Mired in the 'Rote'
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the dangers of rote worship and the need for genuine feeling and expectation in spiritual practices.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the danger of being mired in 'rote' worship, where repetition becomes devoid of feeling and meaning. He argues that this internal attitude stifles spiritual growth and expectation, leading believers to accept the status quo rather than seeking a transformative relationship with God. Tozer calls for a revival of genuine belief and engagement with Scripture and hymns, suggesting that true worship should be filled with wonder and anticipation. He warns that when worship is overly structured, it limits God's ability to move among His people. The sermon challenges listeners to break free from complacency and embrace a more vibrant faith.
Text
. . . Everybody knows just what will happen, and this has become our deadliest enemy. We blame the devil, the "last days" and anything else we can think of, but the greatest enemy is not outside of us. It is within--it is an attitude of accepting things as they are. We believe that what was must always determine what will be, and as a result we are not growing in expectation. As soon as someone begins talking like this, the Lord's people respond by getting busy. What I am talking about, however, is internal. It is a matter of the soul and mind that ultimately determines our conduct. Let me show you the progressive stages. I begin with what I will call the rote.
This is repetition without feeling.
If someday someone would read the Scripture and believe it and would believe what is sung in the great Christian hymns, there would be a blessed spiritual revolution underway in a short time. But too many are caught up in the rote, repeating without feeling, without meaning, without wonder and without any happy surprises or expectations. In our services God cannot get in because we have it all fixed up for Him. We say, "Lord, we are going to have it this way. Now kindly bless our plans." We repeat without feeling, we repeat without meaning, we sing without wonder, and we listen without surprise. That is my description of the rote.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Understanding the concept of 'rote' - Identifying the dangers of repetition without feeling - Recognizing the impact on spiritual growth
- II points: - The internal attitude of acceptance - How this affects our expectations - The role of the soul and mind in conduct
- III points: - The need for genuine belief in Scripture - The potential for spiritual revolution - Breaking free from the cycle of rote
- IV points: - The importance of feeling in worship - Encouraging wonder and surprise in services - Inviting God into our plans
Key Quotes
“It is a matter of the soul and mind that ultimately determines our conduct.” — A.W. Tozer
“We repeat without feeling, we repeat without meaning, we sing without wonder, and we listen without surprise.” — A.W. Tozer
“If someday someone would read the Scripture and believe it... there would be a blessed spiritual revolution underway.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Engage with Scripture daily to foster genuine belief.
- Approach worship with an open heart, ready for surprises.
- Invite God into your plans rather than dictating how worship should occur.