Hope-or Despair?
The sermon highlights the hope of receiving spiritual truth through spiritual revelation, and the despair of relying on human reason to discover divine truth.
A.W. Tozer explores the dichotomy of hope and despair in humanity, emphasizing that true understanding and spiritual truth can only be received as a divine gift from heaven. He highlights John the Baptist's assertion that human reason cannot grasp divine truth, which leads to despair, while the promise of the Holy Spirit offers hope and revelation. Tozer underscores that this gift of knowing is not accessible through human wisdom but is revealed to those who are humble and receptive, as affirmed by Jesus' teachings.
Text
John the Baptist gave his questioners a brief sentence that I have called the "hope and the despair" of mankind. He told them that "a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." John was not referring to men's gifts. He was speaking of spiritual truth. Divine truth is of the nature of the Holy Spirit, and for that reason it can be received only by spiritual revelation. In his New Testament letters, the Apostle Paul declares again and again the inability of human reason to discover or comprehend divine truth. In that inability we see human despair. John the Baptist said, " . . . except it be given him from heaven"-and this is our hope!
These words do certainly mean that there is such a thing as a gift of knowing, a gift that comes from heaven.
Jesus promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit of truth would come and teach them all things. Jesus also prayed: "I thank thee, 0 Father, because thou hast hid these things from the wise, and hast revealed them unto babes" (Luke 10:21).
Sermon Outline
- The Hope and Despair of Mankind
- Human Despair
- The Inability of Human Reason
- The Need for Spiritual Revelation
Key Quotes
“a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” — A.W. Tozer
“I thank thee, O Father, because thou hast hid these things from the wise, and hast revealed them unto babes” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must be open to spiritual revelation and not rely solely on human reason to understand divine truth.
- The gift of knowing is available to those who are humble and willing to receive spiritual truth.
- We should not be discouraged by our inability to understand divine truth, but rather seek spiritual guidance and revelation.