Click on the links to navigate through this page. Background Chapters One thru Three Chapters Four thru Eight Chapters Nine thru Thirteen Chapters Fourteen thru Eighteen Chapters Nineteen thru Twenty-One Chapters Twenty-Two Thru Twenty-Five Chapters Twenty-Six Thru Thirty Chapters Thirty-One thru Thirty-Four Chapters Thirty-Five thru Thirty-Nine Chapters Forty thru Forty-One Hi Ladies. We’re going to begin another book study, this time with The Warfare of the Spirit by A.W. Tozer. We’re going to be sharing our thoughts through e-mail, like we did with Life Wide Open, but we’re also going to meet once a month to discuss our thoughts and have some fellowship. I’ll be leading the book study, and also posting the e-mails on the church website. I would like to go through one or two chapters a week. The chapters in this book are quite small, and there’s 41 of them. At the monthly meetings, I’d like to review the 4 or 5 chapters that we’ve already done that month. We’ll start this week (January 28) by reading chapter one. Next week (February 4) we’ll read chapters two and three. On February 11, we’ll meet at church, bring our lunches with us and discuss the three chapters. I’ll send e-mails out with my thoughts on the chapters each week and I encourage you to use "reply all" and share your thoughts too. Feel free to share any Bible verses that come to mind as you read these chapters. This book is a collection of editorials by Tozer, so the chapters are not necessarily related to each other. May God bless us and challenge as we go through this book. P.S. Some of the ladies will be joining us only by e-mail, and others will be joining us only at the monthly meetings. I hope that most of you will be able to join us in both venues. Background Background Chapters One thru Three Chapters Four thru Eight Chapters Nine thru Thirteen Chapters Fourteen thru Eighteen Chapters Nineteen thru Twenty-One Chapters Twenty-Two Thru Twenty-Five Chapters Twenty-Six Thru Thirty Chapters Thirty-One thru Thirty-Four Chapters Thirty-Five thru Thirty-Nine Chapters Forty thru Forty-One I thought it would help to have some background on AW Tozer and this book. I've listed some milestones of his life. If you'd like to read more, you can click on this link: http://eastwallingfordbaptist.com/a_w_tozer.htm AW Tozer was born in La Jose (now Newburg), a tiny farming community in western Pennsylvania April 21, 1897. When he was 15 years old, Tozer's family moved to Akron, Ohio. One afternoon, at age 17, as he walked home from his job at Goodyear, he overheard a street preacher say, "If you don't know how to be saved . . . just call on God." When he got home, he climbed the narrow stairs to the attic where, heeding the preacher's advice, Tozer was launched into a lifelong pursuit of God. In 1919, without formal education, Tozer was called to pastor a small storefront church in Nutter Fort, West Virginia. This began forty four years of ministry, associated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). His wife was Ada Cecelia Pfautz. He had 6 boys and 1 girl. Tozer also served as pastor for thirty years at Southside Alliance Church in Chicago (1928 to 1959) In 1950 Tozer was elected editor of the Alliance Weekly now called Alliance Life. The circulation doubled almost immediately. His final church was Avenue Road Church in Toronto, Canada. On May 12, 1963, his earthly pursuit of God ended when he died of a heart attack at age 66. The chapters of this book were originally published as editorials in Alliance Life magazine. You can access past issues at this page: http://www.alliancelife.org/archives.php Chapter One Background Chapters One thru Three Chapters Four thru Eight Chapters Nine thru Thirteen Chapters Fourteen thru Eighteen Chapters Nineteen thru Twenty-One Chapters Twenty-Two Thru Twenty-Five Chapters Twenty-Six Thru Thirty Chapters Thirty-One thru Thirty-Four Chapters Thirty-Five thru Thirty-Nine Chapters Forty thru Forty-One This chapter is an indictment on Christians in America today, as I'm sure is was in 1954 when this editorial was first published. Does the world see enough of Jesus in us to hate us as it hated Him when He was on earth? Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:22: "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." I agree with Tozer that too often our faith is met with boredom and toleration, rather than "that strange feeling of antagonism which rises within them" (page 4). How can we be different enough from the World, so that they see Christ in us? The Jesus that the World hates is also the same Jesus that draws men to God (John 12:32). Ephesians 6:12 tells us: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We know from this verse that we're somewhere in the battle. Are we on the front line, way in the back, or deep in enemy territory? (Lisa) The last paragraph in chapter 1 talks about the fact that most people don't care what we believe, but it goes on to say that they "will never forgive us-the presence of God's Spirit in our hearts". That stopped me in my tracks as I thought about this. All I can say is that I have witnessed "that strange feeling of antagonism which rises within them" that Tozer makes reference to. I just didn't recognize it as spiritual warfare. That was the "aha" for me! Blessings, (Sue) I also agreed with Tozer. As I read this chapter, I thought of Jesus' words in John 15:18-27: "'When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? 