The Wonderful Works of God
A Sermon on Acts 2:11
Originally preached May 21, 1961
Scripture
11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Sermon Description
Why did the apostles in the early Church stand before Israelites and Greeks alike and proclaim the truth that God raised Jesus from the dead? In a day when many claim that Christianity is not about facts or historical events, this may seem strange. But in this sermon on Acts 2:11, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that at the center of Christianity is the great works of God! The holy Scripture proclaims that God, the creator and sustainer of the whole world, has come down in the form of a servant. Jesus Christ is both God and man, and He has come to seek and save the lost. He has come to heal the sick and give sight to the blind. Jesus is the only hope for the world, for all who believe in His death and resurrection are saved and made right before God. Christianity is based on the facts of what God has done in history for His people. This sermon confronts us all with the truth that God has died for sinner so that they might have true life. There is no more important message for men and women in all ages.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon is based on Acts 2:11 which states "Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."
- The sermon focuses on explaining what exactly the "wonderful works of God" refer to according to the Bible.
- The "wonderful works of God" refer to the acts of God in accomplishing salvation through Jesus Christ. Salvation is entirely the work of God, not man.
- The "wonderful works of God" began before the foundation of the world when God planned salvation. God did not come up with salvation as an "afterthought".
- The "wonderful works of God" include the incarnation of Jesus, His virgin birth, His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. These acts demonstrate God's love for sinful humanity.
- The "wonderful works of God" make forgiveness and salvation possible. They reconcile sinful men to a holy God. Without them, there would be no hope of salvation.
- The only thing man must do is repent, believe in Jesus, and accept God's free gift of salvation. We cannot add anything to God's completed work. Salvation is by faith alone.
- The "wonderful works of God" should fill us with amazement, wonder and praise. They demonstrate God's glory, magnificence and splendor.
- The "wonderful works of God" accomplished in Jesus Christ is the essence of the Christian message. Christianity is based on historical facts, not mere ideas, philosophies or ethical teachings.
- There is much confusion today about the Christian message. Many think man contributes to salvation or that ideas and philosophies are most important. But the Bible teaches salvation is entirely the work of God.
- The "wonderful works of God" provide the only way of salvation. Without them, all would be lost in sin with no hope of forgiveness or reconciliation to God.
Sermon Q&A
What Was the Message on the Day of Pentecost According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
What was the core message that people heard on the day of Pentecost?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the core message that people heard on the day of Pentecost was "the wonderful works of God." As described in Acts 2:11, the people said, "we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." This wasn't just about the miraculous gift of speaking in different languages but about the content of what was being proclaimed - God's magnificent, sublime, and wonderful works in salvation history.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones differentiate Christianity from other religions?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christianity differs from other religions and philosophies because it is based on historical facts and events rather than merely teachings or ethical systems. He states: "The essential difference between Christianity and those so-called religions is just this very point, that they are nothing but teachings... systems of thought, a mixture of philosophy and ethics and morality." Christianity, in contrast, is "concerned primarily with facts, events, works, happenings, history, things that have literally taken place."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as a common modern confusion about Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies a common modern confusion as the belief that Christianity is primarily about ideas, teachings, attitudes, or ways of thinking rather than about historical facts and divine actions. He specifically addresses theological movements that try to "demythologize" the Bible by removing its supernatural elements while keeping its ethical teachings. Lloyd-Jones strongly opposes this approach, emphasizing that Christianity cannot be separated from its historical facts and supernatural events.
According to the sermon, who is the primary actor in salvation?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, God is the primary actor in salvation from beginning to end. He stresses: "Salvation is of God from beginning to the very end." He points out how Peter's sermon in Acts 2 repeatedly emphasizes God's actions: God did miracles through Jesus (v.22), God delivered Jesus according to His predetermined plan (v.23), God raised Jesus from death (v.24, 32), and God exalted Jesus and made Him both Lord and Christ (v.36). Man cannot achieve his own salvation - "with men it is impossible, but not with God."
What are some examples of "the wonderful works of God" that Dr. Lloyd-Jones mentions?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones lists several examples of God's wonderful works: 1. God's predetermined plan of salvation before the foundation of the world 2. God's actions through the prophets and promises in the Old Testament 3. The incarnation and virgin birth of Christ 4. Christ's miracles and perfect life 5. Christ's sacrificial death on the cross 6. The resurrection of Christ from the dead 7. Christ's ascension to heaven 8. The sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is necessary for someone to be saved?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that salvation comes through recognizing our complete helplessness and simply calling on the name of the Lord. He quotes Peter's response in Acts 2:38: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins." He stresses that we must not try to add anything to what Christ has done: "You mustn't do anything. You try and add anything, you've cancelled it all. This is the free gift of God's grace." Salvation is received by faith alone in Christ's finished work.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the uniqueness of Christ's death on the cross?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes Christ's death as the sublime act of God giving up His only Son according to His predetermined plan. He emphasizes that this was the only way God could forgive sin while remaining true to His holy nature: "There was only one way which even God could find whereby a single soul should be forgiven." It demonstrates God's love for rebellious sinners by taking their sins and placing them on His own Son, punishing Him in their place so they might be forgiven and reconciled to God.
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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.