The Breath of Life
A Sermon on Acts 3:19
Originally preached June 6, 1965
Scripture
19¶ Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Sermon Description
In his sermon to the Jewish leaders, the Apostle Peter, under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, proclaims Jesus as the risen Messiah and Savior of the world. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds in this sermon on Acts 3:19, showing that Jesus Christ has come, died, and was buried according to the words of the prophets. It is Jesus who is the breath of life and He gives His Spirit to those who repent and believe in His name as the only Son of God. This saving power that Jesus Christ brings is the only true hope for a world filled with sinners who are destined to die and suffer the righteous judgement of God Almighty. But Jesus brings redemption and restoration to all who will repent and believe in His name. This is the message of hope that the Apostles proclaimed, and it is this message that must be proclaimed today for there is no true life outside of the kingdom of God as is brought in Christ. The church today must be faithful in its proclamation to this fallen and sinful world. It has been entrusted with the great and magnificent message of salvation and should be bold in its proclamation, knowing that it is the power of God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon is based on Acts 3:19 which says "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
- Peter is preaching this sermon after healing a lame man at the temple gate. The crowd has gathered and Peter wants them to understand the source of the healing power.
- Peter explains that they are living in a new age, the age of the Messiah. They can participate in the blessings of this new age by repenting and turning from their sins.
- Peter compares repentance to a refreshing breeze coming into a hot, oppressive room. This illustrates how repentance brings relief and refreshment.
- The natural state of mankind is like being trapped in a hot, oppressive room. Life is difficult, tiring and wearying. Many philosophers and thinkers have described life this way.
- Civilization only circulates the "fetid air" and does not actually solve the problem or bring relief. It provides the illusion of progress but the core problem remains.
- Jesus came to open a window into heaven and let in the refreshing breeze. He came to bring hope, relief, and new life.
- The message of Christianity is that mankind cannot save itself. Salvation comes from outside, through Jesus. He brings the breath of hope, the breath of relief, and the breath of life.
- The breath of hope shows that God cares and there is eternal hope. The breath of relief shows our sins can be forgiven and guilt removed. The breath of life gives new energy and power through the Holy Spirit.
- To experience this new life, we must be "born again" through the Spirit, like the wind. This new life fills us with joy, gladness and praise.
- Peter calls the crowd to repent, believe in Jesus, and receive this new life and refreshing for themselves.
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.