Why Do the Nations Rage ...?
A Sermon on Psalms 2:1
Scripture
1Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Psalm 2:1 titled “Why Do the Nations Rage…?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tells how nothing else holds out hope in this modern world other than the message of Scripture. Look at the state and condition of the human race. Humankind is always restless, with a constant desire for peace and rest. They look at a raging storm in this age of people who are proud of their sin. Christians alone face the facts; nonbelievers are continually devising empty and futile schemes. Even attempts for peace do not succeed—look at history with the League of Nations and United Nations. People try to put their trust and confidence in politics, education, science, and philosophy. The state of the world today is simply “organized insanity.” Discover the deliberate rebellion that causes all of this. The law was not given to hold down. It is madness to believe in worldly theory and not believe in God. All are under the judgment of God and His wrath is upon sin. Rejoice that none are not left without a solution but should look at God’s free forgiveness.
Sermon Breakdown
- The psalmist asks why the world is in turmoil and chaos. He expresses horror at the condition of the world.
- The world is restless like the raging, churning sea. There are periods of calm but the underlying restlessness remains.
- The world is currently experiencing raging sin and open defiance of God. There is a breakdown of morality and lawlessness.
- Leaders and rulers are devising futile schemes to solve the world's problems but they are empty and vain.
- The condition of the world is due to man's rebellion against God. Man sees God as tyrannical and His laws as restrictive.
- God gave His laws for our good and benefit. If we followed them, the world's problems would be solved.
- The world's rebellion against God is utter madness and folly. Man's schemes have failed and the world is in crisis.
- The world does not know the truth about God. It rejects God as Creator and believes in chance and evolution.
- God is the eternal, almighty Creator who sits in the heavens and laughs at man's folly. His power is unlimited.
- God's wrath is upon sin. The world's condition is due to God withdrawing His restraining grace in anger.
- The world will continue to deteriorate until Christ returns. There will be greater wars, troubles and tribulation.
- We must be wise, understand our perilous state and kiss the Son in submission. We must yield to Christ.
- Only faith in Christ can save us from the wrath to come. We must trust in Him for pardon and eternal life.
Itinerant Preaching
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.