Una Nueva Creación
Un sermón Hechos 2:37-42
Predicado originalmente 14 de febrero de 1965
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Escritura
37Entonces oído esto, fueron compungidos de corazón, y dijeron á Pedro y á los otros apóstoles: Varones hermanos, ¿qué haremos?
38Y Pedro les dice: Arrepentíos, y bautícese cada uno de vosotros en el nombre de Jesucristo para perdón de los pecados; y recibiréis el don del Espíritu Santo. …
Descripción del Sermón
El cristianismo no es un disfraz. No es algo que se añade sobre una vida de pecado, o en lugar de prácticas anteriores. Los cristianos no son simplemente personas con modales refinados y conversaciones más limpias. Como explica el Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones en este sermón sobre Hechos 2:37-42, "Si alguno está en Cristo, nueva criatura es". Todos los que se arrepienten de sus pecados y creen en Jesús nacen de nuevo en la familia de Dios. Más que un nuevo conjunto de reglas, es una nueva identidad; una persona completamente nueva con un anhelo de santidad y un creciente odio por el pecado. Esta es una transformación de vida, pero viene con un costo. Los cristianos frecuentemente son removidos forzosamente de sus círculos sociales anteriores y son vistos como juzgadores y tradicionalistas. El evangelio se opone al deseo natural de la humanidad, que es poner el yo por encima de todo. Escuche mientras el Dr. Lloyd-Jones proporciona un diagnóstico correcto del pensamiento aparentemente libre de la humanidad, que está ya sea en sujeción al diablo o a Dios. No hay término medio. Lo que una persona hace revela dónde reposan verdaderamente su fe y esperanza. La elección es clara: o servir a Dios y conocer el gozo de la verdadera transformación, o servir al yo y cosechar el desastre del castigo eterno.
Desglose del Sermón
- Todos los seres humanos pertenecen al mundo por naturaleza y están bajo el control del diablo.
- El mundo se refiere a la mentalidad y perspectiva de la humanidad sin Dios. Se opone a Dios y nos hace lo que somos.
- Todos nacemos con prejuicios contra Dios y heredamos una mentalidad mundana. Pensamos que somos libres y pensadores originales pero no lo somos.
- El diablo controla y ciega las mentes de aquellos sin Dios. Él es el dios de este mundo.
- Cuando el Espíritu Santo obra en alguien, comienzan a darse cuenta de la verdad sobre el mundo y sobre sí mismos. Ven que hay una mentalidad mundana que nos controla a todos.
- La mentalidad mundana comenzó con la caída del hombre en pecado. El hombre se rebeló contra Dios, produciendo la mentalidad mundana que se opone a Dios.
- El mundo y el hombre están torcidos y pervertidos sin Dios. El hombre se da cuenta que está corrompido y es esclavo del pecado sin Dios.
- El mundo está bajo la ira de Dios y el juicio viene. El mundo no mejorará sino que empeorará. Solo la fe en Cristo puede salvarnos de la ira de Dios.
- Cristo vino para comenzar una nueva humanidad y ofrecer perdón y vida nueva. Podemos ser rescatados del mundo a través de la fe en Cristo.
- Seguir a Cristo significa dejar el mundo atrás, aunque signifique enfrentar incomprensión de la familia. La salvación de nuestra alma es lo más importante.
- Convertirse en cristiano es el cambio más profundo y nos separa del mundo. Nos da nueva vida, naturaleza, perspectiva, comienzo y esperanza.
- Los verdaderos cristianos aborrecen el mundo y el pecado, deseando ser librados y ser como Cristo. Perseveran en la doctrina de los apóstoles, la comunión, el partimiento del pan y las oraciones.
Sermon Q&A
What Does It Mean to Be a True Christian According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
What does Lloyd-Jones say is the most essential characteristic of a true Christian?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the most essential characteristic of a true Christian is that they have undergone a profound, radical transformation. He emphasizes that "when a man becomes a Christian, he undergoes the most profound change that an individual can ever undergo. It is the deepest and the most radical, the most thorough going thing that can ever happen to a man." Christianity is not simply adding religion to one's life or adopting a set of beliefs, but becoming "an entirely new person" through the work of God in one's soul.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the relationship between a Christian and the world?
