The Fear of Death
A Sermon on 2 Timothy 1:10
Scripture
10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Sermon Description
This sermon calls to those who have a tendency to feel down or discouraged about life. It is for those who look around at the world and wonder what good can possibly come from all the evil that seems to run so rampant today. In this sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from 2 Timothy 1:10, and offers the believer some practical encouragement drawn from Paul’s letter. Timothy, like many believers today, had a tendency for being down, especially with the anticipated death of Paul, his beloved friend and mentor. Knowing this, Paul wrote this encouraging letter to Timothy. His remedy for Timothy’s sadness is to remind him of the gospel. It’s easy to think that things have only been going poorly in the world during this lifetime. However, this evil has been occurring since the beginning of time, and it’s crucial to remember that God has been acting from even before that time. The Christian’s hope and rest is in the gospel because God is in control of it all and through Christ who has cancelled out the effects of sin and death. Christians are those who have been made alive unto God, and thus, can look at this world knowing that there is a perfect world awaiting followers of Jesus upon their deaths. This is the hope that Paul imparted to Timothy and that Dr. Lloyd-Jones wants to give to the listener.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul wrote this letter to encourage Timothy who was feeling discouraged and depressed.
- Paul does not offer Timothy direct sympathy or general exhortation. Instead, he reminds Timothy of the gospel.
- Paul says Timothy's feelings are because he has forgotten the gospel. If a Christian is depressed, it is because they have forgotten the gospel.
- Paul reminds Timothy of the glory of redemption and the gospel. He takes Timothy back to eternity before the world began when God planned salvation.
- God planned salvation before the world began. He knew each individual Christian before the world began.
- God saved us and called us according to his purpose, not our works. Salvation is by grace alone.
- God not only saved us but called us to a holy calling, a new life. Justification and sanctification cannot be separated.
- Paul wants to impress upon Timothy that God's plan, though conceived before the world began, was manifested in Jesus Christ.
- Jesus Christ abolished death. A better translation is that he "frustrated" or "nullified" death. He dismantled the power of death.
- Death entered the world through sin. It leads to spiritual death, physical death, and corruption.
- Jesus defeated death by dying for our sins and satisfying the law of God. He took the sting out of death.
- For Christians, death becomes like sleep while the spirit goes to be with Christ. The body will be resurrected.
- Jesus brought life and incorruption to light through the gospel. He proved resurrection by rising incorruptible from the dead.
- Our salvation includes the redemption and glorification of our bodies. We will spend eternity with God in our glorified bodies.
- No matter what happens in the world, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Our spirits are already glorified in him.
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.