Hope for the World
A Sermon on Ephesians 3:9-11
Originally preached Nov. 11, 1956
Scripture
9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known …
Sermon Description
Is there hope for the world? Is there a purpose and plan for the Christian? In this sermon on Ephesians 3:9–11 titled “Hope for the World,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the question of hope amidst the seeming chaos and pointlessness of life on earth. The only hope is in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the darkness of the world and in the minds of men and women, Christ is the light of the world. The world is God’s creation and He has had a plan and purpose for His creation since before the foundations of the earth were formed. This plan is revealed in God’s word, the Bible. The ultimate hope that is found in Christ does not, however, mean that the end of war, evil, and darkness will end in this age. The end of these things will come with the return of Christ. Rather, the Christian’s hope is the hope of salvation in Christ that points to the eternal home and reward, not a temporary peace in the circumstances of humanity.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon is focused on Ephesians 3:9-11 which discusses God's eternal purpose and plan.
- The world is currently in a state of darkness and confusion regarding life and current events. There is no clarity from secular sources.
- The only source of light and understanding is the Gospel. The Christian church has the only message that can provide insight.
- God has had a perfect plan and purpose for the world since before the beginning of time. This plan has been hidden from both man and angels until now.
- God's plan is to restore the world to perfection through Jesus Christ and the church. This will culminate in the return of Christ.
- God's plan cannot be stopped by any being or force. He will accomplish His purpose as the creator of all things.
- God's plan does not provide details about specific world events and nations. It is focused on the big picture.
- There is no hope for permanent world peace until Christ returns. As long as sin exists, there will be conflict.
- The message of God's sovereign plan may not seem comforting but it is the only truth. All other messages are false comfort.
- Those who reject God's plan because it does not suit them will face judgment. God's plan includes all and cannot be opted out of.
- We can find hope knowing God is in control and His plan is unfolding, even through us as members of the body of Christ.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on God's Eternal Purpose and World Events
What is the main theme of Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Ephesians 3:9-11?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the main theme is God's eternal purpose for the world and how it relates to current world events. He emphasizes that the Christian message is not only personal but has a "larger ambit and wider scope." The sermon focuses on "what Christianity has to say about the world situation" and whether it "holds out any hope" amid wars and global problems.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the current state of understanding about world events?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes it as a state of "gross darkness" and "terrible confusion." He notes that despite various theories from historians like Arnold Toynbee and H.A.L. Fisher, mankind remains "in the dark about the whole situation." He contrasts this with the false optimism of the Victorian and Edwardian periods which believed in inevitable progress but has been disproven by world wars and continuing conflicts.
What does Lloyd-Jones reveal as God's plan for the world according to Ephesians?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that God has an eternal plan "purposed before the foundation of the world." This plan is to "restore it again to perfection" through Christ Jesus. The core of this plan involves: 1. Reconciling people to God through Christ's sacrifice 2. Creating a "new humanity" in the church 3. Eventually bringing Christ back to judge the world, destroy evil, and establish "a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness"
What does Lloyd-Jones teach about how God's purpose will be accomplished?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphatically states that God's purpose is accomplished through Christ, not merely through Christ's teaching. He says: "It isn't that Christ tells you and me what we've got to do. This great purpose is coming to pass through what Christ himself has done for us." He rejects the notion that simply following Christ's ethical teaching will solve the world's problems, calling this idea "one of the completest denials of the Christian message."
What role does the church play in God's plan according to the sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the church is central to God's plan as "the new creation." He explains that "God is ultimately going to restore peace and unity and conquer in the world through Christ, through the church." The church represents a "new humanity" that God is forming, with Christ as the "firstborn" and believers as "his brethren." God's blessings flow "through Christ through the church to those who belong to the body."
Does Lloyd-Jones believe there will be lasting peace on earth before Christ's return?
No, Lloyd-Jones explicitly states: "This message holds out no hope whatsoever for peace on earth and amongst the nations until Christ comes back to the final victory." He repeats for emphasis that there is "not a vestige nor a glimmer of hope in this book for peace amongst men and nations in this world until Christ comes back again and finally destroys sin and evil." He explains that "while there is sin and lust and passion in the human heart there'll be fighting and war."
How does Lloyd-Jones characterize God's sovereignty over world events?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that "God's plan was made perfect and complete before the world was made." He states that "history has not got out of God's hands" and that God "dwelleth in eternity" looking down upon time. He describes God's plan as "certain" with "nothing contingent" about it. God "doesn't have to improvise" or "modify his policy because of what somebody else has done." Despite wars and turbulence, God's purpose "goes steadily on."
What challenge does Lloyd-Jones give to Christians regarding their understanding of world events?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges Christians to understand God's plan for the world, saying "Christian people should have a unique understanding into the world situation." He describes this as "a very good test of our Christian standing" and suggests that Christians who don't understand God's plan may be "very poor Christians" or "very ignorant Christians" who have been "stopping only at the unsearchable riches of Christ, feeling our own spiritual pulse, coddling ourselves spiritually."
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.