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  THE ETERNAL SPIRIT
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: The church has declined because it has become reliant on
unscriptural methods and means, and has forgotten the power of the Holy
Spirit.

Topics: "The Holy Spirit", "Dependence On God"
Scripture References: John 14:26, Acts 1:8, Romans 8:26

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit in the life of
the Church, arguing that reliance on methods and equipment has
overshadowed the true power that comes from the Eternal Spirit. He
critiques the modern church's dependence on various attractions and
programs, suggesting that these have become a substitute for the genuine
presence of God. Tozer calls for a return to the basics of faith, where
the Holy Spirit is the central focus, rather than the distractions that
often accompany church activities. He reminds believers that true
effectiveness in ministry comes not from human methods but from the
empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

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CONTENT
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But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and
you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth. --Acts 1:8

You know, the Church started out with a Bible, then it got a hymnbook,
and for years that was it--a Bible and a hymnbook. The average church
now certainly wouldn't be able to operate on just a hymnbook and the
Bible. Now we have to have all kinds of truck. A lot of people couldn't
serve God at all without at least a vanload of equipment to keep them
happy.

Some of these attractions that we have to win people and keep them
coming may be fine or they may be cheap. They may be elevated or they
may be degrading. They may be artistic or they may be coarse-- it all
depends upon who is running the show! But the Holy Spirit is not the
center of attraction, and the Lord is not the one who is in charge. We
bring in all sorts of antiscriptural and unscriptural claptrap to keep
the people happy and keep them coming.

As I see it, the great woe is not the presence of these religious toys
and trifles--but the fact that they have become a necessity, and the
presence of the Eternal Spirit is not in our midst! The Counselor, 41.

"Lord, we've been taught good methods in Seminary; we've emphasized the
need to be technologically up-to-date to reach our generation. As I do
indeed commit myself to excellence in reaching people for Christ, help
me to remember that the power is not in the methods or the means, but in
the Person of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/the-eternal-spirit/
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