The Lord of Redemption
Originally preached March 27, 1964
Scripture
Sermon Description
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” Here are some of the most glorious words written and found in the Bible. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones displays the truth behind this marvelous declaration. In this sermon on Revelation 5:9–10 and 12, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the Lamb (Christ) is to receive the same glory as the Father. This begs the question: why is the Lamb worthy to receive this glory? First, Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents Christ as the Lord of redemption. The work of redemption is His alone. Jesus is the one worthy of opening the book of redemption; only He is able to redeem, and He needs no help. Therefore, the glory belongs to Him. Secondly, Christ is worthy because of the work of redemption. The plan for redemption centered around the cross, nails, agony, and suffering. Jesus submits to the Father’s will. The work of redemption displays the highest point of His obedience, and the lowest point of His humiliation. Yet His death purchased the glory which is to come. The death of Jesus purchased for His people the right to become children of God, forgiveness of sins, rebirth, righteousness, and ultimate glorification. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones declares that Christians have nothing to fear, because the Lamb will triumph. Worthy is Lamb!
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon examines Revelation 5:9-10 which describes the heavenly hosts singing praises to Christ, the Lamb of God.
- The passage shows the glory and grandeur of praising Christ. However, there is a danger of just enjoying the words and music without understanding the meaning.
- The apostle John explains why the heavenly hosts are singing this praise. By following John's explanation, we can understand the meaning and truly join in the praise.
- The "new song" in Revelation 5 contrasts with the "song" in Revelation 4 which praises God as the Creator. The new song is the "doxology of redemption" praising Christ as the Redeemer.
- In Revelation 4, only God the Father is praised. In Revelation 5, Christ is coupled with and shares the glory of redemption with the Father.
- Christ alone is able to carry out God's plan of redemption and salvation. No man, angel or any other being can do it. Salvation is in Christ alone.
- Christ shares the glory of redemption with the Father because the Father gave the work of redemption and salvation to the Son. The Son alone started and will finish the work.
- The first reason Christ is worthy of praise is because He is the Lord of redemption. He alone is able to redeem and save.
- The second reason is because of what enabled Christ to become the Lord of redemption - His person and work.
- Christ is the unique God-man. As God, He is worthy of the same praise as the Father. As man, He is able to redeem humanity. The two natures in one person is the central mystery of Christianity.
- Christ's death on the cross is what makes Him the Lord of redemption. His death was not an accident but the focal point of God's plan of redemption.
- Christ's death on the cross was the highest point of His obedience to the Father. He submitted completely to the Father's will.
- Christ's death was also the lowest point of His humiliation. He endured the depths of suffering and death.
- Christ's death on the cross accomplished atonement for sins. He was the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices and prophecies of a suffering servant.
- The consequences of Christ's work on the cross are: pardon and forgiveness of sins; the right to be God's people; freedom from the law and sin; ultimate glorification; and the restoration of the whole universe.
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.