The Temple in the Soul
A Sermon on Ezekiel 36:33-35
Scripture
33Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. 34And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:33–35 titled “The Temple in the Soul,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that there is one God and one message of salvation that runs consistently throughout the entire Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God is working to bring His plan of salvation to its fulfillment in Christ Jesus. The prophet Ezekiel looked forward to this fulfillment when God would rebuild what was lost in the fall. God does this through the gospel and forgiveness of sins. All were born in sin because of the fall and this fallen nature is wholly given over to sin and corruption. Humanity’s will, mind, and every action are tainted by sin. Relationships are twisted and marred by the effects of the sinful nature and disposition. Ignoring it doesn’t change the presence or reality of sin. The good news is that there is hope in Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that it is only in Christ that anyone can have true fellowship with God and neighbor. In the gospel people are made right with God and humanity by the blood of the only Son of God. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows the path out of the loneliness and confusion that engulfs humankind.
Sermon Breakdown
- The passage Ezekiel 36:33-35 shows the blessings of the Christian gospel and salvation.
- God continues to add blessing upon blessing. Our greatest trouble is failing to realize the greatness of God's salvation.
- We continue to measure God by our own standards. We fail to see the nature of sin and the damage it has caused.
- God's salvation is designed to undo all the effects of sin. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.
- This passage shows how Jesus' life, death, and resurrection have undone the effects of sin step by step.
- Sin always leads to ruin and desolation. It ruined Jerusalem and the lives of the Israelites.
- Sin does the same thing to human lives and society. It breaches our defenses, attacks order and discipline, ruins our moral and cultural greatness, and desecrates our connection with God.
- Life is becoming increasingly lonely and isolated due to sin. Fellowship was more common when society was more Christian.
- Only the gospel can repair the ruins of our souls. The Holy Spirit clears away the rubble of sin, reveals God's plan for our lives, and rebuilds us step by step.
- The gospel brings order, purpose, and fellowship with God and other believers. It simplifies life by focusing on eternal things.
- Although becoming a Christian may initially separate us from unbelieving family and friends, God gives us new spiritual brothers and sisters.
- Heaven will be a place of perfect community and fellowship with God and all believers for eternity. Hell is isolation and selfishness forever.
Old Testament
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.