It Was Necessary for the Christ to Suffer
A Sermon on Acts 17:1-4
Originally preached April 11, 1954
Scripture
1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3Opening and alleging, that Christ must …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Acts 17:1–4 titled “It was necessary for the Christ to suffer,” from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, he preaches about Christ being the pivot point of history. More specifically, Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection are the turning point and only hope for humankind. The only way to be saved, Dr. Lloyd-Jones beckons, is through the sacrifice of God made flesh. The greatest offense in the history of humankind is the murder of Jesus Christ. Yet through this horrid event, the curtain was torn and humankind is given access to the Holy of Holies. Dr. Lloyd-Jones thoroughly repeats how Christ must have suffered. This means that the Messiah had to suffer and lose His life in order for anyone to receive life. It is only through faith that people have access to the blessings Jesus Christ has accomplished for humanity. Dr. Lloyd-Jones exhorts that there is no other way to be saved than through the Son of God. He begs his listeners to show their gratitude to Jesus Christ by giving their lives to Him in repentance and praise. The significance of the crucifixion is difficult to comprehend and will not be completely understood on the earthly side of heaven. Repent and put trust in Him and be saved from death.
Sermon Breakdown
- Paul preached Jesus Christ and him crucified as his central message.
- The cross of Christ was a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.
- Paul reasoned from the Scriptures that the Christ must suffer.
- The Jews had a false conception of the Messiah as a political deliverer. Paul showed from Scripture that the Messiah would suffer.
- Jesus himself taught that he must suffer, referring to himself as the "Son of Man" who must be "lifted up."
- Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem, knowing he would suffer and die.
- God determined before the foundation of the world that Christ would suffer and die.
- There was no other way for God to save sinners and remain just except by the suffering and death of his Son.
- On the cross, God punished our sins in Christ. Christ bore our griefs and iniquities.
- Do we believe that Christ suffered and died for us? If so, we will thank him, give ourselves to him, live for his glory, and tell others about him.
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.