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Sermon #5352

The Only Way

A Sermon on Matthew 24:14

Originally preached March 8, 1959

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Scripture

Matthew 24:14 ESV KJV
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (ESV)

Sermon Description

In the midst of a prophecy of gloom, there is a good news. In this sermon on Matthew 24:14 titled “The Only Way,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the Messiah of the Old Testament. The world without God is under the wrath of God – where is the hope? It is a different message and perspective, giving the only light in the midst of all darkness. The history of the world and the kingdoms of humankind are competing with the history and kingdom of the eternal God. No one can earn entrance into this kingdom; Jesus Christ is the only door to the kingdom of God. Christ did not come to reform the world politically or socially; His kingdom is completely different. God’s kingdom remains in the spiritual realm until Christ returns. Learn not only what Christ has done and continues to do, but also discover what He will do. The Bible recounts the wonderful works of God. The eternally pure Christ looked into the face of sin and bore the punishment of death; He is the only door to salvation. No one can cleanse themselves – come to Him as He can wash, clothe, and receive His people into the kingdom of God.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon text is Matthew 24:14 which says "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

  2. The sermon begins by setting the context of Matthew 24 where Jesus is prophesying the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. The disciples ask when this will happen and what the signs will be.

  3. Jesus describes many signs like wars, earthquakes, tribulations, etc. Verse 14 provides hope amidst the gloom.

  4. The most important thing is to discover how to enter the kingdom of God. The beatitudes describe the people of the kingdom. One must be "born again" and become like children to enter.

  5. The way to the kingdom is narrow and impossible in our own strength. We need help. Philosophers and leaders cannot provide the answers. Only Jesus provides hope.

  6. The whole Old Testament points to Jesus as the promised Messiah. The prophets looked forward to his coming.

  7. Jesus makes astonishing claims like "follow me," "I am the light of the world," "I am the way, the truth, and the life," "I am the door," "I have come that they may have life." He is the only one who can bring us to God as our Father.

  8. Jesus is the only one who has accurately prophesied the future and course of history. We must look to him alone.

  9. Jesus does not tell us how to save ourselves or reform the world. He has come to set up a spiritual kingdom, not a visible one. The kingdom is within us.

  10. Jesus opens the kingdom through what he has done, not just through teaching. His incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension - this is the good news.

  11. The incarnation means the eternal Son of God took on flesh and entered our world. He humbled himself and became obedient even to death on the cross. This is how he became the door to the kingdom.

  12. Jesus lived a life of obedience to fulfill all righteousness. He was tempted like us and conquered sin. He defeated the devil to set us free.

  13. Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem to die, even though he could have avoided it. He gave his life as a ransom for many. His death is how we enter the kingdom.

  14. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death. This opens the door to the kingdom and provides our justification.

  15. There is no other way to enter the kingdom except through Jesus and his work. A word from heaven or more teaching could not do it. Only Jesus could do what was needed to open the door. We must come to him just as we are.

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.