Christian Joy
A Sermon on Acts 2:46-47
Originally preached April 4, 1965
Scripture
46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be …
Sermon Description
In the midst of a world filled with unhappiness and calamity, how can one possibly find joy? In this sermon on Acts 2:46–47 titled “Christian Joy,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones offers this type of lasting joy that the apostles experienced in the early church and cannot come from entertainment, momentary pleasure, or even the contemporary church, but instead from the truth found in God’s word. How wonderful it is to have the kind of freeing joy that is based not upon efforts, but on what Jesus has done. The type of joy expressed in this message is contingent upon the Christian’s recognition of who they are apart from Christ, an awe for the Lord in His might, and a thankfulness for what the Lord has laid up for all those who believe. This joy brings the believer to praise and glorify the Lord. Happiness is not the goal but a result of those that seek after righteousness. As the disciples seek after righteousness, Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes, they are able to maintain joy in all circumstances because of the freedom they have received from the time they were delivered from sin. It is this kind of authentic joy that distinguishes true Christianity.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by introducing the passage from Acts 2:46-47 which describes the early church.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the church today has strayed far from how it is described in the New Testament. He aims to show what true Christianity and the true church should look like according to Scripture.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights that the early church was characterized by "gladness and singleness of heart" (v. 46) and they were "praising God" (v. 47). This is a key theme of the sermon.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges that the modern world talks a lot about joy and happiness but argues that it is superficial and contingent on circumstances. True Christian joy is deeper, holier and independent of circumstances.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines the nature of true Christian joy. It is a joy that comes from God, it has an element of "fear" or reverence for God, it is pure, deep and indestructible.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the joy of the early Christians came from being delivered from ignorance of themselves, of God and of their perilous state. They found new life, forgiveness, and belonging in Christ.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that Christians have a new understanding of life, see life whole, and have a view of the future that gives peace. They know God is in control and they have a glory awaiting them.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by calling people to repent, believe the gospel, and find true joy in Christ.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Say About Christian Joy and Gladness?
What was the text Dr. Lloyd-Jones preached from in Acts 2?
According to the sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones preached from Acts 2:46-47, focusing on how the early Christians "did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God." He explained that these verses show one of the greatest characteristics of true Christianity - genuine joy and gladness.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast the world's joy with Christian joy?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the world's joy is: - Artificial and synthetic, not true joy - Dependent on circumstances (health, wealth, relationships) - Often requires "drugs of some sort" including alcohol - Superficial and temporary - Has an element of excess or riot about it
While Christian joy is: - Pure and holy ("joy in the Holy Ghost") - Deep and genuine - Independent of circumstances - Compatible with the fear of God - Unspeakable and full of glory - Enduring even in trials and tribulations
Why were Christians persecuted in the early church but still joyful?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christians like Paul and Silas were persecuted but remained joyful because their joy wasn't dependent on circumstances. He points to Acts 16:25 where Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God at midnight while in prison with their feet in stocks. Their joy came from their relationship with God, not from external conditions, which is why Paul could write that he had "learned in whatsoever state I am therein to be content."
What is the source of Christian joy according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Christian joy comes from: 1. Being delivered from ignorance about ourselves, our souls, and God 2. Being delivered from danger and the wrath of God 3. Having sins forgiven and knowing you're forgiven 4. Receiving a new understanding of life 5. Belonging to a new society and kingdom 6. Having hope for the future, including life beyond death 7. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones address the common misconception about Christianity being miserable?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that many people avoid Christianity because they think it is "a narrow, cramped, confined, miserable little life" characterized by prohibitions and negations. He argues this is "the exact opposite" of true Christianity, which is marked by indestructible joy and gladness. He states that far from making people miserable, there is "nothing else in the world tonight that can rarely make us happy and give us joy, but this message."
What does Lloyd-Jones say about happiness as a goal?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that "the world makes this grand mistake. It puts happiness as the goal and therefore never finds it. Happiness is never meant to be a goal. Happiness is a consequence of something else." He quotes Jesus's words: "Blessed [happy] are they that hunger and thirst, not after happiness, but after righteousness, they shall be filled."
How does the Christian view of death differ from the world's view according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christians are no longer afraid of death because "the sting has been taken out of it." While the world fears death and tries to avoid thinking about it, Christians can say with Paul, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" They understand that "to live is Christ, and to die is gain" because death means being with Christ, receiving a glorified body, and entering eternal joy.
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.