God and Sinners Reconciled
A Sermon on Colossians 1:14
Scripture
14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Colossians 1:14–20 titled “God and Sinners Reconciled,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speak of how Paul writes about a believer’s redemption through the blood of Christ and the reconciliation he or she has with God. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones is interested in God’s side of this reconciliation: how is it possible that He would redeem humanity? By its very nature, humanity exists as separate from God, ever since the original sin in the garden. Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines holiness as it pertains to God in that God is without blemish, totally perfect and utterly true. So then, how can the perfect God interact with imperfect people? Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that God sent His Son in order to reconcile people in their sin, and that Christ’s death on the cross would cover those who put their faith in Him. Humanity is then restored to their original image of God. When God looks upon believers, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, He does not see the sin. God sees the likeness of His Son. And as a result, God’s righteous wrath, His holy judgement, is withheld, and humankind’s relationship with Him is restored.
Sermon Breakdown
- God created man for His glory and pleasure. He gave man dominion over creation and made him in His image.
- God gave man commands to follow so that man would live for God's glory. Man was to be God's representative on earth.
- Man disobeyed God and rebelled against Him. Man listened to Satan instead of God.
- Man's disobedience and sin caused man to become enslaved to sin and Satan. Man's nature became corrupt.
- Man's sin and rebellion caused man to become guilty before God and under His wrath and condemnation. There is enmity between God and man.
- God hates sin because He is holy, righteous, just, and unchangeable. God's character demands that He punish sin.
- God's love, mercy, and compassion desired to forgive man, but His justice and righteousness prevented Him from simply forgiving man. There was a conflict within God's attributes.
- God resolved the conflict within His attributes by sending His Son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life and die on the cross to pay the penalty for man's sin.
- Through Christ's sacrifice, God can forgive man's sin while remaining just. Man can be redeemed and reconciled to God.
- Christians should give thanks to God for solving the problem of man's sin and reconciling man to Himself through Christ. Salvation is by God's grace alone.
- Do not sentimentalize Christmas. Appreciate the immense cost to God of sending Christ to reconcile man to Himself.
Other Sermons
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.