Lost but Not Abandoned
A.W. Tozer's sermon emphasizes that while humanity is lost in sin, God has not abandoned us, as evidenced by the coming of Christ.
The preacher delves into the Greek word 'phrisso,' which signifies the trembling and shuddering of unholy demons in the presence of a holy God, emphasizing the intense fear and horror they experience. The sermon highlights that mere knowledge about God is not enough for salvation, as even the demons believe in God and shudder, but their faith does not bring them peace or salvation. The preacher explains that true saving faith is evidenced by works of righteousness, emphasizing that faith without works is useless and ineffective.
Text
. . . The Advent established:. . .
Third, God indeed spoke by the prophets. The priests and scribes who were versed in the Scriptures could inform the troubled Herod that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem of Judaea. And thereafter the Old Testament came alive in Christ. It was as if Moses and David and Isaiah and Jeremiah and all the minor prophets hovered around Him, guiding His footsteps into the way of the prophetic Scriptures.
So difficult was the Old Testament gamut the Messiah must run to validate His claims that the possibility of anyone's being able to do it seemed utterly remote; yet Jesus did it, as a comparison of the Old Testament with the New will demonstrate. His coming confirmed the veracity of the Old Testament Scriptures, even as those Scriptures confirmed the soundness of His own claims.
Fourth, man is lost but not abandoned. The coming of Christ to the world tells us both of these things.
Had men not been lost no Savior would have been required. Had they been abandoned no Savior would have come. But He came, and it is now established that God has a concern for men. Though we have sinned away every shred of merit, still He has not forsaken us. ''For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.''
Sermon Outline
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I
- The significance of the Advent
- The role of prophets in Christ's coming
- The validation of Old Testament Scriptures
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II
- The challenge of the Messiah's fulfillment
- Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy
- Comparison of Old and New Testament
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III
- The state of man: lost but not abandoned
- The necessity of a Savior
- God's enduring concern for humanity
Key Quotes
“Had men not been lost no Savior would have been required.” — A.W. Tozer
“Had they been abandoned no Savior would have come.” — A.W. Tozer
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize that despite our shortcomings, God has not forsaken us.
- Understand the importance of the Scriptures in revealing Christ's mission.
- Embrace the hope that comes from knowing we are sought after by our Savior.