Explore Sermons By Dr. Lloyd-Jones
The Book of Hebrews
A More Excellent Sacrifice
Do you know that you are a child of God? How can you be certain? The Christian is meant to know that he is the child of God. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones elaborates that there are two types of assurance: the test of faith and the test of the Christian walk. In this sermon on John 1:12-13 and Hebrews 11, Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines both tests in regard to the example of Cain and Abel. He describes how Cain and Abel relied on two separate sources for authority; Cain relied on his own merit and reasoning, Abel relied on faith. This is still true of mankind today. There are two sources of authority in the world. Do you rely on your own deeds, rationale, or penitence to appease the wrath of the almighty God? Or do you, by faith, rely on the sacrifice of Christ to appease God and present you as righteous? Do you, by faith, submit yourself to the holy Scriptures? Are you perceived by the world to rely on Scripture; do they accuse you of taking religion too seriously? These are very likely signs that you rely on Christ as your Savior and Lord! Listen, Christian, and be reassured of the love and help of God.
Noah believed God
What does your life look like? Does it look like the rest of the world does? What is different about you? In this sermon on John 1:12-13 and Hebrews 11, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives the example of Noah and exclaims that the Christian life is supposed to be markedly different than the rest of the world. Noah’s life was marked by faith and radical obedience. The rest of the world was consumed by ungodliness but Noah believed God when God warned him of coming wrath. He obeyed the word of God to build an ark. Noah’s faith contrasted the whole world! Your life, Christian, is meant to be in contrast with the world. If you have faith, you will not look like the world because that faith will change what you do with your speech, your body, and your mind! If you are out of place because of righteousness, then you are right where you should be! Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the righteousness of the believer by saying that he is not perfect or sinless, but that he is thoroughly upright and sincere. Even when he sins he strives toward righteousness. Like Noah, the Christian does not merely hear the warnings of wrath, but heeds them and hides himself in Christ.
Abraham; Man of Faith
In this sermon from his series on John 1:12–13, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses the richness of assurance of salvation. He highlights the beautiful truth that Christians are not only forgiven of sins when we come to believe in Christ, but they are also born again. They are born not of flesh, but of God and adopted in as His children. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also brings in the illustration of faith and assurance in the life and person of Abraham. He encourages us from Abraham’s example found in Genesis 15, Hebrews 11:8–12, and other Scripture references. The listener hears of Abraham’s deep faith in God, his faith in action, and God’s plan. Despite the fact that God’s promises to Abraham were not immediately fulfilled, and the way of fulfillment was unknown, Abraham still “went out not knowing where he was going” because he believed God and His promises. Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges the listener to consider their faith: do they believe God and His promises? Do they not only intellectually believe, but also live out faith in obedience? Do they live in the blessed joy of assurance?
Abraham; Faith in Action
Can Christians have assurance of their salvation? This is not a merely speculative question, but it is at the heart of much of the Gospel. In this sermon on John 1:12-13, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches the great truth that those who are saved in Christ can and should know that they are redeemed! He looks at the example of Abraham who is told by God to go sacrifice his son, Isaac. Abraham goes because he trusts in God and in His promises. He does not doubt that God can even bring his son back from the dead! While God intervenes at the last moment so that Abraham does not have to sacrifice his son, Abraham’s faith and assurance in God is still displayed. Christians can see their assurance in their external actions, but also by recognizing that they are trusting in Christ. Those that have repented of their sins and rest wholly in Christ’s death can know that they are now safe in the arms of God. They can know that God loves them and has sent His Son to die for them! This is one of the most comforting truths in the Christians life and should be a great source of encouragement for all believers.
To See Him Who Is Invisible
How does living in the assurance of God’s love for the Christian change their life? If the life of Moses is considered, a person of faith is one who is confident that they belong not to this world, but to the people of God. In this sermon on John 1:12–13, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how Moses turned his back on his old life as a prince with all its power and glory to be counted amongst the people of God. He was willing to suffer as an Israelite because he knew who he was. It is no different in the life of New Testament believers. [MOU1] Those who are confident in their place in Christ are willing to suffer for Him, even to the point of death. Those who doubt that they are God’s children will have a hard time suffering for Him and His gospel. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that the matter of assurance is a profoundly practical question that impacts how the Christian lives in the world and lives for the gospel. The glorious truth of the gospel is that all can know that they are saved. All who believe in Jesus can know that they are resting in God, and that God is wholly for them.
