'But God': The Christian Message to the World
A Sermon on Ephesians 2:4
Originally preached Nov. 13, 1955
Scripture
4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Sermon Description
It is not merely the outwardly wicked who are saved by grace who should be amazed at their salvation. Every Christian, even those who lived a supposed moral life before salvation, should be amazed at God’s grace. Salvation is entirely God’s work. In the sermon on Ephesians 2:4 titled “‘But God:’ The Christian Message to the World,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines Paul’s introduction of the chief characteristics of the gospel. What makes the gospel good news? It is that in one’s salvation, they become a new creature. Conversion is not merely something added to life, but rather a new realm of thinking. The dead have become alive. Dr. Lloyd-Jones remarks that Christ’s redemptive work for such sinners seems impossible and yet it’s true. He died for the dead so the dead may be made alive. God has done this to show His unmerited favor. His kindness and love are displayed through the salvation of wretched sinners. Come to Christ and discover the exceeding greatness of His power to all who believe. Through the gospel, God has found a way of liberating sinners from all their sin. The Christian, therefore, should be amazed that God would save a sinner such as themselves and not be ashamed because it is the power of God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by introducing Ephesians 2:4-7 which highlights God's mercy, love, and grace.
- The passage is described as one of the most moving and gripping in Scripture which expresses the essence of the Gospel.
- The sermon then examines the word "but" in Ephesians 2:4 which introduces hope, a new realm of thinking, unexpectedness, God's action, and God's power.
- "But" introduces hope into a hopeless condition. The Gospel brings light into darkness and relief to those in need.
- "But" introduces an entirely new realm of thinking - from human and earthly to spiritual and supernatural. The Gospel represents a new dimension of understanding.
- "But" also introduces the element of unexpectedness. The Gospel comes as a surprise into hopeless and despairing situations.
- "But" emphasizes that salvation is entirely the result of God's action, not our own. Men are dead in sin and can do nothing. Salvation is all of God.
- The fifth "but" tells us why God has done all this - because of His mercy, grace, love, and kindness. God is unlike us. If God were like us, we would be doomed.
- The last "but" leads us to the greatness of the power by which God accomplishes all this. God's power is able to liberate us from sin and Satan. No one is beyond the reach of redemption.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Ephesians 2:4-7
What is the key word that introduces the gospel in Ephesians 2:4, and why is it significant?
The key word is "But." Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this small word opens the door to the entire gospel message. It creates a dramatic contrast between mankind's hopeless condition described in verses 1-3 (dead in sins, following the course of the world, children of wrath) and God's merciful intervention. This "but" is significant because it introduces hope into hopelessness, light into darkness, and marks a complete transition from one realm to another. As Lloyd-Jones states, "The gospel always comes in with some such word as this."
According to Lloyd-Jones, what are the five characteristics of the gospel introduced by the word "But"?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the "But" in Ephesians 2:4 introduces five key characteristics of the gospel: 1. The "but" of hope - bringing hope into a condition of utter hopelessness 2. The "but" that introduces an entirely new realm or dimension of thinking 3. The "but" that brings the element of unexpectedness and surprise 4. The "but" that emphasizes salvation is entirely God's action, not man's 5. The "but" that reveals why God saves (His rich mercy, great love, and exceeding grace)
How does Lloyd-Jones describe man's condition before God's intervention?
Lloyd-Jones describes man's pre-salvation condition as completely hopeless. He states that mankind is "dead in trespasses and sins," "entirely governed by the God of this world," "an absolute slave," and "polluted in his mind, in his understanding, in the hurl of his being." He emphasizes that humans are "walking according to the course of this world," led by a "polluted nature" expressing itself in "desires of the mind and desires of the flesh." Lloyd-Jones adds that the natural mind is "enmity against God" and humans are "enemies and alienated" in their minds from God.
What does Lloyd-Jones say is the contrast between man's nature and God's nature?
Lloyd-Jones highlights a stark contrast: humans are "creatures of lusts and passions," "selfish," "self-centered," "self-important," "self-righteous," "sensitive," "wounded very easily," "vindictive," "unforgiving," and "hard." In contrast, God is "rich in mercy," "full of pity," feels "compassion," is "sorry for us," possesses "great love," shows "exceeding riches of his grace" (unmerited favor), and demonstrates "kindness" (benignity). This contrast is why we are saved – "If God were like us, we would all be damned and doomed."
What does Lloyd-Jones teach about the power of God in salvation?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that the power of God in salvation is the most hopeful aspect of the gospel. He describes it as "the exceeding greatness of his power to usward that believe." This power is necessary because humans need to be liberated from God's wrath, Satan's dominion, and the thraldom of sin. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this power means "no one is beyond the reach of this redemption" and "no one is hopeless." God's power can create anyone anew regardless of temperament or depth of sin. He states, "The whole power, the eternal, everlasting power of the almighty God is engaged and no one is hopeless."
How does Lloyd-Jones describe true Christianity versus false versions of it?
Lloyd-Jones distinguishes true Christianity from false versions by emphasizing that true Christianity involves a complete transformation and entry into a new realm of thinking. He states that if Christianity is "just a little bit of morality" or "something that you add on to your life," it's not authentic. True Christianity involves the "miraculous," the "supernatural," and a divine element. He notes that many people who don't claim to be Christians can be moral and have "ideas of rectitude," but true Christians experience God's intervention that completely changes them. As he puts it, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new."
The Book of Ephesians
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.