God Reveals Himself
God's revelation is the gracious act of love that allows us to know Him, not through our intellectual capacity but through spiritual laws.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that true communion with God cannot be achieved through intellectual pursuits, as this would imply equality with God. He uses Isaiah as an example of how God reveals Himself not through human intellect but through divine grace and love. Tozer asserts that it is only when God chooses to reveal Himself that individuals can truly know Him, transcending mere psychological understanding. The sermon highlights the necessity of a willing spirit to receive God's revelation, which leads to a deeper spiritual connection. Ultimately, Tozer calls for Christians to embrace a faith that goes beyond natural understanding into the realm of spiritual truth.
Text
I often wonder how so many people can live with a continuing hope that they will in some way be able to commune with God through their intellectual capacities. When will they realize that if they could possibly "discover" God they realize that with the intellect, they would be equal to God? Isaiah is a dramatic example of God's revelation of Himself to mankind. Isaiah could have tried for a million years to reach God by means of his intellect. But brainpower is not the means by which we find God! Brethren, it is true that all of us would still be far from God if He had not graciously and in love revealed Himself to us.
In the space of a short second of time, the Lord who loves us can reveal Himself to the willing spirit of a man or woman.
It is only then that an Isaiah, or any one of us, can say with humble assurance, "I know Him!" A committed Christian, then, should have upon him an element that is beyond psychology-beyond all natural laws and into spiritual laws!
Sermon Outline
- The Limitations of Intellectual Capacity
- The Need for God's Revelation
- The Power of Spiritual Revelation
- God can reveal Himself in a moment of time
- Spiritual laws govern our relationship with God
Key Quotes
“Brainpower is not the means by which we find God!” — A.W. Tozer
“It is only then that an Isaiah, or any one of us, can say with humble assurance, 'I know Him!'” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize the limitations of your intellectual capacity in discovering God.
- Understand that God's revelation is a gracious act of love that allows us to know Him.
- Seek a spiritual relationship with God, beyond natural laws and into spiritual laws.