Staying With the Clear Teaching of Scripture
The sermon emphasizes the importance of staying with the clear teaching of Scripture and approaching it with humility, rather than focusing on marginal doctrines or personal opinions.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity for believers and ministers to focus on the core truths of Scripture rather than getting sidetracked by minor doctrines that can lead to division. He argues that understanding the historical context of Christian doctrine is essential for teaching effectively and responsibly. Tozer advocates for humility as the key attitude when approaching the Scriptures, suggesting that it is through humility that the Holy Spirit reveals the truths necessary for salvation and a fruitful Christian life. Ultimately, he asserts that only the sober truths of Scripture matter in our journey towards the Celestial City.
Text
Every believer as well as every minister of Christ must decide whether he will put his emphasis upon the majors or the minors. He must decide whether he will stay by the sober truths which constitute the beating heart of the Scriptures or turn his attention to those marginal doctrines which always bring division and which, at their best, could not help us much on our way to the Celestial City. No man has any moral right to propound any teaching about which there is not full agreement among Bible Christians until he has made himself familiar with church history and with the development of Christian doctrine through the centuries.
The historic approach is best.
After we have discovered what holy men believed, what great reformers and saints taught, what the purest souls and mightiest workers held to be important for holy living and dying--then we are in a fair position to appraise our own teaching. Humility is the only state of mind in which to approach the Scriptures. The Spirit will teach the humble soul those things that make for his salvation and for a holy walk and fruitful service here below. And little else matters.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Emphasis
- The Historic Approach
- The Role of the Holy Spirit
- The Spirit's role in teaching the humble soul
- The focus on salvation and holy living
Key Quotes
“The Spirit will teach the humble soul those things that make for his salvation and for a holy walk and fruitful service here below.” — A.W. Tozer
“No man has any moral right to propound any teaching about which there is not full agreement among Bible Christians until he has made himself familiar with church history and with the development of Christian doctrine through the centuries.” — A.W. Tozer
“And little else matters.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should prioritize the sober truths of Scripture over marginal doctrines that bring division.
- Approaching Scripture with humility allows us to receive the Spirit's teaching and focus on what is truly important for our salvation and holy living.
- Understanding church history and Christian doctrine helps us to evaluate our own teaching and appreciate the development of Christian teaching.