Saulo de Tarso; cristiano
Un Sermón sobre Hechos 9:6
Predicado originalmente 14 de noviembre de 1954
Nota: para ver subtítulos en otros idiomas, navegue a la configuración en el reproductor de YouTube y seleccione un idioma en "Subtítulos/CC".
Escritura
6El, temblando y temeroso, dijo: ¿Señor, qué quieres que haga? Y el Señor le dice: Levántate y entra en la ciudad, y se te dirá lo que te conviene hacer.
Descripción del Sermón
El mundo de hoy está lleno de falsa conversión: personas que saben acerca de Jesús, pero que realmente no conocen a Jesús. En este sermón sobre Hechos 9:6 titulado "Saulo de Tarso, Cristiano", el Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones lleva al oyente cara a cara con el poder salvador del evangelio. Es el evangelio el que produce contrición, el sentido de temor y temblor que viene cuando el pecado es expuesto, y la necesidad de perdón se hace clara. Más que una experiencia emocional temporal, la verdadera conversión involucra la voluntad, el corazón y la mente. El verdadero arrepentimiento abandona la vida anterior y mira hacia atrás con gratitud y agradecimiento por la paciencia de Cristo en salvar a los pecadores. El amor de Jesús rodea a Su hijo y trae una paz que sobrepasa todo entendimiento humano. El hijo de Dios salvado ahora mira al infierno y se da cuenta de que ha sido salvado de él por su bondadoso y amoroso Señor.
Desglose del Sermón
- Saulo quedó asombrado por lo inesperado y sorpresivo de su encuentro con Jesús.
- Saulo quedó asombrado al encontrarse como ahora estaba - una nueva criatura en Cristo. Estaba maravillado por el profundo cambio en sí mismo.
- Saulo quedó asombrado de su propia ignorancia, arrogancia, necedad y ceguera pasada. No podía creer cómo había estado tan lejos de la verdad por tanto tiempo.
- Saulo quedó asombrado del carácter glorioso, la santidad y el resplandor de Jesús. Nunca había imaginado tal gloria y maravilla.
- Saulo quedó asombrado de la gracia, misericordia, amor y paciencia de Jesús hacia él a pesar del pecado de Saulo y su persecución a los seguidores de Jesús.
- Saulo quedó asombrado de que Jesús lo había amado y se había entregado para morir por él incluso cuando Saulo era Su enemigo.
- Saulo quedó asombrado de la manera de salvación - que era un regalo gratuito dado por gracia mediante la fe, no por obras. Había pensado que la salvación se ganaba, pero ahora veía que todo era de Cristo.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon Questions and Answers: Conversion of Saul
What were the essential elements present in Saul's conversion on the Damascus Road?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, certain elements are always present in genuine Christian conversion, regardless of the circumstances. In Saul's case, these included: being arrested by God (confronted directly), being brought face to face with himself as a sinner, being brought face to face with Jesus Christ, experiencing astonishment at the encounter, trembling in response, and submitting to the Lord's will. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that while the dramatic circumstances may differ from person to person (like Lydia versus the Philippian jailer), these core elements are "invariable" and "essential to the true Christian experience."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say that astonishment is an essential part of Christian conversion?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that astonishment is inevitable in true conversion because when a person becomes a Christian, God is doing something profound and supernatural in the depths of their soul. He states: "When a man becomes a Christian, it's not simply that he decides to do something. It's God doing something to him." This divine work is so radical—like passing "from death to life"—that the person cannot help but be amazed. Lloyd-Jones insists: "Can you pass from death to life without being amazed?" and suggests that if someone can fully explain their spiritual experience without any sense of wonder, they may not have experienced genuine conversion.
What specifically was Saul astonished at during his conversion experience?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several things that astonished Saul: (1) He was astonished at himself—his past ignorance, arrogance, and blasphemy; (2) He was astonished at how he could have possibly missed the truth about Christ; (3) He was astonished at Christ's glorious character and brightness; (4) He was astonished at Christ's grace, mercy and love toward him despite his persecution; (5) He was astonished at Christ's patience in bearing with him; (6) He was astonished that Christ had died for him personally; and (7) He was astonished at the way of salvation—that it was given freely by grace rather than earned through works.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the difference between becoming a Christian and other life changes?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguishes Christian conversion from other life changes by emphasizing its supernatural nature. He states: "Every experience that mankind gets is not, of necessity, Christian. There are people who can testify to great changes in their lives who are not Christian." The difference is that becoming a Christian involves regeneration—being "born again"—which is God's work, not merely human effort. It's not "a mere addition of something to your life" or "merely turning a corner," but rather "as radical and as profound as...rising to life from amongst the dead." Unlike merely deciding to "turn over a new leaf," Christian conversion results in a mystical transformation where one becomes "a partaker in some mysterious, mystical way...of the very being of God."
What did Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about how a person receives salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that salvation comes as a completely free gift rather than something earned. He explains that Saul was astonished to discover "that it was given as a free gift in spite of him, and in spite of all he'd been. He's done nothing to merit it." Lloyd-Jones stresses: "Don't start doing anything because you can do nothing." Instead, salvation requires only receiving what Christ has already accomplished: "Everything you need and infinitely more, is already offered you in Jesus Christ, and you have but to take it and receive it." This free pardon is possible "because his punishment has been borne by another" and the believer is "clothed, robed with the spotless righteousness of Christ."
How can someone test whether they have truly experienced Christian conversion?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers several tests throughout the sermon: (1) Have you come face to face with yourself as a sinner? "If you haven't come to a knowledge of yourself and your sinful condition...you are not a Christian"; (2) Have you come face to face with Jesus Christ personally? (3) Are you amazed at yourself and the change in you? "Are you amazed at yourself? Do you wonder at yourself? Have you become an astonishment to yourself?"; (4) Are you astonished at God's grace and mercy toward you? "Do you know what it is to be astonished at the grace of God in Jesus Christ? Or do you think that you were worthy of forgiveness?"; (5) Do you recognize salvation as entirely God's work rather than your own? Lloyd-Jones insists these elements must be present in genuine conversion, though they may vary in intensity.
Cara a Cara con Cristo
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
El Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) fue un ministro evangélico galés que predicó y enseñó en la tradición Reformada. Su ministerio principal fue en Westminster Chapel, en el centro de Londres, desde 1939-1968, donde impartió exposiciones de varios años sobre libros de la Biblia como Romanos, Efesios y el Evangelio de Juan. Además de la colección del Fideicomiso MLJ de 1,600 de estos sermones en formato de audio, la mayoría de estas grandes series de sermones están disponibles en forma de libro (incluyendo una colección de 14 volúmenes de los sermones de Romanos), así como otras series como "Depresión Espiritual", "Estudios sobre el Sermón del Monte" y "Grandes Doctrinas Bíblicas". Es considerado por muchos líderes evangélicos de hoy como una autoridad en la verdad bíblica y la suficiencia de las Escrituras.