Remembering the Forgotten
We must prioritize our service to the poor and seek to be like Jesus in our devotion to them, rather than seeking wealth and influence.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the danger of churches that, after starting with humble beginnings, become ensnared by wealth and social status, leading to a neglect of the poor and marginalized. He warns that as congregations grow, they may become complacent and hardened, focusing on their own class while ignoring the cries of the less fortunate. Tozer calls for humility and a return to serving those who are often forgotten, urging believers to emulate Jesus in their compassion for the needy. He challenges the church to resist the temptation of elitism and to remember the heart-hunger of the impoverished. Ultimately, he encourages a commitment to serve God's poor, reflecting Christ's love and humility.
Text
Gospel churches which mostly begin with the lowly are usually not content till they attain some degree of wealth and social acceptance. Then they gradually fall into classes, determined largely by the wealth and education of the members. The individuals that comprise the top layer of these various classes go on to become pillars of the religious society and are soon entrenched in places of leadership and influence. It is then that their great temptation comes upon them, the temptation to cater to their own class and to neglect the poor and the ignorant that make up the swarming population around them. They soon become hardened to every appeal of the Holy Spirit toward meekness and humility. Their homes are spotless, their clothes the most expensive, their friends the most exclusive.
Apart from some tremendous moral upheaval, they are beyond help. And yet they may be among the most vocal exponents of Bible Christianity and heavy givers to the cause of the church.
Let us not become indignant at this blunt portrayal of facts. Let us rather humble ourselves to serve God's poor. Let us seek to be like Jesus in our devotion to the forgotten of the earth who have nothing to recommend them but their poverty and their heart-hunger and their tears.
Sermon Outline
- The Danger of Social Acceptance
- The Temptation to Neglect the Poor
- The Importance of Humility and Service
- We must humble ourselves to serve God's poor
- We should seek to be like Jesus in our devotion to the forgotten
Key Quotes
“Apart from some tremendous moral upheaval, they are beyond help.” — A.W. Tozer
“Let us seek to be like Jesus in our devotion to the forgotten of the earth who have nothing to recommend them but their poverty and their heart-hunger and their tears.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must humble ourselves to serve God's poor and seek to be like Jesus in our devotion to them.
- We should prioritize our service to the poor over our desire for social acceptance and wealth.
- We risk becoming hardened to the Holy Spirit and losing our sense of compassion and service to those in need if we become too focused on our own interests.