To Seek and to Save
A Sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:31
Originally preached April 23, 1961
Scripture
31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Sermon Description
Christianity is always contemporary since Christians live in this world too. What differentiates the Christian? People have mastered many things in this life, but they cannot master the lust in their own life and mind – all are failures, none are righteous. People proclaim what they are by what they glory in. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached this sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:31 titled “To Seek and to Save” after the first man had gone into space. One can hear the boasting of humanity over the course of history. What does the Christian glory in? Christianity is not just an intellectual knowledge; it is an actual boasting in the Lord. Learn that to glory in any person is merely self-worship. There cannot be two things glorified because to glory in one is to crucify another – God and self cannot both be exalted. There is nothing special about a person in themselves, but there is every reason to glory in Jesus Christ alone – He is not an ordinary man. The world is as it is because it is not glorying in Christ. People come from earth and go to heaven; Christ was sent from heaven and came to earth. Learn of the purpose of His coming and rejoice in Christianity’s message.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is emphasizing the difference between Christians and non-Christians. Both glory in something but Christians glory in the Lord.
- Christians glory in the Lord Jesus Christ. They boast in him and make him their boast. This is the test of true faith.
- The world glories in man's achievements and wisdom. The recent space mission of Major Gagarin is an example. The world glories in man.
- Major Gagarin is a symbol of the world without God. He is an ordinary man but is gloried in for his achievement.
- The world glories in Gagarin's courage, risk-taking, being first, and advancing knowledge. But ultimately, the world glories in man.
- The contrast to Gagarin is not Eichmann but Jesus Christ. The world ignores and rejects Christ.
- Jesus Christ is a man but also the Lord of glory. He is the eternal Son of God. He is unique.
- Christ came down from heaven to earth. He volunteered to leave heaven's glory to save sinners.
- Christ knew he would die. He came to die, not just take a risk. He died alone, forsaken by all.
- Christ rose from the dead. He is the first to rise from the dead. This is a far greater achievement than going to space.
- Christ has brought wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. He has brought us to God.
- The world glories in Gagarin because it glorifies man. The world rejects Christ because he condemns man and shows we cannot save ourselves.
- The world thinks Christ is irrelevant but nothing is more relevant. All will be raised from the dead and judged by God.
- Only Christ can save us from God's wrath, reconcile us to God, and give eternal glory.
Sermon Q&A
What Can We Learn from Dr. Lloyd-Jones' Sermon Comparing Major Gagarin to Jesus Christ?
What is the main contrast Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes between Major Gagarin and Jesus Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts Major Gagarin (the first man in space) with Jesus Christ to show how the world glories in human achievement while ignoring or rejecting Christ. He points out that while Gagarin went from earth up into the heavens as a symbol of human achievement, Christ came from heaven down to earth to save humanity. The primary contrast is that "the one man is praised, he is lauded, he's admired, he's gloried in. What's the truth about the other? Well, it's still this. He is despised and rejected of men."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the world glories in Gagarin but not in Christ?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the world glories in Gagarin because in doing so, people are essentially glorifying themselves and human achievement. He states, "In glorifying Gagarin, we are glorifying ourselves. One of us. Man's power and capacity." People don't glory in Christ because "Christ condemns men, shows men as he is in weakness and sin and shame and utter hopelessness." Christ reveals our inability to save ourselves, which hurts human pride. Additionally, many consider Christ irrelevant to practical matters, not seeing the eternal significance of His work.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "him that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord"?
This phrase, quoted from 1 Corinthians 1:31, represents the core message of the sermon. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that all people glory or boast in something, but Christians are distinguished by glorying in the Lord rather than in human wisdom, might, or nobility. True Christianity isn't merely intellectual assent to certain propositions but a vibrant, living faith where believers make their boast in Christ alone. He emphasizes, "The Christian is a man who glories in the Lord. He makes his boast in him" and cites Paul's words: "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones compare Gagarin's achievement with Christ's work?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges Gagarin's courage in volunteering, going alone, taking risks, and being the first to orbit the earth. However, he shows how Christ's work far surpasses this achievement:
- While Gagarin volunteered for possible death, Christ came deliberately to certain death
- Gagarin went up temporarily to outer space, while Christ descended from heaven to earth
- Gagarin was the first to enter space, but Christ was "the first to arise from the dead"
- Gagarin's achievement produced scientific knowledge, while Christ's work brings "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption"
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the consequences of Christ's work compared to Gagarin's?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the consequences of Gagarin's achievement as "knowledge, insight, possibility of others following great discoveries still to come." In contrast, Christ's work produces eternal consequences for humanity:
- Wisdom - not knowledge of outer space, but knowledge of God
- Righteousness - forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God
- Sanctification - progressive purification and preparation for God's presence
- Redemption - ultimate glorification and eternal life in God's presence
He emphasizes that while Gagarin's achievement might lead to temporal benefits or even destruction (through war), Christ's work addresses humanity's deepest spiritual needs and eternal destiny.
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.