A Son, Given for Us
A Sermon on Isaiah 9:2
Originally preached Dec. 13, 1964
Scripture
2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Sermon Description
What makes Christianity different from every other religion? In a day when mysticism and spiritism are rife, the question inevitably comes up. In this sermon on Isaiah 9:2 titled “A Son, Given for Us,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the prophecy where humanity is said to walk in darkness and disbelief. Modern humanity is no different from those ancient Israelites who had turned away from God and gone their own way. But God’s answer to this great act of rebellion is also the same. God has sent His Son to die upon the cross in the place of sinners who did not seek God or desire His mercy. Jesus Christ is God’s only appointed means of salvation. What makes Christianity different? The answer is Jesus. God has revealed His eternal purpose in His Son who was born as a servant in Bethlehem. This infant grew up and lived a perfect life and died upon the cross to save those that killed Him. This sermon forces all to ask the pointed question, “do I believe? Do I believe that God has sent His Son to die for me?” There is no more important question that one can ask because this question concerns the very soul. All must believe in Jesus Christ as Savior.
Sermon Breakdown
- The gospel is always an announcement and a message of hope. It comes with a "nevertheless" - a surprise and protestation.
- The world is in darkness due to ignorance about God, themselves, how to live, death, and other fundamentals. This leads to trouble, distress, and dwelling in the "shadow of death".
- The message comes to Galilee of the Gentiles, a despised place. God chooses unexpected places and people. There is always hope.
- The announcement is that a child is born and a son is given. The child is born for us and the son is given to us. The son is the Son of God.
- The coming of the child brings light to the world. The light reveals God, man, living, dying, and eternity. We must follow the light.
- The coming of the child brings deliverance from enemies and oppression. It brings liberty and freedom.
- The coming of the child brings an increase in the nation and joy. The joy is like harvest joy and dividing spoil joy.
- The government of the universe is upon the shoulders of the child. He will bring righteousness and a new heavens and new earth.
Old Testament
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.