Lloyd-Jones describes the relationship between a Christian and the world as one of separation. He states that when someone becomes a Christian, they are "taken from the world, put into the realm of the church." This doesn't mean physical isolation, but a spiritual separation from the worldly mindset and values. He says Christians are "in the world but not of it," comparing them to "stars in the blackness of the heavens" or "lights in the world." This separation may even affect close relationships, as Christ said He came "not to send peace, but a sword" that sometimes divides families when one member becomes a Christian.
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the "world" that Christians must separate from?
Lloyd-Jones defines "the world" not as the physical universe or creation, but as "the mind and the outlook of mankind without God." It refers to "man in his outlook and the hurl of his affairs apart from God, man trying to organize himself and the life of the world without God." He describes it as an "untoward generation" that is "crooked," "untractable," "unmanageable," and "perverted." The world, according to Lloyd-Jones, is controlled by "the devil, the God of this world, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience."
How does someone become a Christian according to this sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, becoming a Christian happens through these steps: 1. The Holy Spirit uses the preached Word to convict a person of sin 2. This conviction leads to concern and desperation, causing them to ask "What shall we do?" 3. They must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ 4. God then gives them new life - they are "born again" 5. This results in a complete transformation of mind, heart, and will 6. The person separates from the world and joins the church
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that one cannot make oneself a Christian - it is "the action of God the creator, recreating the soul."
What signs does Lloyd-Jones point to as evidence of true conversion?
Lloyd-Jones points to several signs as evidence of true conversion: 1. Separation from the world's mindset and values 2. Joining and continuing steadfastly with the church 3. Continuing "in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayer" 4. A spirit of "gladness and rejoicing" rather than seeing Christianity as a burden 5. A new hatred for sin and love for Christ 6. A changed perspective that sees through the world's emptiness 7. A new life that makes others notice the difference
He emphasizes that "faith without works is dead," meaning true conversion will always manifest itself in visible ways.
What did the first Christians do after their conversion according to Acts 2?
According to Acts 2, after their conversion, the first Christians: 1. "Gladly received his word" and were baptized 2. Were "added unto them" (joined the church) - about 3,000 souls 3. "Continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship" 4. Participated in "breaking of bread" (communion) 5. Engaged in prayers 6. Later in the chapter (which Lloyd-Jones references), they continued "daily with one accord in the temple" 7. They ate "with gladness and singleness of heart" 8. They were "praising God and having favor with all the people"
This demonstrates the immediate community formation and devotional practices that characterized the early church.
How does Lloyd-Jones contrast true Christianity with mere religion?
Lloyd-Jones makes a sharp distinction between true Christianity and mere religion:
True Christianity | Mere Religion ---------------- | ------------- Involves a radical transformation | Just adds practices to one's existing life Creates a new creature with new desires | Involves following duties against one's desires Brings gladness and joy | Is experienced as a burden or task Separates one from the world | Tries to blend with the world Is produced by God's action | Can be self-manufactured Creates unified desires ("unanimous") | Creates internal conflict Changes the "grain" of a person | Goes "against the grain" Is a "new creation" | Is merely a "trimmed up" or "varnished" creation
What does Lloyd-Jones say about the Christian's relationship to family?
Lloyd-Jones addresses the difficult reality that becoming a Christian can affect family relationships. Quoting Jesus from Matthew 10, he acknowledges that Christ came to bring "not peace, but a sword" that sometimes divides families. When one person becomes a Christian, "there is an inevitable separation and everybody knows it." The person who has been transformed now has different priorities, values, and allegiances.
However, Lloyd-Jones clarifies that this doesn't necessarily mean physically leaving one's family: "Don't misunderstand this. It doesn't mean that a man has to leave his wife of necessity or the wife, the husband or the father, the child." Rather, it means that spiritual transformation creates a distinction that can cause tension when other family members remain non-Christians.
He emphasizes that loyalty to Christ must supersede even family ties, quoting Jesus: "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. He that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
Hechos de los Apóstoles
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.