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Sermon #5549

A World in Darkness

A Sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Originally preached Feb. 19, 1961

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Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 ESV KJV
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight …

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Sermon Description

What is the only hope for the world? In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:1–6 titled “A World in Darkness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the only hope for the world is not modern science or learning, nor is it politics and philosophy; it is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only this message of true salvation and forgiveness of sins can bring hope to a world that is in darkness and rebellion against God. The Bible says that all who are born in sin are born in ignorance and blind to the truth of God. Because of this blindness, people are content to sin and live a life that is wholly opposed to God and His righteousness. How then can sinners be saved if they are blind? It is only by grace that anyone can be set free from darkness and come to know God. This is the glory of the gospel: God saves sinners by giving His Son to pay the wages of sin. There is no other way of salvation than to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This sermon asks everyone the question: “have you believed in this gospel?”

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostle Paul is giving an account of himself and his ministry. He is explaining his view of himself as a minister and preacher of the gospel.
  2. Paul emphasizes how careful and diligent he is in preaching the gospel. He has renounced hidden things of dishonesty and does not walk in craftiness or handle the word of God deceitfully.
  3. Paul appeals to the Corinthians' consciences as evidence of his sincerity and integrity.
  4. The gospel is hidden to those who are perishing because the god of this world has blinded their minds.
  5. Paul preaches Christ Jesus as Lord and himself as the Corinthians' servant for Jesus's sake.
  6. God commanded light to shine out of darkness and has shone in Paul's heart to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in Christ.
  7. Paul is explaining and defending his ministry for the third time. People are always interested to hear someone explain their work and ministry.
  8. Paul was extraordinarily careful in how he ministered so he would not hinder the gospel in any way. He feared he might not do it properly.
  9. Paul renounced hidden things of dishonesty, did not walk in craftiness, and did not handle the word of God deceitfully.
  10. Paul commended himself to every man's conscience in the sight of God. No one could charge him with unworthiness.
  11. If the gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are perishing. The god of this world has blinded their minds to the light of the gospel.
  12. Paul preached Christ as Lord and himself as the Corinthians' servant for Jesus's sake.
  13. God commanded light to shine out of darkness and shone in Paul's heart to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in Christ.
  14. The gospel disseminates light and knowledge. The business of preaching the gospel is to open people's eyes and give them knowledge and instruction.
  15. People need to realize they are in darkness and ignorance before they can receive the light of the gospel. They must realize their need for the gospel.

Other Sermons

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.