Authority Quote by Aiden Wilson Tozer
“In the conduct of our public worship where is the authority of Christ to be found? The truth is that today the Lord rarely controls a service, and the influence He exerts is very small. We sing of Him and preach about Him, but He must not interfere; we worship our way, and it must be right because we have always done it that way, as have the other churches in our group.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: "Authority of Christ in Worship", 1915
Christ’s authority in worship is often overlooked, leading congregations to rely on tradition rather than divine guidance.
In simple terms: Worship should follow Christ, not just tradition.
Key Takeaway
Re‑evaluate worship practices for Christ‑centered focus.
Themes
faith
authority
tradition
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- church services
- Bible study groups
- personal prayer
- denominational meetings
Key Concepts
theology
ecclesiology
spiritual leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of worship feel tradition‑driven?
- How might Christ’s authority reshape your service?
A Different Perspective
Changing long‑standing habits can meet resistance.
![“Let us, therefore, hold fast to this: no Christian authority can do anything against Christ. As St. Paul says, "We can do nothing against Christ, only for Christ" [II Cor. 13:8]. But if an authority does anything against Christ, then that authority is the power of Antichrist and of the devil, even…” quote by Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/520/martin-luther-106_hold-fast_let-us-therefore-hold-fast-to-this-no-ch_2054993.jpg)
![“[I]t is impossible for those, who believe in the truth of Christianity, as a divine revelation, to doubt, that it is the especial duty of government to foster, and encourage it among all the citizens and subjects. This is a point wholly distinct from that of the right of private judgment in…” quote by Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c4/joseph-story-11919_believe_i-t-is-impossible-for-those-who-believe_635340.jpg)
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)
