Body Health Depends on Body Member Health
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of individual spiritual health for the overall health of the church, highlighting that true Christian faith is inward and cannot be addressed through external means.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that the health of the church is directly linked to the spiritual health of its individual members. He argues that many misunderstand the essence of Christian faith, believing that external solutions like diets, trips, or committees can resolve their spiritual weaknesses. True Christianity is an inward journey, and the church's vitality reflects the condition of its members. Tozer calls for self-examination and a sincere inquiry to God about personal shortcomings and spiritual needs. Ultimately, the sermon highlights the importance of individual responsibility in fostering a healthy church community.
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First, they misunderstand the nature of Christian faith. . . . Second, they misunderstand the nature of the church. . . . Third, they misunderstand what is wrong with them. You cannot cure a weak member by prescribing a certain diet. You can eat caviar and hummingbird tongue until the sun goes down, but it will not help you, because that is not what is wrong with you. Somebody else says, "Let's take a trip." Take your trip--it is all right. Try not to get killed on the way. But remember, that is not what is wrong with you.
Somebody else says, "Let's start a committee to handle it." The lack of a committee is not what is wrong with you, either. You are missing the nature of true Christian faith, for true Christianity is inward, and what is wrong cannot be reached by these external means. Now suppose we are ready to admit that we are in a rut. You say, "Well, what is the church doing?" I don't know, because it is the individual that matters. You see, the church is composed of this fellow that lives out here a little way and those two people who live out there in Scarboro and the five who live in Rexdale and the seven who live up in Willowdale and the 14 who live out east.
That is the church. What the church does is what the individuals do. How well or how sick the church is depends on how well or how sick the individuals are. In other words, it depends upon how you are. We must come to the Lord and say, "Oh, Lord, what do I still lack? I have some things, Lord, but what do I lack? Or what is it that I ought to get rid of? How do I compare with what I should be? How do I know what I should be?"
Sermon Outline
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I
- Misunderstanding the nature of Christian faith
- Misunderstanding the nature of the church
- Misunderstanding personal shortcomings
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II
- External solutions are ineffective
- True faith is inward
- Individual health affects church health
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III
- Importance of personal reflection
- Seeking God's guidance for personal growth
- Understanding one's role in the church
Key Quotes
“You cannot cure a weak member by prescribing a certain diet.” — A.W. Tozer
“True Christianity is inward, and what is wrong cannot be reached by these external means.” — A.W. Tozer
“How well or how sick the church is depends on how well or how sick the individuals are.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Reflect on your personal spiritual health and identify areas for growth.
- Seek God's guidance in understanding what you lack in your faith.
- Recognize that your actions and faith impact the broader church community.