Man's Wasted Potential
A.W. Tozer's sermon highlights the tragedy of wasted human potential and the necessity of embracing God's salvation to avoid spiritual loss.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the tragic reality of hell as a final destination for those who reject God's love and service. He reflects on the unique potential of humanity, created in God's image, and the divine offer of conversion and forgiveness available to all. Tozer laments that despite this potential, individuals can waste their lives through sin, ultimately leading to a lost state that is profoundly sad. He underscores that the eternal Word became flesh to redeem humanity, highlighting the importance of recognizing and fulfilling our God-given potential. The sermon serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of neglecting our relationship with God.
Text
God has made it plain that hell is a real place-a final abode for people who do not want to love God and serve Him! The sadness and the tragedy of this fact is that these are human beings, all dear to God because He created them in His own image. Of nothing else in the Creation is it said that it was created in the likeness of God! Because fallen and perishing man is still nearer to God's likeness than any other creature on earth, God offers him conversion regeneration and forgiveness.
It was surely because of this great potential in the human personality that the eternal Word could become flesh and dwell among us.
We are assured in many ways in the Scriptures that God the Creator does not waste human personality but it is surely one of the stark tragedies of life that human personality can waste itself! A man by his own sin may waste himself, which is to waste and lose that which on earth is most like God. The man who dies out of Christ is said to be lost, and hardly a word in our language expresses his condition with greater accuracy!
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The reality of hell - Human beings created in God's image - The tragedy of wasted potential
- II points: - God's offer of conversion and regeneration - The significance of forgiveness - The potential within human personality
- III points: - The eternal Word becoming flesh - The importance of recognizing our potential - The consequences of living outside of Christ
- IV points: - The nature of sin and self-wasting - Understanding what it means to be lost - The urgency of embracing God's offer
Key Quotes
“God has made it plain that hell is a real place-a final abode for people who do not want to love God and serve Him!” — A.W. Tozer
“It was surely because of this great potential in the human personality that the eternal Word could become flesh and dwell among us.” — A.W. Tozer
“A man by his own sin may waste himself, which is to waste and lose that which on earth is most like God.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Reflect on the potential God has placed within you and seek to fulfill it.
- Consider the importance of making choices that align with God's will to avoid spiritual loss.
- Embrace God's offer of forgiveness and regeneration to realize your true potential.