Less Than Trinitarian
The speaker calls for a recognition of the power and significance of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of giving Him the worship and recognition He deserves.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the critical importance of recognizing the Holy Spirit's role within the Trinity, arguing that many Christians neglect this doctrine, effectively denying the Spirit's place in the Godhead. He points out that while formal creeds may affirm the Trinity, the practical application of this belief is often absent in the lives of believers, leading to a diminished understanding of the Holy Spirit's power and presence. Tozer calls for a renewed awareness and acknowledgment of the Holy Spirit, urging Christians to worship and glorify Him as an essential part of their faith.
Text
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. --2 Corinthians 13:14
Our blunder (or shall we frankly say our sin?) has been to neglect the doctrine of the Spirit to a point where we virtually deny Him His place in the Godhead. This denial has not been by open doctrinal statement, for we have clung closely enough to the Biblical position wherever our credal pronouncements are concerned. Our formal creed is sound; the breakdown is in our working creed.
This is not a trifling destinction. A doctrine has practical value only as far as it is prominent in our thoughts and makes a difference in our lives. By this test the doctrine of the Holy Spirit as held by evangelical Christians today has almost no practical value at all. In most Christian churches the Spirit is quite entirely overlooked. Whether He is present or absent makes no real difference to anyone. Brief reference is made to Him in the Doxology and the Benediction. Further than that He might as well not exist. So completely do we ignore Him that it is only by courtesy that we can be called Trinitarian. The Christian doctrine of the Trinity boldly declares the equality of the Three Persons and the right of the Holy Spirit to be worshipped and glorified. Anything less than this is something less than Trinitarianism. The Pursuit of Man, 60-61.
"Lord, I'm sure I've been guilty of this neglect, this blunder, this sin. Make me so aware of the power of the Holy Spirit in my life that I might give Him the recognition and worship that He so rightly deserves. Amen."
Sermon Outline
- The Neglect of the Holy Spirit
- The Consequences of Neglect
- The Call to Repentance
- Recognize the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives
- Give Him the recognition and worship He deserves
Key Quotes
“By this test the doctrine of the Holy Spirit as held by evangelical Christians today has almost no practical value at all.” — A.W. Tozer
“Anything less than this is something less than Trinitarianism.” — A.W. Tozer
“Make me so aware of the power of the Holy Spirit in my life that I might give Him the recognition and worship that He so rightly deserves.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should make ourselves aware of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and give Him the recognition and worship He deserves.
- We should not treat the Holy Spirit as if He might as well not exist, but rather give Him the prominence in our thoughts and lives that He deserves.
- Our doctrine of the Holy Spirit should have practical value in our lives, and we should strive to live out the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.