The Contemporary vs. the Eternal
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of prioritizing eternal values over the fleeting demands of contemporary church culture.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the contrast between contemporary values and eternal truths, warning pastors and churches against the temptation to prioritize size and popularity over spiritual depth and permanence. He critiques the pressure from congregants who seek quick results and thrills, urging believers to focus on the eternal rather than the fleeting pleasures of the world. Tozer calls for a commitment to solid values that reflect the teachings of Christ, reminding us that true fulfillment comes from aligning with God's eternal perspective rather than succumbing to societal pressures.
Text
Pastors and churches in our hectic times are harassed by the temptation to seek size at any cost and to secure by inflation what they cannot gain by legitimate growth. The mixed multitude cries for quantity and will not forgive a minister who insists upon solid values and permanence. Many a man of God is being subjected to cruel pressure by the ill-taught members of his flock who scorn his slow methods and demand quick results and a popular following regardless of quality. These children play in the marketplaces and cannot overlook the affront we do them by our refusal to dance when they whistle or to weep when they out of caprice pipe a sad tune.
They are greedy for thrills, and since they dare no longer seek them in the theater, they demand to have them brought into the church.
We who follow Christ are men and women of eternity. We must put no confidence in the passing scenes of the disappearing world. We must resist every attempt of Satan to palm off upon us the values that belong to mortality. Nothing less than forever is long enough for us.
We view with amused sadness the frenetic scramble of the world to gain a brief moment in the sun. "The book of the month," for instance, has a strange sound to one who has dwelt with God and taken his values from the Ancient of Days. "The man of the year" cannot impress those men and women who are making their plans for that long eternity when days and years have passed away and time is no more.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The temptation for churches to seek size over substance - Pressure from congregations for quick results - The conflict between quality and quantity
- II points: - The demand for entertainment in the church - The shift from seeking thrills in the world to the church - The role of the pastor in resisting these pressures
- III points: - The eternal perspective of believers - The importance of valuing permanence over temporary gains - The contrast between worldly values and God's values
- IV points: - The futility of seeking recognition in a transient world - The significance of focusing on eternal outcomes - The call to live with an eternal mindset
Key Quotes
“We must resist every attempt of Satan to palm off upon us the values that belong to mortality.” — A.W. Tozer
“Nothing less than forever is long enough for us.” — A.W. Tozer
“We view with amused sadness the frenetic scramble of the world to gain a brief moment in the sun.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Focus on building a church community that values spiritual depth over numerical growth.
- Encourage congregants to seek lasting fulfillment in their relationship with God rather than in entertainment.
- Remind yourself and others of the eternal significance of our actions and decisions in this life.