The Answer to the Worlds Problems
A Sermon on John 1:17
Originally preached Dec. 15, 1957
Scripture
17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Sermon Description
In this sermon on John 1:17 titled “The Answer to the World’s Problems,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues for the contemporary answers of the Christian gospel to the common problems of humanity. Why listen to this message of the gospel? It is God’s message. The world is waiting for a message, but there is not much confidence or satisfaction in the conferences of people. Learn of the origin of the world’s problems and the sin that makes all people fools. “The real and only reason to be afraid of death is that to which death leads.” People fear this life, but what about the next life to come? No one should be afraid of people, but of God who can destroy both body and soul. God, who is eternal and all powerful, has given the law, revealing certain things about Himself and humanity’s sin against God. Humanity is polluted and finds prayer a hard task; not only do they sin, but they want to sin. God hates sin, but offers grace upon grace at Calvary: “Grace is undeserved favor...it’s the very thing you and I need.”
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon opens by introducing the passage from John 1:17 which contrasts the law given through Moses and the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ.
- The sermon emphasizes that this was an astounding and thrilling truth to the apostle John. However, the world did not receive or recognize Jesus.
- The sermon argues that the world today is still not interested in Jesus or the gospel. People are more concerned with issues like automation, inflation, nuclear weapons, and race relations.
- The sermon asserts that the gospel is still relevant today because it is God's message to humanity. God has spoken through the law and through Jesus.
- The sermon highlights that the gospel addresses humanity's deepest need - the salvation of the soul. The issues of the world stem from the state of human souls. Only the gospel can truly solve these issues by saving souls.
- The sermon outlines how the law reveals God's holiness, his demands on humanity, humanity's sin and weakness, and God's wrath against sin. The law shows our need for grace.
- The sermon proclaims that grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Grace is God's undeserved favor. Grace came through Jesus' teaching, life, death, and resurrection. We receive grace, forgiveness, and new life in Christ.
- The sermon declares that Jesus is the truth. In him we find all the wisdom and knowledge we need. He shows us the truth about ourselves and the truth that he is the savior.
- The sermon concludes by pleading with listeners to recognize what the law and the gospel say, repent of sin, and receive the grace offered in Jesus Christ. Only then can we face the issues of the world with courage.
The Book of John
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.