December 1958

Christians can sometimes feel as if they are trapped or in bondage. In this sermon on Galatians 4:4–9 titled “A Spirit of Adoption,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones helps the listener understand the reasons for this feeling and the truths that help correct it. What are some reasons that people have this feeling even though they have been freed from sin? Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that some of this can be attributed to poor teaching within the church. Additionally, some people know it intellectually but have not applied it. This all brings the believer back to understanding why Jesus came. First, to redeem those who are under the law since they cannot do this themselves. Second, so that they could be adopted as His children. Those who believe in Jesus have been adopted into His family and have received the inheritance that comes with being a child of God. How does this “spirit of adoption,” as Paul refers to it, manifest itself? First, Christians are delivered from this bondage and may still sometimes feel trapped by it. Second, they are known by God. And third, relationship with Him is personal, like a father to his child. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages perseverance in the walk with Jesus and throw off the chains of sin that often entangle.

The Son of God appearing in human history is not simply an abstract truth. While the Christmas message objectively happened in the past, the good news does not simply tell facts in history. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that the gospel asks Christians to look at themselves. The gospel forces them to ask who they should be. It challenges people to personally ask “What have I done with the good news?” In this sermon on Titus 2:11–14 titled “The Christian View of History,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones follows the apostle Paul in emphasizing how the gospel teaches how to live the Christian life. Living between the first advent and the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ radically alters one’s understanding of God, themselves, and this world. This results in changed living without the desire for worldly lusts, but instead with a longing for righteousness. A sober view of life takes over ungodly living as one remembers the present time and anticipates the future return of the Savior. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches how to put the gospel into practice in this present age, between the first coming and second coming of the Son of God.

The story of the human race points to Bethlehem. The focal point of history is Bethlehem. Everything in the Scriptures points to Bethlehem. In this Christmas sermon on Micah 5:2 titled “O Come Let Us Adore Him,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones brings out the marvelous character of the season. But how does one respond to the Christmas season? Do they marvel at it? Are they amazed by it? Often people are distracted by many other messages during this time. Listen as Dr Lloyd-Jones looks at Micah 5:2 in order to move the church to adore the great Savior Jesus Christ. In this message, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says Christians marvel at Bethlehem because it is where God’s promises are fulfilled. In Bethlehem, God the Father was vindicating His character and proving Himself to be faithful, beginning in Genesis 3. What is more, it is in Bethlehem that the eternal counsel by the triune God was made manifest as the Son of God came to earth. Jesus Christ was just like every other babe, for He was fully human. But He was unlike every other babe in that He is from everlasting. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones connects the promises of God from the Old Testament to their fulfillment in the babe in the manger. He encourages the listener to come, adore, and marvel at the mystery of Bethlehem.

When we think of Christmas, we usually tend to associate it with Scripture passages from the books of Luke or Matthew, but are there other passages in the Bible that shed more light on what happened that day when Jesus Christ became a man born in Bethlehem? Preached just a few days before Christmas, this sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws truths from Galatians 4:4-6 that are crucial to our understanding of the celebration of Christmas. First, all three members of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit— are involved in our salvation. Second, the focal point of all of this is the coming of Jesus into the world, the reason behind the celebration of Christmas. Paul says that Jesus was “sent forth”— a phrase that has caused many questions throughout the centuries among New Testament scholars, but Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides answers to help us understand what this means. Third, what does Paul’s statement of “the fullness of time” mean? Is it in an evolutionary sense that the present is better than the past? No! Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphatically demonstrates that it means God is in control of time and that God has predetermined all of the major events having to do with our salvation. How does this apply to us as we think of Christ’s coming? Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds us that ultimately, because of God’s sovereignty, our worst time is his best time, and we can rest in that.

For various and sometimes nefarious reasons, people often isolate the Christmas message of the babe in a manger from the rest of the gospel story. The tendency is to take parts of the whole person and work of Christ and segregate them from the rest. Or perhaps worse, some as children heard the message of gentle and lowly Jesus in a manger and never move beyond; they start at Bethlehem and end with Bethlehem. This is a tragedy that inevitably ends in error, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. In this sermon on Titus 2:11–14 titled “The Two Advents,” he states that Christians must follow the apostle Paul’s important principle and take the Lord Jesus Christ’s work as a whole. Paul frames the first appearing of Christ in conjunction with His second advent. Placing these two advents side-by-side in his sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones then contrasts them. While the first coming of Christ was humble, lowly, and hidden, the second coming will be glorious and made for all the world to see. Listen as he provides a unique and passionate Christmas message where the listener comes face-to-face with the entire person and work of Christ.

