Daily Following
To follow Jesus means to surrender to His plan, embracing a life of holiness and spiritual freedom.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the significance of the cross in Christianity, contrasting the superficial 'crossless Christianity' with the true call to follow Christ, which involves a personal death to sin and a rebirth into holiness and freedom. He highlights that the invitation to 'follow me' is both a challenge and a promise, leading believers to a deeper understanding of their faith and the glory that comes from returning to Calvary. Tozer encourages Christians to embrace the journey of faith, suggesting that the reality of following Jesus surpasses any dreams or expectations they may have.
Text
A strange thing under the sun is crossless Christianity. The cross of Christendom is a no-cross, an ecclesiastical symbol. The cross of Christ is a place of death. Let each one be careful which cross he carries. And follow me. Now the glory begins to break in upon the soul that has just returned from Calvary. Follow me is an invitation, and a challenge, and a promise. The cross has been the end of a life and the beginning of a life. The life that ended there was a life of sin and slavery; the life that began there is a life of holiness and spiritual freedom. And follow me, He says, and faith runs on tiptoe to keep pace with the advancing light.
Until we know the program of our risen Lord for all the years to come we can never know everything He meant when He invited us to follow Him.
Each heart can have its own dream of fair worlds and new revelations, of the odyssey of the ransomed soul in the ages to come, but whoever follows Jesus will find at last that He has made the reality to outrun the dream.
Sermon Outline
- The Two Crosses
- The Cross of Christ
- Following Jesus
- The Life of a Follower
- A Life of Holiness
- A Life of Spiritual Freedom
- A Promise
Key Quotes
“The cross has been the end of a life and the beginning of a life.” — A.W. Tozer
“And follow me is an invitation, and a challenge, and a promise.” — A.W. Tozer
“Until we know the program of our risen Lord for all the years to come we can never know everything He meant when He invited us to follow Him.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Surrender to God's plan and trust in His goodness.
- Embrace a life of holiness and spiritual freedom, letting go of sin and slavery.
- Follow Jesus with an open heart, trusting in His promise to fulfill our dreams and reveal new revelations.