Be Not Confounded
A Sermon on 1 Peter 2:6
Originally preached Feb. 18, 1962
Scripture
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Sermon Description
Where can one find hope? In a life that is often filled with turmoil and conflict, there is no more important question. In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:6 titled “Be Not Confounded,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the great biblical truth that Jesus Christ is the hope. All those that trust in Him will never be confounded or put to shame. This is because in Christ they find an otherworldly hope, a hope that is greater than all the suffering and pain in this world. Jesus is better than the hopes that the world offers, whether it is modern science and medicine, or modern philosophy and politics. The hopes of this world are just like the world: sinful and passing away. But the gospel gives hope even when this world is full of sin and rejects Christ, for the hope of the gospel is the redemption of the body and the forgiveness of sins for all who believe. Where is one’s hope? This sermon asks this vital question, but more importantly, it tells of the greatest hope in this world, Jesus Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The ultimate test of any teaching or theory is whether it works in practice.
- The Bible emphasizes the importance of the practical test - it shows how teachings stand up to the challenges and trials of real life.
- The "acid test" for any view of life is whether it prevents us from being "confounded" - disappointed, bewildered, desperate or put to shame.
- To be "confounded" means to be disappointed when a theory doesn't work out as expected, to be left without an explanation, to be driven to desperation or to end up looking foolish.
- Many modern theories have failed the practical test and left their proponents confounded, unable to understand why events have unfolded as they have.
- The only way not to be confounded is to build your life on the "chief cornerstone" of Jesus Christ and his gospel.
- This foundation has been laid by God himself, not by human theories. It provides a sure and lasting basis for life.
- Those who trust in Christ become God's own people. He takes a special interest in them and cares for them.
- God proved his love by giving his Son to die for us. If he did that, he will never abandon us or fail to provide what we need.
- God's ultimate purpose is that we might glorify him, both now and in the life to come. Our present sufferings are light and momentary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us.
- There is no circumstance in life, death or eternity that can confound, disappoint or put to shame the believer in Christ. His mercy and grace are sufficient for all things.
- We can say with the Psalmist, "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Hidden in Christ, the Rock of Ages, we will never be confounded.
Sermons on Knowledge
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.