Unclean by Comparison
The sermon highlights the importance of humility in the presence of God's glory, as exemplified by John's reaction to Jesus' revelation on Patmos.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the profound impact of encountering the living God, illustrating how such revelations evoke feelings of terror and amazement, leading individuals to recognize their own guilt and uncleanness in comparison to His holiness. He reflects on the Apostle John's experience in Revelation, where John's humility and fear in the presence of the glorified Lord Jesus highlight the natural human response to divine strength. Tozer reassures that this sense of unworthiness is not met with condemnation but with compassion, as Jesus comforts John, reminding him of His eternal life and authority. The sermon calls for believers to embrace the humility that comes from experiencing God's manifest presence, which leads to a deeper understanding of His grace and mercy.
Text
In the Old Testament, whenever the living God revealed Himself in some way to humankind, terror and amazement were the reactions. People saw themselves as guilty and unclean by comparison! In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John describes the overwhelming nature of his encounter with the Lord of glory. Although a believer and an apostle, John sank down in abject humility and fear when the risen, glorified Lord Jesus appeared before him on Patmos. Our glorified Lord did not condemn John. He knew that John's weakness was the reaction to revealed divine strength. He knew that John's sense of unworthiness was the instant reaction to absolute holiness.
Along with John, every redeemed human being needs the humility of spirit that can only be brought about by the manifest Presence of God.
Jesus at once reassured John, stooping to place a nail-pierced hand on the prostrate apostle, and saying: "Do not be afraid. I am the Living One. I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and hades."
Sermon Outline
- The Reaction to God's Revelation
- The Example of John's Encounter
- The Need for Humility in the Presence of God
- The instant reaction to absolute holiness
- The manifest Presence of God as the source of humility
Key Quotes
“People saw themselves as guilty and unclean by comparison!” — A.W. Tozer
“I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and hades.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize your own weakness and guilt in the presence of God's glory.
- Respond to God's revelation with humility and a sense of awe.
- Trust in Jesus' power and authority over death and hades.