We Were Outcasts, Too
We are called to believe God's Word, obey God's Truth, and practice Christian virtues in the power of the Holy Spirit, just as our Lord and Savior loves the sinner.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the Christian responsibility to believe and obey God's Word, urging believers to practice virtues through the Holy Spirit as they await Christ's return. He reflects on the crucifixion of Jesus, noting that despite the evil actions of men, they could not change His divine nature or His love for humanity. Tozer reminds us that Jesus has always loved the outcast, and we should rejoice in this truth, as we too were once outcasts, separated from God due to sin. He calls for a return to the gospel records to understand the depth of Christ's love and the significance of our redemption.
Text
We confess, do we not, that we have a Christian responsibility to believe God's Word and to obey God's Truth? Then we should accept the fact that it is our task to practice the Christian virtues in the power of the Holy Spirit as we await the coming of Him who will come. The great spiritual needs around us should drive us back to the gospel records of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus. When evil men crucified Jesus, killed Him, they had no power to change Him. They could not alter the Person or the personality of the Son of God. Putting Him on the cross did not drain away any of His divine affection for a lost race.
The best thing we know about our Lord and Savior is that He loves the sinner.
He has always loved the outcast-and for that we should be glad, for we, too, were once outcasts! We are descended from that first man and woman who failed God and disobeyed. They were cast out of the garden, and God set in place a flaming sword to keep them from returning!
Sermon Outline
- The Christian Responsibility to Believe and Obey
- The Power of the Holy Spirit
- The Gospel Records of Jesus' Life and Ministry
- Believe God's Word
- Obey God's Truth
- Awaiting the Coming of Jesus
- Practicing Christian Virtues
- The Great Spiritual Needs Around Us
- The Love of Jesus for the Sinner
Key Quotes
“When evil men crucified Jesus, killed Him, they had no power to change Him.” — A.W. Tozer
“He has always loved the outcast-and for that we should be glad, for we, too, were once outcasts!” — A.W. Tozer
“They were cast out of the garden, and God set in place a flaming sword to keep them from returning!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should seek to practice Christian virtues in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- We should look to the gospel records of Jesus' life and ministry for guidance and inspiration.
- We should be grateful for the love of Jesus for the sinner and recognize our own status as outcasts.