Testing Leaders
We owe gratitude to God-ordained leaders and must avoid both ungratefulness and over-dependence on them.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the dual debt Christians owe: a common debt to all fellow believers and a heavier debt to specific individuals such as Bible scholars, translators, and spiritual leaders. He urges gratitude through constant prayer for these figures who contribute to our faith journey. However, Tozer warns against excessive dependence on human leaders, asserting that while we must rely on the Scriptures for divine truth, no other individual should wield such authority over us. This balance of gratitude and independence is crucial for spiritual growth.
Text
There is a common debt that every Christian owes to his fellow Christians; but there is a heavier debt that he owes to particular Christians: to Bible scholars, to translators, to reformers, missionaries, evangelists, revivalists, hymn writers, composers, pastors, teachers and praying saints. For these we should keep the incense of our grateful prayers rising day and night to the Father of light who is the source and fountain of all our blessings.
If it is a sin of omission to be ungrateful toward our God-ordained leaders and benefactors it is as surely a sin to be too dependent upon them. Those men who were honored of God to write down the words of the inspired Scriptures hold a unique position in the providence of God and we except them from what follows.
We are completely dependent upon the Scriptures for divine truth and in that sense we must follow the words of the inspired writers without question. But no other man holds such a power over us.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The Debt We Owe to God-Ordained Leaders - The Debt We Owe to Bible Scholars and Translators
- II points: - 'The Sin of Omission: Ungratefulness Toward Leaders' - 'The Sin of Excess: Over-Dependence on Leaders'
- III points: - The Unique Position of Scripture in Our Lives - Following Scripture Without Question
Key Quotes
“If it is a sin of omission to be ungrateful toward our God-ordained leaders and benefactors it is as surely a sin to be too dependent upon them.” — A.W. Tozer
“Those men who were honored of God to write down the words of the inspired Scriptures hold a unique position in the providence of God and we except them from what follows.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should regularly express gratitude to God-ordained leaders for their work and blessings.
- We must avoid becoming too dependent on our leaders and instead cultivate dependence on God.
- We should follow the words of the inspired Scriptures without question, as they hold a unique position in our lives.