The Unsearchable Riches of Christ
A Sermon on 2 Peter 1:1
Scripture
1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Sermon Description
It is not uncommon for the Christian to struggle in their walk with Christ, to be overcome with anxiety, or frustrated with continued temptations. While they are promised that God will gradually grow them into the image of His sinless Son, many become frustrated to find that they still struggle with many of the things they wrestled with before becoming followers of Jesus. In this sermon from 2 Peter 1:1, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that many of the problems in the Christian life can be traced to forgetfulness about the truths of the faith. For those who are constantly anxious or discouraged because they still wrestle with many temptations, Dr Lloyd-Jones encourages actively calling to mind the core tenets and promises of Christianity, such as that God has equipped His people with everything they need to live in a way that pleases Him. The character of faith is precious because God Himself has given it, it cost Him His Son, and it is rare. While many people do not have the blessing of knowing Jesus as their Savior, Christians are in the same company as the heroes of the faith who have gone before them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages the listener to rest in the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Peter is writing to encourage Christians who are unhappy and disturbed.
- Their condition is partly due to their own negligence in not applying themselves to Christian teaching.
- Their main trouble is due to false teachers who were denying the person of Christ and his atoning death.
- Peter says he has nothing new to tell them, just to remind them of what they already know.
- Their trouble is forgetfulness of the truth. We need no new gospel, just to remember the old one.
- Peter describes their faith as "precious faith." He wants them to realize how precious it is.
- Faith is precious because of how we obtained it - as a gift, not by our own efforts. It is given by God's grace.
- Faith is precious because of who gave it - the righteous God and our Savior Jesus Christ. It cost the blood of Christ.
- Faith is precious because it is rare. Few find the narrow way. True faith is scarce.
- Faith is precious because of the company we belong to - the apostles, prophets, martyrs, etc.
- Faith is precious because of what it does for us - it gives us access to God's treasure house of blessings.
- Faith gives forgiveness, escape from corruption, partaking of the divine nature, assurance of salvation, and an abundant entrance into heaven.
- We should not be ashamed or apologetic, but glory in the precious faith God has given us.
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.