The Way of Prayer
What role does prayer play in your life? If you are a Christian, are you surprised by the amount of difficulties and trials you encounter? Perhaps when you trusted in Jesus for your salvation, you were under the impression that all the negative aspects of life would disappear. There is hope! As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims, Jesus, promised that along with the increase in trials, we will have His power and protection to persevere through difficult times. The power and protection is accesed through prayer. We find this in the letter of Hebrews as an example to encourage believers to pray through trials. Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides three biblical characteristics that should be consistent in how we pray. First, we must pray with confidence in God’s ability to handle our requests. Second, we must have a clear conscience since prayer is entering into God’s presence. Third, Christians must be sincere with God, it is no use holding back 1% of ourselves since we must be willing to submit all of ourselves to Him and His sovereign plan. Listen as Lloyd-Jones helps the believer apply these characteristics of godly prayer to their lives. The only way to stand firm in persecution is to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!
The Wonder of the Cross
In this sermon on Hebrews 1:1-3, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exposits the book of Hebrews and carefully explains the great theme of the entire epistle: the glory and preeminence of Jesus Christ. A special attention is given to the latter part of verse 3 as the author of Hebrew only notes Jesus’s earthly ministry of purification of sin. The purification and cleansing of sin, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, has to be the center of the focus of Christian faith because it perfectly displays the glory and humility of Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also explains the strangeness and the meaning of the cross: the cross is strange to the world because the glory of God is displayed in one of the most humiliating places and symbols in the world. The cross also means to be the fulfillment of all the Old Testament types. As Jesus Christ, in glory and humility, came to purify and cleanse sins of the world on the cross, He puts an end to the Old Testament rituals and offers the ultimate way of salvation. In result, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, Jesus has now “sat down at the right hand of God,” displaying both His glory as the Son and the finished work on the cross.
The Cross of Christ
There is no lack of content in Scripture about the cross of Christ. In this sermon given on Good Friday, Dr, Martyn Lloyd-Jones presents various questions about this subject and answers them from Hebrews 2:9. Who is this person dying upon a cross? Jesus Christ, the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person, humbling Himself by coming in the likeness of man, sojourning among men, and suffering and dying that He might taste death for every man. What does it mean that He tasted death? On the cross He experienced – in body and soul – everything that is involved in death as the punishment for sin. Nothing was withheld. Why did He suffer such a death? The answer is given in one word: “FOR everyone”. He took our place, bearing the wrath of God for our sins upon Himself. What’s the result of His coming? The glorious result is two-fold: because Jesus suffered and died, He has been exalted, crowned with all glory and honor and power, and He has taken out the sting of death for all believers. Why did He do it? Because God’s very nature is one of grace, compassion, and love. Hallelujah!
Not Ashamed to Call Them Brethren
In this sermon on Hebrews 2:11 from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, he preaches on the wonders of Christ and His shared inheritance with the redeemed. The theme of the book of Hebrews is the preeminence of Jesus Christ, Dr. Lloyd-Jones tells us. The wonder of the Gospel is that Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren. Though we are but humans, the Lord God calls us brethren because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims that humans are the sanctified, and Jesus is the sanctifier. Yet He became a little lower than the angels in order to redeem us back to Himself. He became man while not ridding Himself of His Godhood. Because of Jesus Christ's sacrificial condescension to humanity, we can share in His wonderful, eternal, and glorifying inheritance. Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that although God has made Himself one with His redeemed, He is also entirely separate. Jesus Christ is the bridge of the expansive gap between God and man. Jesus made a way for us to come to Him; He made a way for us to be brothers. And Jesus Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren! Dr. Lloyd-Jones wonderfully articulates that when Jesus came, the Lawgiver came unto the Law. He took upon the form of a servant. Because of this, we can call Jesus our Brother.
Jesus : Human and Divine
Listen to this Christmas message on Hebrews 2:14 as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones remembers He who is our Savior and salvation. Do not think of the Christian life in any general way apart from Christ. Through death, Christ destroyed him who had the power of death. Death lost its sting! Man's greatest temptation is to leave out the “wonderful works of God.” Salvation is the result of God’s activity. There is great trouble when we become doubtful of the person of Christ. Look at the two heresies of Christ. The mystery of godliness is Jesus' being truly man and truly God. We are all sharers of human nature, but Christ's manhood was entirely different. God voluntarily added to what He already was – adding flesh and blood to the Divine. Two natures in the One. He who made all things now knew what it was like to be weak, misunderstood, and even to die. Christ became the captain, author, and composer of our salvation. God had to become man. Christ had to die to save us from the condemnation of the Law. He robbed the devil of the power of death and is our representative at the right hand of God. He can sympathize with you, blessed be His name.