The Wisdom of Men
A Sermon on Acts 7:17-20
Originally preached Jan. 29, 1967
Scripture
17But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph. 19The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out …
Sermon Description
How can one know God’s plan for their life? Are they willing to trust and follow Him even when the outcome is unclear? God’s plans are often different than humanity’s for His ways are above human ways. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unfolds Acts 7:17–20 in this sermon titled “The Wisdom of Men,” this fact is seen as God calls Israel out of the land of Egypt and bondage. He does so by blessing them to grow and multiply even as they are oppressed by Pharaoh. In their suffering they turn to God and ask Him to deliver them out of suffering and bondage. God does so through His servant Moses. In a similar way, God uses the presence of sin and the law to cause humanity to flee from their sins and to turn to Christ. This is the reason for many of the hard circumstances in life. It is to make one turn from their efforts and turn to the God who alone can save. This salvation is not of the world’s wisdom, but it is only found in Christ and in His redeeming work on the cross of Calvary and victory from the grave.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins with an introduction providing context about Stephen's trial before the Sanhedrin and his defense of the gospel.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones then provides an overview of how Stephen demonstrated through Jewish history that the Sanhedrin had always opposed God's plan of salvation.
- He notes that this sermon applies today as many still dismiss the gospel and need to understand their own history and failure to see their need for Christ.
- The first main point is that God's ways are mysterious and unexpected. He does the opposite of what we expect.
- For example, God caused the Israelites to multiply in Egypt in a supernatural way but then allowed them to suffer and be oppressed. This was to prepare them to want to leave Egypt.
- Likewise, God used Pharaoh, an evil man, to bring about His purposes. God is in control of all circumstances.
- The story of Moses' birth and the exodus shows God's unexpected and indirect methods. God's power and wisdom are shown.
- This pattern is seen in Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection which confound human wisdom. The disciples were unexpected leaders.
- God continues to work in unexpected ways, using difficulties and setbacks to humble us and draw us to Himself. His ways are for our good and His glory.
- We must not judge God's ways by our own limited understanding but trust in His wisdom and grace. His purposes will be fulfilled in His time.
- The sermon concludes with an appeal to see our own blindness and need for Christ, finding salvation in Him alone. We must glory only in the Lord.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Acts 7:17-20
What is the main point Stephen was making in his speech to the Sanhedrin?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Stephen's main point was to show that in rejecting Jesus Christ, the religious leaders were repeating the same error of their ancestors. Stephen demonstrates that the Jews have consistently failed to understand their own history and God's plan of salvation. He explains that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that was promised in the Old Testament - that Abraham foresaw Him, and that Joseph and Moses were types of Christ. Stephen's speech was not just a history lesson but a demonstration that the religious leaders were spiritually blind in the same way their forefathers had been.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast the wisdom of God with the wisdom of man?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the wisdom of God often appears as foolishness to human understanding. The gospel exposes the wisdom of the world as "unutterable folly." While human wisdom prizes direct action, power, and status, God's wisdom works indirectly, often through the weak and despised. Lloyd-Jones points out that God's ways are unexpected - He used Pharaoh (an evil man) to accomplish His purposes, allowed His people to suffer before delivering them, and in the New Testament sent His Son as a humble carpenter rather than as a powerful king. The gospel represents God "turning the world upside down" - choosing the foolish things to confound the wise and the weak things to confound the mighty.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about God's indirect methods of salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that God almost always works indirectly, which baffles human understanding. In the case of the Israelites in Egypt, God didn't immediately deliver them with a demonstration of power but used a complex process involving Moses. Similarly, Jesus didn't come as a conquering king but was born in humble circumstances, worked as a carpenter, and died on a cross in apparent defeat. This indirect approach is God's wisdom - He needs to first make people aware of their need for salvation before delivering them. Lloyd-Jones states this is "the only way whereby men can be saved" - God must first disturb us from our comfortable state through circumstances or conviction of sin before we'll seek salvation.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the purpose of suffering in God's plan?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that suffering serves several purposes in God's plan. In the case of the Israelites, God made their circumstances in Egypt increasingly difficult to make them desire to leave - otherwise they would have been content to remain there in prosperity. Similarly, God allows suffering in our lives motivated by His "eternal heart of love" - to separate us from what enslaves us and to bring us to salvation. Lloyd-Jones states, "If God has set his heart upon you, He's going to bring you to salvation," even if that means taking away health, loved ones, or possessions. Suffering also serves to humble us, making us realize our dependence on God, so that "no flesh should glory in His presence."
What did Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the cross of Christ in relation to God's wisdom?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that while the cross appeared to be the triumph of Christ's enemies, it was actually God's masterful plan for salvation. Quoting Peter's sermon in Acts, he reminds us that Christ was "delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God" - meaning the crucifixion was God's plan all along. What seemed like defeat was actually victory, as on the cross Christ was "blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us" and "having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly triumphing over them." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the cross was not the failure of God but rather His wisdom in action - the only way whereby anyone can be forgiven, as Christ bore our sins and their punishment.
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.