Houses of God
A.W. Tozer explores the profound truth of Christ's indwelling presence in believers and its implications for their faith and life.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the profound truth that Christ dwells within the regenerate believer, as affirmed by Scripture. He highlights the unity of the Godhead in the life of a believer, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit make their home in those who love and obey Christ. Tozer reflects on the historical belief of the Church regarding the dual nature of Christ as both fully God and fully man, a doctrine that has been foundational since the early Church. This indwelling presence of Christ transforms believers into true houses of God, embodying His essence and purpose. The sermon calls for a deeper understanding and appreciation of this divine relationship.
Text
That Christ actually inhabits the nature of the regenerate believer is assumed, implied and overtly stated in the Holy Scriptures. All the Persons of the Godhead are said to enter the nature of the one that engages New Testament truth in faith and obedience. "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23). And the doctrine of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is too well known to need support here; everyone that is taught even slightly in the Word of God understands this. Whatever God is, the Man Christ Jesus is also.
It has been the firm belief of the Church from the days of the apostles that God is not only manifest in Christ but that He is manifest as Christ.
In the days of the Arian controversy the church fathers were driven to put the teaching of the New Testament on this subject into a highly condensed "rule" or creed which might be accepted as final by all believers. This they did in the following words: The right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man. God of the substance of His Father, begotten before all ages: Man of the substance of His mother, born in the world. Perfect God and perfect Man. . . . As the reasonable soul and flesh is one man: so God and man is one Christ.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The indwelling of Christ in believers - Scriptural basis for Christ's presence - The role of the Holy Spirit
- II points: - Historical beliefs of the Church - The Arian controversy - Creeds and confessions of faith
- III points: - The nature of Christ as both God and Man - Implications for believers - Living in the reality of Christ's indwelling
Key Quotes
“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” — A.W. Tozer
“Whatever God is, the Man Christ Jesus is also.” — A.W. Tozer
“The right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize the significance of Christ's presence in your daily life and decisions.
- Embrace the truth of the Trinity as a source of strength and guidance.
- Commit to living out your faith in obedience to Christ's teachings.