Why Do the Nations Rage?
A Sermon on Psalms 2:1
Scripture
1Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Psalm 2:1 titled “Why Do the Nations Rage…?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tells how nothing else holds out hope in this modern world other than the message of Scripture. Look at the state and condition of the human race. Humankind is always restless, with a constant desire for peace and rest. They look at a raging storm in this age of people who are proud of their sin. Christians alone face the facts; nonbelievers are continually devising empty and futile schemes. Even attempts for peace do not succeed—look at history with the League of Nations and United Nations. People try to put their trust and confidence in politics, education, science, and philosophy. The state of the world today is simply “organized insanity.” Discover the deliberate rebellion that causes all of this. The law was not given to hold down. It is madness to believe in worldly theory and not believe in God. All are under the judgment of God and His wrath is upon sin. Rejoice that none are not left without a solution but should look at God’s free forgiveness.
Sermon Breakdown
- The psalmist asks why the world is in turmoil and chaos. He expresses horror at the condition of the world.
- The world is restless like the raging, churning sea. There are periods of calm but the underlying restlessness remains.
- The world is currently experiencing raging sin and open defiance of God. There is a breakdown of morality and lawlessness.
- Leaders and rulers are devising futile schemes to solve the world's problems but they are empty and vain.
- The condition of the world is due to man's rebellion against God. Man sees God as tyrannical and His laws as restrictive.
- God gave His laws for our good and benefit. If we followed them, the world's problems would be solved.
- The world's rebellion against God is utter madness and folly. Man's schemes have failed and the world is in crisis.
- The world does not know the truth about God. It rejects God as Creator and believes in chance and evolution.
- God is the eternal, almighty Creator who sits in the heavens and laughs at man's folly. His power is unlimited.
- God's wrath is upon sin. The world's condition is due to God withdrawing His restraining grace in anger.
- The world will continue to deteriorate until Christ returns. There will be greater wars, troubles and tribulation.
- We must be wise, understand our perilous state and kiss the Son in submission. We must yield to Christ.
- Only faith in Christ can save us from the wrath to come. We must trust in Him for pardon and eternal life.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers about Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Psalm 2
What is the main message of Psalm 2 according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the main message of Psalm 2 is that the world's problems stem from mankind's rebellion against God. He explains that the psalm, though written nearly 3,000 years ago, perfectly describes the condition of humanity in every age, including modern times. The psalm reveals that humanity's rejection of God and His laws is the root cause of chaos, violence, and moral decay, and that the only solution is to turn back to God and "kiss the Son" - submitting to Christ's authority.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the current state of the world in his sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the world as being in a state of "raging" - like a violent, turbulent sea. He points to moral decay, violence, alcoholism, drug addiction, robbery, breakdown of marriage and home life, and the general rejection of sacred values. He says: "We are in an age in which men not only sin, but they're proud of it." He characterizes modern society as casting up "mire and dirt" - filth in media, television, newspapers, and public displays, while leaders devise "futile and empty schemes" that cannot solve these fundamental problems.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as mankind's fundamental misunderstanding about God?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies that mankind fundamentally misunderstands God's character and intentions. People view God as a tyrant who restricts their freedom with "bands and cords" (the Ten Commandments and moral laws). They see God as being against them, standing between them and liberty. However, Lloyd-Jones explains that this is a tragic misunderstanding - God's laws were given for humanity's benefit and protection. If everyone kept the Ten Commandments, he says, "there'd be no more drunkenness, no more alcoholism, no more drug addiction, no more war, no more theft... The world would be paradise."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast humanity's approach to solving problems with God's solution?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts humanity's "futile and empty schemes" with God's solution in Christ. He points out that humans have repeatedly trusted in political systems (League of Nations, United Nations), education, science, and philosophy to solve problems, but all have failed. Our leaders devise schemes at conferences and congresses, but none address the fundamental spiritual problem. God's solution, by contrast, is sending His Son as the remedy for sin and offering free pardon and forgiveness to those who turn to Him. While humanity looks for external fixes, God addresses the heart of the problem.
What warning does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give about God's wrath and judgment?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns that the current troubles we see in the world represent God's wrath "kindled but a little." He suggests that God is allowing humanity to experience the consequences of rejecting Him by "withdrawing the restraining influence of his blessed spirit." However, he warns of a greater judgment to come when Christ returns "to judge the world in righteousness." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this final judgment will fall upon those who have rebelled against God and especially upon those who have refused His gracious offer of pardon through Christ.
What is the significance of the phrase "Kiss the Son" in Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "Kiss the Son" is a call to submission to Christ's authority. He compares it to the British custom where ministers kneel before the monarch and kiss the sovereign's hand when receiving their seals of office. It is an act of submission, loyalty, and recognition of authority. Lloyd-Jones urges his listeners to "kneel and bow before" Christ, "kiss his prophet hand," and "give yourself to him." This act of submission to Christ is presented as the only wise response to the reality of who God is and what He has done, resulting in blessing and protection from judgment.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones respond to the claim that the Bible is irrelevant to modern problems?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones directly challenges the notion that the Bible is irrelevant, arguing that it is actually the only thing that is relevant to modern problems. He states: "I want to go further and I want to show that nothing else is relevant, that this is the only book which throws any light upon our problems and our predicament and the only book that holds out any hope for any one of us in this modern world." He demonstrates this by showing how Psalm 2 accurately diagnoses humanity's condition and provides the only real solution, while all secular approaches have failed to solve humanity's fundamental problems.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the ultimate tragedy of mankind?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones says the ultimate tragedy of mankind is not just that people are defying the everlasting God, but that they are rejecting the love of God shown through Christ. He states: "This is the tragedy. That's the tragedy that the men in their prayer in the early church were referring to, that the world rejected Jesus of Nazareth, son of God." The tragedy is compounded because God is offering mankind free pardon and forgiveness through Christ's death on the cross, yet people continue to reject this offer of salvation and love, choosing instead to remain in rebellion against Him.
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.