The Gospel in the Modern World
A Sermon on Hebrews 12:27-29
Scripture
27And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve …
Sermon Description
Does Christianity have a place in today’s modern world, or is it outdated and in need of being replaced by newer ideas? Many people think that Christianity, and especially many of its teachings, are irrelevant because they are from such a long time ago. In this sermon on Hebrews 12:27–29 titled “The Gospel in the Modern World,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that the Christian faith is needed just as much now as it was then. People throughout history have thought that the world would get better with new technology, globalization, and other breakthroughs that would unite the world. However, these man-made solutions have failed to bring about the utopia that many hoped for. Massive empires that once dominated the world are now nothing. Science, philosophy, wealth, and politics have all failed to bring about the change that is desperately desired. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that this is due to human sinfulness. No one is perfect and nothing they build can be perfect. Thus, no one is capable of ultimately fixing the issues encountered in the world. The Bible alone gives an explanation for the state of the current world, and the Bible alone provides a basis of hope for the future. God’s kingdom is the only one that won’t change and that will last forever.
Sermon Breakdown
- The world is in a state of crisis and grave trouble. We are living in a critical period and a time of great testing.
- Our views of life and ideas of living are under examination. We must ask ourselves questions about our philosophy of life and views of the world.
- Are you surprised and disappointed at the state of the world? If so, your view of life is wrong. The world's condition proves certain views of life and progress are false.
- Can you explain why the world is as it is despite progress? If not, your view of life is inadequate. The Bible alone explains the world's condition.
- Do you see any hope? The Bible alone provides hope for the future.
- Man has always built empires that can be shaken - Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, the Third Reich, the British Empire. They all collapsed.
- Civilization and its advances like philosophy, science, politics, industry have been treated like empires but they are shaking and collapsing.
- Man isolates and elevates these things but they are all "made" and finite, bound to fail. Man is sinful so everything he makes decays. God's wrath is on man's kingdoms.
- The Bible explains man's fatal error is thinking his activities are sufficient without God. Man rebelled against God, thinking he could rule himself. This is the "fall of man" and "original sin."
- We must choose between God's kingdom and man's. Man's kingdoms will be destroyed but God's kingdom remains.
- God's kingdom was promised from Eden and fulfilled in Christ. He alone can reconcile us to God. All other ways fail.
- God's word is the only hope and it is eternal. Heaven and earth will pass away but God's word will not.
- God's kingdom cannot be shaken. His promises are sure. Christ will return and judge the world, establishing his kingdom fully.
- We must ask what kingdom we are in - man's or God's? Man's will be shaken but God's will stand. We must abide in God's unchanging kingdom.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Unshakable Faith
What is the main message of Lloyd-Jones' sermon based on Hebrews 12:27-29?
Lloyd-Jones' central message is that all human kingdoms, institutions, and achievements—from empires and civilizations to science and politics—can be shaken and destroyed, but God's kingdom is the only truly unshakable reality. He emphasizes that "we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved" is the ultimate hope in a world where everything else is failing and crumbling.
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe the world is in crisis despite human progress?
Lloyd-Jones explains that the fundamental error throughout human history has been thinking we can manage without God. As he states: "The central cause of all the troubles in the world tonight is that God made a perfect world, and man, in his utter folly, rebelled against God. He accepted the suggestion of the tempter that he didn't need God, that he could manage the world himself." Our attempts to build perfect systems apart from God inevitably fail because of our finite, sinful nature.
What examples does Lloyd-Jones give of human kingdoms that have been "shaken"?
Lloyd-Jones provides numerous examples of seemingly unshakable human achievements that have collapsed:
- Great empires: Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greek, Roman, British, and Hitler's "Third Reich"
- Philosophy and reason: Now facing revolt through irrationality and drug culture
- Scientific "laws": Newton's laws and Dalton's atomic theory, both overturned
- Democracy and rule of law: Now threatened by those who refuse to respect legislation
- Financial institutions: The once-reliable "pound sterling" and Bank of England
- Morality without religion: Leading to moral confusion, promiscuity, and permissiveness
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe human kingdoms ultimately fail?
According to Lloyd-Jones, human kingdoms fail for three key reasons: 1. Man is finite: "Man's too small to build a universe. He only sees a little segment of truth." 2. Man is sinful: "There's an element of decay in everything we make... because it's in us." 3. The wrath of God is upon human rebellion: "As long as he rebels against God, God will blow upon his every effort and it'll come to nothing."
What is the only unshakable kingdom according to Lloyd-Jones?
The only unshakable kingdom is God's kingdom. Lloyd-Jones explains: "There's only one that cannot be shaken. The kingdom of God." This kingdom is founded on God's unchanging word, which "liveth and abideth forever," unlike the "glory of men" which withers like grass. It is built on Christ's redemptive work and secured by God's unbreakable promises.
How does Lloyd-Jones say we can enter this unshakable kingdom?
Lloyd-Jones is clear that there is only one way to enter God's unshakable kingdom: "It is to believe in Jesus Christ and him crucified. He is the only way of escape." He emphasizes the exclusivity of Christ, stating: "It is Jesus Christ and him crucified and he alone and exclusively." Through faith in Christ, we "can be delivered out of the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear son."
What hope does Lloyd-Jones offer in the face of global uncertainty?
Lloyd-Jones offers the certain hope of God's unfailing kingdom and promises. He quotes God's promise: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, whatever happens." Even if revolution comes or bombs fall, this promise holds. For believers, there is "an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away." Christ will return to judge the world and establish His righteous kingdom, regardless of what human philosophies may do.
Itinerant Preaching
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.