Peace With God Through Christ
A Sermon on Galatians 1:3-5
Originally preached Nov. 16, 1958
Scripture
3Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5To whom be glory for ever …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Galatians 1:3–5 titled “Peace With God Through Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones opens his sermon with an important and fundamental question: what is the gospel? As Paul writes in his letter, Dr. Lloyd-Jones answers as the apostle answers. The good news is that God intervened and rescued His people from the sin of this world. This gospel is precisely why the church is different from other human meetings. The church is far above organizing a political gathering, listening to music, or reading poetry, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains. Those activities are between people and creation, but the church is based upon the gospel, and the gospel involves God and humanity. It is not a human construction. The good news, unlike the efforts of people, offers a solution as to why the world is so terrible. There is sin, and sin is embedded into the nature of every man and woman. On their own, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, men and women cannot even redeem themselves. But God interceded, as Paul writes, and rescued His people from this state by Christ’s death on the cross. Now it is possible to have peace. The Christian knows that God is stronger than whatever evil humanity can dream up, and it is His Son who will one day bring them into His kingdom.
Sermon Breakdown
- We are all part of one of two kingdoms - the kingdom of God or the kingdom of Satan. By nature, we belong to Satan's kingdom.
- The world is under God's judgment and wrath because of sin. This present evil world is doomed and will face punishment.
- The good news is that through faith in Christ, we can be delivered from Satan's kingdom and God's wrath. We can be transferred into Christ's kingdom.
- Before receiving blessings from God, we must have peace with God. There is enmity between God and man because of sin.
- Christ died to make peace between God and man. He took our punishment so God's justice and holiness could be satisfied, allowing Him to forgive us.
- By seeing God's love displayed in Christ's sacrifice, our enmity towards God is removed. We are reconciled to God through Christ.
- Peace with God leads to peace within - assurance of salvation, quieted conscience, ability to face Satan's accusations.
- Peace with God allows us to face any circumstance, even death, without fear. Nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ.
Sermon Q&A
What Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Mean by Being "Delivered from This Present Evil World"?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Galatians 1:3-5 explains what it means to be "delivered from this present evil world." Here's what he taught about this important concept:
What does it mean to be delivered from this present evil world?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, being delivered from this present evil world means "being delivered from the doom that is awaiting this world." He explains that we are in one of two kingdoms:
"We are either in this present evil world which is governed by Satan, or else we are in the world of God, which is governed by the Lord Jesus Christ."
The first blessing of salvation is this complete change in our position before God, where we are transferred from one realm to another.
Why does the world need deliverance?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that:
- The world is under God's wrath and judgment due to its rebellion against Him
- It is governed by Satan ("the whole world lieth in wickedness or in the wicked one")
- It is destined for destruction and can never be truly improved
- By nature, all humans are born into this doomed world
He states: "This present evil world is going to be visited with punishment. Now then, this is the good news of the gospel. We, all of us, I say, by birth and by nature, belong to that world and are under that doom."
How can someone be delivered from this world?
The only way to be delivered is through Jesus Christ's sacrificial death:
"There is only one way whereby we can be delivered as individuals out of the fate and the doom and the disaster that is going to overwhelm this present evil world. And it is by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is by believing that he took our sins upon himself and bore their punishment in his own body on the cross."
What happens when someone is delivered?
When someone is delivered from this present evil world:
- They are "translated into the kingdom of his dear son"
- They "pass from judgment into life"
- They receive peace with God
- They experience inner peace despite external circumstances
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes: "It's the most wonderful good news that has ever come into this world, that in the here and now I can look to that future and to that judgment that is coming and say it's got nothing to do with me. I have already passed from judgment unto life."
Why is this teaching so important today?
This teaching remains vital because many people don't recognize their position in this "present evil world." Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges his hearers: "Have you ever seen yourself as a part of this present evil world? Don't you feel that there is a curse on this world, that it's under some kind of doom?"
Unless we recognize our peril, we won't seek the deliverance Christ offers through His death on the cross.
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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.