Christianity - the Only Hope
A Sermon on Acts 1:1-3
Originally preached Jan. 10, 1965
Scripture
1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3To whom also …
Sermon Description
Why do Christians go to church? What compels them to gather for a day of worship, fellowship and preaching? Is it because of an agreement of morals or a collective optimism about life? Is it only for the weak and discouraged? In this sermon on Acts 1:1-3 titled “Christianity – the Only Hope,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the true purpose of the church. With clear exposition and thought-provoking questions, Dr. Lloyd-Jones presses into the heart and asks a compelling question: “do you know the gospel?” Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the saving message of Jesus Christ with an emphasis on how Luke writes it in his gospel and his treatise to Theophilus titled “The Acts of the Apostles,” or “Acts.” The sinner’s past is forgiven when they repent of their sin. In an instant they are made a new creation because of what Jesus did on the cross in paying the wages of sin. The victory is secure by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since He is alive today, He fulfills the promise of being with His people to the end of the age. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones exposits on Acts 1:1–3, listen as he very precisely explains why Christianity is the only hope and how this concept displays itself in the church: “If you want to understand Christianity, don’t shut your Bible, open it! Listen for your life!”
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by establishing that Christianity is the only hope for the world. All other philosophies and religions have been found wanting.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the church today is confused about the core message of Christianity. There are many conflicting opinions about what Christianity is and what the church should do.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones says the only authority on Christianity is the Bible, specifically the books of Luke and Acts. We must look to the early church to understand Christianity.
- The core message of Christianity is Jesus - who he is and what he did. It's not just Jesus's teachings or moral philosophy.
- Jesus is the Son of God who came into the world. He worked miracles, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. This is the gospel message.
- Jesus came into the world to save humanity from sin and reconcile us to God. This is the meaning of the gospel.
- The resurrection of Jesus is what gave birth to the Christian church. Without it, there would be no church.
- Jesus instructed his disciples to spread the gospel to all nations. The gospel is for all people, not just certain types of people.
- Jesus is still acting and working in the world today through the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts shows how Jesus continues to act through his disciples and the early church.
- Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. He is in control of world events and continues to build his kingdom.
- Jesus makes intercession for us in heaven. He stands up for us and helps us in our times of need and temptation.
- Jesus will return again to judge the world and establish his eternal kingdom. This is the Christian hope.
- The message of Christianity is not to improve the world but to change people through Jesus and prepare them for eternity.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the audience to consider if they really understand the meaning and significance of Christianity. Do they see it as a mere formality or the most important truth in existence?
Sermon Q&A
What Is Christianity According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
What is the central message of Christianity according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the central message of Christianity is Jesus Christ Himself - not merely His teachings, but His person and work. He emphasizes: "It's not a teaching, you see, it's a person. It isn't merely a moral, ethical view that is to be applied... My dear friend, this is Christianity. Whatever your ethical, moral, political views may be, tonight I say the question to confront you with is this. How are you related to the fact that the babe of Bethlehem is the eternal son of God?" The core of Christianity is about a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ, not simply following His ethical principles.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe people are confused about Christianity today?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies confusion about Christianity stemming from religious leaders who have distorted its true nature. He cites examples of those who suggest "the church must give up this foolish habit of having two services on a Sunday" or that "there should be no reading of the Bible at all for twelve months." He explains that many have reduced Christianity to "nothing but a kind of teaching" about social or political reforms, or merely an "elevated, optimistic view of life." This confusion leads people to miss the essential person-centered nature of the Christian faith.
What does Acts 1:1-3 reveal about the purpose of Christianity according to the sermon?
Acts 1:1-3 reveals that Christianity is about "all that Jesus began both to do and teach." Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the word "began," noting that Jesus continues to act in history. The passage shows that Christianity is founded on historical facts about Jesus Christ - His life, death, resurrection, and ongoing work. Lloyd-Jones states: "This is history. Here's a man, you see, Luke the physician, Luke the historian... This is it. It's this Jesus. This is what he began to do. He came into the world. He lived, he taught, he worked miracles. He gave himself. He died. He was buried. He rose again. He ascended into heaven."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the growth and power of early Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the early church's remarkable growth cannot be accounted for by modern conceptions of Christianity as mere ethical teaching. He notes that a "handful of ignorant and unlettered people" with "no money, no methods or means of communication and of advertising" managed to "turn the world upside down" and become "the most powerful force in the great Roman Empire" within about two centuries. This phenomenon can only be explained by the reality of Jesus Christ's resurrection and ongoing power working through them. It wasn't political teaching but proclamation of a risen Savior that transformed the ancient world.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as mankind's greatest need?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies mankind's greatest need not as better social conditions but reconciliation with God: "My dear friends, every one of us born into this world is born in sin. We are born in iniquity. We are born under the wrath of God... And man's greatest need is to be reconciled to God, to have his sins forgiven, to know God as his father, to be blessed of God. To start as a child of God." He emphasizes that Jesus came to address this spiritual need: "This is his message. Not that you improve the world, but that you and I be redeemed."
What is the significance of Jesus' ongoing work according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Jesus continues to act in the world after His ascension. He states: "The thing that the world is so ignorant about tonight, that he is still acting in this world." Jesus acts by sending the Holy Spirit, performing miracles through disciples, converting enemies like Saul of Tarsus, making intercession for believers at God's right hand, and strengthening believers in trials. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes: "Jesus is continuing to act. And he floored him. He humbled him, he cast him down. He led him to repentance. Jesus saved him." This ongoing work will continue until Christ returns to judge the world and establish His kingdom fully.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast the modern view of Christianity with the biblical view?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts the modern view of Christianity as merely an ethical system or political program with the biblical view of Christianity as centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. The modern view says, "Don't start with the Bible, start with political situations and apply Christian principles." The biblical view shows that Christianity is about facts - what Jesus did, is doing, and will do. Lloyd-Jones states: "This modern idea that Jesus of Nazareth was just a man and a very fine religious, ethical, moral and political teacher... the thing that really matters, of course, is the teaching." By contrast, he insists: "He's still acting. It's what he does is the thing that matters, not what we do."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasize the importance of the Bible in understanding Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the Bible's importance because it provides the only authoritative account of who Jesus is and what He has done. He criticizes those who suggest abandoning Bible reading, saying: "If you want to understand Christianity, don't shut your Bible. Open it. Read it. Read the book of Moses. Prophets, psalms. They're all pointing to him. Read your Bible. Study it. Preach it." He argues that "it's ignorance that blinds the men and women of this generation and keeps them outside Christ," and the remedy is in the Scriptures which reveal Jesus Christ who is the heart of the Christian message.
What final event in God's plan does Dr. Lloyd-Jones point to as crucial to Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to the second coming of Christ as the culmination of God's plan: "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." He emphasizes that Jesus "will come again, even as he went. He will return in bodily visible fashion, riding the clouds of heaven, surrounded by the holy angels. And he'll come to judge the world in righteousness and set up his glorious kingdom to which there shall be no end." This future event gives meaning and direction to the Christian message and hope in the present.
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.