Knowing God
The supreme goal of human existence is to know God, and the Church must remain pure in its devotion to Him.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that the ultimate purpose of human existence is to know God and Jesus Christ, as highlighted in Scripture. He argues that the Church's primary focus should be on God, warning against distractions from noble pursuits that can lead her astray. Tozer asserts that while various activities may be beneficial, they should never replace the Church's devotion to God, as they are mere substitutes for true glory. The sermon calls for a return to prioritizing a deep, personal relationship with God above all else.
Text
Our Lord, in defining eternal life, summed up the supreme goal of human existence: That they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. And Paul revealed the one overpowering interest of his life when he wrote That I may know him. The business of the Church is God. She is purest when most engaged with God and she is astray just so far as she follows other interests, no matter how religious or humanitarian they may be.
There are a thousand useful, even noble, pursuits in which the Church may engage and which may bring her the plaudits of the world but which are nevertheless unworthy of her utter devotion.
Such are social activities for their own sake, philosophical pursuits divorced from Him in whom all wisdom and knowledge is hidden away, art, music, education, travel, to name a mere few. As these things come to the Christian in his pursuit of God they may have a proper and useful place in his life; but when they are chosen as ends to be followed they are and can only be cheap substitutes for the glory that excelleth.
Sermon Outline
- The Supreme Goal of Human Existence
- The Dangers of Following Other Interests
- Social Activities
- Philosophical Pursuits
- Art, Music, Education, and Travel
Key Quotes
“That they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” — A.W. Tozer
“That I may know him.” — A.W. Tozer
“The business of the Church is God.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Prioritize knowing God above all other pursuits and interests.
- Be aware of when worldly pursuits are becoming cheap substitutes for a deeper relationship with God.
- Seek to redeem worldly pursuits by choosing them as means to know God.