The Wonderful Works of God
A Sermon on Acts 2:11
Originally preached May 21, 1961
Scripture
11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Sermon Description
Why did the apostles in the early Church stand before Israelites and Greeks alike and proclaim the truth that God raised Jesus from the dead? In a day when many claim that Christianity is not about facts or historical events, this may seem strange. But in this sermon on Acts 2:11, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that at the center of Christianity is the great works of God! The holy Scripture proclaims that God, the creator and sustainer of the whole world, has come down in the form of a servant. Jesus Christ is both God and man, and He has come to seek and save the lost. He has come to heal the sick and give sight to the blind. Jesus is the only hope for the world, for all who believe in His death and resurrection are saved and made right before God. Christianity is based on the facts of what God has done in history for His people. This sermon confronts us all with the truth that God has died for sinner so that they might have true life. There is no more important message for men and women in all ages.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon is based on Acts 2:11 which states "Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."
- The sermon focuses on explaining what exactly the "wonderful works of God" refer to according to the Bible.
- The "wonderful works of God" refer to the acts of God in accomplishing salvation through Jesus Christ. Salvation is entirely the work of God, not man.
- The "wonderful works of God" began before the foundation of the world when God planned salvation. God did not come up with salvation as an "afterthought".
- The "wonderful works of God" include the incarnation of Jesus, His virgin birth, His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. These acts demonstrate God's love for sinful humanity.
- The "wonderful works of God" make forgiveness and salvation possible. They reconcile sinful men to a holy God. Without them, there would be no hope of salvation.
- The only thing man must do is repent, believe in Jesus, and accept God's free gift of salvation. We cannot add anything to God's completed work. Salvation is by faith alone.
- The "wonderful works of God" should fill us with amazement, wonder and praise. They demonstrate God's glory, magnificence and splendor.
- The "wonderful works of God" accomplished in Jesus Christ is the essence of the Christian message. Christianity is based on historical facts, not mere ideas, philosophies or ethical teachings.
- There is much confusion today about the Christian message. Many think man contributes to salvation or that ideas and philosophies are most important. But the Bible teaches salvation is entirely the work of God.
- The "wonderful works of God" provide the only way of salvation. Without them, all would be lost in sin with no hope of forgiveness or reconciliation to God.
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.