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Sermon #2047

Justification

A Sermon on Acts 5:29-32

Originally preached March 20, 1966

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Scripture

Acts 5:29-32 ESV KJV
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And …

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Sermon Description

What is humanity’s greatest need? The answer is simple: reconciliation with God. In this sermon on Acts 5:29–32 titled “Justification,” the apostles asserted that they “must obey God rather than men.” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the glorious truth that Jesus Christ came into the world and died for sinners to make them children of God. People are naturally born sinful and opposed to God and, therefore, alienated from God and righteousness. But the gospel that the apostles were willing to suffer and die for is the message that Jesus died in humanity’s place if they turn from their sin and trust in Him. Though they have sinned against God, God has sent His own Son to bear their sins. There is no greater truth. What does this mean for every person? The gospel means that people do not have to be judged on the basis of their sinful deeds but by believing in Jesus, they can have His righteousness. Sins are traded for His perfection. This gospel is a call for all to believe. It is a command from God Himself to repent and trust in Jesus for justification.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostles were on trial for preaching the gospel.
  2. They proclaimed that they must obey God rather than men.
  3. God raised up Jesus, whom the Jews slew and hanged on a tree.
  4. God exalted Jesus to be a Prince and a Savior.
  5. Jesus gives repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
  6. The apostles were witnesses to these things, as was the Holy Spirit.
  7. The world reacts unfavorably to the proclamation of the gospel.
  8. The gospel message combines people who otherwise disagree.
  9. The gospel message tells of a way of salvation, not a curse.
  10. The world's greatest need is forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
  11. Repentance is acknowledging our sin and unrighteousness before God.
  12. Forgiveness alone is not enough; we need righteousness to stand before God.
  13. Christ is our righteousness; His righteousness is imputed to us.
  14. Our sins were placed on Christ; His righteousness is placed on us.
  15. This is the meaning of justification by faith alone.
  16. The Pharisees believed being religious and moral satisfied God.
  17. Paul saw his own righteousness as filthy rags after seeing Christ.
  18. We need more than forgiveness; we need new life in Christ.
  19. Christianity is a life, not just morality or philosophy.
  20. We were dead in sin; Christ came to give us abundant life.
  21. We need wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
  22. Christ is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
  23. Justification means Christ's righteousness is imputed to us.
  24. Sanctification means being set apart from sin and purified within.
  25. Christ leads us as the Captain of our salvation.
  26. Christ helps us in our times of need and temptation.
  27. Christ intercedes for us as our High Priest.
  28. Christ has conquered death, the last enemy.
  29. Christ will present us faultless before God.
  30. We should obey God rather than men in preaching Christ.

Sermon Q&A

What is the Meaning of Justification According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Acts 5:29-32, justification is a central component of Christ's role as savior. Here's how he explains this critical doctrine:

What is justification according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

Justification is more than just forgiveness of sins. Lloyd-Jones explains: "Christ is my righteousness. And that means that he has not only purchased my pardon and forgiveness by dying on the cross on Calvary's hill and laying down his life and bearing my punishment. Oh, he does this other thing which in a sense is yet more glorious. I am given his righteousness."

Why does Lloyd-Jones believe forgiveness alone is not enough?

Lloyd-Jones teaches that mere forgiveness is insufficient because:

"Forgiveness is essential, but it isn't enough for me. Forgiveness, in a sense, is negative. I'm told I shan't be punished for my sins. All right. But though I'm not punished for my sins, I may be banished from the presence."

He explains that before a person can enjoy fellowship with God, "he must be positively righteous" because God is righteous, and "before there can be communication and a fellowship and enjoyment of society, there must be a likeness."

How does the great transaction of justification work?

Lloyd-Jones describes justification as a divine transaction:

"My sins were placed upon him. Right. That's where I get my forgiveness. But here's my justification and my righteousness. That his rightness, his holiness, his obedience to God's law. Everything that he was, that is put on my account. There's a great transference here."

He quotes 2 Corinthians: "For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin. That we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

How is justification obtained according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones is clear that justification comes through faith alone, not works:

"Remember, it isn't justification by your own works. Neither is it justification by the Roman Catholic sacraments of baptism or the Lord's supper. You're not saved by sacraments. You're not made righteous by sacraments... Our righteousness is in Christ, and it's in him by faith, and by faith alone. You do nothing. Nobody else does anything. He's done it all."

Why do people reject this doctrine according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones suggests that pride is the main reason people reject justification by faith:

"Man's trouble has always been his pride. And what he hates about this gospel is that it's a free gift. Man says, but I want to make myself fit to stand before God and I can do it. Show me the law and I'll keep the law. And he thinks he can, but he cannot."

This foundational understanding of justification is central to Lloyd-Jones' presentation of the complete salvation that Christ provides as "prince and 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.