That Christ Died for Us
A Sermon on Acts 8:32-35
Originally preached Feb. 4, 1968
Scripture
32The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for …
Sermon Description
Christianity is important to the history of the human race as a whole. In the sermon “…that Christ Died for Us,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dives into the immensity of the gospel and the dire need to know what the Christian message is and what it concerns. The message spoken in Acts 8:32–35 to the eunuch is the same message that is needed today. This is the only basis of the true understanding of life: no religion can satisfy other than this Christian message. This passage of Scripture offers the picture of a man undergoing tremendous suffering and another man who sits down alongside him to consider the Scriptures. What is the meaning of the death of the Son of God? Not only is this the greatest truth of the gospel, but it is also the greatest obstacle and source of offense to the unbeliever. The Bible is unlike any other—it tells of the weaknesses of its characters and need for Christ. How one answers the question of Christ’s death is life-changing. It was not the death of a pacifist; it was the action of God Himself through the hands of the ignorant. This is the most deliberate event that has ever taken place in history.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon text is Acts 8:32-35 which describes Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch.
- Philip began preaching to the eunuch about Jesus based on the passage of Isaiah 53 that the eunuch was reading.
- Jesus' death on the cross is the heart of the Christian message and what Philip preached about.
- Jesus' death was not an accident but was prophesied and foretold throughout the Old Testament. His death was central to God's plan of redemption.
- Jesus himself also foretold his death on multiple occasions, showing that it was deliberate and not accidental.
- Jesus' death was not just the act of men but was ordained by God. God delivered Jesus to die by the hands of men.
- God was acting through Christ's death to reconcile the world to himself. Jesus became sin for us so we could become the righteousness of God.
- We can have our sins forgiven by believing in Jesus and his death on our behalf. We don't have to understand it fully to benefit from it.
- The story of Philip and the eunuch shows how one becomes a Christian - by believing the message of Christ's death and resurrection.
Sermon Q&A
What Questions Did Dr. Lloyd-Jones Address About Isaiah 53 in His Sermon?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones delivered a powerful sermon on Isaiah 53, explaining how Philip used this passage to preach Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch. Here are some questions and answers based on his sermon:
What passage of Scripture was the Ethiopian eunuch reading when Philip met him?
The Ethiopian eunuch was reading from Isaiah 53, specifically the portion that says, "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb, dumb before his shearer, so he opened not his mouth. In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away. And who shall declare his generation, for his life is taken from the earth?" This passage prophesied the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.
What question did the Ethiopian eunuch ask Philip about the Isaiah passage?
The Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip, "I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this of himself or of some other man?" This question revealed his confusion about whether Isaiah was speaking about his own suffering or someone else's suffering. Lloyd-Jones calls this "an excellent question indeed" and "the vital question."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the death of Christ is the "heart and center" of the Christian message?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ's death is "the very nerve of the Christian gospel" because it is the focal point of God's plan of redemption. He points out that the apostle Paul said, "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). Lloyd-Jones states that "by our attitude to this that we show whether we are Christians or not. It is by our attitude to this that we are saved."
What are the two main truths about Christ's death that Lloyd-Jones emphasizes?
First, Christ's death was not an accident but the fulfillment of prophecy, predicted throughout the Old Testament in Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets. Second, it was the action of God Himself, not merely the action of men. As Isaiah 53 says, "The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" and "it pleased the Lord to bruise him."
How does Lloyd-Jones address the objections people have to Christ's death?
Lloyd-Jones acknowledges that Christ's death has always been "the greatest scandal" and "stumbling block." He notes that the Jews stumbled at it because they expected a political Messiah who would conquer, not be killed. The Greeks considered it foolishness because they expected salvation through philosophy. Even today, people try to explain away Christ's death as merely the example of a pacifist or a misunderstood teacher, rather than accepting it as God's way of salvation.
What does Lloyd-Jones say is the true meaning of Christ's death according to Isaiah 53?
According to Lloyd-Jones, Isaiah 53 teaches that Christ was "bruised for our transgressions" and "by his stripes we are healed." He quotes 2 Corinthians 5:21: "God hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Christ's death was God's way of saving mankind by having His Son bear our punishment.
What response does Lloyd-Jones call for from his listeners?
Lloyd-Jones calls his listeners to do what the Ethiopian eunuch did—to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lamb of God who died for their sins. He says, "I don't send you out of this building to live a better life and to make yourself a Christian... I'm here just to tell you that he was bruised for our iniquities and that it is by his stripes... that you and I are healed." He calls people to simply believe in Christ and receive forgiveness.
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.