So Great Salvation
A Sermon on "So Great a Salvation" from Hebrews 2:1-4
Scripture
1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How shall …
Sermon Description
Why is it such a terrible thing to reject the gospel? In this sermon, “So Great Salvation,” from Hebrews 2:1–4 titled Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on humanity’s need of salvation and what happens if one rejects it. Salvation is such a weighty matter because of its source: God. If anyone says no to salvation, then they say no to the God who has offered salvation to all who believe. This is why it is such a dangerous thing to spurn God’s gracious gift that He has put forward in Jesus Christ. But those who do accept salvation are given the greatest possible blessing: eternal life and peace with God. The gospel is God’s ultimate gift of grace that alone can free people from sin and judgement. This sermon calls each and every one to examine themselves and ask the question: “have I accepted God’s gift of salvation? Am I trusting in Jesus as my only hope?” This is not an inconsequential question, but it is the most important question anyone can ask, for with the great gift of salvation comes the great penalty for rejecting it.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by introducing Hebrews 2:1-4 and the question posed in verse 3: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?"
- The sermon outlines why this salvation is so great by examining:
- Its authorship: It is from God - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Not man.
- What it saves us from: The judgment and punishment of God for our sin and disobedience. Our sin condemns us.
- What it saves us for: Reconciliation with God, adoption as His children, strength in temptation, and an eternal inheritance.
- The sermon then explores the great drama of how this salvation was achieved:
- Jesus, the Son of God through whom all things were made, was made lower than the angels by becoming a man.
- Jesus lived a perfect life, was tempted in every way as we are, and died an atoning death on the cross, tasting death for every man.
- Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death, and ascended into heaven where He intercedes for us. He will return again.
- The sermon concludes with an appeal to realize the greatness of this salvation, see our need of it, and come to Christ - the only one who can save us from eternal destruction and bring us eternal joy.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Mean by "So Great Salvation"?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains in this sermon that the phrase "so great salvation" from Hebrews 2:3 describes the magnificent nature of the gospel message. In his view, many Christians and non-believers have failed to grasp just how extraordinary the Christian salvation truly is.
How is the Christian salvation described as "great" in the Bible?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the Christian salvation is described as "great" in several ways in scripture. The apostle Paul frequently struggles to find adequate language, using phrases like "the exceeding riches of God's grace," "the unsearchable riches of Christ," and "the love of Christ which passeth knowledge." The Bible consistently presents salvation as something of extraordinary magnitude and glory.
Why do people neglect or reject Christianity according to Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that people neglect or reject Christianity because "they have forgotten the greatness of the salvation" or "have never realized the greatness of this thing which they are refusing and neglecting." He argues that if people truly understood what Christianity offers, they would not turn away from it.
What makes the Christian salvation "great" in terms of its authorship?
The Christian salvation is great in its authorship because it comes directly from God Himself. Lloyd-Jones says, "This is the message of God, not men." He points out that Hebrews identifies all three persons of the Trinity as authors of this salvation: "which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord [Jesus Christ]... God also bearing them witness [God the Father]... with gifts of the Holy Ghost." This divine origin makes it infinitely more valuable than human philosophies or ideologies.
How does Lloyd-Jones explain the greatness of salvation in terms of what it saves us from?
Lloyd-Jones explains that salvation's greatness is seen in what it rescues us from - eternal judgment and condemnation. He compares it to how we value medicines: "You measure the greatness of this message in what it delivers you from." Just as the most valuable medicines cure the deadliest diseases, the gospel is priceless because it saves us from eternal separation from God and judgment for our sins.
What positive benefits make salvation "so great" according to the sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, salvation offers: - Forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God - Peace of conscience and assurance - Access to God in prayer - A new nature and new beginning in life - Divine help in times of temptation - Becoming children of God and "partakers of the divine nature" - An eternal inheritance in "the world to come"
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the "drama of redemption"?
Lloyd-Jones presents the "drama of redemption" as the greatest story ever told. He describes how the Son of God, the creator of the universe, humbled Himself to become human in the incarnation. He then suffered and died on the cross, bearing our sins, descended into hell, rose triumphantly over death, and ascended to heaven where He sits at God's right hand, waiting to return and establish His eternal kingdom. This divine sacrifice to secure our salvation reveals its incomparable greatness.
What challenge does Lloyd-Jones give to his listeners at the end of the sermon?
In his conclusion, Lloyd-Jones challenges his listeners to recognize the greatness of this salvation, to see their need for it, and to "run to Jesus Christ" and "cast yourself upon him." He urges them to face the reality of death and judgment, and to embrace the only thing that can save them "not only in this world, but for all eternity." The sermon ends with an invitation to praise and glorify God for "so great a salvation."
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.