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Sermon #5524

The Everlasting Gospel

A Sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

Originally preached Sept. 19, 1954

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Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:22-24 ESV KJV
For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (ESV)

Sermon Description

In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:22–24 titled “The Everlasting Gospel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones asks how the listener thinks about the Christian faith and message. It is a message that one never expects or desires. The cross cannot be removed from this message, yet it is a stumbling block to many. Many think they know what they need and are still looking for a sign, but God gave the message. It is impossible for any to know the truth about themselves while still in sin. Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that everyone not only needs help, but they need complete deliverance. The preaching of the cross is an offense to human ears. Why do they resent the cross? Due to the implications, this message is offensive by nature. It denounces everything that people rely upon. People are proud and self-confident, but listen and learn that even the wisest cannot stand before God justly. The blood of Christ is required. This is the Christian message and there is no other. Christ came to die — this is God’s way of salvation, the everlasting gospel. Believe it and be found in Him.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The message of Christianity is Jesus Christ and him crucified. This is the essence of the Christian faith.
  2. This message always comes as a surprise to people and is not what they expect or desire. People think they know what they need, but they do not realize they need salvation.
  3. The message of the cross is resented and disliked by people. It is a stumbling block and foolishness. It offends our pride and humbles us.
  4. The cross reveals that all people are condemned sinners in need of salvation. There is no difference between people before God.
  5. The cross shows that people cannot save themselves. If there was any other way to be saved, God would not have allowed Jesus to die.
  6. Despite the cross being surprising and offensive, it is still the Christian message. It is a fact - Jesus died and rose again. It is God's way of salvation. There is no other way.
  7. The alternative to believing the message of the cross is God's wrath and destruction. The cross is the only way to be reconciled to God.
  8. People must realize they are sinners, unable to save themselves, and in need of a savior. They must believe Jesus died for their sins so they can be saved.
  9. There is only one reason people do not believe the message of the cross - they are blinded by Satan. People must cry out to God to be saved.
  10. Those who believe the message of the cross will spend eternity praising God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

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.