Under the Power of the Spirit
A Sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:1-7
Originally preached March 19, 1961
Scripture
1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight …
Sermon Description
Do you know the power of the Holy Spirit and what it means to walk according to the Spirit rather than the flesh? This is the all-important question that Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones asks in this sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:1-7. He says that the Holy Spirit is what enables all believers to live a life that pursues Christ Jesus and holiness. It is the Spirit that breathes new life into unbelievers, making them new creations in Christ. It was the Holy Spirit that transformed the first Christians from fearful disciples of Jesus into bold preachers of His death and resurrection. Sadly, many men and women live a life devoid of the power of the Holy Spirit. They live a life of lust and passion for what is unholy and profane. They do not care about their souls, but only the temporary pleasures of this world. This life of the flesh leads only to death and destruction in hell. In contrast, the life in the Spirit leads to forgiveness in Christ and eternal life in His presence. Those that believe in Christ Jesus are forgiven from all sin and judgment, and are made children of God in the power of the Spirit.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is concerned that the Corinthians realize he is not seeking personal popularity or following. He hates that.
- Paul's method is not to handle the word of God deceitfully but to manifest the truth and commend himself to every man's conscience while preaching in God's sight.
- Paul gives reasons for preaching as he does: the glory of Christ, the glory of God, men's desperate need and condition, and the power inherent in the Gospel.
- The Gospel's power proves its divine origin. The power enabled uneducated men to understand, expound and preach with authority, leading to conversions.
- The Gospel's power divides people into two groups: those to whom it is hidden and those to whom it is revealed.
- Have you known the Gospel's power? If not, you do not know the Gospel. The power takes you up; it is not something you take up.
- Tests of knowing the power: Is your soul your main concern? Do you realize you are lost without God? Have you stopped seeking human wisdom and turned to Christ alone? Are you following Him, denying yourself and taking up your cross? Is He your all in all?
- The power enlightens, opens eyes, gives understanding and leads to truth. It convicts, converts, leads to Christ, establishes in truth and perfects.
- No one can make you a Christian. Only God's power can, through the Holy Spirit. Have you felt the power?
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Lloyd-Jones on the Power of the Gospel in 2 Corinthians 4
What is the main passage Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on 2 Corinthians 4:1-7, with particular emphasis on verse 7 where Paul writes: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." This verse serves as the foundation for his entire sermon on the power of the Gospel.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish the Gospel from other philosophies or teachings?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the Gospel is not merely a proposal, philosophy, or teaching, but a power. He states: "The Gospel of Jesus Christ, my friend, is a power. It's not just a proposal, it's not just a philosophy, it's not just a teaching." He quotes Romans 1 where Paul says he is "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ" because "it is the power of God unto salvation." Unlike other human systems of thought, the Gospel actually does things and transforms lives through divine power.
Why did Paul renounce "the hidden things of dishonesty" in his ministry?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul renounced dishonest methods and handling the Word of God deceitfully for several reasons: 1. He recognized his own human power would never be enough to change hearts 2. There was no need to rely on his own abilities since God's power was already at work 3. His greatest fear was getting between people and God's power by obtruding himself 4. He recognized that human methods were completely useless against the condition of sin
What evidence does Dr. Lloyd-Jones provide that Christianity is of divine origin?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to several historical evidences that Christianity must be divine: 1. The transformation of the apostles from fearful men to bold preachers 2. The growth of Christianity despite opposition from Judaism, the Roman Empire, and Greek philosophy 3. The survival of Christianity despite the failures of the church itself throughout history 4. The phenomenon of revivals when the church seems nearly dead 5. The inexplicable power that transforms ordinary, uneducated people into effective witnesses
He says: "If the church were a human institution, she would have finished years, centuries ago."
How does the Holy Spirit's power divide humanity according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power divides humanity into two groups: 1. Those to whom the Gospel is hidden - the lost 2. Those who see and embrace the Gospel - the saved
He states: "As certainly as we are in this chapel this evening, there are only two groups of people in this world - the lost and the saved. Those to whom all this is hid, those to whom this is everything and who've seen it."
What signs indicate a person has experienced the power of the Gospel?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several tests to determine if someone has experienced the Gospel's power: 1. Their soul becomes their chief concern, above career, family, and possessions 2. They realize their lost state and inability to reach God on their own 3. They stop looking to human wisdom and philosophy and look only to Christ 4. They find in Christ "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption" 5. They follow Christ by denying themselves and taking up their cross 6. Their life is changed - they turn from sin and the world to follow Christ 7. Christ becomes first in their life, more important than career, marriage, or any ambition
Why does God place the Gospel treasure in "earthen vessels" according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that God deliberately puts this Gospel treasure in weak human vessels (ordinary, flawed people) for a specific purpose: "that the excellency of the power may be of God, not of us." This divine strategy ensures that:
- It becomes obvious the power is from God, not from human ability
- No one can attribute the success of the Gospel to human eloquence or wisdom
- The contrast between the vessel's weakness and the message's power highlights God's work
- All glory goes to God rather than to the human messengers
As he says: "Nobody can say that it's men who've kept the Christian church going... The excellency of the power is of God and not of men."
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.