Personal Commitment to Growth
The sermon emphasizes the importance of personal commitment to spiritual growth, faith, and humility, and the assurance of God's presence and guidance in our lives.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of personal commitment to spiritual growth, urging believers to stand firm in their faith and acknowledge their imperfections while trusting in God's promise of deliverance. He encourages a humble yet confident declaration of faith, recognizing that while we may not be perfect, we are committed to growing in our relationship with Christ. Tozer highlights the importance of gratitude for God's guidance and the assurance that He will complete the work He has started in us. This commitment is not rooted in arrogance but in a deep understanding of God's grace and mercy.
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There comes a time when the true believer must take his stand on the oath and covenant of God and refuse to be shaken. He must lift high his happy affirmation, not in arrogance, but in faith and in deep humility. Perhaps his declaration of independence will go something like this:
I am not yet perfect, but I thank God and my Lord Jesus Christ that I am done with the past and I do now trust in my Savior for full deliverance from all my sins. I cannot pray like Daniel, but I shall never cease to praise God that He inclines His ear to me. I am not as wise as Solomon, but I glory in this, that "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day" (2 Timothy 1:12). I have not the gifts of Moses or Isaiah or John, but I'll be everlastingly grateful that I have been given the moral perception to understand and appreciate such men as these. I am not what I want to be, but thanks be to God that I do want to be better than I am; and I am sure that "He who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).
Here I stand. I can do nothing else, so help me God.
Sermon Outline
- The Call to Commitment
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Assurance of Faith
- Knowing and trusting in God
- Gratitude for spiritual gifts and perception
Key Quotes
“I am not yet perfect, but I thank God and my Lord Jesus Christ that I am done with the past and I do now trust in my Savior for full deliverance from all my sins.” — A.W. Tozer
“I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day” — A.W. Tozer
“He who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Make a declaration of independence from past mistakes and shortcomings, and trust in the Savior for full deliverance.
- Develop moral perception and appreciate spiritual gifts by seeking to understand and appreciate the examples of faith and obedience in Scripture.
- Strive to know and trust in God, and have confidence that He will complete the good work He has started in you.