Being and Doing as God Enables
The sermon emphasizes the importance of preparing for eternity and the present moment, and not delaying or ignoring God's help, as God enables us to do what He asks.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the urgency of preparing for eternity and the folly of procrastination in spiritual matters. He warns against the trap of waiting for help that may never come, urging believers to recognize and accept the divine assistance currently available to them. Tozer illustrates this point by referencing the healing of the paralyzed man, highlighting that God empowers individuals to act in faith. He calls out the laziness and carelessness of Christians who ignore God's enabling grace. Ultimately, Tozer encourages believers to take action now, as God has equipped them for the tasks He sets before them.
Text
Failing to get ready in time for eternity, and failing to get ready now for the great then that lies out yonder, is a trap in plain sight. There is an odd saying in the Old Testament, "How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds" (Proverbs 1:17). When the man of God wrote that, he gave the birds a little credit. It would be silly for a bird watching me set the trap to conveniently fly down and get into it. Yet there are people doing that all the time. People who have to live for eternity fall into that trap set for them in plain sight. It is folly to put off to a tomorrow because you may never see the things that you should do now. It is an act of inexcusable folly to count on help that will never come.
It is foolish to ignore God's help now offered us.
Many are guilty of ignoring the help that is presently being extended to them, all the while waiting for help that will never come from others. There is not much that can be said in favor of lazy or careless Christians. God never told anyone to do anything that he or she could not do. Jesus said to the man with the paralyzed arm that hung at his side like a limp piece of flesh, "Stretch out your hand" (Matthew 12:13a). And the man, believing that Jesus was the Christ, stretched out his hand and was healed instantly. God has never asked anyone yet to do anything that He was not enabling the person to do.
Sermon Outline
- The Trap of Delay
- Failing to prepare for eternity
- Failing to prepare for the present moment
Key Quotes
“Failing to get ready in time for eternity, and failing to get ready now for the great then that lies out yonder, is a trap in plain sight.” — A.W. Tozer
“God never told anyone to do anything that he or she could not do.” — A.W. Tozer
“Stretch out your hand” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must not delay preparing for eternity and the present moment, as it is a trap in plain sight.
- God enables us to do what He asks, so we should have faith in His power and obey Him.
- Lazy or careless Christians are missing out on God's enablement and the blessings that come with obedience.