from guilt, and eternal inclusion.