Union with Christ
A Sermon on 1 Peter 1:3-5
Originally preached April 17, 1960
Scripture
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven …
Sermon Description
In Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s sermon on 1 Peter 1:3-5, he describes, “the great characteristic of the New Testament.” This being our response the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out how Peter “burst forth in Praise to Christ” when he relayed the gospel to his audience. But we must ask ourselves, do we have a similar response? Is there the same spirit within us that was in Peter? Well, to answer this question, Dr. Lloyd-Jones first defines what the gospel is. It is, simply put, the resurrection of Jesus Christ who, by rising from the dead, takes away the sins of the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that by rising from the dead, Christ becomes our living hope who enables us to endure hardships that we go through in life. But how is the resurrection of Christ a living hope, and why should we celebrate it with such joy? Dr. Lloyd-Jones establishes that the resurrection of Christ is, in fact, a living hope because Christ died and rose again. He defeated sin and death and now is a living hope to all who believe in him. Our sinful selves were buried with Christ so that we can live as new people. However, this is not the final step to unification with Christ. No, we are only truly unified with Christ when we enter heaven. When we pass from this world into eternity, our physical body will be renewed as well so that the entire man will be renewed. Dr. Lloyd-Jones then finishes his sermon by asking the question, “Have we got this living hope?”
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Peter bursts forth in praise and worship upon mentioning Jesus Christ. This was characteristic of early Christians and a mark of true faith.
- We should examine ourselves to see if we have this spirit of praise and joy in our faith and lives. Do we feel blessed and filled with hope despite our circumstances?
- The resurrection is vital and central to Christianity. Without belief in the resurrection, one cannot truly be a Christian.
- The resurrection gives us a living hope - a hope that is substantial, certain and enables us to endure difficulties with joy. This hope comes from being united with Christ in his resurrection.
- The resurrection means Christ conquered sin, death and the law. He died once to sin but now lives to God. Death no longer has dominion over him.
- We have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. We are united with Christ so his resurrection means our resurrection and new life.
- The Christian hope is not mere survival after death but a complete renewal of body and spirit and an eternal inheritance.
- God will renew the whole creation and bring in his eternal kingdom. Christians will receive glorified bodies and live in a realm that is incorruptible, undefiled and unfading.
- The resurrection and Christ's victory guarantee this eternal hope and inheritance. Death and every enemy have been conquered.
- We should examine ourselves to see if we have this living hope set on the eternal inheritance Christ has won for us. Do we feel blessed despite life's trials, despair and death?
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon on 1 Peter 1:3-5: Questions and Answers
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the central foundation of Christianity according to his sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the vital and central foundation of Christianity. He emphasizes: "The whole basis of the Christian faith is that the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is a literal fact." He explains that the resurrection isn't merely about spiritual survival but about Christ literally coming out of the grave in his body. Lloyd-Jones is clear that "if a man doesn't believe in the resurrection, whatever else he may be, has no right to call himself a Christian."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones differentiate between a "lively hope" and other types of hope?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the "lively hope" (or better translated "living hope") mentioned in 1 Peter 1:3 is different from vague, shadowy, and uncertain hopes. He contrasts it with messages that merely suggest "spring has come again and after the death of winter there are signs of life." Instead, the Christian hope is "something substantial, something certain, something that is vibrant with life and with power." This living hope enables believers to endure trials and difficulties with joy and triumph, making them "more than conquerors."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the Christian's union with Christ through resurrection?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that believers are united with Christ in such a way that what happened to Him also happens to them spiritually. He quotes Romans 6 to show this connection: "If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." He describes this union as "the most remarkable of all the Christian doctrines" where "Christ and his people are one. He's the head, we are the body. And when he died, we died... When he rose, we rose." Through this union, Christians are "dead to sin, dead to the law, dead to death."
What inheritance does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say Christians receive through the resurrection?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the Christian's inheritance as "incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven." This inheritance includes the resurrection of the body - not merely spiritual survival after death but the renewal of the complete personality (body, soul, and spirit). He describes a completely renewed world where Christ "will destroy out of existence all that is evil and sinful and vile and ugly and foul" and bring in "his glorious kingdom." In this inheritance, believers will have glorified bodies "delivered from all vestiges of illness, weakness, sin and shame."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast the Christian response to world troubles with non-Christian responses?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that while many are depressed by world troubles and focused on protesting against things like bombs, the Christian has a different perspective. He states: "I don't spend the Easter Sunday morning in protesting against bombs. My dear friends, I've got a message infinitely higher." He explains that Christians understand this world is sinful and "can never be made a good world by men." Instead of being depressed by current events, the Christian looks forward to Christ's return and the regeneration of all things. He says a true Christian is not monopolized by worldly concerns but has "got his eye on another land."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the test of true Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests that the true test of Christianity is whether one has the spirit of praise and joy that characterized the early church. He asks his listeners: "Is this the characteristic of our Christian life and witness? Is this what we feel? Is this our response to the gospel?" He points out that the early Christians and the apostles couldn't help but burst forth in praise when considering Christ, even in the midst of trials. The ability to say "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" despite circumstances is presented as the mark of genuine faith.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the significance of Christ's resurrection for believers?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's resurrection signifies He has "finished the work he came to do" and is "no longer under the law." Using Romans 6, he explains that in Christ's death, "He died unto sin once," and now "Death hath no more dominion over him." Christ came from glory, entered "into the realm of sin and of death," finished His work, and is now "up the other side" having "conquered the realm of law and of sin and of death." This victory extends to believers who, through their union with Christ, are regenerated "unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the future regeneration of the world?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the entire world will be renewed when Christ returns. He references Matthew 19 about "the regeneration that's going to take place in the cosmos." He describes how Christ will "renew the whole creation" and bring in "his glorious kingdom." This new world will be "incorruptible," "undefiled," and will "never fade away." In this renewed creation, believers will have glorified bodies and will "reign with him as kings and priests." This future regeneration is guaranteed because Christ has "conquered every enemy" including death and the devil.
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.