Justification
A Sermon on Acts 5:29-32
Scripture
29¶ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and …
Sermon Description
What is humanity’s greatest need? The answer is simple: reconciliation with God. In this sermon on Acts 5:29–32 titled “Justification,” the apostles asserted that they “must obey God rather than men.” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the glorious truth that Jesus Christ came into the world and died for sinners to make them children of God. People are naturally born sinful and opposed to God and, therefore, alienated from God and righteousness. But the gospel that the apostles were willing to suffer and die for is the message that Jesus died in humanity’s place if they turn from their sin and trust in Him. Though they have sinned against God, God has sent His own Son to bear their sins. There is no greater truth. What does this mean for every person? The gospel means that people do not have to be judged on the basis of their sinful deeds but by believing in Jesus, they can have His righteousness. Sins are traded for His perfection. This gospel is a call for all to believe. It is a command from God Himself to repent and trust in Jesus for justification.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostles were on trial for preaching the gospel.
- They proclaimed that they must obey God rather than men.
- God raised up Jesus, whom the Jews slew and hanged on a tree.
- God exalted Jesus to be a Prince and a Savior.
- Jesus gives repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
- The apostles were witnesses to these things, as was the Holy Spirit.
- The world reacts unfavorably to the proclamation of the gospel.
- The gospel message combines people who otherwise disagree.
- The gospel message tells of a way of salvation, not a curse.
- The world's greatest need is forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
- Repentance is acknowledging our sin and unrighteousness before God.
- Forgiveness alone is not enough; we need righteousness to stand before God.
- Christ is our righteousness; His righteousness is imputed to us.
- Our sins were placed on Christ; His righteousness is placed on us.
- This is the meaning of justification by faith alone.
- The Pharisees believed being religious and moral satisfied God.
- Paul saw his own righteousness as filthy rags after seeing Christ.
- We need more than forgiveness; we need new life in Christ.
- Christianity is a life, not just morality or philosophy.
- We were dead in sin; Christ came to give us abundant life.
- We need wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
- Christ is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
- Justification means Christ's righteousness is imputed to us.
- Sanctification means being set apart from sin and purified within.
- Christ leads us as the Captain of our salvation.
- Christ helps us in our times of need and temptation.
- Christ intercedes for us as our High Priest.
- Christ has conquered death, the last enemy.
- Christ will present us faultless before God.
- We should obey God rather than men in preaching Christ.
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.