Three-score and Fifteen Souls
A Sermon on Acts 7:14
Originally preached Dec. 25, 1966
Scripture
14Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
Sermon Description
All throughout the Bible, God’s beautiful story of redemption and salvation unfolds. The Bible shows that God is the author of history. Listen to the sermon “Three-score and Fifteen Souls” on Acts 7:14 as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones talks about God’s plans and work in the lives of people thousands of years ago, and in the lives of people today. First, he points out the importance of recognizing the details in God’s plans in the Bible. It’s often easy to skip over the small details, but even these are important because they are also inspired by God. He shows how it is often in the details that the prophecies of old are fulfilled. God works as much in the small details as He does in the big ones. Dr. Lloyd-Jones goes on to show how God works in ways that go beyond worldly understanding. While people would look at outward appearances and large numbers, God can work through people least expected and in small numbers. The Christian’s job is not to be in control, but to surrender themselves to His work and realize that they are His people. Lastly, He points out that God works in this way to humble and help the Christian see His power and glory through His work.
Sermon Breakdown
- Stephen refers to Joseph calling Jacob and his family (75 people) to Egypt. This seems like an unimportant detail but it shows we are dealing with facts and history, not just theories.
- The history in the Bible is not ordinary history - it is history produced by God. God brings it to pass and often prophesies it beforehand.
- The details in the Bible are important because the Bible is uniquely inspired by God. The genealogies show Jesus fulfilled prophecy.
- God's way of working is selection and rejection. He chose Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Judah over his brothers, David over his brothers. Jesus was the ultimate choice.
- God works through small beginnings and the insignificant - only 8 saved in the flood, Abraham was one man, Israel grew from 75 people, Jesus was a baby in a manger.
- Numbers don't matter to God, only our relationship to Him. He uses the small and weak to show His glory.
- God works this way to humble us and show His power. If we succeeded through our own power we would boast, but God does it in a way that gives Him all the glory.
- Though the Church today is small, God can do great things with a remnant. The stone in Daniel 2 and the multitude in Revelation 7 show God will build His kingdom.
- The only question that matters is whether we belong to God's people. Though small and despised now, we will reign with Christ forever.
Sermon Q&A
What Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About God Working Through Small Numbers?
How does Stephen's mention of "three score and fifteen souls" in Acts 7:14 relate to Christmas?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Stephen's mention of the precise number (75 people) relates to Christmas because it demonstrates God's pattern of working through small, seemingly insignificant beginnings. This mirrors how God worked through a tiny baby in a manger. The detail shows that the Christmas story is part of God's precise, planned history that was prophesied beforehand, not just a sentimental story. It demonstrates that we're dealing with factual history that God has specifically produced, not just permitted.
What principle does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify in God's method of working throughout history?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the principle of "selection and rejection" and God working through small beginnings. Throughout biblical history, God consistently chooses small numbers rather than large crowds: eight souls saved in Noah's flood, one man (Abraham) to begin His chosen nation, 75 people going down to Egypt, twelve disciples to start the church, and ultimately one baby in a manger to save the world. God deliberately works through what appears insignificant to human eyes.
Why does God choose to work through small numbers according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, God works through small numbers for two main reasons: 1. To humble us - if God worked through "great battalions," humans would take credit for the success 2. To show His own glory and power - when great things come from small beginnings, it's clear that God alone deserves the credit
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "He will not share his glory with another. He does it in a way that ridicules the world." This method forces believers to rely on God rather than human strength or numbers.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast God's methods with the modern church's approach?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones criticizes the modern church's obsession with "masses and numbers and world dominion and authority and power." He states: "We always think in terms of vast numbers. The mass, the crowd, bigness." By contrast, God's pattern throughout scripture and church history has been to work through the small and seemingly insignificant. He mentions examples like Athanasius standing alone against heresy, Luther defying the whole church, and small groups preserving pure doctrine during dark periods.
What is the main message Dr. Lloyd-Jones wants believers to take from this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones wants believers to understand that the only thing that matters is their relationship with God, not their numbers or worldly significance. He concludes by asking, "Do you belong to this company?" - emphasizing that what matters is being part of God's people, even if they are "small, despised, laughed at, ridiculed." He encourages believers not to be discouraged by their small numbers but to remember that God's small beginnings ultimately result in victory - "the stone will fill the whole universe" and Christ "will reign from pole to pole."
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.