The Heavenly Hope
A Sermon on Colossians 1:3-7
Originally preached Oct. 21, 1962
Scripture
3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5For the hope which is laid up for you in …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Colossians 1:3–7 titled “The Heavenly Hope,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on where Paul addresses the Colossae church, encouraging the congregation on their acceptance of the good news. This good news is the gospel, the core of Christianity. It is not a feeling or emotional state, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. It is a truth passed down from Christ and the disciples. In short, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, the good news is a selection of doctrine, a body of truth that Christ came to redeem the world from the punishment of sin. In light of this revelation, the believer should take joy in the hope that is laid up for him or her in heaven. It is this hope that declares Christianity as different. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that Christianity is not here to solve the problems of the world or to give people practical ways to improve their life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that Christianity is concerned with a person’s soul, their eternal destination. The world will remain evil until Christ’s return, but until He comes, this hour is the time for people to accept God’s incredible grace and seize His profound love.
Sermon Breakdown
- Life in this world is transitory and fleeting.
- We have an immortal soul that will continue on after our physical death.
- The Bible gives us a realistic view of life in this world - it is a place of sin, sorrow, and suffering.
- The world is doomed under God's judgment because of humanity's sin and rebellion against God.
- Salvation in Christ is only partial in this life. Christians still struggle with sin and suffering.
- The hope of Christianity is the return of Christ, the end of this world, the final defeat of sin, and entrance into the new heavens and new earth.
- Those who believe in Christ will inherit eternal life in the new world, free from sin, suffering, and death.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones Mean by "The Hope Laid Up in Heaven"?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Colossians 1:3-7, the central focus of Christianity is "the hope which is laid up for you in heaven." Here's what this means:
What is the "hope laid up in heaven" that Paul refers to in Colossians?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this hope refers to the full salvation and glory that awaits Christians after this life. It includes:
- Being with Christ when we die ("For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain, to be with Christ, which is far better")
- The return of Christ to earth to eliminate sin and evil completely
- The complete renovation of the universe ("new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness")
- Glorified bodies and eternal joy in God's presence without sorrow, tears, or sin
This hope is the ultimate purpose of God's grace and salvation plan - not merely improving this current world.
How does this heavenly hope contradict the world's expectations of Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts the biblical focus on heavenly hope with popular misconceptions:
- Many expect Christianity to be primarily about improving this world
- Critics call Christianity "escapism" or "pie in the sky" thinking
- Modern people often want a practical religion to help them navigate earthly problems
- Some dismiss focus on heaven as selfish or irrelevant
However, Lloyd-Jones argues this heavenly perspective is central to authentic Christianity and appears throughout the New Testament (John 14:1-3, 1 Peter 1:3-4, James 5, Revelation).
Why does Christianity teach that this world cannot be perfected?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the Bible provides a realistic view of this world:
- This world is "a place of sin, a place of sorrow, a place of sighing, a place of bitterness, of enmity, of fighting, selfishness, greed, malice"
- These conditions exist because mankind has rebelled against God
- No political system, education, or human effort can ultimately fix these problems
- The world is under God's judgment and will eventually end
- Only Christ's return will eliminate evil and bring perfect righteousness
What does Christianity offer believers in this present life?
While full salvation awaits heaven, Christians receive an "installment" now:
- The ability to "see through" the world's false promises and values
- Reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice
- Freedom from fear of death and judgment
- Strength and power from God to face life's challenges
- A relationship with Christ as companion through difficulties
- Forgiveness when we fail and sin
As Lloyd-Jones says: "You're not delivered from all sin, in every shape or form... he battles, he fights. It's the good fight of faith. He's only got an installment of his salvation. That's all he's offered. But it's enough, thank God, to take him through."
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.