1 Peter — Chapter 2

What makes a Christian? If one listens to what God has to say in His Word, they will see that it is not a result of anything that humanity does or can do. Christians are those that are born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as no one contributes to their natural birth, neither do they contribute anything to their supernatural birth. This affects a profound change in those that are born again; it wholly reorients their life, desires, and wills. Christians now desire to live a life that is marked by obedience to God and love of fellow people. Salvation, then, is a result of God’s grace apart from anything one can do. This sermon tells of the only hope in this life: the gospel. There is nothing that anyone can do to save themselves, but God has acted in His grace to redeem sinners and bring them to a true knowledge of Him. In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:2 titled “A New Birth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims the only true and lasting message of hope in this world, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

How does anyone know Christ will accept them? All know what it is like to be rejected by someone, but the great truth of the gospel is that Jesus is merciful and loving. He never rejects those that come to Him. In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:2–5 titled “Access to God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how Jesus was the friend of sinners and the outcasts in His earthly ministry. What happens when a sinner comes to Jesus? As Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims, Jesus is the only way to God. He is the true high priest who gives access into God’s presence as children of God. Jesus is the only way to God, and He is the only true source of blessing in this life. While many claim to give peace with God through works or merits, Jesus simply asks people to believe in Him. There is nothing anyone can do to save themselves. This leads to the great truth of assurance in Christ. All who believe in Jesus can, and should, be assured that He loves them and has died for them. This is because Jesus is faithful, loving, and gracious. This sermon will help the listener understand the necessity of trusting in Christ as well as the peace it brings.

Where can one find hope? In a life that is often filled with turmoil and conflict, there is no more important question. In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:6 titled “Be Not Confounded,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the great biblical truth that Jesus Christ is the hope. All those that trust in Him will never be confounded or put to shame. This is because in Christ they find an otherworldly hope, a hope that is greater than all the suffering and pain in this world. Jesus is better than the hopes that the world offers, whether it is modern science and medicine, or modern philosophy and politics. The hopes of this world are just like the world: sinful and passing away. But the gospel gives hope even when this world is full of sin and rejects Christ, for the hope of the gospel is the redemption of the body and the forgiveness of sins for all who believe. Where is one’s hope? This sermon asks this vital question, but more importantly, it tells of the greatest hope in this world, Jesus Christ.

How can one go through life without stumbling? It is not hard to see that the world is full of sin, pain, and suffering. How is one to live in this evil world? In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:2 titled “The People of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives a simple answer. They must look to God and His word. No one can look to themselves and human reason because all are under sin and its curse. Because Satan tempted Adam and Eve in the garden to rebel against God, all of creation is under sin and bondage. Humanity is naturally in a state of rebellion against God and His righteous rule. It is only by God’s grace that anyone is saved from sin and brought to a true knowledge of God, free from the self-destructive nature of their own sin. By looking to God’s word, people can have a sure foundation. For in it, God has revealed the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. All who trust in Jesus are saved from all sin and condemnation. This sermon calls all to ask these most important questions: “Are you trusting in yourself for salvation? Or are you trusting in Jesus Christ, the only one who can bring us through this life, and save us on the last day?”

What is the cause of all the suffering and evil seen in this world? In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:4–6 titled “The Living Stone,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones show how the sin and rebellion of humanity is to blame. This is seen in the first chapter of Genesis as well as the whole narrative of Scripture. God has sent Jesus Christ His Son to redeem fallen sinful people. He is the cornerstone and foundation of faith and ever lives to make intercession for His people. He did this by joining humanity and deity in the person of Jesus Christ, living a sinless life, dying a sinner’s death on the cross, and was resurrected to life. This is why He is the great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for His people before the almighty Father in Heaven. Christ, as suffering servant and risen messianic king, stands at the center of the Christian faith, not anyone’s works or the deeds of the church. The rise of Christless-Christianity is a testament to the danger of separating the church from the founder and perfecter of the faith. The whole of Christianity is found in the completed work of Christ Jesus who, as the true and better Adam, has redeemed His people from all sin and made them children of God.

