The Two Advents
A Sermon on Titus 2:11-14
Originally preached Dec. 21, 1958
Scripture
11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our …
Sermon Description
For various and sometimes nefarious reasons, people often isolate the Christmas message of the babe in a manger from the rest of the gospel story. The tendency is to take parts of the whole person and work of Christ and segregate them from the rest. Or perhaps worse, some as children heard the message of gentle and lowly Jesus in a manger and never move beyond; they start at Bethlehem and end with Bethlehem. This is a tragedy that inevitably ends in error, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. In this sermon on Titus 2:11–14 titled “The Two Advents,” he states that Christians must follow the apostle Paul’s important principle and take the Lord Jesus Christ’s work as a whole. Paul frames the first appearing of Christ in conjunction with His second advent. Placing these two advents side-by-side in his sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones then contrasts them. While the first coming of Christ was humble, lowly, and hidden, the second coming will be glorious and made for all the world to see. Listen as he provides a unique and passionate Christmas message where the listener comes face-to-face with the entire person and work of Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The two advents of Christ must always be taken together. We must consider Christ's work as a whole.
- There is a great contrast between Christ's first and second advents.
- Christ's advents were utterly different from what people expected. People were wrong about Christ's first coming and will likely be wrong about His second coming.
- Christ's first advent:
- Christ came in a lowly, humble manner. He laid aside His glory.
- Christ came to bring salvation by dying on the cross and rising from the dead.
- Christ came to redeem us from sin and purify us.
- We must look back on Christ's first advent and consider what He has done.
- Christ's second advent:
- Christ will come in power and great glory. His glory will be fully revealed.
- Every eye will see Christ when He comes again.
- Christ will come to judge the world, destroy His enemies, and usher in a new heaven and new earth.
- We must look forward to Christ's second advent with hope.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About the Two Advents of Christ?
What is the central message of Christmas according to Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the central message of Christmas is about the two appearings or advents of Jesus Christ. He states: "The essence of this Christian message is this person, and especially what he has done, and especially his appearings in this world, that is Christianity, Jesus Christ and his appearings in this world." Christmas reminds us both to look back at Christ's first appearance in history and to look forward to His future appearing. The message isn't vague or nebulous, but has specific lessons about these two events that form the foundation of the Christian faith.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the historical character of the Christian faith?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christianity is uniquely historical in character, unlike other religions or philosophies which are merely ideas or points of view. He states: "Christianity is something that is based upon actions, events, things that have literally taken place in the course of human history in this world." He points out that Bethlehem is "not some imaginary city" but a real geographical location where, "at a given period, at a given point in history, at a given date, this babe was born." Salvation comes not from what God says but from what God has done in history through Christ's birth, death, and resurrection.
What contrast does Lloyd-Jones draw between Christ's first and second comings?
Lloyd-Jones highlights dramatic contrasts between Christ's two advents:
First Coming: - Characterized by lowliness and humility: "Veiled in flesh, the glory see" - Born as a helpless baby in poverty - Largely unknown and unrecognized - Experienced opposition, persecution, apparent defeat - Purpose: "to bring salvation to men and women"
Second Coming: - "The appearing of the glory of the great God" - Visible to everyone: "Every eye shall see him" - Coming with power, accompanied by angels - Purpose: to judge the world, destroy enemies, and establish "a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness" - Will bring the "day of grace" to an end
Why does Lloyd-Jones emphasize taking Christ's advents together?
Lloyd-Jones warns against focusing on only one aspect of Christ's work. He says: "These two appearings must always be taken together" and "The Lord Jesus Christ and his work must always be taken as a whole." He identifies various ways people divide Christ's story, such as stopping at Bethlehem, focusing only on his teaching, or emphasizing only his death or resurrection. He states: "To divide up this great message in that way and to stop at particulars and to make everything of one particular is rarely to miss the message and to deny it finally." The complete Christian message encompasses both Christ's first advent to bring salvation and his second advent to bring judgment and the new creation.
What does Lloyd-Jones call "the blessed hope" in relation to Christ's second coming?
Lloyd-Jones identifies "the blessed hope" as "a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." He explains this as a future day when "this world will be no longer as it is now. Sin and evil and shame and all that is wrong will have gone." He describes how those who believe in Christ will be "changed into his image, glorified even as he is glorified," with their weak and diseased bodies "renewed, renovated, perfect, glorious in beauty." He states that believers "shall see him and we shall be like him." For believers, Christ's return is not something to fear but something to eagerly anticipate as "the blessed hope."
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.