The Mystery of the Gospel, Part 2 (Remastered)

A Sermon on Ephesians 6.18-20 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/gospel/the-mystery-of-the-gospel-2/ "The amazing thing is that we don't get *more* suffering and pain in this world. It's what we deserve. But God is kind." - Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Description Some people believe that the world is advancing toward perfection. In this sermon on Ephesians 6.18–20 titled “The Mystery of the Gospel, Part 2,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that this doesn’t fit the observable patterns of reality. The Bible’s storyline of creation, the fall of humankind, and the consequences are the only reasonable explanation for the human condition. People are baffled that if God is all powerful and good, why does He allow pain and suffering? The answer goes back to the first sin at the fall and the Bible goes further. God, in His eternal wisdom, has permitted it. God decided to allow freedom of will to the devil and to people in their initial perfection, giving freedom of the possibility of the broken world as it is known. Though He permits evil, God puts a limit to it. The world thinks God’s way of dealing with this broken world would of necessity be one of gradual improvement and reformation. But the Bible tells that this is not the case. God has chosen to redeem through the cross of His Son Jesus Christ. At His second coming, the current world reality will be obliterated. Sermon Breakdown * The gospel alone has an explanation for the world's ills. World history proves the Bible's case. * The cause of the world's troubles is sin and evil, not merely human nature. There are unseen malignant spiritual forces - the devil and his angels. They govern the world. * God permits evil but also controls it. He limits how far evil can go. He uses civil governments and common grace to restrain evil. * God's ways perplex natural man. Man expects gradual improvement but the Bible says evil will wax worse. God's timetable is not man's. He acts in the fullness of time. * God's plan is to call out a people for Himself in every age through faith in Christ. He will complete His plan and judge evil. * Christ will return suddenly and unexpectedly. With God a thousand years is as a day. We cannot understand God's timetable. * At Christ's return, God will make a new heaven and earth. All evil will be destroyed. Paradise will be restored. Sorrow will be no more. * Our problem is not understanding world suffering but rather escaping eternal judgment through faith in Christ.