The Power of the Resurrection
A Sermon on John 3:8
Originally preached April 10, 1966
Scripture
8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Sermon Description
What makes Christians new people? Listen to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in this sermon on “The Power of the Resurrection” from John 3:8. According to Scripture, it is because all believers have been transformed by the power of God that the Bible calls the power of the resurrection. This is what sets Christians apart from all others; they have been made new by God and forgiven of their sins by the blood of Christ Jesus. For all are naturally born in a state of sin and death, unable to love and serve God rightly. But because of the grace of God poured out in their hearts, those who believe are now able to love God because He has loved them. This new life produces hope in the midst of suffering and trials. It is this very same hope that was present in the early church in times of persecution and hardships. False religion is devoid of this power and strength. This is because all true love, faith, and joy comes not from within, but from Christ Jesus. No human-made religion has Christ so it cannot bring any true and lasting peace. The answer in the midst of all trials is to look to Christ and the power of His resurrection and reign.
Sermon Breakdown
- The Christian life is a mystery from beginning to end. We are in the realm of the supernatural and miraculous.
- Nicodemus was trying to understand spiritual things with his natural human understanding. This is impossible.
- The man who relies on his own understanding is not a Christian. Christianity is the power to believe the impossible.
- The resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact. Theories that try to explain it away contradict each other and don't make sense.
- The resurrection is the basis for the Christian's whole position and hope. Without it there would be no Christian faith.
- The real test of whether we are born again is whether we know the consequences of the resurrection in our lives.
- The man who is born again knows he is dead to sin and the world. Our old self was crucified with Christ.
- Though the old nature is still in us, sin no longer reigns over us. We are freed from its demands and dominion.
- The man who is born again knows he is alive to God. We have been quickened and raised to new life by the same power that raised Christ.
- We know the working of resurrection power in our lives. We live by the power of Christ's life, not our own.
- The man who is born again knows he is safe and secure. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God. Nothing can separate us from God's love.
- The man who is born again looks forward to Christ's return and the glory that will be revealed in us. Our present sufferings are nothing compared to the glory to come.
- If the life of God is in us, it will create in us a longing for the perfection and glory that is coming. We groan within ourselves, waiting for our full redemption.
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.