Mediocre Christianity
A.W. Tozer warns against the problem of mediocre Christianity, urging believers to strive for full maturity in Christ and avoid settling for temporary pleasures.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that mediocrity in the Christian life is not what Jesus desires for His followers. He challenges believers to move beyond a stagnant spiritual state and pursue full maturity in Christ, rather than settling for superficial pleasures that distract from true devotion. Tozer points out that many Christians bargain with God about the cost of discipleship instead of wholeheartedly embracing the call to take up their cross. He urges believers to reflect on their spiritual growth and to honor God by striving for deeper faith and commitment.
Text
Read your New Testament again and you will agree that mediocrity in the Christian life is not the highest that Jesus offers. Certainly God is not honored by our arrested spiritual development - our permanent half-way spiritual condition. We all know that the Bible tells us that we honor God by going on to full maturity in Christ! Why, then, do we settle for those little pleasures that tickle the saintlets and charm the fancy of the carnal? It is because we once heard a call to take up the cross and instead of following toward the heights, we bargained with the Lord like a street huckster! We felt an urge to be spent for Christ, but instead of going on, we started asking questions.
We began to bicker and bargain with God about His standards for spiritual attainment.
This is plain truth-not about unbelieving "liberals"-but about those who have been born again and who dare to ask, "Lord, what will it cost me?"
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Mediocrity in Christianity points: - Mediocrity is not the highest standard offered by Jesus
- The Consequences of Mediocrity points: - Arrested spiritual development dishonors God
- The Call to Full Maturity points: - Bible teaches us to strive for full maturity in Christ
- The Reason for Mediocrity points: - Bargaining with God and questioning His standards
- The Result of Mediocrity points: - Settling for temporary pleasures rather than spiritual growth
Key Quotes
“We all know that the Bible tells us that we honor God by going on to full maturity in Christ!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Believers should strive for full maturity in Christ, rather than settling for mediocre Christianity.
- We should not bargain with God or question His standards for spiritual attainment.
- Spiritual growth and development are essential for honoring God and living a fulfilling Christian life.