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Sermon #5485

... Rise Up and Walk

A Sermon on Acts 3:6

Originally preached Jan. 4, 1959

Scripture

Acts 3:6 ESV KJV
But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (ESV)

Sermon Description

Are humans really born sinful? Is it truly something that contaminates everyone? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains in this sermon from Acts 3:6 entitled “Rise Up and Walk”, how all are sinners from birth and completely unable to do good in accordance with God’s Law. Their natures are fundamentally corrupt and disordered, and out of this nature comes their propensity to do evil and sin. The reason all humanity is like this can be explained in Genesis and the fall. When Adam fell into sin, he caused all of his descendants to do so as well. This explains humanity’s current plight and need for salvation. No one is able to save themselves from sin because their nature has been wholly disposed to sin and unrighteousness. Only the gospel can break the chains of sin and give freedom. This Gospel is by God’s grace alone, for sinners are spiritually dead and unable to do any good act pleasing to God. It is in humanity’s hopeless state that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings hope. It is this same gospel that was preached by the Apostles two thousand years ago, and it is the message that transformed the world – rise up and walk! This is the only hope for the world, for it alone can triumph over sin and evil to bring salvation to all who believe.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Man's need - Man is born spiritually paralyzed and helpless. He is unable to know God, serve God, or live righteously.
  2. The world can only carry man in his helpless state. It cannot solve his deepest problems or meet his real needs.
  3. The gospel comes unexpectedly and surprisingly. It comes suddenly and transforms lives immediately.
  4. The gospel offers forgiveness of sins, reconciliation to God, new life, power to live righteously, joy, hope, and eternal life.
  5. Jesus Christ himself gives these gifts through his death on the cross.
  6. The gospel asks for our full attention and obedience. We must listen, concentrate on our spiritual need, and obey Christ's command to rise up and walk in new life.

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.