Sermon Breakdown

1. The sermon begins by highlighting the phrase “the wonderful works of God” from Acts 2:11. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that this phrase is appropriate to consider in the current times.
2. Dr. Lloyd-Jones expresses concern over complacency in the church and a failure to realize the seriousness of the current times. The world is in a time of crisis and climactic change.
3. There are many problems in society and the church including: permissiveness, lawlessness, rebellion against traditional values, declining church attendance and membership, the rise of cults and new religious movements, anti-intellectualism, and a desire for experience over reason.
4. There has been a tendency to turn Christianity into a cult focused on human activity and decision making rather than God. There has also been a focus on accepting certain beliefs rather than truly knowing God.
5. There is a danger of replacing belief in and experience of the living God with an interest in apologetics and theology. One can spend too much time defending the faith and forget God himself.
6. There is a modern tendency to turn faith into a philosophy or worldview rather than a relationship with the living God. Some even say the church should be abolished in favor of discussing ideas.
7. The Bible emphasizes God's activity, intervention, and involvement in the world. It highlights what God has done, is doing, and will do. This is in contrast with the distant, static God of deism.
8. God's activity is seen throughout the Old Testament in events like the call of Abraham, the Exodus, the giving of the Law, the establishment of Israel, and the ministries of the prophets. God constantly intervened to save, judge, and guide his people.
9. God's activity culminates in the sending of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts records the early church's experience of God's power.
10. Revivals throughout church history demonstrate that God is still actively involved in the world. He continues to pour out his Spirit in power. Revivals are necessary to revive the church in times of lethargy and deadness.
11. There is a tendency to think God's activity ended with the apostles and early church. But God has been actively reviving his church throughout the centuries through phenomena like the Reformation and Great Awakenings.
12. Stories of God's powerful work in people's lives, like Pascal's conversion experience, demonstrate that intellectual knowledge of God is not enough. We need to know God experientially.
13. The only hope for the church today is a fresh outpouring of the Spirit and demonstration of God's power. Apologetics, theology, and philosophy are not enough. We need revival.
14. We must pray urgently and persistently for God to pour out his Spirit in power and revival. Nothing else can deal with the desperate situation of the world today.