No Longer Slaves
A Sermon on Colossians 1:2-11
Originally preached Nov. 11, 1962
Scripture
2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4Since we heard …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Colossians 1:2–11 titled “No Longer Slaves,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to convey the true gospel by asking the listener to test their faith by asking some basic questions. Has this gospel brought forth fruit? Hear how faith shows a person who they are and learn the freedom of living triumphantly in this present and evil world. Regeneration gives the ability to find joy in tribulation, not merely survive. This Gospel is not one of escapism, wishful thinking, stoicism, fatalism, or realism, but instead enables believers to face facts exactly as they are. Regeneration gives someone an entirely new relationship to this world. No longer are they “of the world.” Without this gospel, all are slaves in this world and bound by culture. This life is only vanity and evil, and at its very best, it is still only temporary. Christians are pilgrims in this world who must be concerned for their soul and what is beyond this world, rather than for mere worldly prospects. Christ will come to put this world right. Join Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in saying, “I am what I am by the grace of God.” Find peace with God and the peace of God; nothing can separate His children from His love.
Sermon Breakdown
- The gospel opens our eyes to the vanity and temporariness of the world. Before becoming a Christian, Colosse controlled and determined everything in a person's life.
- The gospel separates us from the world though we still live in it. We realize we no longer belong to the world. We become strangers and pilgrims.
- The gospel joins us to Christ. We have a new address and link to Christ. We see everything through Christ and our relationship to him.
- In Christ, we become concerned for our souls and eternal destiny, not the world. The gospel shows us the truth about life and prepares us for difficulties.
- Though the world is sinful and under God's wrath, Christ will return to judge it and establish his kingdom.
- Faith in Christ overcomes the world. It enables us to see through the world and beyond it to Christ. We know nothing can separate us from Christ's love.
- Grace from God means we have his favor, forgiveness, and he cares for our needs. It gives comfort in the world.
- Peace from God is peace with him and the peace of God which passes understanding. It guards our hearts and minds in Christ despite circumstances.
- Power from God strengthens us to do all things through Christ. If God is for us, who can be against us? Nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ.
- Christians can say their citizenship is in heaven. The world can't touch their souls which are in Christ's keeping. Physical death isn't the end.
- Christians have an eternal home in the new Jerusalem. They are Zion's children who know joys the world can't give.
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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.