Changed by the Gospel
A Sermon on Colossians 1:3-8
Originally preached Nov. 4, 1962
Scripture
3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5For the hope which is laid up for you in …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Colossians 1:3–8 titled “Changed by the Gospel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reads the encouraging words of Paul where he describes a summary of the gospel for the church in Colossae. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out what the good news has done to this early church. The gospel has changed them. Paul praises their faith in Jesus Christ, but he also celebrates their love for their Christian brothers and sisters. This new spiritual fruit is no doubt from the power of the gospel, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. Once the believer has placed his or her faith in Christ, they are a new creation. God opens their eyes to the sin in their life, and moreover, gives them the power to change. Of course, that person is not perfect and will still stumble. But the believer no longer loves old habits. That person loves Christ instead. He or she would much rather be with believers than the highest company. This, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, is one of the marks of a saved person. That person’s life is different than it was before Christ. The old life is dead, and God has made a new creation within, a new life that reflects the mercy and grace of the Lord.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul wrote this letter to establish the Colossians in the true Christian faith.
- Paul provides a summary of the essence of the Christian message and faith.
- The most important question for anyone is whether they are a Christian.
- Many people think they know what Christianity is but have a false notion of it.
- Paul wrote this letter to correct false teachings and establish the Colossians in the true faith.
- This passage provides a summary of the essence of the Christian faith to test ourselves.
- The first aspect of the Christian message is the hope laid up in heaven.
- The gospel brings forth fruit, referring to results, everywhere it goes.
- The first fruit of the gospel is conviction of sin, leading to repentance and faith in Christ.
- We must examine ourselves to determine if we have real faith or a spurious one.
- There are people who think they believe but find out later there was nothing to it.
- We can give intellectual assent to the truth but not have real faith.
- The preacher has a responsibility to make sure no one is left in uncertainty about this.
- Jesus warned of people who call him "Lord" but he will say he never knew them.
- We must examine ourselves to make sure we have real faith and not be disappointed later.
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.