God Has Raised Up Christ
A Sermon on Acts 5:29-32
Originally preached Feb. 27, 1966
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 was the message of the early church? Why were believers willing to be beaten, imprisoned, and even killed? The answer is found in the person of Jesus Christ. In this sermon on Acts 5:29–32 titled “God …Has Raised Up Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the message of Christianity as proclaimed by the apostles in the early chapters of the book of Acts. This is not a message of general cultural transformation, but it is a message of divine salvation. It is not simply an answer to all of humanity’s social ills and physical troubles, but it is the message of a God who is working through His Son to make all things new. The world has always rejected this message because it is in contrast to everything that they believe. The gospel says that no one can save themselves but must trust wholly on God’s free mercy. Jesus Christ is God’s only appointed Savior. This sermon asks the questions: “what do I believe? Where is my hope in this world?” The gospel of Jesus Christ tells that salvation is only through the grace of God. This is a timeless message that the whole world needs to hear.
Sermon Breakdown
- The world is seeking salvation and deliverance but in its own way and through human means. The world looks to men for salvation rather than God.
- God raised Jesus as the way of salvation. Jesus is the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption.
- The world rejects Jesus because it does not know its real need. The world thinks its needs are political, social or economic rather than spiritual.
- The world rejects Jesus out of ignorance. The world fails to understand scripture and repeats the same errors.
- The real need of the world is God. Without God, there can be no peace or satisfaction. Man needs salvation, forgiveness and deliverance from sin.
- The world rejects Jesus because it does not recognize His glory and the glory of His salvation. The world prefers temporal pleasures to the blessings Jesus offers.
- The world rejects Jesus because in doing so it opposes God and His power. Though the world rejects Jesus, God has raised and exalted Him.
- The fate of those who reject Jesus is to be broken and ground to powder. All human attempts at salvation will come to nothing when Jesus returns.
Sermon Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions about Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Acts 5:29-32
What is the main theme of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Acts 5:29-32?
The main theme of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon is the contrast between God's way of salvation through Jesus Christ and the world's constant rejection of God's appointed Savior while seeking its own human saviors and solutions. He focuses on how the apostles boldly proclaimed Jesus as God's chosen Savior while the world, then and now, continues to reject Him in favor of human solutions to humanity's problems.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say this passage represents the "tragedy of the world"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes this passage as representing the "tragedy of the world" because it shows humanity rejecting its only true means of deliverance and salvation. He states: "This is the tragedy of tragedies. Indeed, my whole position is that it is this tragedy that accounts for all the others... because here mankind is rejecting its one and only way of deliverance and of salvation." The world seeks solutions to its problems everywhere except in Christ.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast the world's saviors with Jesus Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws several stark contrasts: - Human saviors exalt themselves; Christ humbled Himself - Human saviors surround themselves with pomp and show; Christ was born in a stable and lived humbly - Human saviors protect themselves with fear; Christ gave Himself freely - Human saviors offer empty promises but deliver tyranny; Christ offers and delivers true freedom - Human saviors seek glory at others' expense; Christ sacrificed Himself for others - Human saviors eventually fall in disgrace; Christ was raised and exalted by God
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as humanity's real need?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that humanity's real need is not political, social, or economic, but spiritual. He explains: "Man's need is the blessing of God. And without the blessing of God, the world ever turns into chaos." Specifically, humanity needs: - Reconciliation with God - Forgiveness of sins - Restoration to God's favor - Deliverance from the world, the flesh, and the devil - A new heart and a new life
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the world rejects Christ?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the world rejects Christ because: 1. It doesn't recognize its real need (thinking problems are primarily political or economic) 2. It is ignorant of what the Scriptures teach about God's salvation plan 3. It fails to recognize Christ's glory and the glory of His salvation 4. It doesn't realize that in rejecting Christ, it is opposing God Himself
How does the sermon relate the apostles' experience to modern Christian witness?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws a direct line from the apostles' bold witness before the Sanhedrin to the Christian's responsibility today. He points out that just as the apostles proclaimed Christ in a hostile environment, Christians today must continue to proclaim Christ as God's appointed Savior in a world that still prefers its own solutions. The content of the message remains the same: Jesus Christ as God's way of salvation.
What is significant about Peter's statement "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this statement doesn't refer to Christ's resurrection but rather emphasizes that Jesus was sent by God as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The statement connects Jesus to God's redemptive plan throughout Israel's history and identifies Him as the fulfillment of what Moses and the prophets foretold. It highlights that Jesus wasn't merely a man who appeared, but was specifically sent by God.
What warning does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give about rejecting Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns that rejecting Christ means opposing God's eternal power. He quotes Jesus' words that whoever falls on "this stone" (Christ) will be broken, but on whomever it falls, "it will grind him to powder." He illustrates this with contemporary examples of human "saviors" whose monuments and legacies are eventually destroyed, while Christ's kingdom is eternal.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones connect the Old Testament to Christ in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that the entire Old Testament points to Christ through: - The first promise in Genesis that "the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head" - Moses' prophecy of a coming prophet "like unto me" - The temple sacrifices that foreshadowed Christ's ultimate sacrifice - Isaiah's prophecies about preparing a way for the Lord - The whole Old Testament system as "pointing forward to this great act of God"
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' call to action at the end of the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes with a passionate appeal: "My dear friend, if you've rejected him until tonight, awaken to the folly of your action. And while there is still time, repent. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask God to forgive you, and I assure you that he will." He urges listeners to recognize the futility of human solutions and to turn to Christ as God's appointed Savior.
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.