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  FENCING WITH MASTERS
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of coming to God with a
humble spirit and a willingness to listen to His truth, rather than
being defensive and resistant to sound doctrine.

Topics: "Listening to God", "Spiritual Apathy"
Scripture References: 2 Timothy 4:3

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer addresses the challenge of modern believers who approach God
with their defenses up, often resistant to sound doctrine due to their
own desires and distractions. He emphasizes the rarity of individuals
coming to worship with an open heart, ready to receive God's message.
Tozer laments the spiritual apathy that has led many to turn away from
truth and instead seek out comforting fables. He calls for a return to
humility and a willingness to listen to God's voice, urging believers to
lower their guards and approach Him with sincerity. The sermon serves as
a reminder of the importance of being receptive to divine guidance in a
world filled with distractions.

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CONTENT
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For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but
according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they
will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away
from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. --2 Timothy 4:3-4

Every one who has come to the years of responsibility seems to have gone
on the defensive. Even some of you who have known me for years are
surely on the defensive--you have your guard up all the time!

I know that you are not afraid of me, but you are afraid, nevertheless,
of what I am going to say. Probably every faithful preacher today is
fencing with masters as he faces his congregation. The guard is always
up. The quick parry is always ready.

It is very hard for me to accept the fact that it is now very rare for
anyone to come into the house of God with guard completely down, head
bowed and with the silent confession: "Dear Lord, I am ready and willing
to hear what You will speak to my heart today!"

We have become so learned and so worldly and so sophisticated and so
blase and so bored and so religiously tired that the clouds of glory
seem to have gone from us. Christ the Eternal Son, 108-109.

"Lord, quiet my own heart before You and give me that humble spirit of
listening. Whenever I come before You (including this morning!), may it
be with my 'guard completely down, head bowed.... ready and willing to
hear what You will speak to my heart today.' Amen."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/fencing-with-masters/
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