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In this sermon on Psalm 2, you will learn that Scripture always speaks to the precise position in which we each find ourselves today. Realize first, that in and of ourselves, we can do nothing. We must pray to God that He might pour out His Spirit in a manner that it might be irresistible. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how the second Psalm describes our present position. Are you astonished at the state of the world? This is a state of organized insanity and confusion. “Pride of man and earthly glory, sword and crown betray its trust, what with care and trial he buildeth, tower and temple fall to dust.” In this modern world, we must go back and read the instructions from our Maker – otherwise, there is no hope. The cause of our troubles and unhappiness is due to man’s sin. This is not simply weakness in human nature, it is a willful act and hatred against God. God looks upon mankind in wrath as man opposes both His Law and love. Love manifested in the death of His own Son. God's final appeal is to be wise, serving Him with fear, and rejoicing with trembling. The modern man needs reverent preaching, not shallow entertainment. Look at God's offer of salvation!
Humanity living life before God is the theme of Psalm 92 and the Bible as a whole. In this sermon on Psalm 92:1–15 titled “Godly or Ungodly,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones takes the opportunity to walk through the psalm and observe the life of people before God’s presence. What are the two types of people in this world? Listen to hear the only distinction that truly includes all people in one of two categories—the godly and the godless. The listener is encouraged to stop thinking about themselves and start thinking about the God who made them. Don’t be fooled; God’s wrath is coming and all need to be prepared. “Those planted in the house of the Lord will flourish in His courts.” Christians can rejoice in the Lord always because His promises are always true. There is a strength and joy that is found in the believer. Despite the droughts of life that come, the believer is kept and preserved in the Lord. Flourish by listening to the teaching of Scripture and learn to understand life in terms of God.
What is true religion? Many people say that true religion is whatever makes people feel good, or whatever makes them experience the sense of the divine. But in this sermon from Psalm 84:1–3 titled “The Living God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives a very different answer. He says that according to God’s word, true religion is that which worships and believes the living God. The true God that has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is beyond human comprehension; Christians can only speak of Him because He has revealed Himself in Scripture. God is holy. How then can sinners approach God? The answer is found in Jesus Christ and His death upon the cross. Jesus makes a way for sinners to be forgiven and come to God as children and heirs. Jesus is the new and better high priest that ever lives to intercede for His people as He rules from heaven. The mediation of Jesus Christ is the only way to approach God.
Adversity is the quickest way to reveal the value of one’s faith. What are Christians like when they find themselves in the wilderness of suffering? In this sermon on Psalms 63:1–3 titled “O God, Thou Are My God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines David’s prayer as he turns to God in the midst of trouble. Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates a core Biblical truth: adversity always drives the true believer to God. In times of suffering, the non-Christian is annoyed and curses God. In contrast, the believer has just the opposite response. He turns to God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this is because the true believer has discovered God’s lovingkindness to be better than life. Like a love-sick person, the believer is satisfied with nothing this world can give and is utterly miserable without God’s love. But with God, they can face anything. Nothing compares in value to God’s lovingkindness. Listen and find complete satisfaction in this intimate knowledge of God. The psalmist’s response to adversity should also be that of the Christian with lips that should praise Him. Rejoice in God. He will never let His child go.
Where does one begin when they consider their problems? In this sermon, “The Lord is my Light” from Psalm 27:1–14, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tells that most often people begin with their problems and then move toward the Lord. However, Christians ought to follow the psalmist’s example and begin with God and heaven, then move to their problems in light of those things. When they pray, they ought not begin with petitions, but begin with praise and adoration of the Lord, gazing on His beauty and excellence. Why? Dr. Lloyd-Jones unfolds through this psalm that God’s unchanging character, His goodness, and excellence changes the perspective. Nothing is so big and so awful when it is looked at in regard to who the Lord is. Then the Christian must make their requests known to the Lord, having full confidence that He is greater than any problem and fully capable of ruling over them.
