The Breath of Life
A Sermon on Acts 3:19
Originally preached June 6, 1965
Scripture
19¶ Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Sermon Description
In his sermon to the Jewish leaders, the Apostle Peter, under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, proclaims Jesus as the risen Messiah and Savior of the world. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds in this sermon on Acts 3:19, showing that Jesus Christ has come, died, and was buried according to the words of the prophets. It is Jesus who is the breath of life and He gives His Spirit to those who repent and believe in His name as the only Son of God. This saving power that Jesus Christ brings is the only true hope for a world filled with sinners who are destined to die and suffer the righteous judgement of God Almighty. But Jesus brings redemption and restoration to all who will repent and believe in His name. This is the message of hope that the Apostles proclaimed, and it is this message that must be proclaimed today for there is no true life outside of the kingdom of God as is brought in Christ. The church today must be faithful in its proclamation to this fallen and sinful world. It has been entrusted with the great and magnificent message of salvation and should be bold in its proclamation, knowing that it is the power of God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon is based on Acts 3:19 which says "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
- Peter is preaching this sermon after healing a lame man at the temple gate. The crowd has gathered and Peter wants them to understand the source of the healing power.
- Peter explains that they are living in a new age, the age of the Messiah. They can participate in the blessings of this new age by repenting and turning from their sins.
- Peter compares repentance to a refreshing breeze coming into a hot, oppressive room. This illustrates how repentance brings relief and refreshment.
- The natural state of mankind is like being trapped in a hot, oppressive room. Life is difficult, tiring and wearying. Many philosophers and thinkers have described life this way.
- Civilization only circulates the "fetid air" and does not actually solve the problem or bring relief. It provides the illusion of progress but the core problem remains.
- Jesus came to open a window into heaven and let in the refreshing breeze. He came to bring hope, relief, and new life.
- The message of Christianity is that mankind cannot save itself. Salvation comes from outside, through Jesus. He brings the breath of hope, the breath of relief, and the breath of life.
- The breath of hope shows that God cares and there is eternal hope. The breath of relief shows our sins can be forgiven and guilt removed. The breath of life gives new energy and power through the Holy Spirit.
- To experience this new life, we must be "born again" through the Spirit, like the wind. This new life fills us with joy, gladness and praise.
- Peter calls the crowd to repent, believe in Jesus, and receive this new life and refreshing for themselves.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on "Times of Refreshing"
What is the main passage that Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on Acts 3:19, which says, "Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. And so the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." He indicates that this is a better translation than the King James Version, which says "when the times of refreshing shall come."
What was the context of Peter's sermon in Acts 3?
Peter's sermon was delivered after he and John had healed a lame man who was over 40 years old at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. The man, who had been lame from birth, was miraculously healed when Peter said, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." This miracle caused great excitement and drew a crowd, giving Peter the opportunity to preach about Christ.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the human condition without Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the human condition as being like people trapped in a hot, oppressive, confined space without windows or ventilation. He describes it as a place where: - The air is polluted and stagnant - There's a sense of oppressiveness and weariness - People are exhausted by the moral fight and conflicts - There's a feeling of guilt and condemnation - The thought of death looms over everything - People are struggling and failing, becoming increasingly tired
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the phrase "times of refreshing" means?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "times of refreshing" refers to the spiritual renewal and relief that comes through salvation in Christ. He describes it as comparable to: - A person recovering from the effects of heat - Someone who is suffocating suddenly receiving fresh air - The relief and revitalization that comes when the "window to heaven" is opened and God's Spirit enters
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast civilization's solutions with Christ's salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses the illustration of an electric fan in a hot, humid room. He says civilization's solutions are like that fan - they simply move the same stale air around, creating the illusion of improvement without actually bringing in anything new or addressing the real problem. In contrast, Christ opens a "window into heaven" and brings in completely fresh air - the breath of God that truly transforms and revitalizes human life.
What are the three "breaths" that Dr. Lloyd-Jones says come through salvation?
- The Breath of Hope - The realization that God is concerned about our condition and has made a way out
- The Breath of Relief - The knowledge that our sins can be forgiven and the burden of guilt removed
- The Breath of Life - The reviving power of God's Spirit that gives new energy, vitality, and joy
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about Pentecost in relation to his sermon topic?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones connects his sermon to Pentecost (Whitsunday) by noting that Pentecost involved the coming of the Holy Spirit as "a sound of a mighty rushing wind." This wind or breath of God is what brings refreshing and new life. He explains that Peter's use of the "refreshing" metaphor was natural since he had just experienced Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit came like a breeze or gale, transforming the disciples from fearful to bold.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones connect this sermon to Jesus' teaching to Nicodemus?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that Jesus used the same wind/spirit metaphor when speaking to Nicodemus about being born again. He quotes John 3:8, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." The Greek word for "spirit" is the same as for "wind," emphasizing this connection.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the response required to experience these "times of refreshing"?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the response required is to "repent and be converted." This means: - Recognizing the truth about our condition - Acknowledging our sin and rebellion against God - Turning to Christ in faith - Allowing His Spirit to enter our lives and transform us
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones says: "The Christian is not a miserable man who's just managing to drag himself round the world. No, he is a man into whom the Spirit of God has come. There's new life and energy working up within him." He compares the Christian to the healed lame man who was "walking, leaping, praising God," full of joy and vitality, rather than someone who is "just managing to walk about."
The Book of Acts
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.