The Gospel of the Glory of Christ
A Sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Originally preached Feb. 26, 1961
Scripture
1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight …
Sermon Description
What is Christianity? Many see Christianity as nothing more than another philosophical or political view. In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 4:1–6 titled “The Gospel of the Glory of Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains why this is completely wrong. He says that Christianity is about the person and work of Christ. It is about what God has done to save sinners doomed to death. Jesus is not just another religious teacher, but He is the perfect imprint of God’s nature, God Himself. Since He is God, He is glorious and perfect, but as a man He died in the place of sinners so that all who believe in Him might be saved from sin. Jesus is worthy of all praise and glory, and demands all human worship. It is Jesus who is supremely revealed in Scripture, and it is Jesus that will come in glory to judge the living and the dead. This sermon is a call for all men and women to forsake their sin and come to Jesus. He invites all sinners to leave behind their evil ways and come to Him for their righteousness. There is nothing more to do other than to come to Jesus and be saved.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is making a statement about himself and his preaching in 2 Corinthians 4:1-6.
- He is defending himself against charges brought against him that he is not an apostle and has no right to preach.
- However, Paul is more concerned with defending the truth of the gospel than himself.
- Paul says he does not use deceit or cunning or tamper with God's word. He preaches the truth plainly.
- If the gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers to prevent them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
- Paul does not preach himself but Jesus Christ as Lord and himself as a servant for Jesus's sake.
- God commanded light to shine out of darkness and has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones has preached from this passage three times previously.
- Paul is telling the Corinthians why they should listen to his preaching.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones is also telling the listeners why they should listen to his preaching.
- The gospel gives light and knowledge about ourselves and our condition.
- The gospel shows that the world's condition is due to our own condition as sinful human beings.
- The gospel provides the remedy for our condition through the glory of Christ.
- The glory of Christ is the most important fact in the world.
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.