How can one know that God loves and cares for His children? In this sermon on Psalm 63:1–3 titled “Seeking Certainty,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that Christians can know this by trusting in God’s revelation of Jesus Christ. A Christian that is maturing in their faith is one who rests on what Christ has done for them. This mature faith produces assurance that is not simply a passing emotion that comes and goes, but it is an abiding and true experience knowing they belong to God. That belonging is proven in a life of humble obedience. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones also warns against those who teach an assurance of bare intellectual assent. They say that to simply claim that one believes in Christ and His gospel is all that is needed of assurance. This is shown to be inadequate from the many scriptural passages that show the deep and loving trust that the saints of God can have in the gospel. This is an intimate and personal knowledge that God loves them and has sent his Son to die a cruel death on the cross so that they could be saved. This is certainly intellectual assent to the gospel, but it is more. It is the product of the Holy Spirit working in their lives so that they trust God and His promises in true faith. This should be an experience that all Christians seek and obtain.
Why are there imprecatory Psalms in the Bible? This is the question that Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones takes up in this sermon on Romans 11:7–10 titled “Psalms.” He says that Scripture never teaches that God creates evil or sin but He does create the consequences of the sinful actions of humans. When Scripture speaks of God visiting judgement upon evil, one should not think that this is God doing something evil but He is punishing the wicked for their evil deeds. The same thing is true in the case of David when he prays for God to judge the wicked. This is not David being vindictive, but rather it is him asking that God act in accordance with His character to protect the righteous and punish the wicked. For God is holy and just; He cannot even look upon evil doers. This is seen in the highest form when Jesus died upon the cross at Calvary. There, God’s justice was fully manifested in His judgement upon sin in Christ but His mercy also was displayed in saving sinners. This is the great truth that God is both the just and the justifier. There is truly no unrighteousness with God.
Pain, suffering, and ultimately death are inescapable parts of life. But why? How do we account for the troubles that are common throughout history? Why do the nations rage? The story of humanity shows a restless world always searching for answers that never provide relief. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches through the text of Psalm 2 and Acts 4 to explain the vain and empty pursuits of those who purposefully rebel against God. While they dream and plan for a world of their own happiness, their attempts are futile because of their ignorance of God. God will judge their rebellion against Him and His wrath will be fierce. But there is hope. The psalmist speaks of deliverance that is echoed throughout the entire Bible. It culminates in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the answer the world cannot provide — that God’s gracious purpose to extend mercy through his son Jesus, the Anointed One, to a restless and rebellious world brings the joy and deliverance the world desperately wants.
A false outworking of faith is the result of a faulty foundation. In this sermon on Psalm 84:1–12 titled “True Religion,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues a consideration of preliminary considerations of utmost importance as answered by the psalmist. First, through a brief discussion of what true religion is, and second through an evaluation of what the final authority of faith is. With faith, there must be a leaving and a taking up, a denial and a following. Today, some people want the benefits of religion, but in their own way. Find out the relationship between a faith that works and a faith that is built on truth. Are these two interchangeable? If one has a faith that works, does that determine its trueness? Dr. Lloyd-Jones directly addresses this issue and reminds his listeners that religion should most certainly be practical. False peace will let one down when they need it most, but the truth and promises of God are certain because of the character of God that they derive from. If one wants the blessings, they must accept the truths. To get God’s peace, they must take His wrath against sin and come to the altar in Christ.
In this sermon on Psalm 2:1 titled “Why Do the Nations Rage…?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tells how nothing else holds out hope in this modern world other than the message of Scripture. Look at the state and condition of the human race. Humankind is always restless, with a constant desire for peace and rest. They look at a raging storm in this age of people who are proud of their sin. Christians alone face the facts; nonbelievers are continually devising empty and futile schemes. Even attempts for peace do not succeed—look at history with the League of Nations and United Nations. People try to put their trust and confidence in politics, education, science, and philosophy. The state of the world today is simply “organized insanity.” Discover the deliberate rebellion that causes all of this. The law was not given to hold down. It is madness to believe in worldly theory and not believe in God. All are under the judgment of God and His wrath is upon sin. Rejoice that none are not left without a solution but should look at God’s free forgiveness.
