But God... Part 1
"But God" - a Sermon from Ephesians 2:1-10
Scripture
1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among …
Sermon Description
Is it possible that the gospel can be summarized in just two words? In this sermon "But God", Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers in the affirmative. Given the context of Paul’s transition from sin to salvation in Ephesians 2:1-10, great hope shines forth with just two words: “But God.” These two words suggest hope for the sinner and is the only message that holds out hope for the individual and a world that is dead in trespasses and sins. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones contends in this sermon, these two great words tell that salvation is entirely a divine action and in contrast to the sin of humanity. “But God” shows He is unlike men, slow to anger and abounding with grace towards those who deserve wrath. In a world full of anxiety, stress, and difficulty, humanity’s great hope and joy is summarized in this brief statement. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that God has entered into this state of death by offering hope through Christ. The human condition is not hopeless but can be changed through the intervention of a merciful God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The gospel comes in as a flash of light into the darkness. It is the only hope in the world.
- The gospel begins where man ends. Man's extremity is God's opportunity.
- The two words "but God" are the apostle's favorite words to introduce the gospel. They suggest hope, the miraculous and supernatural, surprise, and God's salvation.
- The first three verses of Ephesians 2 describe man's hopeless condition in sin under God's wrath. Then comes "but God."
- "But" suggests hope. The gospel is the only hope in the world because only it understands the cause of our troubles in sin and Satan. Statesmen and philosophers fail because they don't understand this.
- "But God" introduces the miraculous, supernatural, and divine. We shouldn't be nervous about this. Without it there would be no gospel.
- The gospel is surprising. If it's not surprising to us, we haven't understood it. Paul himself was surprised by God's grace.
- Our salvation is all of God, from beginning to end. We must give Him all the glory. No man can save a soul.
- God has done all this because He is eternally different from us. He is rich in mercy, love, grace, and kindness. The cross shows the measure of His love.
- "But God" shows the power of God and the difference He makes. He gives life to the dead, raises us up, and seats us in the heavenly places in Christ. This is assurance.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions & Answers
What is the main scripture passage Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on Ephesians 2:1-10, specifically highlighting the two words "But God" from verse 4. He explains that these two words are crucial in understanding the transition from man's hopeless condition to God's saving work.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the primary cause of the world's problems?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the real cause of the world's problems as spiritual death and the control of "the prince of the power of the air" (Satan) over humanity. He explains that the non-Christian world is "dead in trespasses and sins" and is governed by "the course of this world" and "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." He argues that statesmen, philosophers, and educators fail to understand this root cause.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the significance of the phrase "But God"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes "But God" as: 1. The but of hope - it introduces the only real hope in a hopeless situation 2. The but of the miraculous and supernatural - it lifts us from the human level to the divine 3. The but of surprise - it introduces the most surprising, amazing thing in the world 4. The but of contrast - it shows how God is eternally different from us in His mercy, love, and grace 5. A phrase that emphasizes salvation is entirely of God, not of human effort
What is the difference between man's condition and God's response according to this sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, man's condition is one of spiritual death, slavery to the world and Satan, living according to lusts of the flesh and mind, and being under God's wrath. God's response, introduced by "But God," is characterized by rich mercy, great love, grace, and kindness. God quickens (makes alive) those who were dead, raises them with Christ, and seats them in heavenly places with Christ.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the gospel is the only hope for the world?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones believes the gospel is the only hope because it alone correctly diagnoses the true cause of humanity's problems - spiritual death and satanic influence. He states that political leaders, philosophers, and educators only address symptoms rather than the root cause. The gospel offers a supernatural solution (new birth) to a supernatural problem (spiritual death), making it uniquely equipped to provide real hope.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use the stories of Mary and Nicodemus in his sermon?
Lloyd-Jones uses these stories to illustrate how people struggle with the supernatural aspects of the gospel:
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Mary initially questioned how she could bear a child as a virgin, thinking only on a human level, but was reminded that "with God nothing shall be impossible."
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Nicodemus similarly struggled with understanding spiritual rebirth in physical terms, questioning how a man could enter his mother's womb again. Jesus corrected him by explaining that spiritual birth is different from physical birth.
Both examples show how people tend to view spiritual realities through a natural, human lens, missing the supernatural nature of God's work.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the true nature of salvation according to this passage?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that salvation is "altogether and entirely of God." He points to phrases like "by grace ye are saved" and "not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." He insists that salvation comes through God's quickening power that makes the spiritually dead alive, raises them with Christ, and seats them in heavenly places. The entire process is God's supernatural work from beginning to end.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the Christian's identity in Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the Christian as someone who has been: - Quickened (made alive) by God when they were dead in sins - Raised up together with Christ - Seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus - Made God's workmanship - Created in Christ Jesus for good works
He also quotes Paul's statement "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me," suggesting Christians become an enigma to themselves because they are transformed by Christ's indwelling presence.
Itinerant Preaching
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.