'Toward the Mark'
Christian believers must look forward in faith, not back at their past or within themselves, to make progress with God.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of focusing on God's faithfulness rather than dwelling on past failures, which is a tactic of the enemy to discourage believers. He reminds us that we are never beyond the reach of God's love and that true progress in our spiritual journey requires looking forward in faith. Tozer reassures that God is always ready to forgive and restore, urging believers to recognize their worth through Christ's sacrifice. The sermon encourages Christians to embrace their identity in Christ and to trust in God's goodness, which surpasses our understanding.
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It is one of the devil's oldest tricks to discourage Christian believers by causing them to look back at what they once were. It is indeed the enemy of our souls who makes us forget that we are never at the end of God's love. No one will make progress with God until the eyes are lifted to the faithfulness of God and we stop looking at ourselves! Our instructions in the New Testament all add up to the necessity of looking forward in faith-and not spending our time looking back or just looking within. Brethren, our Lord is more than able to take care of our past. He pardons instantly and forgives completely, and his blood makes us worthy!
The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.
If the "root of the matter" is in you and you are born again, God is prepared to start with you where you are!
Sermon Outline
- The Devil's Trick
- The Enemy of Our Souls
- The Necessity of Looking Forward
- God's Faithfulness
- Our Lord is able to take care of our past
- Pardons instantly and forgives completely
Key Quotes
“No one will make progress with God until the eyes are lifted to the faithfulness of God and we stop looking at ourselves!” — A.W. Tozer
“Our Lord is more than able to take care of our past.” — A.W. Tozer
“The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must stop looking at ourselves and instead lift our eyes to the faithfulness of God.
- God is more than able to take care of our past and pardon us instantly.
- We must look forward in faith, not back or within, to make progress with God.