'A servant is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you! The people of the world will hate you because you belong to me, for they don't know God who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me hates my Father, too. If I hadn't done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be counted guilty. But as it is, they saw all that I did and yet hated both of us-me and my Father. This has fulfilled what the Scriptures said: 'They hated me without cause.'"But I will send you the Counselor-the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me. And you must also tell others about me because you have been with me from the beginning.'" We, as God's children, need to put on the armor of God as we live as His disciples in this world. The Lord commands us to share the Gospel, and He doesn't promise that people will listen, or enjoy it. It is a hard, and lots of times discouraging, battle, but the Lord promises to be with us. Because Jesus went and spoke to the people--regardless of the persecution He received, the people heard the truth and now they are without excuse! It is the "presence of God's Spirit in our hearts" (pg 4) that will also draw those that are seeking to fill the emptiness in our lives. I appreciate Lisa's thoughts along with Eph 6:12, "We know from this verse that we're somewhere in the battle. Are we on the front line, way in the back, or deep in enemy territory?" (Sandra) Yes, it is as the last paragraph states in chapter 1~ "It is the Spirit of Christ in us that will draw Satan's fire.The people of the world will not much care what we believe and they will stare vacantly at our religious forms, but there is one thing they will never forgive us-the presence of God's Spirit in our hearts. They may not know the cause.... This is my short fall. I am too silent in my verbal witness and do not confess the reason for the difference in my life. This does cause "tears and hours of prayerful self-examination." as stated in the previous paragraph. Thoughtfully and prayerfully, (Linda S.) Hi everyone! Isn't this idea of inciting antagonism a switch. It is for me since I, too, dislike conflict. After reading this chapter and being reminded of Jesus' words in John 15:19, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. . .", I realize in a greater way that I should actually desire to be hated by this world. Actually, as a whole, I think Christians are becoming more hated by the world as our culture sinks more and more into sin. We need to pray and strive that this is caused by our becoming more like Christ. (Gayle) I know we are doing Chapter 1, but I liked what it said in the forward - At Sunday dinner the children of Tozer were invited to comment on the sermon and no matter how half baked their comments, they were listened to and discussed as though they were important. I know as a Christian I sometimes just want someone to get the point, I don't always take the time to understand what they are saying. I must learn to listen more to others and no matter what they say, make them feel that their opinions are important too, even if they are wrong about God and Jesus. Being right does not make people listen. Now on to Chapter 1 It is a great reproach to us as Christians that we excite in the hearts of the unbelieving masses little more than plain boredom. There is one thing they will never forgive us - the presence of God's spirit in our hearts. I know these feelings all too well where I work. There are people who really like me and many who don't. I heard them talking one time about me being happy all the time ( the don'ts ). They decided it was just mind over matter. They don't like that I won't gossip and they certainly don't want to discuss what I do at chuch or anything related to church. When I do talk to them, I know they find my conversations boring, since I discuss life and not people. I usually feel like an outsider and I guess I am. When I was a drug addict I fit in the world so well. I had dozens of friends and everyone enjoyed my company. When I became a Christian, I stopped fitting in and my friends became few. BUT This chapter has shown me that it is not the people who dislike me, but the spirit of God in me that they dislike. I no longer am part of this world, I have a future to look forward too and the ( don'ts ) do not understand that. BUT I do. I just hope I can make a difference in their thinking or at least make them stop and think about it sometime. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. (Linda K.) Hi Everyone. I am reading another book by Tozer now. He has such depth of insight. Doesn't matter what year these truths were written, they still apply today. I was very convicted by the forward. The descriptions of Mrs. Tozer had me wondering if I ever was that kind of mother and wife: Her "counsel and self-sacrifice and her help and encouragement were essential to his (her husband's) work." All husbands can use encouragement, not just pastors. And as a mother, she had a sweet disposition and bright smile, she was hospitable, and showed love and friendliness to all around her. Yikes! Do I miss the boat or what? It is just very helpful to me to read books like this, to help encourage me in my Christian walk. I pray that "the Spirit of Christ in me" will be noticeable to those around me, starting with my family. (Heather) Chapters Two and Three Background Chapters One thru Three Chapters Four thru Eight Chapters Nine thru Thirteen Chapters Fourteen thru Eighteen Chapters Nineteen thru Twenty-One Chapters Twenty-Two Thru Twenty-Five Chapters Twenty-Six Thru Thirty Chapters Thirty-One thru Thirty-Four Chapters Thirty-Five thru Thirty-Nine Chapters Forty thru Forty-One Chapters 2 & 3 – The Money Question Needs Prayerful Restudy, Parts I & II These editorials were originally published in June of 1957. How do we think about money and the Church? On one hand, we want to be good stewards of what God gives us. On the other hand, we want to do the Lord’s work, and step out in faith. