The Kingdom of God is at Hand
A Sermon on Mark 1:14-15
Originally preached April 28, 1963
Scripture
14Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Mark 1:14–15 titled “The Kingdom of God is at Hand,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones presents God’s message that calls all to listen to the truth. Humanity’s notion of Christianity is wrong. The depth of the knowledge of God’s truth is far from known. The modern position finds humanity without God and without a proper guide. Humanity is always ready to worship itself, but this must not be. Learn that all questions have already been answered, and the problems have already been solved. Listeners are encouraged to receive the revelation of God; His gospel announces a plan and a purpose and all that is needed has already been given. The problem of humanity today is the same problem that has always been. Christianity is the plan of God acting out in history. Salvation depends on what God has done in Christ, not on what a person can understand. Humanity is a slave of sin, but Christ has broken the chains to set them free for His kingdom and stand blameless before God in Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by highlighting that the words in Mark 1:14-15 summarize the essence of the Christian gospel.
- Jesus came preaching the gospel, meaning he came making an authoritative proclamation and announcement. Preaching conveys certainty and authority.
- The gospel announces God's plan and purpose. God had a plan to deliver humanity even before creation. This plan has now been revealed and fulfilled in Jesus.
- God's plan is carried out through events in history, not through human discovery or philosophy. Christianity is based on what God has done, not human ideas.
- The "time" referred to in Mark 1:15 is God's time for fulfilling his promises and plan. This time has now come in Jesus.
- The kingdom of God refers to God's rule and reign. It means righteousness, peace, and God's blessing. It is the antithesis of the current state of the world.
- The kingdom of God has drawn near and arrived in Jesus. He is the king, and the kingdom comes where the king is. Jesus came to establish God's rule and reign.
- Jesus came to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, give sight to the blind, and set the captives free. This is what the kingdom brings.
- The gospel is the good news that God has visited and redeemed humanity in Jesus. Jesus is God come in the flesh to be our deliverer.
- Jesus died on the cross to open the gateway into the kingdom of God. We can only enter the kingdom and become citizens through faith in Jesus.
- We do not need to understand everything before coming to Jesus. We simply need to repent and believe in him. We must stop relying on our own intellect and efforts and instead trust in Christ.
- The gospel should be thrilling good news to us. If it is not, we do not yet understand our lost and helpless condition. We need Jesus as our savior.
- We are called to believe in Jesus, cast our sins and lives upon him, and cling to him. This is the heart of the Christian gospel.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on the Gospel Message
What is the main text Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached on in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones preached on Mark 1:14-15, which states: "Now, after that, John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying, the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent ye and believe the gospel."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say this text is so important for our time?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this text is crucial because it provides a clear, direct statement about what the gospel actually is. He argues that the greatest problem today is not that people disagree on details of Christianity, but that many are "wrong about the whole thing" - wrong about the very essence of the gospel, its foundation, central message, objective, and how one enters into relationship with it. He believes this text offers clarity amid widespread confusion.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast modern approaches to truth with the biblical approach?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts two approaches:
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The modern approach (which he criticizes): Truth is not yet fully known; we are "taking soundings" in uncharted waters; we have no maps or charts; we must experiment and discover truth gradually; each new age (like the "atomic age") requires new approaches to truth.
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The biblical approach (which he advocates): Truth has already been fully revealed by God; it is proclaimed with authority and certainty; it doesn't change with scientific discoveries or different eras; it is based on historical events that have already happened; it is accessible to all regardless of intellectual capacity.
What does the word "preaching" mean in this biblical context according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the word translated as "preaching" comes from a term used in the Roman Empire for making official proclamations, such as when an heir was born to the emperor. It carries the idea of:
- An authoritative announcement
- A certain, unequivocal statement
- A herald making a specific, definite message
- A proclamation with imperial authority
- The opposite of inviting people to a quest or search for truth
What does Lloyd-Jones mean by "the time is fulfilled"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "the time is fulfilled" means that God's planned moment in history had arrived. It indicates:
- God has a specific plan and purpose for this world
- This plan was made "before the foundation of the world"
- God revealed this plan progressively through the prophets
- The plan centers on delivering humanity from sin and failure
- The crucial moment of God's plan had arrived with Jesus Christ
- The turning point of all history was happening
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the "kingdom of God" in this sermon?
Lloyd-Jones describes the kingdom of God as:
- The reign or rule of God
- The opposite of man's rebellion against God
- The coming of righteousness and peace
- A state where evil is controlled and defeated
- A realm where God's blessings are showered on His people
- A place where prisoners are released from Satan's bondage
- Where broken hearts are bound and bleeding souls are cured
- Where the humble poor are enriched with treasures of God's grace
According to Lloyd-Jones, how does one enter the kingdom of God?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, entering the kingdom of God happens when someone:
- Acknowledges their sin, folly, shame, and helplessness
- Stops relying on intellectual inquiry and human understanding
- Repents (changes their mind/thinking)
- Simply believes in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior
- Receives by faith what Christ accomplished through His death on the cross
- Casts themselves upon Christ "just as they are"
Why does Lloyd-Jones dismiss the relevance of the "atomic age" to the gospel?
Lloyd-Jones dismisses the relevance of the "atomic age" to the gospel message because:
- God doesn't change - "The splitting of the atom doesn't make the slightest difference to God"
- Human nature doesn't change - scientific advances haven't changed human moral problems or spiritual needs
- The crucial turning point of history was 2,000 years ago with Christ, not with modern scientific discoveries
- Truth about God comes through His revelation, not through human discovery or progress
- Salvation depends on historical events that have already happened, not on understanding modern developments
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the gospel as "good news"?
Lloyd-Jones describes the gospel as good news because it announces:
- God has already done everything necessary for our salvation
- We don't need to search for truth; God has revealed it
- Jesus Christ, God's Son, has come to deliver us
- Christ has borne our sins on the cross
- The way into God's kingdom is now open
- Anyone can enter simply by repenting and believing
- Our eternal future can be absolutely secure
What final challenge does Lloyd-Jones give to his listeners?
Lloyd-Jones challenges his listeners to:
- "Don't be a fool" - recognize human limitations in understanding God
- "Give up, give in" - stop trying to figure everything out on their own
- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" - place their faith in Christ alone
- Acknowledge their need and helplessness before God
- "Cast their sins on him" - trust Christ's work for their salvation
- Respond to this as "the most wonderful news" they've ever heard
- Be reconciled to God through faith in Christ, making their eternal future secure
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.