The Holy Are Humble
The greatest man alive is the best man alive, and true greatness is characterized by humility and a life lived in the power of the Spirit.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that the Church in America has lost its way by following popular figures instead of true examples of goodness and humility. He asserts that true greatness is not measured by fame or public opinion, but by the depth of one's spiritual virtues, which are often quiet and unassuming. The holy man embodies humility and does not seek self-promotion, yet his influence is profound and far-reaching. Tozer encourages Christians to live by the Spirit, allowing the life of Christ to shine through them without ostentation, ultimately impacting the world and its conscience. The sermon calls for a return to valuing true holiness and humility over celebrity culture.
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The Church in America suffered a greater loss than she has since discovered when she rejected the example of good men and chose for her pattern the celebrity of the hour. Human greatness cannot be determined by popularity polls nor by the number of lines any man rates in the public press. It is altogether unlikely that we know who our greatest men are. One thing is sure, however--the greatest man alive today is the best man alive today. That is not open to debate. To discover the good great man (granted that it would be to our profit to do so) would require more than human wisdom. For the holy man is also the humble man and the humble man will not advertise himself nor allow others to do it for him.
Spiritual virtues run deep and silent.
Like the tide or the pull of gravitation or the shining of the sun, they work without noise, but their gracious ministrations are felt around the whole earth. The Christian who is zealous to promote the cause of Christ can begin by living in the power of the Spirit and so reproducing the life of Christ in the sight of men. In deep humility and without ostentation he can let his light shine. The world may pretend not to see, but it will see, nevertheless, and more than likely it will get into serious trouble with its conscience over what it sees.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The Problem of Human Greatness - Human greatness is not measured by popularity polls - The greatest man is the best man alive
- II points: - The Virtue of Humility - The holy man is also the humble man - Humility works without noise
- III points: - Living in the Power of the Spirit - Reproducing the life of Christ in the sight of men - Letting one's light shine without ostentation
Key Quotes
“The holy man is also the humble man and the humble man will not advertise himself nor allow others to do it for him.” — A.W. Tozer
“The greatest man alive today is the best man alive today. That is not open to debate.” — A.W. Tozer
“Spiritual virtues run deep and silent. Like the tide or the pull of gravitation or the shining of the sun, they work without noise, but their gracious ministrations are felt around the whole earth.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- You can promote the cause of Christ by living in the power of the Spirit and reproducing the life of Christ in the sight of men.
- True greatness is characterized by humility and a life lived in the power of the Spirit.
- You can let your light shine in deep humility and without drawing attention to yourself.