Man and His Need of Salvation
A Sermon on John 3:17
Originally preached March 10, 1957
Scripture
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Sermon Description
In this sermon on John 3:17 titled “Man and His Need of Salvation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches how the Bible not only tells what the gospel is, but it also tells why the gospel is needed. Often times people jump straight to the message of the gospel without looking at why people need the gospel. God’s word is clear on why Jesus had to come and Scripture tells that humankind loves darkness rather than light, and for this reason the whole world already lies under the judgment of God. But the light of the gospel pierces even the darkest cloud because it tells that despite humanity’s sin, rebellion, and evil, God sent His Son into the world. God so loved the world that He came and died in the place of sinners and rose from the dead so that they might have new life. God has overcome the power of sin and the devil so that all who believe in Jesus are not only restored to their original state of righteousness, but they are made even higher. This sermon calls all to believe in Jesus, repent of sins, and trust Him in order to become children of God, pure and holy. This gospel is truly good news.
Sermon Breakdown
- The world is already in a state of condemnation. This is evidenced by death, spiritual death, and our inability to find God.
- The world could not and cannot save itself. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. No one can deliver themselves from sin's guilt, tyranny, and restore righteousness.
- God's only way of saving us was in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Even God could not save men apart from Christ. Light and darkness cannot be mixed.
- God sent his Son into the world to save us, not condemn us. We were already condemned. Christ came to make the way of salvation, pardon, and reconciliation.
- God saves through Christ by Christ becoming man to save man. As man sinned, man must make atonement. Christ is fully God and fully man.
- Christ alone could save us by keeping the law, satisfying God's demands, bearing our sins, conquering the devil, giving us new life, uniting us to God, and delivering us from sin.
- We must see our need, condemnation, and Christ's free gift of salvation by faith to have life and escape condemnation.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on John 3:17: Understanding God's Saving Purpose
What is the main verse that Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is discussing in this sermon?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is discussing John 3:17: "For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." He notes that this verse is often overshadowed by the more famous John 3:16, yet it is crucial for understanding the complete message of salvation.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say that John 3:17 is often neglected?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that John 3:17 is often neglected because of its proximity to the more famous John 3:16. He illustrates this with the analogy of mountains in the Himalayan range that aren't well-known because they stand near Mount Everest. Similarly, John 3:17 is often overlooked despite its importance because John 3:16 receives so much attention. As he states, "This is one of those verses that seems to have suffered because of its proximity to another verse."
According to Lloyd-Jones, what misconception did the Jews have about the Messiah's purpose?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the Jews had the misconception that when the Messiah came, he would come primarily to judge, especially the Gentiles. They believed "the Romans who had conquered Palestine and the Jews would be judged and exterminated and that all the other gentile nations who had from time to time troubled God's people, they'd all be demolished." They expected the Messiah to exalt Israel "supreme above the whole world" rather than coming to bring salvation through his death on a cross.
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' first proposition about the world's condition?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones' first proposition is that "the world is already in a state of condemnation." He explains that Christ didn't need to come to condemn the world because it was already condemned. He offers several proofs of this condemnation: 1. The fact of death itself - "Death is the punishment of sin" 2. Spiritual death and lack of communion with God 3. Humanity's inability to find God when seeking Him 4. The fact that no one has kept God's moral law
How does Lloyd-Jones explain what being "saved" means?
Lloyd-Jones explains that being saved means: 1. Being delivered from the guilt of sin and its deserved punishment 2. Being freed from the tyranny, power and dominion of sin over us 3. Having righteousness restored to us that man lost in the fall 4. Being admitted into the presence of God with right of access 5. Having the certainty of being with God for all eternity
He states that salvation means "we are put back into that relationship with God which man enjoyed at the beginning and more."
Why does Lloyd-Jones say God could only save humanity through Christ?
Lloyd-Jones states with "profound reverence" that God could only save humanity through Christ because: 1. God cannot simply forgive sin without justice, as He is righteous and holy 2. "Light and darkness cannot be mixed. Holiness and sin cannot blend." 3. Only a man could save mankind, but that man needed to be more than human 4. Christ as both God and man was "big enough and strong enough to take our sins upon him" 5. Christ could render perfect satisfaction to God's law and bear our punishment
As he puts it, "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself."
What warning does Lloyd-Jones give to people who try to approach God without Christ?
Lloyd-Jones warns that people who think they can approach God directly without Christ are in "a fool's paradise." He states: "There are hundreds and thousands of people in this world who think that they worship God and that they pray to him and they don't mention the name of Christ. They don't see that he's necessary. They think they can go to God as they are. It's just this appalling ignorance. There is no way to God except through his only begotten son whom he sent into this world."
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the complete work of salvation through Christ?
Lloyd-Jones describes the complete work of salvation through Christ as: 1. Christ taking our sin and bearing its guilt and punishment 2. Christ conquering the devil and routing the enemy 3. Christ giving believers a new nature, new life, and new start 4. Christ uniting believers to Himself as members of His body 5. Christ putting His Holy Spirit into believers, working in them 6. Christ progressively delivering believers from sin 7. Christ ultimately presenting believers "faultless and blameless without spot nor wrinkle"
He concludes that Christ "deals with every aspect of salvation, with our every need."
The Book of John
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.