Beyond Empty Profession
The deeper life in Christianity is a lived experience of daily blessing, peace, and victory, beyond just a profession or message.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that merely preaching about the 'deeper life' does not guarantee that a church embodies this spiritual depth. He argues that the profession of faith in a deeper Christian life does not equate to actual spiritual experience or transformation within the congregation. Tozer calls for a shift away from superficiality, highlighting that the deeper spiritual life is characterized by daily blessings, peace, and victory rather than empty words. He urges pastors to stop excusing congregations that claim to be deeper life churches without the corresponding spiritual reality. Ultimately, Tozer advocates for a genuine, lived experience of faith that transcends mere profession.
Text
Preaching from the pulpit about the Christian "deeper life" does not automatically produce a deeper life church and congregation. The profession of men and women that they believe in "the deeper Christian life" is no assurance that their fellowship is actually a deeper life church. The deeper spiritual life many people say they want is not a message; it is not a sermon; it is not a profession. I am a pastor and I think I major in telling the truth.
It is true that it is about time we stop coddling and apologizing for congregations that have reputations for being deeper life churches.
The deeper spiritual life is not something just to be talked about - it is a quiet enjoyment of daily blessing and peace and victory that is lived day by day; beyond empty profession and without any two-faced circumstances!
Sermon Outline
- The Deeper Life is Not a Profession
- The Deeper Life is a Quiet Enjoyment
- The Deeper Life is Not for Show
- It is not for two-faced circumstances
- It is about genuine, lived experience
Key Quotes
“The deeper spiritual life is not something just to be talked about - it is a quiet enjoyment of daily blessing and peace and victory that is lived day by day;” — A.W. Tozer
“It is about time we stop coddling and apologizing for congregations that have reputations for being deeper life churches.” — A.W. Tozer
“beyond empty profession and without any two-faced circumstances!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Seek a genuine, daily experience of God's presence and blessing in your life.
- Be willing to live out your faith in a way that is authentic and transparent.
- Stop just talking about the deeper life and start living it out in your daily life.