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Sermon #2029

Saved to Serve

A Sermon on Acts 4:18-20

Originally preached Oct. 24, 1965

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Scripture

Acts 4:18-20 ESV KJV
So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak …

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Sermon Description

When the apostles met the risen Christ, they were transformed and empowered with boldness to proclaim the gospel to all that they could. Before the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, they were fearful and timid but after they were fearless in their mission. In this sermon titled “Saved to Serve,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains this change enabled them to stand against the Jewish leaders when they refused to cease preaching the gospel of the risen Christ. This is no ordinary boldness, but it is a result of the new nature that is brought about by salvation and regeneration. As the gospel transforms Christians, they are given the Holy Spirit and filled with its wisdom and guidance. The apostles in Acts could not stop preaching the glory of Christ. They were no longer the weak and fearful men who were hiding in the upper room. They had received the new life that the gospel brings and they fearlessly proclaimed the gospel message. Christians have a new source of life and wisdom when they are made anew in Christ. They are motivated to bring the gospel to this broken and sinful world. It is this hope in the new life in Christ that compels Christians to share the gospel with all to the praise and glory of Jesus Christ.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Christianity changes us entirely. It is not something added on but transforms us.
  2. Christianity controls and masters us. It is not something we manipulate but that takes hold of us.
  3. When we become Christian, we feel compelled to tell others about it. We cannot keep silent.
  4. We know with certainty what we believe and are not apologetic about it.
  5. We rejoice in the Christian message and exalt in it. We are not ashamed of the gospel.
  6. We feel compelled to share the message because of the glory and wonder of the facts - the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
  7. We feel compelled to share because of what the message has done in us - brought us joy, peace, insight, and power.
  8. We feel compelled to share out of compassion for those still lost in sin and ignorance.
  9. We feel compelled to share because we want all to praise and glorify Jesus.
  10. Once we see the message, we are willing to die for it. We must obey God rather than men.
  11. Life is not worth living without the message. To live is Christ.
  12. We no longer fear death. Death has lost its sting. To die is gain.
  13. We can defy authorities and powers because we fear God alone.

Sermon Q&A

Common Questions about the Early Christian Church's Persecution and Response According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

What was the primary issue that led to Peter and John's confrontation with the Sanhedrin?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council) because they had healed a man who was born lame at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. The authorities were "grieved that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead." The healing miracle caused a great stir, and the authorities were upset that the apostles were teaching in Jesus' name and proclaiming his resurrection.

How did Peter and John respond when commanded to stop preaching about Jesus?

When the Sanhedrin strictly commanded Peter and John "not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus," their response was: "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye, for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). They essentially stated that they must obey God rather than human authorities, and they could not remain silent about what they had personally witnessed.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the key changes in the apostles after Pentecost?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out a dramatic transformation in the apostles after Pentecost compared to their pre-resurrection behavior:

  1. They went from being dull, slow to understand, and often confused about Jesus' teachings to having clear understanding and conviction
  2. They transformed from being fearful (like Peter denying Christ) to being remarkably bold
  3. They changed from being ambitious and jealous of one another to being unified in purpose
  4. They went from fleeing when Jesus was arrested to being willing to face persecution and death

As Lloyd-Jones states: "Christianity is not something that you add on to your life. It changes the whole of your life, and especially at the center."

According to the sermon, why couldn't the apostles stop speaking about Jesus?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines several reasons why the apostles felt compelled to speak about Jesus despite the threats:

  1. They had witnessed extraordinary events that were too glorious to keep silent about
  2. They had experienced personal transformation that gave them joy "unspeakable and full of glory"
  3. They had compassion for people who were "in the grip of sin" and needed salvation
  4. They wanted everyone to praise and honor Jesus
  5. They were under divine command to be witnesses
  6. They were no longer afraid of death because of their faith in Christ

As Lloyd-Jones summarizes: "The love of Christ constraineth me... Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, I persuade men."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish true Christianity from merely adopting religious ideas?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes a sharp distinction between true Christianity and superficial religious interest:

  1. Christianity is not something you "take up" but something that "takes you up"
  2. It's not controlled by you; it controls and masters you
  3. It's not on the "periphery" of life but at the very center
  4. It's not something done occasionally (like on Sundays) but something that affects your entire existence
  5. It's not about uncertainty and speculation but about absolute certainty
  6. It's not about being ashamed or apologetic but about boldly proclaiming the truth

As he states: "A man who doesn't know what he believes is not a Christian... Count Zinzendoff put it in this memorable phrase. He said, 'I have one passion. It is he and he alone.' That's Christianity."

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.