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Sermon #5670

A Kingdom Which Cannot Be Removed

A Sermon on Hebrews 12:28-29

Originally preached July 14, 1963

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Scripture

Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV KJV
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (ESV)

Sermon Description

In this sermon on Hebrews 12:28–29 titled “A Kingdom Which Cannot Be Removed,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the importance of heeding the call to repentance by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, should not be refused. While the misconceptions and vain philosophies of this age will soon fade, Jesus’s gospel and kingdom is eternal and unshakeable throughout all ages. More importantly, all people will pass, along with this world, and they will have to give account to every thought and deed. The judgement of God will be inescapable, but those who believe in God’s way of salvation through God’s Son will join Him in His everlasting kingdom. Since Jesus sits on the throne and rules His Kingdom forever, Christians will be in His kingdom forever. Christians will be considered as heirs and firstborns in His family. In contrast, those who refuse He who speaks, and instead trusts in their own abilities, will be judged eternally. They will be cast away with the worldly kingdoms and its ruler, the devil. All should consider which kingdom they would like to be in for eternity.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon is based on Hebrews 12:28-29 which says “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.”

  2. The main theme of the Bible and the New Testament in particular is the kingdom of God. This is the most important thing in life according to Jesus.

  3. The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom that can only be entered through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. Many misunderstand the nature of the kingdom.

  4. We must listen to and accept the message about the kingdom of God because God himself is speaking through his Son, Jesus Christ. God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament but now speaks through his Son.

  5. We must listen because we are all moving towards the final judgment where we will have to stand before God. God is a holy judge and a consuming fire. The whole universe will be shaken on that day.

  6. The only way to stand in the judgment is through belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The old covenant required obedience to the law but the new covenant is belief in Christ. His blood cleanses us from sin.

  7. The blessings of the kingdom include forgiveness of sins, reconciliation to God, becoming children of God and heirs, and eternal glory.

  8. The kingdom of God cannot be shaken or moved. Kingdoms of this world come and go but God's kingdom is eternal. Christ has conquered every enemy including death.

  9. We must not refuse the one who is speaking, Jesus Christ, or we will face eternal misery. But if we believe we will have eternal joy in God's kingdom.

  10. The way into the kingdom is simple: repent, acknowledge your sin and inability, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sermon Q&A

What Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones Mean by "Our God is a Consuming Fire"?

In his sermon from Hebrews 12:28-29, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the phrase "our God is a consuming fire" emphasizes God's holiness, righteousness, purity, and justice. This powerful metaphor has important implications for how we approach God and understand judgment.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe God's holiness in the sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones states explicitly: "What does he mean? Well, he means that God is holy. He means that God is righteous, that God is pure, that God is just." He emphasizes that God's holiness demands reverence from us, noting that "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." The consuming fire imagery represents God's absolute purity that cannot tolerate sin or impurity in His presence.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say we should not refuse "him that speaketh"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several compelling reasons why we should heed God's message:

  1. Because of who is speaking: "This is the word of God. It is not a human idea. It's not a human proposal."
  2. Because judgment is coming: "Every day I live nearer and nearer to a final judgment."
  3. Because this is God's final provision: "This is God's last word to the human race."
  4. Because of the glory of the kingdom Christ offers: "We receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the judgment of God?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that judgment is "the great note of the Bible." He teaches that:

  • Every person must stand before God and "give an account of the deeds done in the body"
  • God has demonstrated His judgment throughout history, even punishing His own people
  • The coming judgment will shake not just the earth but also heaven itself
  • Nothing can withstand God's judgment except what He establishes
  • The modern world's failure to believe in judgment is its fundamental problem

How does one prepare for standing before a holy God?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the only way to be prepared for God's judgment is through "the blood of sprinkling" - Christ's atoning sacrifice. He explains:

  • "There's only one way whereby you can meet it, and that is that the precious blood of Christ be sprinkled upon your conscience and upon your soul."
  • "The moment you believe in him, you are already forgiven."
  • The new covenant offers salvation by faith: "Not 'do this and thou shalt live.' But 'believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.'"

What are the blessings of the kingdom that cannot be moved?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several benefits for those who enter God's kingdom:

  1. Forgiveness: "What a wonderful thing to know that all my past sins are blotted out."
  2. Reconciliation with God: "You have access into the presence of God."
  3. Becoming God's child: "You become a child of God... an heir."
  4. Future glory: "It is to be with him. It is to be like him. It is to reign with Christ as kings and priests."
  5. Eternal security: "Here is a kingdom which cannot be removed. Cannot be shaken."

This kingdom "will never be moved" because it is established by God Himself and founded on Christ, the Rock of Ages.

Sermons on the Kingdom of God

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.