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Sermon #5274

What is Christianity?

A Sermon on Isaiah 40:3-5

Originally preached May 9, 1954

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Scripture

Isaiah 40:3-5 ESV KJV
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the …

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Sermon Description

The devil wants to keep all people from God. In this sermon, learn how the devil keeps people from knowing God and from knowing what true Christianity is. In this sermon from Isaiah 40:3–5 titled “What is Christianity?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the true and living God and that the love and power of God are displayed in salvation. Discover where Christ comes into the picture and why it is vital that all have a personal relationship with Him. The Christian position is centralized around the salvation offered to them through Christ Jesus Himself. Endless blessings are given directly from God to His own children, but these blessings must come through Christ. One cannot only know about God and believe in Him while dismissing Christ. The Christian message stands absolutely alone and all other religions and cults fall short. It is only in the wisdom of God that His love is displayed in the sacrificing of His own Son. God pardons and changes the lives of those who believe. Christians are not only “good people” but a unique humility must first come so that the blessing of God may be poured out.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon begins by introducing Isaiah 40:3-5 which speaks of preparing the way for the Lord.
  2. The sermon highlights that the prophecy has an immediate and local reference, but ultimately points to Jesus Christ.
  3. The sermon emphasizes that Christianity is a message of comfort for those undergoing hardship. This comfort comes through the forgiveness of sins which was accomplished through Jesus Christ.
  4. The sermon asks the question: How does God provide this comfort and forgiveness? The answer is through Jesus Christ alone.
  5. The sermon warns against thinking you can receive God's blessing apart from faith in Jesus Christ. That is a false belief.
  6. The sermon states that God's blessing comes through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Jesus is both fully God and fully man.
  7. The sermon explains that for Christ to come into the world, a new way needed to be prepared. This involved Christ humbling himself and becoming a man.
  8. The sermon also says a new way needs to be prepared for Christ to come into our lives. This involves recognizing our sin, repenting, and trusting in Christ alone.
  9. The sermon concludes by inviting people to receive Christ and find comfort in him.

Old Testament

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.