Man’s search for happiness may seem like an impossible quest amidst this often tragic life. His pursuit only leaves him hopeless and in despair but Scripture has the answers. In this sermon on Psalm 1:1–2 titled “Man’s Search for Happiness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones leads through the first two verses in Psalm 1, and explains how God reveals His prescription for true peace and lasting joy. Far beyond the temporal emotion of happiness, there is a lasting joy that characterizes the life of one who follows God's prescribed plan. By contrasting the two alternatives and discussing the theory and the practice (both the negative and the positive), one discovers the biblical view—that humanity always seeks happiness in the wrong place, and that there is no true happiness apart from God.
What is most supreme in life? Can the Christian say with the psalmist that communion with God is supreme in the whole of life and existence? In this sermon on Psalm 84:3 titled “The Sparrow,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones walks through three certain things that are absolute essentials if one is to enjoy life like this. First, in reviewing his first two primary considerations, religion is not simply a matter of living, or of doing good, but rather one of knowing God: “The only thing that brings us into the presence of God is the blood of Jesus.” Additionally, the Christian learns that it is the truth of Christianity that is most essential, while the effectiveness of such a religion is merely an effect of its foundation of truth. Finally, Dr. Lloyd-Jones bring a new consideration, one that declares the Christian ought not only know the truth about God, but that they must realize the truth about themselves. They need a place of rest. No one has ever become a true Christian without feeling restless and homeless. To enjoy the blessings the psalmist expresses in Psalm 84:3 is to be aware of one’s helplessness and defenselessness.
God and God alone is to be praised. Salvation is found only in God. In this sermon on Psalm 107:10–16 titled “Prisoners of Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the God who delivers every type of person, a God worthy of all the praise of humanity. This psalm is a great picture of both sin and salvation. Sin can take many forms, but is still sin. This is the common root to all the varied problems and ills of humanity. Learn that while there are many symptoms, there is just one essential disease. Be warned of the devil’s subtlety in working, along with the ignorance and arrogance of sin. A common idea is that religion is what makes people slaves, and to become a humanist is to liberate yourself, but this is far from the truth. Sin is what binds. This picture of a prison is a message of sin and its consequences. Sin is rebellion against God and against God’s words—sinners are the rebels. “The life of sin is a hard life.” Complications arise in the life of sin, not a freedom unto sin. First, one chooses sin, then in their persistence, they become victim to it. Be delivered from this power of sin today.
The sinner thinks God is like a human. They believes God will simply forget their sin. They assume God will forget it and not deal with it. But does God overlook sin? Is He not the solemn judge of the heavens and earth? The atheist outright rejects this God and their life is lived accordingly with no contradiction. The atheist believes there is no God and their actions mirror those beliefs. In this sermon on Psalm 50:1–23 titled “Dead Religion,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones sets forth to express how there is a human worse than the atheist: they claim to believe in God yet lives their life as if there is no God. Exploring Psalm 50:1–23, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this person believes that God is like themselves. They believe that God will not deal with sin and they ignore God’s wrath. They deny God’s judgement, assuming there is no hell. They minimize their own sin. This error is not simply doctrinal deficiency, but they have made a god in their own image. On the contrary, God wants people to know who He truly is. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls the hearer to rightly know God and see His salvation so that Christians may live lives praising and glorifying His name.
What is the secret to a life of spiritual longevity? How did saints of old overcome the daily battle of temptation and trouble? In this sermon on Psalm 16:8 titled “… Set the Lord Always Before Me,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on this psalm of David to share this secret. It is the daily decision to actively set the Lord always before oneself. This daily spiritual discipline enables the Christian to face the uncertainty of the future without fear as one considers who the Lord is and who they are to Him. Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages with a gracious reminder that there are two things the Christian can do to “set the Lord before us.” First, they must make an active decision to consciously remind themselves of God. It is an act of determination to think on the Lord and what He has done; otherwise their lives will be swept into busyness and God becomes secondary in thoughts and affections. Secondly, after one sets their hearts steadfastly on seeking the presence of God, they turn to the means of communion with God. Christians seek Him through prayer and reading Scripture. They are the means of communing with God on days when one feels like seeking Him as well as the days their hearts feel cold and distant from Him. Find encouragement from Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s preaching on David’s resolute desire to battle temptation and find comfort in setting the Lord always before him.