Why does the Apostle Peter tell us that Christ is a stumbling block? This is may seem like an odd statement, but in this sermon on 1 Peter 2:6–8, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains why it is important to understand. He says that Christ is a stumbling block because those that are said to be wise and powerful stumble over His message. The Pharisees who were said to be the righteous were shown to be hypocrites when Christ came. Those who trust in their own works stumble when they are told that nothing they can do will ever save them. Christ crushes our pride and self-trust in order that we might trust in Him alone. It is no different today than it was in the days of Jesus. Fallen people trust in their own wisdom, but Christ shows the wisdom of this world to be foolish and vain. It is only by trusting in Christ, the stone that the builders rejected, that anyone can be saved and made right with God.

People are not highly-developed animals. Neither are they enlightened products of evolution. In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:9–10 titled “What is Man?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how God made humanity. In the Bible, humanity is made in the image of God, naturally upright. Yet they chose to sin, and are now condemned as a slave to sin and immorality. This is why the world is filled with so much wickedness; this is why there is war and suffering. It all goes back to the sinful nature of humankind. What hope is there for sinful humanity? The answer is found in God’s free gift of salvation. God sent His Son to die in the place of sinners, for all those that believe in Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus into the world because He loved the world, not because of anything in it. The gospel calls all to forsake their sinful ways and flee from darkness. For it is only the gospel that gives people truth concerning themselves, the world, and God. God commands all to flee from themselves and come to the light of Jesus Christ.

In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:9­–25 titled “The Call of the Gospel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on Peter explaining to his fellow Christians the importance of their position with God. They are not just anybody, but they are chosen and called by God to be His people forever. Dr. Lloyd-Jones expands upon what it means to be called by the gospel. How does a person know if God is calling him or her? Dr. Lloyd-Jones breaks down the differences in callings. There is the “general” call, which pastors do when they preach the word. But there is also the personal call of the gospel. This personal call, he says, occurs when the listener understands that the message is meant for him or her in particular. The listener might feel disturbed or uncomfortable with their present way of living. They might now feel as if they do not know what to do. They feel the burden and weight of their sin and are humbled by it. They realize that they are in need of a savior. Dr. Lloyd-Jones closes by offering to all who hear this great gift of peace, forgiveness, and everlasting life.

What is the greatest problem in the world? In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:9 titled “Who Is This God?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that it is not how to stop war, or end famine, but it is how a holy God can forgive sinners. This is the great enigma of human existence, for all are born in sin and in a fallen state wholly opposed to God and His righteous law. God must punish sin because he is holy and just. How can this be resolved? Dr. Lloyd-Jones brings forth the great hope because God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die a sinner’s death so that the law might be fulfilled. Sinners can be saved because of what God has done in Christ Jesus by repenting of their sins and believing in Christ. All who believe are given a new nature that seeks God and desires holiness. Christ is the head of a new humanity that is being perfected and brought to completion as the Holy Spirit enlightens their minds and grants them eyes of faith to see God’s truth. This is the result of God pouring out His love and grace on undeserving sinners, making them new creatures in Christ Jesus.

This world is filled with hostility and confusion. The Scriptures, however, present the people of God as ones who live in this world, yet are not confounded by disaster. When things go wrong, the people of God have a quiet trust in the Lord. In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:11–12 titled “A Chosen Generation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones highlights the importance of belonging to this people of God. Belonging begins with being born again. The Christian is aware of being called out of darkness; indeed, they want to come out of it. It is clear to others. The people of God are recognized as being different, because they are born of the same spirit as Jesus. The interests of the soul then become supreme for this new person. While the Christian settles down into this world, they are not of it. Their entire desire is to please and glorify God. This makes them distinct in the world as they live, not according to darkness, but in marvelous light. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges his listener to know they are part of this people of God as their eyes have been opened to Jesus Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones finally calls Christians to do good works in this world, as they await the world that is to come.