The Supernatural Realm
A Sermon on Acts 8:14-17
Scripture
14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon …
Sermon Description
When a person rejects God, it is because they often reject anything that cannot be personally experienced. This is the materialism of the secular humanist that rules out all the supernatural realm and spiritual realities. This is the mindset of those who have no place for salvation, spirits, and ultimately, for God. In this sermon “The Supernatural Realm” on Acts:8–14, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exposes the false belief system of those who rationalize their sin based on evolution and blind causation. They reject the superstitions of religion in favor of science and rationalism. But as Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, science and evolution offer no explanation for the deepest and most important questions in life. God’s Word says that the world does not know God and that it is blinded by sin. The so called “wisdom of the world” is foolishness when compared to the word of God. It is only in God’s word that one can see the truth about themselves and the world. It tells that all are fallen and sinful by nature, and wholly opposed to all the things of God. But most importantly, God tells of what He has done in His Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus died a sinner’s death so that all who believe in His name will be saved. This is the salvation of the world; not evolution, not science, and not humanism, but the Son of God who gave Himself for sinners.
Sermon Breakdown
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The ultimate question facing humanity is whether there is a supernatural realm beyond the physical world. This is the question raised in Acts 8:14-17.
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There are two main objections to belief in the supernatural: humanism and deism. Humanism says there is nothing beyond the physical world and man is the center of all things. Deism says God created the world but then left it alone.
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Humanism cannot explain man's universal belief in God, civilization's failures, or the contradictions within human nature. Deism also fails to explain God's interventions in Scripture and history.
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The Bible teaches God exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They created and sustain the world, and intervene in human affairs.
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The Holy Spirit enlightens us to spiritual truth, convicts us of sin, and sanctifies us. He inspired Scripture and prophecy, empowered Jesus's ministry, and revives the church.
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The Holy Spirit's coming upon believers is evidence of the supernatural, as seen in Jesus's baptism, Pentecost, and with the Samaritans. Revivals are further evidence, coming unexpectedly by God's power, not human efforts.
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We must recognize the supernatural realm and our need for God, not rely on human ability. The Holy Spirit alone can change human nature and empower us to live for God.
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We access the supernatural realm through faith in Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit. We will all eventually enter eternity, either in God's presence or apart from him.
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.