How should a Christian act toward the darkness that is not pleasing to the Lord? How are Christians to interact with those who do not follow Christ? In this sermon on Ephesians 5:7–14 titled “Exposed by the Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides some helpful insights to aid believers in working through these complex issues. Throughout the centuries, some Christians have argued for a sort of lifestyle that withdraws them completely from interaction with the world. Yet, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out, this robs the gospel of one of its main victories— that Christians are able to live a different life in the same world as a witness to those who don’t yet know Christ. How can one do this? First, they are to break completely with sin— they once were partakers of these activities, but now are to walk as children of the light. This exhortation reminds that sanctification is a process, not a one-time “product.” Second, Christians must not even be interested in the unfruitful works of darkness. Yet, this point often raises an interesting question: how should Christians balance having company with unbelievers without becoming like them? Since Christians are called to live among them and to be a witness, how can they maintain these values without compromising their faith? Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides helpful commentary on this that aids in thinking through how to best live out the faith.

Christmas can come and pass without Christians truly questioning what the season means. This is a tragedy because Christians can easily adopt the world’s view of Christmas if there is not proper effort and diligence. The world will celebrate the season with a vague principle called the “Christmas spirit” – general benevolence and encouragement to each other to be a little nicer than before. Or the world will tout a gospel of peace where nations, political leaders, and governments are addressed about their bombs and armaments. But how does the apostle Paul react to the coming of Christ? What does the celebration of Christmas mean to him? In this sermon on Titus 2:11–14 titled “Christmas: An Event in History,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that Paul reacted with the deepest feelings, emotions, and praise at the appearing of the Son of God. This praise and shouts of joy were because of an actual event in history that took place. God’s grace appeared, not in a teaching or principle primarily, but in a real person whom Paul declares is the great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the listener to ascribe to the “facts” of Christmas without losing the joy that the event should bring.

Christians are alive unto God in the reign and realm of God. They were dead in sin, but now have been raised together with Christ into an entirely new sphere. But what does it mean to be alive to God? In this sermon on Romans 6:11 titled “Dead to Sin, Alive to God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches about the new relationship the Christian has with God. “The most terrible thing about a life of sin is that you are not open to the blessings of God,” he states. Common graces are not the real blessings of God; they pale in comparison to these spiritual promises. To be alive unto God means to be part of His purpose. Christians are united to Christ because they are now in Him and members of His body. Be encouraged and learn the result of being in God and the importance of the word “never.” The same Spirit that comes upon the Christian was in Christ. God has begun this work in the Christian and He will complete this work. Be dead to sin and alive to Christ. This helps the Christian fight sin through the great assurance and confidence this gospel provides. The joy of the Lord is the Christian’s strength. Rest on the sure and perfect word of God.

How can one know if they are in the faith? In this sermon on Ephesians 5:8–10 titled “Acceptable Unto the Lord,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides one such test that a Christian can measure their lives up against to see if they have been made new by Christ. The test that one must apply to their lives is this: are they bearing fruit? What is this fruit? Paul writes that it is all forms of goodness, righteousness, and truth. But how are these different from each other? Goodness, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is one of the characteristics of God. It means “benevolence,” and it points to an understanding of balance and desire for the happiness of others. The next is righteousness which might seem to mean the same as goodness. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that it carries a legal concept with it— it means that someone is right and just. Paul is saying that a believer’s life should be characterized by these principles. A Christian knows what they are doing and why they are doing it. Finally, what is truth? It is the light that illustrates and makes manifest. Those who have been saved by Christ are called to be His witness to the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that in seeking these traits, the goal should never be to reach this in and of themselves, but rather in order to please the Lord. This is what sets Christians apart from good people.

What is the Gospel? Paul was forced to defend and expound the Gospel of grace alone in Galatians 1:6-9 because there were those that were preaching a different 'gospel.' Paul says that Christians are those that have been called by God out of the world of sin and evil into the new life of Christ. All those that are called by God will come to Him and they will persevere. While many will hear the Gospel, only those that God effectually calls will come to Him and be saved. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how this doctrine has great practical significance. It shows us that salvation is a matter of grace, no one can come to God until he enlightens them and draws them to himself. This sermon forces us all to asks ourselves, am I trusting in Jesus? Am I resting in God’s grace alone? The Gospel that Paul defends is one of grace and peace. Only the Gospel of grace can transform us and bring us into a loving relationship with God.

Should a Christian fear death? In this sermon from Romans 6:11 titled “Free in Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that those who are in Christ will never taste spiritual death and that is one of the most comforting truths for a Christian. Paul explains in Romans 6:11 that Christians can count themselves dead to sin but alive in Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to several key truths in this verse: the whole relationship to sin has changed; sin no longer has dominion over the Christian, even though they have contact with sin in their bodies; they are no longer under the law and its condemnation; and the dominion of death no longer remains. A Christian no longer sins as a slave, but sins voluntarily as a free person. Not even the devil himself can make a Christian a slave to sin and its consequences. Christians are indeed dead to sin’s realm, rule, and reign.