Determined Implementation of Change
By narrowing your interests, beginning to witness, and having faith in God, you can experience a spiritual revival in your own heart and potentially spread it to others.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of focused commitment in the Christian life, urging believers to narrow their interests to deepen their relationship with Christ. He encourages Christians to actively witness and serve, highlighting that true fulfillment comes from obedience and humility rather than seeking leadership. Tozer reassures that faith in God and an expectation of His support will lead to personal revival, which can ultimately inspire a broader spiritual awakening within the church. By opening their hearts to Christ and closing them to worldly distractions, believers can experience a richer, more meaningful life.
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. . . Well, here are some suggestions which anyone can follow and which, I am convinced, will result in a wonderfully improved Christian life. . . .
8. Deliberately narrow your interests. The jack-of-all-trades is the master of none. The Christian life requires that we be specialists. Too many projects use up time and energy without bringing us nearer to God.
If you will narrow your interests, God will enlarge your heart. "Jesus only" seems to the unconverted man to be the motto of death, but a great company of happy men and women can testify that it became to them a way into a world infinitely wider and richer than anything they had ever known before. Christ is the essence of all wisdom, beauty and virtue. To know Him in growing intimacy is to increase in appreciation of all things good and beautiful. The mansions of the heart will become larger when their doors are thrown open to Christ and closed against the world and sin. Try it.
9. Begin to witness. Find something to do for God and your fellow men. Refuse to rust out. Make yourself available to your pastor and do anything you are asked to do. Do not insist upon a place of leadership. Learn to obey. Take the low place until such time as God sees fit to set you in a higher one. Back your new intentions with your money and your gifts, such as they are.
10. Have faith in God. Begin to expect. Look up toward the throne where your Advocate sits at the right hand of God. All heaven is on your side. God will not disappoint you.
If you will follow these suggestions you will most surely experience revival in your own heart. And who can tell how far it may spread? God knows how desperately the church needs a spiritual resurrection. And it can only come through the revived individual.
Sermon Outline
- Deliberately Narrow Your Interests
- Narrowing Your Interests Will Enlarge Your Heart
- Begin to Witness and Make Yourself Available
- Have Faith in God and Expect Revival
- Look up toward the throne where your Advocate sits at the right hand of God
- All heaven is on your side and God will not disappoint you
Key Quotes
“If you will narrow your interests, God will enlarge your heart.” — A.W. Tozer
“Jesus only' seems to the unconverted man to be the motto of death, but a great company of happy men and women can testify that it became to them a way into a world infinitely wider and richer than anything they had ever known before.” — A.W. Tozer
“If you will follow these suggestions you will most surely experience revival in your own heart.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Be intentional about your time and energy, and focus on a few key areas in your Christian life.
- Make yourself available to your pastor and the church, and be willing to serve in any way you can.
- Trust in God's goodness and power, and expect that He will work in your life and in the lives of those around you.