The Only Message of Hope
A Sermon on Colossians 1:20
Originally preached Dec. 30, 1962
Scripture
20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Sermon Description
Is salvation about individuals or the world? Many criticize Christianity for focusing only on the individual and ignoring the rest of the world. In this sermon on Colossians 1:20 titled “The Only Message of Hope,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says Christianity is about both the redemption of the individual and the whole world through Jesus Christ. Jesus died not only to save sinners, but also in order to reverse all the effects of sin and evil in the world. The apostle Paul tells that all of creation groans, awaiting the time of final redemption. This final redemption is when Christ returns physically and bodily to bring the new heavens and the new earth. This means that redemption, while starting in individuals, changes the whole world. Salvation is always a matter of personal redemption, but it is the beginning of universal redemption. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, those who have put their faith in Christ are the first fruits of this new world.
Sermon Breakdown
- The world needs to be put right. All things need to be reconciled to God because they are out of place and not fulfilling their intended purpose.
- No natural or human effort can deal with the world's condition or reconcile it to God. History shows that human civilization and progress repeatedly fail.
- God has a program for the universe and creation, not just for humanity. He must have a plan, or else evil would ultimately triumph.
- God's plan is to reconcile all things to himself through Jesus Christ, whether in heaven or on earth. This is the ultimate hope and end.
- At present, God is preparing a people for himself while keeping evil in the world within limits. Christ is reigning, though not visibly.
- Ultimately, Christ will return in judgment, defeat all enemies including Satan, and purge all evil from the cosmos.
- There will be "new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." Paradise will be restored with no more sin, death, or predation.
- Christ will be supreme and preeminent, receiving all glory, honor, and praise. He will then hand the kingdom back to God the Father.
- The urgent question is whether we have "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Do we look forward to this coming world? Are we being prepared for it?
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Christ's Reconciliation of All Things
What is the main charge brought against evangelical Christianity regarding its message?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses a common criticism that evangelical Christianity is only concerned about personal salvation and has no interest in the wider world. Critics claim that Christians are "selfish, self-centered, small, narrow little people, always concerned about our own little souls" with no concern for the great world or cosmos. This charge suggests that Christians lack broader social engagement and are too focused on individual spiritual matters.
How does Lloyd-Jones refute the charge that Christianity is only concerned with personal salvation?
Lloyd-Jones refutes this charge by explaining that it is "wrong and false." While Christianity does begin with the individual, it doesn't stop there. He emphasizes that the Christian faith has a definite message about the whole cosmos and the entire universe. In fact, he argues that "it is the Christian message alone that has anything real to say" about the state of the whole universe, as it explains both why the world is as it is and God's ultimate plan to reconcile all things to Himself through Christ.
According to Lloyd-Jones, why is the world in its current condition?
The world is in its current condition because of the fall of man. Lloyd-Jones explains that when man fell through sin, creation fell with him, as God had made man "the Lord of creation." After Adam sinned, God cursed the ground, introducing thorns, thistles, diseases, and the principle of decay into the world. He states that "thorns, thistles, pestilences, diseases, earthquakes, cataclysms, all these things have come as the result of the fall of man." The disharmony in nature – "nature red in tooth and claw" – is not how God originally created it but is a result of the curse.
What does Colossians 1:20 mean when it speaks of "reconciling all things"?
Colossians 1:20 speaks of Christ "reconciling all things" to God, which Lloyd-Jones explains as God's plan to restore the entire cosmos to its original perfection. This reconciliation includes "whether they be things in earth or things in heaven" – meaning the entire universe. This reconciliation is necessary because everything is "out of joint" and not what it was meant to be. Through Christ and "the blood of his cross," God will purge all evil from the cosmos, removing the curse, and creating "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
What is the "hope of glory" that Paul mentions in Colossians 1:27?
The "hope of glory" in Colossians 1:27 refers to "Christ in you, the hope of glory" – the indwelling Christ who guarantees believers' participation in the coming restored cosmos. Lloyd-Jones explains that this hope of glory is the ultimate destiny of believers who will live in the regenerated universe when Christ returns. While Christians are now being delivered out of "this present evil world," they are simultaneously being prepared to live in and reign with Christ in the restored, perfect cosmos. This hope gives Christians perspective on current world problems and a longing for Christ's return.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe God's program for the reconciliation of all things?
Lloyd-Jones outlines God's program for reconciliation as follows: First, God is currently "calling out a people for himself" through salvation. Second, He is "keeping evil in this world within bounds." Third, Christ is already reigning, having cast out "the prince of this world" through His death and resurrection. Fourth, Christ will return visibly to judge the world, defeat all enemies (including the devil), and "purge the whole cosmos of every vestige of evil." Finally, He will create new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells and where nature itself will be at peace. This program culminates with Christ presenting the perfected kingdom to God the Father "that God might be all and in all."
What argument does Lloyd-Jones make about the inability of human efforts to fix the world?
Lloyd-Jones argues that no natural or human effort can ever fix the world's condition. He dismisses evolutionary theories suggesting an inherent "élan vital" (life force) pushing the cosmos toward perfection as "just rubbish." He points to history as proof, noting how civilizations rise and fall in cycles, with great knowledge often being lost. Despite medical and technological advances, new problems always emerge. He states: "With all his research, all his invention and all his power, [man] can't do it. Change and decay in all around I see." Lloyd-Jones concludes that "there is no message whatsoever with regard to the world and the whole universe apart from the message of this Christian gospel."
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.