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) shows that we need to be ready to take some risk in order to be profitable in the Lord’s work, and ready to hand it all back to Him when He asks for it. With regards to Tozer’s comments on page 8, Bill and I were in an Evangelical Free church about 16 years ago where the new Pastor decided that they were going to court a “higher clientele” for the church. After we left the church, they moved to a better section of town, and I’m sure they got what they were looking for. Now, are they still proclaiming the gospel? Perhaps, but the whole experience left a pretty bad taste in our mouths. It’s important to look to God and determine what He wants us to do. It’s hard when we see what He wants us to do, but we wonder how we’re going to pay for it. God knows the end from the beginning, and He knows how He’s going to supply our needs. It’s also important for us to separate God’s will for us, and our will for us. I’ve seen God miraculously supply my needs when I’m in His will, and let me totally fail when I’m going my own way. I think that we as a church are doing pretty well in this matter, but it’s always good to be on guard. We can also look to churches in the countries where Christianity is a minority for inspiration. There, the Gospel is going forth in a truly miraculous way! On page 6, Tozer makes this comment: “We have comingled the teaching of Christ with the teachings of Benjamin Franklin and the dollar-sign philosophers which America has producted in such abundance, and Christ’s teachings have lost their meaning for us.” Here’s a list of quotes, some from the Bible, some from Benjamin Franklin. Can you determine which are which? 1. Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants. 2. He does not possess wealth; it possesses him. 3. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 4. A penny saved is a penny earned. 5. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 6. He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money. 7. Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. 8. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me. 9. Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it. (Lisa) Chapter 2 One thought that really was illuminated to me more clearly is (p.6 first paragraph) "One truth we may learn from our Lord's life as well as from His doctrine is that earthly riches cannot procure human happiness. ...It is hard for a rich church to understand that her Lord was a poor man." This really impressed me and I have had occasion to quote it to other believers and by both my and their response~it seems we too much forget that important fact. It seems even devout Christians are on a quest for more money and wealth the same as unchristians. We easily forget that God invaded our planet earth and never accumulated much in the way of material goods. Another comment I wrote at the end of chapter 2 is that it seems to me that most churches today are driven by the culture rather than the Spirit of Christ. I have even read about "Christian businesses" who advertise "we will help your church raise the necessary funds to build your church". It seems like always more and always bigger is the quest as well as not depending on the Spirit of Christ, but rather on the business practices of the culture. Chapter 3 My focus must be MORE on how God cares for the birds and the lilies. It was quite interesting to read on p.10 that a look into history reveals that the true church has almost always suffered more from prosperity than poverty ....with wealth came weakness and backsliding. P. 10 also mentions that "we have allowed ourselves to get entangled in unscriptural methods of church financing. And I do agree that the tendency is to attach to money an importance that is far greater than is biblically sound or morally right. It is true that with some churches "God could withdraw Himself completely from it and it could run on for years on its own momentum." It reminds me of Samson in Judges 16:20 b "he wist not that the LORD was departed from him." We must "detect this trend before it is too late" (p.12). (Linda S) Chs. 2 & 3 Wow - that was quite stinging, but true. Individually and collectively, finances seem to be such a huge part of our thoughts, culture, life, everything. I certainly don't act like the 4 animals mentioned in ch. 3 in regards to not worrying about how I will be taken care of (please excuse the grammar!). Instead, I spend quite a bit of time worrying about money - shame on me! OK, now I just have to comment on my mother's comment from the intro & ch 1. She did not miss the boat in being a good example to her children!!! Really!! She is the most hospitable person I know, and we have had many conversations in recent years about the change in her disposition to be much, much more friendly, loving and flexible. (Bethany) I think this is all to prevalent in today's churches but it made me so sad when I read these chapters. I hate to think that we are so shallow and focused on the wrong thing "MONEY", but we are. God is so worthy of our praise and devotion. I for one want to see room for miracles! (Sue) I know I am guilty of not viewing money biblically. In fact for years as a christian I just didn't quite see how it fit into my walk with