Everything in Jesus
The best gift that God can give us is Himself, and He desires to give us His presence and love.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that while God bestows many gifts upon humanity, His greatest gift is Himself. He explains that our true fulfillment comes from knowing and enjoying God, as we were created for this purpose. Tozer highlights that God's promise to Aaron signifies that possessing God is the ultimate inheritance, surpassing all earthly treasures. He further elaborates that every divine blessing is intertwined with God's presence, as love, mercy, and other gifts are manifestations of God giving Himself to us. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to recognize and cherish the profound gift of God's own being.
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God's gifts are many; His best gift is one. It is the gift of Himself. Above all gifts, God desires most to give Himself to His people. Our nature being what it is, we are the best fitted of all creatures to know and enjoy God. "For Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it repose in Thee" (from The Confessions of St. Augustine).
When God told Aaron, "You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites," He in fact promised a portion infinitely above all the real estate in Palestine and all the earth thrown in (Numbers 18:20). To possess God--this is the inheritance ultimate and supreme.
There is a sense in which God never gives any gift except he gives Himself with it. The love of God, what is it but God giving Himself in love? The mercy of God is but God giving Himself in mercy, and so with all other blessings and benefits so freely showered upon the children of atonement. Deep within all divine blessing is the Divine One Himself dwelling as in a sanctuary.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Gift of God's Presence
- A. God's best gift is Himself
- B. We are created to know and enjoy God
- II. The Inheritance of God's Presence
- A. Possessing God is the ultimate inheritance
- B. God's presence is above all earthly possessions
- III. The Nature of Divine Blessings
- A. God gives Himself with every gift
- B. Love, mercy, and other blessings are expressions of God's self-giving
Key Quotes
“For Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it repose in Thee” — A.W. Tozer
“I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites” — A.W. Tozer
“To possess God--this is the inheritance ultimate and supreme” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should seek to possess God's presence and love in our lives.
- We should recognize that all divine blessings are expressions of God's self-giving nature.
- We should rest in God and find our ultimate inheritance in Him.