I Shake not only the Earth
A Sermon on Hebrews 12:25-29
Originally preached Sept. 28, 1958
Scripture
25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Hebrews 12:25–29 titled “I Shake Not Only the Earth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones starts by addressing a common objection of the Bible. Many contemporary people do not believe the Bible and its value simply because it’s old, and they believe it is irrelevant because it is obsolete. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the Bible is ever relevant, ever contemporary, and ever true because it is the everlasting God who speaks about His Son, Jesus Christ. Human history, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, tells that people refuse to listen to God and His word. In turn, they become confused and unstable as they seek to find stability, security, and certainty in the things that aren’t meant to be. Only in the realm of God, the kingdom of God, can humans find a place of spiritual rest. One can only enter into this kingdom by the gospel, having faith in Jesus Christ and trust that He has taken away sins. Listen to this sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones as he clearly teaches about the everlasting kingdom of God and its implication for Christians of the 21st century.
Sermon Breakdown
- The Bible teaches that man seeks stability in unstable, impermanent things.
- Man has always sought security and stability. He built houses, cities, countries and empires to find stability.
- The Victorian era seemed stable but was shaken. Nothing in this world is ultimately stable.
- The Bible explains why instability and impermanence exist. God will shake created things.
- God shakes things opposed to him. He will not allow evil and sin to endure permanently.
- God will shake the earth and heavens. The physical universe will be shaken and removed.
- The Bible teaches that the earth and heavens are impermanent and will pass away. They were created temporarily.
- There is only one eternal, imperishable kingdom - the kingdom of God.
- The kingdom of God is spiritual but will one day be visible. It is the realm where God reigns.
- Entrance to God's kingdom is through Jesus Christ alone. He alone can provide forgiveness of sins.
- Jesus had to become human and die to provide forgiveness of sins and entrance to God's kingdom.
- Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to heaven and intercedes for believers. He will bring us into God's kingdom.
- Those in God's kingdom will fear God but not fear man or circumstances. They have grace and thank God.
- Those in God's kingdom serve God willingly and acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
Sermon Q&A
What Does the Bible Teach About World Instability According to Lloyd-Jones?
What does Lloyd-Jones mean when he says the Bible is the only "up to date" book?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the Bible is uniquely "up to date" because it speaks with relevance to every age and generation as a contemporary word. He argues that "there is no other book and no other teaching that really does help to give us an understanding of the times apart from this book." The Bible alone properly explains the current state of the world with its instability and changing conditions. He contrasts this with people who mistakenly dismiss the Bible as irrelevant simply because it's old.
How does Lloyd-Jones characterize the modern age we're living in?
Lloyd-Jones characterizes our modern age as one of "change," "flux," and "instability." He notes that things which Victorian-era people would have regarded as "absolutely stable and unshakable are shaking and disappearing before our very eyes." This has resulted in people being surprised, bewildered, and alarmed because their philosophy assumed the world would become more stable with advancement, not less stable. The result is that many have "no hope for the future and are given to despair."
What does Hebrews 12:27 mean when it talks about "things that are shaken"?
Lloyd-Jones explains that Hebrews 12:27 refers to God's intentional shaking of earthly and temporary things. The phrase "things that are shaken" refers to everything in the created order that God never intended to be permanent. These are described as "things that are made" - the earth, time itself, human institutions, and even the heavens. God allows these things to be shaken "that those things which cannot be shaken may remain." The purpose of this shaking is to show the impermanence of everything except God's eternal kingdom.
According to the sermon, why does God shake nations and empires?
According to Lloyd-Jones, God shakes nations and empires because "Our God is a consuming fire" who will not allow anything opposed to Him to last permanently. He states: "God will not allow men to have stability apart from him." Throughout history, God has demonstrated that "there is no permanence in evil" and "there is no permanence in a life of sin." When Lloyd-Jones says, "You and I are witnessing God as a consuming fire in the world at the present time," he means God is actively shaking human institutions that rebel against Him.
What is the "kingdom which cannot be moved" that Lloyd-Jones refers to?
The "kingdom which cannot be moved" is God's eternal kingdom. Lloyd-Jones describes it as "that realm in which God reigns" where all are "subservient to him and worshipping him and enjoying him." It is currently in its spiritual form (as Jesus said "my kingdom is not of this world"), but will eventually have a visible form in "a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." Unlike everything else that can be shaken, this kingdom is permanent because God Himself is unchangeable and eternal.
How does one enter the kingdom that cannot be shaken according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the only way to enter the kingdom that cannot be shaken is through Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that neither prophets, angels, Moses, Aaron, nor priests could admit people into this kingdom. Only Jesus can do this because:
- He took on human nature ("made like unto his brethren")
- He shed His blood as a sacrifice for sin ("the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel")
- He conquered death and now lives eternally ("he ever liveth to make intercession for us")
Faith in Christ and union with Him is the only pathway into God's unshakable kingdom.
What should be the proper response of those who have received this unshakable kingdom?
Lloyd-Jones states that those who have received this unshakable kingdom should:
- No longer fear men, the future, forces of nature, or death
- Fear only God "with reverence and godly fear" (not craven fear)
- Be thankful ("let us have grace" which Lloyd-Jones interprets as being thankful)
- Give themselves to God "in a willing and in an acceptable service"
- Live with peace and understanding about the times
- Look forward to the coming kingdom rather than being afraid of leaving this world
This response comes from understanding that we have "received a kingdom which cannot be moved."
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.