THE PURSUIT OF GOD A.W. TOZER. Chapter Two: The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing

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1 THE PURSUIT OF GOD A.W. TOZER Chapter Two: The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing

2 Introduction Why have we failed to find our full pleasure, delight and satisfaction in God?

3 1. Problems with a possessive heart 2. Finding your treasure in One 3. The Blessings

4 Problems with a Possessive Heart American Dream Jesus Dream We have forced God out of His central shrine We ve allowed THINGS to enter

5 Luke 12:15 And he said to them, take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

6 Problems with a Possessive Heart Thus the roots of our hearts have grown down into THINGS Casual dealings will not suffice

7 If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. - C.S. Lewis

8 Finding Your Treasure in One Put away all defense Frank and open relations with God

9 Luke 18: To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: God, I thank you that I am not like other people robbers, evildoers, adulterers or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 14 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

10 Finding Your Treasure in One Soul Poverty Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

11 Finding Your Treasure in One The extraction The ancient curse will not go out painlessly; the tough old miser within us will not lie down and die obedient to our command. He must be torn out of our heart like a plant from the soil; he must be extracted in agony and blood like a tooth from the jaw. He must be expelled from our soul by violence as Christ expelled the money changers from the temple. And we shall need to steel ourselves against his piteous begging, and to recognize it as springing out of self-pity, one of the most reprehensible sins of the human heart. If we would indeed know God in growing intimacy we must go this way of renunciation - A.W. Tozer

12 Finding Your Treasure in One Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for me will save it. Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

13 Finding Your Treasure in One Seek Him First Matthew 6:33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

14 The Blessings Free from the burden of things Competition Uncertainty Risk Pressure Worry Temporary in nature

15 The Blessings Owned by God Ephesians 1:18-19 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

16 The Blessings 1Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. John 14:1-3 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

17 The Blessings Romans 8:28 and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Philippians 4: I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

18 Conclusion Vow to never own anything Extract things that don t belong in His shrine Relish in the truth that God is all you need Be ready for anything!