God the Heart Opener
The Holy Spirit's work in the human heart is a sovereign and intimate process that cannot be induced by human will or effort.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the intimate and personal work of the Holy Spirit in the human heart, highlighting that the process of redemption is a sacred mystery that cannot be fully understood or manipulated by human means. He reflects on the new birth as a divine act that is beyond human control, as illustrated by Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus. Tozer warns against the irreverence of trying to induce the Spirit's work through formulas, asserting that true faith and heart transformation come solely from the Spirit's illumination. He encourages Christian workers to direct seekers to Christ, the Lamb of God, while recognizing that the ultimate responsibility for faith lies with the individual and God. The sermon calls for a humble acknowledgment of the Spirit's sovereign role in salvation.
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About the intimate workings of the Holy Spirit in the human heart there is a highly personal relationship in which no third person can share. The sacred work of redemption was wrought in darkness. No strange eye could see what was taking place when the sins of the world entered the holy soul of Christ that He might die under their weight and thus make ?his life a guilt offering? (Isaiah 53:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 27:46).
That there is a deep mystery about the new birth is plainly stated by our Lord.
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." "How can this be?? Nicodemus asked. ?You are Israel?s teacher,? said Jesus, ?and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?? (John 3:8-12).
It is bordering on the irreverent to suggest that this sovereign work of the Spirit can be induced at the will of a personal worker by means of a textual recipe. The moment this is attempted, the Spirit withholds His illumination and leaves the worker and the seeker to their own designs. And the tragic consequences are all about us.
All any Christian worker can do is to point the inquirer to ?the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? (1:29). That was all John the Baptist did. He did not attempt to create faith in any of his hearers. The Spirit alone can open the heart, as John well knew. It is our task to arrest the sinner?s attention, give him the message of the cross, urge him to receive it and meet its conditions. After that the seeker is on his own. The individual is out of the hands of the instructors and helpers and in the hands of the God with whom he has to do.
Sermon Outline
- The Intimate Workings of the Holy Spirit
- The Mystery of the New Birth
- The Sovereign Work of the Spirit
- The Role of the Christian Worker
- Point to the Lamb of God
- Arrest Attention, Give the Message
- Urging the Sinner to Receive
Key Quotes
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” — A.W. Tozer
“How can this be?? Nicodemus asked. ?You are Israel?s teacher,? said Jesus, ?and do you not understand these things?” — A.W. Tozer
“It is our task to arrest the sinner?s attention, give him the message of the cross, urge him to receive it and meet its conditions.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- As a Christian worker, our role is to point others to the Lamb of God and give them the message of the cross.
- Faith cannot be created in others, but only the Spirit can open the heart.
- We must be careful not to attempt to induce the Spirit's work, but rather trust in His sovereign power.