The Supernatural Realm
A Sermon on Acts 8:14-17
Originally preached Dec. 3, 1967
Scripture
14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon …
Sermon Description
When a person rejects God, it is because they often reject anything that cannot be personally experienced. This is the materialism of the secular humanist that rules out all the supernatural realm and spiritual realities. This is the mindset of those who have no place for salvation, spirits, and ultimately, for God. In this sermon “The Supernatural Realm” on Acts:8–14, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exposes the false belief system of those who rationalize their sin based on evolution and blind causation. They reject the superstitions of religion in favor of science and rationalism. But as Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, science and evolution offer no explanation for the deepest and most important questions in life. God’s Word says that the world does not know God and that it is blinded by sin. The so called “wisdom of the world” is foolishness when compared to the word of God. It is only in God’s word that one can see the truth about themselves and the world. It tells that all are fallen and sinful by nature, and wholly opposed to all the things of God. But most importantly, God tells of what He has done in His Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus died a sinner’s death so that all who believe in His name will be saved. This is the salvation of the world; not evolution, not science, and not humanism, but the Son of God who gave Himself for sinners.
Sermon Breakdown
-
The ultimate question facing humanity is whether there is a supernatural realm beyond the physical world. This is the question raised in Acts 8:14-17.
-
There are two main objections to belief in the supernatural: humanism and deism. Humanism says there is nothing beyond the physical world and man is the center of all things. Deism says God created the world but then left it alone.
-
Humanism cannot explain man's universal belief in God, civilization's failures, or the contradictions within human nature. Deism also fails to explain God's interventions in Scripture and history.
-
The Bible teaches God exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They created and sustain the world, and intervene in human affairs.
-
The Holy Spirit enlightens us to spiritual truth, convicts us of sin, and sanctifies us. He inspired Scripture and prophecy, empowered Jesus's ministry, and revives the church.
-
The Holy Spirit's coming upon believers is evidence of the supernatural, as seen in Jesus's baptism, Pentecost, and with the Samaritans. Revivals are further evidence, coming unexpectedly by God's power, not human efforts.
-
We must recognize the supernatural realm and our need for God, not rely on human ability. The Holy Spirit alone can change human nature and empower us to live for God.
-
We access the supernatural realm through faith in Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit. We will all eventually enter eternity, either in God's presence or apart from him.
Sermon Q&A
How Did the Samaritans Receive the Holy Spirit According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides a detailed examination of Acts 8:14-17, explaining the supernatural reception of the Holy Spirit by the Samaritan believers. This passage describes how Peter and John went to Samaria, prayed for new believers, laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
What is the most fundamental question facing the human race according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "the most fundamental of all questions facing the human race" is whether there is anything beyond the physical world - "Is there a supernatural realm? Is there a world of the spirit which we don't see?" He argues that this question must be addressed before any other religious debates can be meaningful, as it forms the foundation for all spiritual understanding.
How does Lloyd-Jones refute humanism in his sermon?
Lloyd-Jones refutes humanism (the belief that man is the greatest being and there is nothing supernatural) through several arguments:
- Humanism arrogantly dismisses history's greatest minds who believed in God
- Scientific experimentation cannot prove our deepest human experiences like love
- Humanism provides no adequate explanation for the origin of the world
- It cannot explain mankind's universal sense of God
- It fails to explain the contradiction in human nature - our intellectual advancement alongside moral regression
- Modern civilization's failures demonstrate the inadequacy of human-centered solutions
What does Lloyd-Jones say about deism and how it differs from Christianity?
Lloyd-Jones explains that deism is the belief that God created the world but then left it to operate on its own, like a watchmaker who makes a watch, winds it up, then leaves it alone. While deists believe in God as creator, they deny divine intervention in the world. They reject:
- The miraculous
- The incarnation of Christ
- God's ongoing intervention in human affairs
He notes that despite the superficial difference (belief in a creator), deism and humanism "virtually come to the same thing" in practice, as both deny God's active involvement in human affairs.
What evidence does Lloyd-Jones provide for the supernatural realm?
Lloyd-Jones offers several evidences for the supernatural realm:
- The existence and history of the Jewish people
- The person and impact of Jesus Christ on world history
- Biblical prophecies fulfilled in detail centuries later
- The creation of Scripture through divine revelation and inspiration
- Supernatural events like Christ's baptism and the descending of the Holy Spirit
- Pentecost and its transforming effect on the apostles
- The historical pattern of revivals that cannot be explained by psychology or human effort
- The transformation of human nature that occurs in genuine conversion
What does Lloyd-Jones teach about the Holy Spirit's work in believers?
Lloyd-Jones distinguishes between the Holy Spirit's general and special work:
General work: 1. Enlightening believers' minds to understand spiritual truth 2. Convicting people of sin 3. Converting sinners 4. Regenerating hearts and giving new life 5. Sanctifying believers through ongoing work
Special work: 1. Inspiring the Scriptures 2. Enabling prophecy 3. Empowering believers for ministry 4. Bringing about revival in the church 5. Bestowing spiritual gifts
He notes that the Samaritans had experienced the general work (conversion) before they received the special work (empowerment) when Peter and John laid hands on them.
What is Lloyd-Jones' conclusion about humanity's only hope?
Lloyd-Jones concludes that humanity's only hope is divine intervention through the Holy Spirit. Human efforts alone - whether through education, appeals, or organization - cannot change human nature or solve the world's problems. He states: "The need is that people be changed and that people be given power. And there's only one way in which that can ever happen, and that is the descent of the Holy Ghost." Only through repentance and faith in Christ can people receive the Holy Spirit and experience the supernatural power needed for genuine transformation.
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.