Sacrifice Is No Substitute for Obedience
True spiritual growth and victory come from obeying God's commandments, not just from intense prayer or emotional outpourings.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that true obedience to God is far more important than the intensity of our prayers or emotional displays. He points out that many of us may fervently pray while still resisting God's commands, highlighting the futility of sacrifice without obedience. Tozer illustrates this with Jacob's struggle, noting that true victory comes when we humbly confess our shortcomings and submit to God's will. The sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their own lives and the ways they may be avoiding obedience to God. Ultimately, it calls for a genuine commitment to follow God's commandments rather than relying on emotional expressions of faith.
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It is almost unbelievable how far we will go to avoid obeying God. We call Jesus "Lord" and beg Him to rejuvenate our souls, but we are careful to do not the things He says. When faced with a sin, a confession or a moral alteration in our life, we find it much easier to pray half a night than to obey God.
Intensity of prayer is no criterion of its effectiveness. A man may throw himself on his face and sob out his troubles to the Lord and yet have no intention to obey the commandments of Christ. Strong emotion and tears may be no more than the outcropping of a vexed spirit, evidence of stubborn resistance to God's known will. Jacob wrestled against the angel through one whole night. It was only after he had been defeated that he became the aggressor and refused to let go of God.
Why did Jacob resist so long? Because he was ashamed to confess his name to the angel. When he finally broke down and admitted that he was the supplanter, the victory was won. He triumphed in defeat.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Obedience
- The Example of Jacob
- The Importance of Obedience
- Jacob's Resistance
- The Reason for Resistance
- The Victory of Confession
Key Quotes
“Intensity of prayer is no criterion of its effectiveness.” — A.W. Tozer
“Strong emotion and tears may be no more than the outcropping of a vexed spirit, evidence of stubborn resistance to God's known will.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must be willing to confess our sins and admit our need for change in order to experience true spiritual growth.
- Effective prayer is characterized by a willingness to obey God's commandments, not just by emotional outpourings.
- Resistance to God's will is often a sign of spiritual struggle, but it can be overcome through confession and obedience.