Grappling With Change
The sermon emphasizes the need for reformation and change in the church, warning against accepting the status quo without questioning its validity.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of reformation within the church, defining it as a change that removes faults and restores a former good state. He critiques the complacency of Christians who accept the status quo without questioning its alignment with Scripture, warning that many religious practices may not be divinely ordained. Tozer argues that the fear of change leads to a stagnation that can result in a departure from God's will, as people blindly follow traditions without discernment. He calls for a return to biblical principles and a willingness to embrace necessary changes for true spiritual renewal. Ultimately, Tozer urges believers to seek God's guidance in evaluating their practices and beliefs.
Text
We need sweeping reformation. Let me give a definition of reformation as it is given in a religious dictionary: "Change by removal of faults or abuses, and a restoration to a former good estate." Now that is not so bad. I do not know how anybody who believes he or she is a Christian could ever object to changing in the direction of the removal of faults and abuses toward the restoration to a former good estate. The problem is change, which disturbs many people. They have accepted the status quo as being the very tablets given by God on the mountain.
Most people, if they happen to be in any church anywhere, accept the status quo without knowing or caring to inquire how it came to be. In other words, they do not ask, "Oh God, is this of You, is this divine, is this out of the Bible?" Because it was done and is being done, and because a lot of people are doing it, they assume it is all right. Then songs are written about it, and it gets into magazines. Pretty soon people are called to it, and the first thing we know we have gotten into a religious situation that is not of God.
It is not according to Scripture, and God is not pleased with it at all. Rather, He is angry. Yet we do not know it because we do not like the word change. The change took place slowly, before we arrived on the scene, and we think because it is everywhere it is therefore right. We accept the status quo, the existing state of affairs, and say, "This is it," forgetting that history demonstrates that religions invariably degenerate.
Sermon Outline
- The Need for Reformation
- Definition of Reformation
- The Problem with Change
- The Status Quo as a Substitute for God's Will
Key Quotes
“Change by removal of faults or abuses, and a restoration to a former good estate.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must be willing to question and challenge the status quo in our churches to ensure that our practices are according to God's will.
- Change is necessary for the removal of faults and abuses in the church, and for restoration to a former good estate.
- We must not accept the status quo simply because it is widespread or accepted by many people.