What separates Christians from the rest of the world? How can one know for sure someone else is truly saved? Scripture gives many tests of salvation, but few are as vivid as the portrait painted in this passage. In this sermon on Psalm 1:3–4 titled “The Ungodly Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the vast difference between those who are rooted by the river of life and those who will blow away like chaff. Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents five differences between the godly and the ungodly person. These differences are profound and have eternal consequences. Due to sin, people are no longer as God originally created them to be, but instead they are empty and in desperate need of salvation. Listen and discover why unhappiness characterizes the ungodly person and understand the only remedy is found in Jesus Christ.
In this sermon of Psalm 1:5–6 titled “The Way of the Ungodly,” Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones diagnoses the way of the ungodly and then presents the prescription given by God for the ungodly to be remedied. Listen as he lays out the five aspects of God’s future judgment: the fact, the nature, the terms, the thoroughness, and the consequences. It is a dismal future for the ungodly person. They will not stand amidst the congregation of the righteous. Since God’s law sets the standard for humanity, how can anyone meet that standard? There is only one way and only one secret to happiness and blessedness. Only Christ can remove the fear of death and judgment. As the hymn states, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness… On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” A person can stand on nothing else in this world or on the Day of Judgment but on the rock of Jesus Christ.
God is to be praised with one’s whole life because He is God. Sin is the singular cause of all troubles in this world, manifested in various ways. In this sermon on Psalm 107:17–22 titled “The Lie of Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the third representation of sin—sin as disease. This is the illness of the soul, of humanity, of life. Sin is not only rebellion, but it is also transgression–a deliberate and continual going against God’s indicated will, thus taking the health of one’s soul. People are architects of their own troubles. The extraordinary paradox is that everyone is chasing happiness, but the result is unhappiness because it is not being sought in the right way. People search for the best, but find the worst. Sin always robs people of innocence, refinement, delicacy, judgement, and energy. The craving for evil exponentially continues to increase. Christ came to kill the poison of this disease through His death so that all could be reconciled to God.
What does it mean that salvation is all of grace? Despite the centrality of grace to the Bible, many Christians do not have a good understanding of what it means that God is gracious. In this sermon on Psalm 107:33–43 titled “A Gift of Grace,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that God gives grace freely so that sinners can be saved. Salvation is a gift of grace; a free gift of God apart from any human merit or works. The work of salvation is a unique act of God wherein God sends His Son into the world to die for sinners. Salvation is accomplished in Christ and given as a free gift to all who repent and believe in Jesus. This sermon shows first and foremost that it is the message that one’s merit and works can never make one right with God. All human striving for salvation is wholly done away with on the cross of Calvary when Jesus died for sinners. This sermon calls all to forsake sin and to believe in God.
“All the redeemed of the Lord will join in one great anthem.” In this sermon on Psalm 107:1–3 titled “Religion that is True,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses this unity despite four different types of experiences people one can encounter. Those wandering in the wilderness in need of habitation, those bound in affliction needing relief, those suffering in ill health and starvation, or those on the sea in great waters and terrible storms—all can experience deliverance. The first characteristic of a true Christian is their gratitude to God. A non-believer may have no thought or care for God, but the Christian will be concerned about God. Christianity is holistic in its combination of the will, intellect, and emotion. It is impossible to be a Christian without emotions involved; Christianity without emotion is just moralism. Great danger comes in the self-righteous person: “The self-righteous is infinitely a greater sinner than the drunkard or prostitute.” A Christian is desperate about themselves and their sin that they don’t know what to do but can come to God.
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