Mans Great Problem
A Sermon on Acts 5:29-32
Originally preached March 6, 1966
Scripture
29¶ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and …
Sermon Description
What is wrong with humanity and the world? Many answers are given to this question. Some say it is the low self-esteem or ignorance of humanity but in this sermon on Acts 5:29–32 titled “Man’s Great Problem,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives a very different answer. He says that Scripture states that humanity’s greatest need is to be forgiven and reconciled to God. Because all have sinned and rebelled against God, they are now an enemy and alienated from God. Humanity was once perfect and upright, but now is evil and wicked. The only answer to this dire situation is not in anything that people can do, but in what God has done. God has sent His only Son into the world to die for sinners. Jesus Christ is both God and man. For this reason He is the perfect mediator between God and humanity. Forgiveness comes only through Jesus Christ; there is no other Savior. God is wholly just in forgiving sinners because Jesus has died and paid the ultimate price for the sins of all who believe. What is the implication of this message? The gospel must be believed by all for salvation. The gospel message of salvation from sin and adoption into the family of God is the most important message one can hear.
Sermon Breakdown
- Man's greatest need is to be reconciled to God through forgiveness of sins. This is what the apostles proclaimed.
- The Sanhedrin rejected this message because man fails to realize the depth of his need and sin. Man thinks he can save himself through his own efforts and morality.
- Man is spiritually dead in sin and cannot please God or keep His commandments. All of man's actions are useless before God. Man cannot find or know God through his own searching.
- Man is utterly helpless to deal with his sin and reconcile himself to God. Only God can provide salvation and forgiveness.
- God alone could solve the problem of how He could remain just while forgiving sin. This was accomplished through the incarnation, perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Jesus had to be both God and man to solve this problem. As man, He could represent us. As God, He could bear the punishment for sin and have access to God the Father.
- Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and died an atoning death for sinners. God punished our sins in Jesus, allowing Him to remain just and justify sinners.
- God planned and carried out this way of salvation. It demonstrates His love in sending Jesus to die for sinners.
- This salvation is a free gift received through faith alone, not by man's works or efforts. God gives repentance and forgiveness of sins.
- It is utter madness to reject this free offer of salvation. The world continues to reject it, trusting in itself instead of God's provision in Christ.
The Book of Acts
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.