The Gospel in the Modern World
A Sermon on Hebrews 12:27-29
Scripture
27And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve …
Sermon Description
Does Christianity have a place in today’s modern world, or is it outdated and in need of being replaced by newer ideas? Many people think that Christianity, and especially many of its teachings, are irrelevant because they are from such a long time ago. In this sermon on Hebrews 12:27–29 titled “The Gospel in the Modern World,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that the Christian faith is needed just as much now as it was then. People throughout history have thought that the world would get better with new technology, globalization, and other breakthroughs that would unite the world. However, these man-made solutions have failed to bring about the utopia that many hoped for. Massive empires that once dominated the world are now nothing. Science, philosophy, wealth, and politics have all failed to bring about the change that is desperately desired. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that this is due to human sinfulness. No one is perfect and nothing they build can be perfect. Thus, no one is capable of ultimately fixing the issues encountered in the world. The Bible alone gives an explanation for the state of the current world, and the Bible alone provides a basis of hope for the future. God’s kingdom is the only one that won’t change and that will last forever.
Sermon Breakdown
- The world is in a state of crisis and grave trouble. We are living in a critical period and a time of great testing.
- Our views of life and ideas of living are under examination. We must ask ourselves questions about our philosophy of life and views of the world.
- Are you surprised and disappointed at the state of the world? If so, your view of life is wrong. The world's condition proves certain views of life and progress are false.
- Can you explain why the world is as it is despite progress? If not, your view of life is inadequate. The Bible alone explains the world's condition.
- Do you see any hope? The Bible alone provides hope for the future.
- Man has always built empires that can be shaken - Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, the Third Reich, the British Empire. They all collapsed.
- Civilization and its advances like philosophy, science, politics, industry have been treated like empires but they are shaking and collapsing.
- Man isolates and elevates these things but they are all "made" and finite, bound to fail. Man is sinful so everything he makes decays. God's wrath is on man's kingdoms.
- The Bible explains man's fatal error is thinking his activities are sufficient without God. Man rebelled against God, thinking he could rule himself. This is the "fall of man" and "original sin."
- We must choose between God's kingdom and man's. Man's kingdoms will be destroyed but God's kingdom remains.
- God's kingdom was promised from Eden and fulfilled in Christ. He alone can reconcile us to God. All other ways fail.
- God's word is the only hope and it is eternal. Heaven and earth will pass away but God's word will not.
- God's kingdom cannot be shaken. His promises are sure. Christ will return and judge the world, establishing his kingdom fully.
- We must ask what kingdom we are in - man's or God's? Man's will be shaken but God's will stand. We must abide in God's unchanging kingdom.
Itinerant Preaching
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.