"... Caminamos Por Fe"
Un sermón 2 Corintios 5:1-7
Predicado originalmente 9 de julio de 1961
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Escritura
Descripción del Sermón
El evangelio es esencialmente práctico. La vida cristiana es una donde caminamos por fe. Escuche este sermón sobre 2 Corintios 5:1-7 mientras el Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explica que un cristiano es notablemente diferente porque sabe por qué el mundo es como es, mientras que el no creyente no puede entenderlo. Cualquier ser humano es insensato al pensar que podría ser "Dios". La soberbia siempre ha sido uno de los mayores problemas de la humanidad. El cristiano sabe que este no es el único mundo; es una vida breve que lo prepara para la venidera. ¿Tiene el cristianismo una visión pesimista de la humanidad? Mire la condición del mundo actual: ¿deberían las personas preocuparse por los placeres de este mundo? Aprenda lo que significa vivir "preocupado por la gloria de Dios" y estar dispuesto a ausentarse del cuerpo físico para estar presente con el Señor. La ferviente expectativa de toda la creación gime con dolor hasta que Cristo regrese para renovar todo. La esperanza no puede basarse en este mundo y esta vida, sino en lo que ha de venir. Este sermón sobre caminar por fe anima al oyente a ver cómo se ve el mundo bajo la poderosa mano de Dios y a convertirse en ciudadano de la ciudad eterna de Dios.
Desglose del Sermón
- El sermón examina 2 Corintios 5:1-8 y lo que significa andar por fe y no por vista.
- El sermón contrasta la visión cristiana de la vida con la visión no cristiana. La visión no cristiana busca el placer y el escapismo ante las dificultades, mientras que la visión cristiana provee significado y propósito.
- La visión cristiana proporciona un entendimiento de por qué hay sufrimiento y maldad en el mundo - es por causa del pecado del hombre y su rebelión contra Dios. La visión no cristiana no puede explicar el sufrimiento y está desconcertada por él.
- El cristiano tiene una nueva visión de sí mismo, de Cristo, de Dios, de la salvación y de la vida. Todo se ve de una nueva manera. Esta nueva visión viene de nacer de nuevo por el Espíritu.
- El cristiano ve la vida como una preparación para la eternidad. Esta vida es pasajera y transitoria. El cristiano usa esta vida para glorificar a Dios y prepararse para la vida venidera.
- El cristiano tiene una perspectiva y esperanza eterna. Sabe que si este cuerpo terrenal muere, tiene un cuerpo eterno y un hogar en el cielo preparado por Cristo. Estará con el Señor.
- La esperanza cristiana no se basa en escapar de este mundo sino en la resurrección del cuerpo y la eternidad con Dios. Las tribulaciones de este mundo son leves y pasajeras comparadas con la gloria venidera.
- La tarea del predicador no es establecer la paz mundial sino predicar la verdad del evangelio. El evangelio provee la única respuesta a las preguntas más profundas de la vida y la mayor necesidad del hombre.
- El evangelio llama a las personas a reconciliarse con Dios mediante la fe en Cristo. Esto significa reconocer nuestro pecado, apartarnos del yo y confiar en la obra consumada de Cristo. Ya no vivimos para nosotros mismos sino para Cristo.
Sermon Q&A
Questions About Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Walking by Faith
What does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones mean by "walking by faith, not by sight"?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, walking by faith means living in light of spiritual truths rather than just what we can see around us. He explains: "The Christian in this world walks by faith, not by sight. His whole life is a life of faith. What do you mean by that? It means this. A Christian is a man who lives in the light of all the things we've already been considering. That is his faith. It is his faith that teaches him the truth about himself... about the Lord Jesus Christ... about God... about salvation." Faith gives Christians an eternal perspective that allows them to face life's challenges differently than non-believers.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast the Christian and non-Christian view of world crises?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents a stark contrast between these perspectives. The non-Christian, as exemplified by the letter writer he quotes, responds with escapism: "Who can blame the younger generation, or anyone, for that matter, for letting themselves go and having a damn good time" when facing potential global destruction. The Christian response is fundamentally different: "Let China and Russia and the whole world decide what they like. They make no difference to this. Let the world be blown up in six months. It doesn't matter. The city of God remaineth." The Christian understands the world's problems stem from sin and rebellion against God, and places hope in eternal realities rather than temporary circumstances.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the Christian's view of this world as "pessimistic"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states: "The Christian is a man who takes a very pessimistic view of life in this world." He explains this is because the Christian understands that the world is fallen and under God's judgment due to sin. Christians recognize "this is a world in which we groan" and are "burdened." The Christian "is not a bit surprised that the world is as it is. He's not disappointed. He expects nothing better from it." This realism about the world's true condition is actually what Lloyd-Jones calls "the realism of the Christian gospel," contrasting with the superficial optimism of non-believers who refuse to recognize the fundamental problems of human nature.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the Christian's eternal future?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christians have "absolute certainty about [their] eternal future." This isn't a vague hope but a confident knowledge: "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." The Christian's destiny includes: (1) moving from a temporary "tent" (body) to a permanent "building" in eternity, (2) being "present with the Lord" immediately after death, and (3) ultimately receiving a glorified body at the resurrection when Christ returns to create "new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." This certain hope enables Christians to face death without fear.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the proper Christian attitude toward life on earth?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians should see life on earth as temporary and preparatory for eternity. He states: "The Christian is a man who uses this life to prepare for the next." Christians recognize they are "strangers and pilgrims" in this world, with their "citizenship in heaven." Unlike non-believers who live for themselves and temporary pleasures, Christians should "not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him that died for them and rose again." This means fulfilling their duty in this world while keeping eternal purposes in view. The Christian isn't paralyzed by world events but continues to "labor that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the root cause of the world's problems?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones clearly identifies sin and rebellion against God as the fundamental cause of all the world's problems: "Everything that is happening in the world tonight is the result of the fall. It's the result of sin. It's the result of men's antagonism to God and men's determination to live life apart from God. It is the sole explanation." He explains that "the world is as it is tonight because God is not blessing it and he is not blessing it because it doesn't believe in him and because it rebels against him." This understanding helps Christians make sense of world events that bewilder non-believers who "don't know why things are as they are."
What evidence does Dr. Lloyd-Jones present for the truth of the Christian faith?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents several lines of evidence for Christian faith: (1) The Bible itself, which "understands life" and "really understands man," (2) God's plan revealed in prophecies and their fulfillment, particularly regarding Christ, (3) The historical facts of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and (4) The internal witness of the Holy Spirit, "the earnest of the Spirit," which provides experiential confirmation. He emphasizes particularly the fulfilled prophecies about Christ: "About 800 years before the time, God gave a message to the prophets telling them that he was going to send a great deliverer... He told one of them that he was to be born in a little place called Bethlehem. He told another that he was to be born of a virgin..." All these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus.
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' final appeal to his listeners?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes with a passionate appeal for reconciliation with God: "I beseech you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." He urges listeners to: (1) acknowledge their sin, (2) recognize that they and the world are in rebellion against God, (3) repent and confess, (4) give up self-defense, (5) cast themselves on God's mercy, (6) believe God's message about Christ, and (7) begin living for Christ rather than themselves. The urgency comes from his conviction that eternal destiny hangs in the balance: "Be reconciled to God and you become immediately a citizen of God's eternal city." This stands in stark contrast to the "fading worldling's pleasure" that offers no lasting hope.
Otros Sermones
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.