Joy and Wonder
The sermon emphasizes the importance of regaining the sense of wonder and awe in our lives, particularly in our worship of God.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the tragic loss of wonder in the lives of men and women, who now prioritize utility over beauty and majesty. He laments that even sacred occasions like Christmas have been reduced to mere transactions, devoid of the awe that once characterized the experience of God's creation. Tozer reflects on how children embody this sense of wonder, particularly during Christmas, reminding us that worship itself is rooted in wonder. He calls believers to reclaim the ability to see God in everything around them, as every aspect of creation is infused with divine beauty. Ultimately, Tozer urges a return to a heart of worship that recognizes and celebrates the wonder of God.
Text
It is tragic that men and women everywhere are losing the sense of wonder, confessing now only one interest in life-and that is utility! Even Christmas Day has been degraded. We ignore the beautiful and the majestic, asking only "How can I use it? How much profit will it bring?" The believing children of God once upon a time saw God in everything. They were enraptured with everything before them. There was no common hill-they were all the hills of God! There was no common cloud-they were the chariots of God! They saw God in everything: in our day we never look up in happy surprise!
But let me tell you that it has been a never-failing delight throughout my years to watch little children on Christmas morning.
The gifts may be humble, but the child's burst of spontaneous delight and wonder is genuine and rewarding. That incredulous look in the child's face - everything is full of wonder and beauty! Sad, indeed, for adults to lose the wonder in worship - for worship is wonder and wonder is worship!
Sermon Outline
- The Loss of Wonder
- The Beauty of Wonder
- The Importance of Wonder in Worship
- Worship is wonder and wonder is worship
- Adults should not lose the wonder in worship
Key Quotes
“They saw God in everything: in our day we never look up in happy surprise!” — A.W. Tozer
“That incredulous look in the child's face - everything is full of wonder and beauty!” — A.W. Tozer
“Worship is wonder and wonder is worship!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should strive to see the beauty and majesty of God in everything around us.
- Our worship should be filled with a sense of awe and amazement at the beauty and majesty of God.
- We can regain the sense of wonder by looking at the world around us with fresh eyes.