Preach a Whole Christ
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of preaching a whole Christ, emphasizing the necessity of obedience to the Sovereign Lord.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of recognizing Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord, rejecting the notion that one can accept Him as Savior while disregarding His lordship. He challenges the prevalent teaching that allows for a divided relationship with Christ, urging believers to embrace the entirety of who Jesus is without reservations. Tozer calls for a return to preaching a whole Christ, highlighting the importance of obedience and allegiance to Him. He warns against the dangers of a faith that seeks salvation without commitment to the Sovereign Lord. Ultimately, Tozer advocates for a holistic understanding of Christ in a world that desperately needs Him.
Text
I reject the human insistence among us that Christ may sustain a divided relationship toward us in this life. I am aware that this is now so commonly preached that to oppose it or object to it means that you are sticking your neck out and you had best be prepared for what comes. But, I am forced to ask: how can we insist and teach that our Lord Jesus Christ can be our Savior without being our Lord? How can so many continue to teach that we can be saved without any thought of obedience to our Sovereign Lord?
I am satisfied in my own heart that when a man or a woman believes on the Lord Jesus Christ he or she must believe on the whole Lord Jesus Christ-not making any reservation!
How can a teaching be justified when it encourages sinners to use Jesus as a Savior in their time of need, without owing Him obedience and allegiance? I believe we need to return to preaching a whole Christ to our needy world!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Problem of a Divided Christ
- A. The human insistence on a divided relationship
- B. The consequences of opposing this view
- II. The Relationship Between Savior and Lord
- A. The necessity of obedience to the Sovereign Lord
- B. The danger of reserving Christ for salvation alone
- III. The Necessity of Preaching a Whole Christ
- A. The importance of presenting the full gospel
- B. The need to return to biblical preaching
Key Quotes
“How can we insist and teach that our Lord Jesus Christ can be our Savior without being our Lord?” — A.W. Tozer
“How can a teaching be justified when it encourages sinners to use Jesus as a Savior in their time of need, without owing Him obedience and allegiance?” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must return to biblical preaching and present the full gospel to our needy world.
- Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ requires obedience and allegiance to the Sovereign Lord.
- We cannot reserve Christ for salvation alone, but must present the whole Lord Jesus Christ.