June 1957

In this sermon on Ephesians 4:5 titled “One Faith,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that the unifying faith of Christianity is not unity of doctrine, first and foremost, but it is a unity of faith in Christ. This is the faith that justifies all who are truly Christians. It is seen in the saving work of Christ and the application of that work to the hearts and minds of believers by the Holy Spirit. For this reason, the great doctrine of justification by faith alone is at the very heart of the gospel and Christianity. It is this doctrine that the Reformers fought for, and it is this doctrine that is essential to any true understanding of the gospel. This is why it is so vital that the church today guard against all heresies that would add anything to the gospel. For anyone who tries to add anything to faith detracts from God’s glory as the only Savior and hope for fallen humanity. It detracts from the work of Christ on the cross to say that fallen people must do something in addition to the gospel. To reject justification by faith is to reject the saving gospel and to reject true Christianity as found in God’s Word.

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.

What brings unity to churches? How can congregants come together in the midst of so many varying opinions and countless opportunities to disagree with one another? In this sermon on Ephesians 4:5 titled “One Lord,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues from Ephesians that when believers focus on Jesus Christ as the head of the church, unity is preserved. How is this done? It is by focusing on the uniqueness of Jesus—there is only one Lord. There is no one like Him. He makes Christianity what it is, for without Christ, the core of Christian belief would be gone. In this sense, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, there is an intolerant aspect to Christianity. He suggests that those who have not seen this have not seen the true faith. Christ is central to the church because disagreements about Him are disagreements about core doctrines, which not only cause division, but in some cases also serve as evidence that certain people are outside of Christ. Jesus is all one needs regarding salvation and how to be a part of the church. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how Christ alone is the object around which the church can be united.

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.

There is no question that the church tends to be divided over many different issues— some are important, but many are centered more around preferences than essential doctrines. In this sermon on divisions in the church from Ephesians 4:4, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches about divisions in the church and how a right perspective on human nature and on the Holy Spirit brings unity to believers and the church. The Holy Spirit not only prepares people to become Christians, but He makes them Christians as well and puts the seal of God on those who believe in Him. Realizing this hope of the Christian calling provides something for believers to unite around. Another type of division that is common within the church regards the natures of people’s conversions and the depth of sin from which they were saved. Many believers feel that the depth of their relationship with the Lord is related to the intensity of their salvation experience. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains why this is not only unbiblical, but also a hindrance to community within the church. He says, “We must not dwell on what we’ve been called from, but we must dwell on what we’ve been called to.” By focusing on the equally sinful condition before the Lord, the complete dependency on Him, and on the hope of the calling as Christians, Christians can avoid these dissensions that so easily tear the Christian body apart.

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.

Many Christians today are praying for revival. What is it and what is the role of the Holy Spirit in it? Is revival something that is predictable? In this sermon from Ephesians 4:4–6 titled “Revival,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tackles these questions and more. “The one supreme need of the church,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, “is revival.” It is its only hope. He defines revival as the repetition (to some degree) of what happened at Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit fell on a number of people at the same time. According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, revival serves two purposes: it raises the church to a new level of experience and it brings those outside the church to repentance. Many Christians are wary of deep emotions in their Christian walk, and thus are somewhat afraid of revival. But is this biblical? In addition to walking through biblical support for revival, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that “the history of the church is a history of revivals.” What does the history of revivals teach? Ultimately, it shows that they are a work of God, not of humanity, and that it is the responsibility of Christians to pray earnestly for them. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones answers common questions related to revival and its place in the life of the church.

Sinful people cannot save themselves but they will try. In this sermon on Acts 2:40–41 titled “This Untoward Generation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how the world seeks to solve its problems by worldly means, turning to politicians and statesmen in times of need. But the Christian faith is a very different message than the world. It does not seek to reform the world by enacting legislation and electing politicians, but it brings a message of deliverance from sin and the promise of the new life in Christ. It says that the world’s problems are all symptomatic of its sin and alienation from God. The gospel says that no one can save themselves. It says that all are born in sin and have a corrupted nature. Because of the world’s sin, God has appointed a time in which He will judge the earth and all the inhabitants for the sin and rebellion against their Creator. This, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is the greatest problem facing humankind. Although war and poverty are terrible things, they are only products of the greatest problem. This is why the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is so different from the world’s ways. It alone has the power to save people from their sins and unrighteousness; it alone can make them right with a God. It alone brings eternal life for all who believe.

What exactly is a church? Perhaps some are tempted to reference the building where people gather together to worship God. In this sermon on Ephesians 4:4–6 titled “The Work of the Spirit in the Church,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows from Scripture that the church is actually the body of believers in Jesus Christ. But if the church is a body, where did it come from and who or what gives it life? The answer is the Holy Spirit and Dr. Lloyd-Jones helps explain the role that the Holy Spirit plays in the life of the church. First, He brings unity through the conviction of sin— this unites believers because when people realize how sinful they are before God, they realize that they have nothing of their own accord to cling to, thus driving them to their knees before the cross of Christ. Second, the Holy Spirit is the one who gives people a new life in Christ. Third, He gives people faith and enables them to understand the ways of God. Fourth, He unites people to Christ and incorporates them into the church. Finally, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that the Holy Spirit animates the life of the church. Like the blood in the body, He is the unifying presence that makes all believers one. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the importance of the Holy Spirit to the vitality of the church.

What is sin? Many people say that sin is merely something that we do. In this sermon on sin from Numbers 11:4–6 titled “Man and Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that this is not the biblical view of sin. In the book of Numbers, sin is shown as an attitude and disposition, not only an action. This is why sin is so bad, because it comes out of the very heart and determines motives. The grumbling of the Israelites was not simply their dissatisfaction with life, but it was a dissatisfaction with God. When they said that they wanted meat, they showed that worldly desire for food was more important than trusting God. This was all born out of their sinful desires. What is the answer to the sin that has corrupted everyone’s desires? The answer is found in what God has done in Jesus Christ on the cross. Sin is so bad that God Himself came to die for sinners. All who trust in Jesus are made righteous and children of God. They are given a new heart and mind and freed from sin and death because of Christ’s death. This is the only means of overcoming sin and death.