A World in Darkness
A Sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Originally preached Feb. 19, 1961
Scripture
1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight …
Sermon Description
What is the only hope for the world? In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:1–6 titled “A World in Darkness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the only hope for the world is not modern science or learning, nor is it politics and philosophy; it is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only this message of true salvation and forgiveness of sins can bring hope to a world that is in darkness and rebellion against God. The Bible says that all who are born in sin are born in ignorance and blind to the truth of God. Because of this blindness, people are content to sin and live a life that is wholly opposed to God and His righteousness. How then can sinners be saved if they are blind? It is only by grace that anyone can be set free from darkness and come to know God. This is the glory of the gospel: God saves sinners by giving His Son to pay the wages of sin. There is no other way of salvation than to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This sermon asks everyone the question: “have you believed in this gospel?”
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is giving an account of himself and his ministry. He is explaining his view of himself as a minister and preacher of the gospel.
- Paul emphasizes how careful and diligent he is in preaching the gospel. He has renounced hidden things of dishonesty and does not walk in craftiness or handle the word of God deceitfully.
- Paul appeals to the Corinthians' consciences as evidence of his sincerity and integrity.
- The gospel is hidden to those who are perishing because the god of this world has blinded their minds.
- Paul preaches Christ Jesus as Lord and himself as the Corinthians' servant for Jesus's sake.
- God commanded light to shine out of darkness and has shone in Paul's heart to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in Christ.
- Paul is explaining and defending his ministry for the third time. People are always interested to hear someone explain their work and ministry.
- Paul was extraordinarily careful in how he ministered so he would not hinder the gospel in any way. He feared he might not do it properly.
- Paul renounced hidden things of dishonesty, did not walk in craftiness, and did not handle the word of God deceitfully.
- Paul commended himself to every man's conscience in the sight of God. No one could charge him with unworthiness.
- If the gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are perishing. The god of this world has blinded their minds to the light of the gospel.
- Paul preached Christ as Lord and himself as the Corinthians' servant for Jesus's sake.
- God commanded light to shine out of darkness and shone in Paul's heart to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in Christ.
- The gospel disseminates light and knowledge. The business of preaching the gospel is to open people's eyes and give them knowledge and instruction.
- People need to realize they are in darkness and ignorance before they can receive the light of the gospel. They must realize their need for the gospel.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Gospel as Good News: Why Many Don't See It That Way
What is the main point of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon about the gospel?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the gospel is fundamentally good news, which is the literal meaning of the word "gospel." He emphasizes that this is not merely religious exhortation, moral appeals, or philosophical discussion, but a message bringing the greatest good news ever heard. The sermon focuses on why many people do not recognize or experience the gospel as good news, despite its nature as such.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say people don't recognize the gospel as good news?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, there are three main reasons why people don't recognize the gospel as good news:
- They don't realize their need for it - they are unaware of their true condition
- They don't understand what has been done about their condition (Christ's work)
- They are not aware of what prevents them from seeing these truths
The sermon primarily addresses the first reason - people's failure to recognize their spiritual condition.
What spiritual condition does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say all people are in by nature?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that all people are naturally in a condition of:
- Spiritual darkness and ignorance - about God, about Christ, and even about themselves
- Being "without form and void" - living lives without proper order, purpose, or direction
- Being lost - not where they should be in relation to God, having lost their original righteousness, under God's judgment and wrath, and headed toward eternal perdition
As he states: "If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost" (or "perishing").
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the process of becoming a Christian?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses the creation account from Genesis as an analogy for conversion. Just as God said "Let there be light" when the earth was "without form and void," so God must shine light into our spiritual darkness:
"The God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
He describes it as God opening our eyes and turning us from darkness to light, from Satan's power to God, resulting in forgiveness of sins and eternal inheritance.
Why was Paul so careful in his ministry according to this sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul was extremely careful in his ministry because:
- He realized he was working in God's sight and would give account
- He understood the divine nature of the truth he was handling
- He recognized the desperate condition of his hearers - they were perishing
- He knew their eternal destiny hung in the balance
As Lloyd-Jones puts it: "Is there anything more terrible than for a preacher to gain a temporary popularity from men and women who will soon be dead and go to hell? Their blood, as it were, would be on his conscience."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones test whether someone has truly understood the gospel?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests we can test whether we've understood the gospel by asking:
- Is it genuinely good news to you?
- Is it the greatest and best good news you've ever heard?
- Does it make you want to sing, rejoice, and praise God?
- Has it given you understanding about yourself, your soul, and your purpose?
- Has it brought order, direction and meaning to your life?
If not, then you likely haven't truly understood your need for the gospel.
Other Sermons
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.