God. Now that I've confessed that, on to chapters 2 and 3. "earthly riches can not procure human happiness." yes, yes, we all know that, but do we believe that??? I do believe we Christians, today equate money, with God's blessings. If we have much, then God is certainly pleased and is blessing us. And the same goes for our view of churches...if a church has much money, is financially stable, then that is a sign that God IS with the church and has blessed it. Also along the same thoughts...if a church has a great facility, is expanding and growing both numerically and financially THEN it is CLEAR that God is blessing the church. I wonder how much effect that thought pattern has on Christians that are seeking a home church? The last page of chapter 2..."To court a Christian for his financial contributions is as evil a thing as to marry a man for his money." If this is true...then is it wrong to seek a church to attend because they are a well established church, financially and materially? Chapter 3: pg. 10 "The average church has so established itself organizationally and financially that God is simply not necessary to it." NOT to AVOID the subject of money...but I think many of us, me included do the same thing in our personal lives....organize and establish ourselves so that we really DON"T need the help of God...or so we think. (maybe that is back wash from "Life Wide Open"!!) pg. 12...a sentence he writes of encouragement..."...how God works wonders when His people leave a margin for miracles." More than once I've heard a christian responding to the fact that if God wants to do something HE will raise up what is needed to do it. and their response has been..."Yes, but God wants us to use common sense." a lame response to what God might WANT to do, but we are just not willing that He do it! I liked what Sue said..."I for one want to see room for miracles! These two chapters made me wonder...if God's church views money as the world views it...I wonder how many other things God's church is copycatting from the world, also? A scarey thought. (Renee') I guess I would say that this is a good wake-up call for the church, all churches. "A church's outgo can be greater than its income, as much greater as God is greater than circumstances". As a church we must focus on our outgo, not our income, and trust God for the results. I'm excited about all the outreach activities our church has planned for this summer, and am looking to Him for a great harvest. On a more mundane level, I'm looking forward to meeting with those locally next Sunday to discuss what we've read so far. (Heather) What interesting chapters! I found the following quote about money very interesting (p. 6): “He did not give it the place our religious leaders give it. To them it is necessary; to Him it was not.” Perhaps that was why he allowed Judas Iscariot, who Jesus knew quite well was stealing from the money bag, to be the treasurer of the group. In regard to church finances, I think this chapter has challenged the way I think about money. On a personal level, I have always thought it important to spend conservatively – not planning on things I don’t have money for and certainly not buying them without having the money for them. I always thought that was in line with scripture and thought it should apply to the church as well. However, these chapters make me wonder if this attitude leaves little room for God to work. I’m looking forward to the discussion about these things when we meet on Sunday. (Gayle) Reading these chapters has made me think of one of the issues often faced by both missionaries here in Kenya and around the world. There are churches that depend on them for their finances since they are often in poverty stricken areas. It is a common challenge for one to know when and how to help them, but at the same time teach them dependence on the Lord. It is a constant struggle for them, because they do need money for many things, but as Tozer said (page 6,7), "Church finances are a good and proper part of church life, but there is an ever-present danger that they will grow too important in the thinking of the church officers and slowly crowd out more vital things." Also, this topic made me think of the "health and wealth" type churches out there today. So many are flourishing, but is it their motive to glorify the Lord and edify the body of Christ?or to glorify self? Like Tozer said, it is easy to forget who we are and what we are called to do--bring glory and honor to Christ. "And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen." Eph. 3:17-21 (Sandra) I do agree that many churches focus on money, especially alot of the TV ministries. That is one reason I like our church. The focus seems to be on people and fellowship, learning and growing in the word of God. I think it was easier in Jesus' day, they did not have all the creature comforts we have today that cost money. Electric, heat, air conditioning, bathrooms, running water etc. They also did not have health departments to enforce health codes. So we do have costs to pay for and that requires a budget and money, but it should not be more important than learning about God and having a church family to call home. I look forward to meeting with you all on Sunday. (LINDA) Background Chapters One thru Three Chapters Four thru Eight Chapters Nine thru Thirteen Chapters Fourteen thru Eighteen Chapters Nineteen thru Twenty-One Chapters Twenty-Two Thru Twenty-Five Chapters Twenty-Six Thru Thirty Chapters Thirty-One thru Thirty-Four Chapters Thirty-Five thru Thirty-Nine Chapters Forty thru Forty-One