Has Christianity Failed?
A Sermon on “will he find faith on earth?” from Luke 18:8
Originally preached Nov. 5, 1961
Scripture
8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Sermon Description
Has Christianity failed? In this sermon on the question “will he find faith on earth?” from Luke 18:8 titled “Has Christianity Failed?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that many critics of Christianity say that after nearly two thousand years since the establishment of Christianity, the world is still full of strife and conflict. The world is still full of war, poverty, and crime. Modern history has shown that, if anything, the world is only getting worse. What does all this mean for the claims of Christianity? Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that the troubles of the world do not constitute an argument against the claims of Christianity as Christianity never claimed to solve all the world’s problems here and now. At the center of Christianity is Christ who died upon the cross in order to save sinners from the wrath of God and make them inheritors of eternal life in the age to come. In fact, the Bible teaches that people are fundamentally sinners who hate God and oppose His law. It is only by the gospel that they can ever be transformed. Christianity never claims that this world will be made perfect by the church, but what it does teach is that Jesus Christ will return on the last day, and He will make all things right.
Sermon Breakdown
- The world is in a desperate condition. People are perplexed and don't know what to do.
- The Bible offers an answer and solution to the problems of the world. It provides hope.
- Some refuse to face the problems of the world and live carefree lives.
- Some rely on human wisdom, power, and wealth to solve problems but these do not work.
- The tragedy is that while people struggle, the solution (the Bible) is ignored. Why is this?
- Some reasons the Bible is ignored: pride, depravity, belief that an old book is irrelevant today.
- Another reason the Bible is ignored: the belief that Christianity has already failed.
- This belief is wrong. Christianity has not brought the world to its current state. The opposite is true.
- The world's problems exist because people have rejected Christianity and its teachings.
- If everyone lived according to the Bible, many of the world's major problems would be solved.
- Christianity has been the most civilizing force in history. It has positively impacted society in many ways.
- The idea that Christianity has failed is based on a false understanding of its purpose and mission.
- Christianity has never promised to: reform the world, end war, solve social problems, make society perfect.
- Non-Christian philosophies and leaders have promised to solve the world's problems but have failed.
- Christianity's purpose is to save individuals from sin and judgement, not remake society.
- Jesus came to seek and save the lost, not reform society or end war. He dealt with individuals.
- God has a plan for the world that centers on Jesus. Jesus came to start a new humanity and kingdom.
- God's plan is being carried out. People are still being added to God's kingdom. The plan will culminate in Jesus' return.
- At Jesus' return, He will judge the world, destroy evil, and establish a new perfect world with His followers.
- The question is where do you stand in relation to God's plan? Your biggest concern should be your own soul, not the world's problems.
- Though the world is doomed, you can be saved through faith in Jesus. This is the hope Christianity offers.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Christianity's Alleged Failure
Why do critics claim Christianity has failed to solve the world's problems?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, critics claim that "1960 years of Christianity and centuries more of all kinds of other religions of equal validity to their believers seem to have brought us to a pretty pass." They argue that Christianity has been preached for nearly 2,000 years, yet the world remains filled with wars, violence, and suffering. These critics believe Christianity has had its chance and failed, so they dismiss it without further consideration.
What is the fundamental misunderstanding about Christianity's purpose?
The fundamental misunderstanding is that Christianity promised to reform and improve the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states: "Christianity has never promised to improve and to reform this world. Never. I defy you to give me a single statement in this New Testament which indicates that Christianity has promised to make this world a better place." Critics wrongly assume Christianity is merely a civilizing movement designed to progressively make each generation better than the previous one.
What did Jesus actually prophesy about the end times?
Jesus prophesied the opposite of world improvement. He said: "As it was in the days of Noah, even so shall it be at the end of the age; as it was in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, even so shall it be in the days of the Son of Man." Jesus predicted wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, pestilences, and people rising up against each other. He even asked, "When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find the faith on the earth?" — suggesting faith might be scarce at the end.
What positive contributions has Christianity made to society?
Despite not promising to reform the world, Christianity has been "the most civilizing and uplifting force that this world has ever known." Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to several contributions: - Hospitals originated from Christianity - Schools and education systems for common people - Poor laws and care for the impoverished - Abolition of slavery through Christian leaders like William Wilberforce - Factory acts and labor reforms through Lord Shaftsbury - Popular education introduced in the 1870s - Even trade unionism has roots in Christian gatherings
What is the true purpose of Christianity according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
The true purpose of Christianity is to save individuals out of this fallen world. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "He came primarily to deal with us as individuals and to save us out of this lost world. This is how he put it: 'The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.'" Christianity is about God's plan to gather individuals out of "this mess of humanity" into His kingdom, not about fixing the world system itself.
What is God's ultimate plan for the world according to the sermon?
God's plan is to establish a new kingdom rather than reform the old one. Christ will return to judge the world, destroy the old kingdom that has become "the kingdom and the world of the devil," and establish His glorious visible kingdom. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones puts it: "The new Jerusalem will come down out of heaven. There will be a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." All who have believed in Christ will be part of this kingdom.
How should individuals respond to global problems according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Instead of worrying primarily about global issues like war and international relations, Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges individuals to focus on their own spiritual condition: "Stop worrying about the bombs. You can't make any difference to that. Neither can I. That's not your problem... Your problem is yourself. What's going to happen to you?" He emphasizes that while the world's problems may be beyond our control, our personal salvation is available through Christ.
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.