Wednesday 04/27/16
Series: The Pursuit of God
Message – Chapter 7 – The Gaze of the Soul I
{The audio is divided into two sections. The 1st is where we read through part of the chapter and divide into groups for discussion. The 2nd is when we come back together as and share from our groups.}
For Discussion
- As Tozer said, “High up on the list of the things which the Bible teaches will be the doctrine of faith”.
While we know that faith is not the ONLY thing that pleases God, we know for certain what without faith it is impossible TO please Him.
The scriptures tell us,
“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” ~ Rev. 4:11
The word “will” is not quite accurate; it actually means that the creation is the result of His will. Meaning all that exists is an expression of His pleasure and for Him it creates joy.
So, naturally, if the creation exists for His pleasure and joy, then it is to be expected that if trust in God pleases Him, then it is going to be a primary doctrine in the scriptures.
Faith towards God is talked about and illustrated all the way through the Bible. This is true even when we do not actually see it mentioned specifically. Tozer mentions this when he said, “Outside of a brief definition offered in Hebrews 11, I know of no other biblical definition of faith and even there it is described functionally, not philosophically. The Bible assumes the presence of faith and shows what it results in, rather than what it is.” (paraphrased)
Here are two examples…
In Gen. 4:3-4, we see that Abel offered an offering to God which He looked on with approval – in other words it pleased God. THIS is an example of Faith.
In Gen. 5:21-24, we see that following the birth of Enoch’s first son he walked with God for 300 years, afterwards God simply took him home to be with Him. THIS is an example of faith.
If you read these passages, the word faith does not even appear….neither does trust or even confidence in God, but their actions coupled together with God’s response reveal its presence. There was FAITH.
To drive this point home, read Hebrew 11: 1-6.
Now, discuss faith…
• Using terms other than the familiar ones you have been taught – describe what Faith is.
• How would one recognize faith when they see it?
• Why is faith such a foundational doctrine in the scriptures?
• Why is it that faith pleases God?
• Why is faith the means of obtaining a good testimony (witness)?
• What is this testimony, a testimony (witness) to? (…”by faith they obtained a good testimony”)
- We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. In this church we have come to know this on relational grounds. It is not enough to look in the scriptures, the scriptures are to bring us to God from Whom we hear words which result in trust.
Tozer uses a terrific example of faith which both further defines it and illustrates it relationally. He offers the example of Israel looking at the bronze serpent on the pole (similar to our pharmaceutical sign) and how Jesus used this as an example of belief. Jesus draws a direct line connecting “looking” with “believing”.
That belief can come from seeing is clear do to Thomas’ faith resulting from his seeking Jesus alive. However, there are other eyes we can see with, from which faith with a blessing comes. It is with these eyes that Jesus tells us to “look” and “believe”.
Read the following passages and then discuss what it means that “looking” and “believing” are equated as one and the same by the Lord.
• Psalm 34:5
• Psalm 123:1-2
• Matt. 14:19
• John 5:19-21
- Tozer ends this section with this statement, “… ‘looking unto Jesus the Author and Developer of our faith.’ From all this we learn that faith is not a once-done act, but a continuous gaze of the heart at the Triune God.”
What does this mean?
Offer examples. (ONLY If you get stumped here read – Col. 1:21-23)
This is where we ended our discussions on chapter 6 , The Speaking Voice of A.W. Tozer’s book, The Pursuit of God. We will most likely be teaching a lesson By Request next Wednesday…Blessings!
I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
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Blessings!