October 1961

Continuing his series through on Ephesians 6:10–13 with this sermon titled “Morale,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on the believer and their role in the spiritual conflict which they are called to play a part in. Although many New Testament writers including Paul wrote that Christians are to actively fight sin and engage in spiritual warfare, he also says that they are to stand strong in the Lord. This seems to imply that they are to let go and trust God’s strength, but is that compatible with the rest of the instructions in the New Testament? Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides a helpful analysis of this. The resolution, he says, is that Christians are called to fight but also to rely on God for the power to fight. Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides multiple Scriptural examples of how the Lord aids His followers. Instead of “letting go and letting God,” as many say to do, Scripture says to hold tightly. The Lord will pick up the other side, like a parent assisting their child with a load that is too heavy for the child alone. This, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is how the Christian is to fight the enemy successfully.

The Bible is an ancient book with an unchangeable message that is at odds with the modern mindset. With advances in scientific knowledge and a general sense of progress in the world, many people will have nothing to do with what they consider to be a hopelessly outdated book. In this sermon on Jude 1:3 titled “The Unchangeable Message,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones posits that while the Bible is an ancient book, it is perfectly relevant for every age. The message of the Bible seeks to offer solutions to life’s most pressing questions and fundamental issues that transcend time. Moreover, there is no hope apart from the unchangeable message about God found in this book. The problem is people think they know the true nature of the Bible, but they have misunderstood its content and source. They suppose it is merely a book about history and moral maxims and not centered on God and His purposes in the world. Modern people are obsessed with the thoughts and ideas of humanity, but the unchangeable message of the Bible claims to be a revelation from God himself. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones anticipates and answers many objections by modern people in this message on Jude 3. The power of the Bible’s message for the modern age is its finality; the unchangeableness regarding God and what He has done in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to bring humanity into relationship with Himself.

It is common for prayers to feel empty, as if the enemy stops the words from being heard by the Savior. Sometimes Christians find themselves groaning, not able to put into words what they need from God. They lose their confidence that they even belong to God. In this sermon on Romans 8:26–27 titled “The Spirit’s Help,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that these groanings are actually additional proof of their sonship and one of the very reasons God sends His Holy Spirit to His people. He comes alongside to help them in their weakness, to be their advocate, and telling them what to pray when they come before the Father. He intercedes for the Christian who utters wordless groanings which God hears, understands, and approves because it is God who sends the Spirit to work these things in His people. He only sends his Spirit to true believers. If, therefore, one finds themselves giving vent to these groanings, be encouraged. It is proof of a true relationship with God because it is the Spirit that produces these groanings. Christians should rejoice as they belong to Him.

Christians are called to fight a spiritual battle but how are they to fight? What role do they play in this struggle? Are they to be passive, or are they alone to be the ones engaging the enemy? In this sermon on fighting in the Christian life from Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Who Does the Fighting?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on spiritual warfare and the responsibility that Christians have to be fighting in their lives. The phrase “Let go and let God” is popular today among many Christians, but is it Biblical? Are they to just surrender to God and let Him fight all of their battles? Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents strong arguments from Scripture that demonstrate otherwise. He argues that if this was the case, many of the exhortations seen in the New Testament to believers are unnecessary. Many passages in Scripture instruct the Christian to play an active role in fighting spiritual warfare—to resist the devil, put to death the deeds of the flesh, stop lying, fight the good fight, and many other such encouragements. God’s word is consistent and clear— followers of Jesus are commanded to take action. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also notes that this is a relatively new doctrine, and one that ignores Christian teaching on this subject that has been accepted for thousands of years. Because of these reasons, he says, Christians are to understand that their role in spiritual warfare is an active one.

Turning away from God has terrible consequences. Look no further than the Old Testament to see how the Israelites turned away from God and suffered terrible disaster. In this sermon on Jeremiah 36:2-3, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the need for all men to turn to God, and the consequences of not doing so. The Israelites had been delivered out of bondage and were in a special relationship with God, yet they rebelled and turned away from Him. Because of this, God brought judgement upon them as punishment for their sins. You may ask: what does this have to do with me? The answer is that Israel was like all men, living in sin and rebellion against God. Fallen humans naturally love sin more than they love God. Yet God has provided salvation and true forgiveness through Jesus Christ! No one is beyond salvation and redemption from all sin and evil. God has made a way for all the wayward and lost to be found. Do you trust in this Gospel? Or are you like the ancient Israelites, lost and wandering away from God?

Often when Christians are confronted with problems in the lives of their fellow believers, they glibly offer the common counsel to “pray about it.” But this often misses the point, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, in his sermon on Romans 8:18–25 titled “A Further Work of the Spirit.” It is not that Christians do not know they can pray in times of suffering. Many happily affirm they have full access to God through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The problem, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is that they do not know what to pray for. Suffering often blinds the Christian to the right perspective and subsequent groaning can have a detrimental effect upon the Christian prayer life. The Christian does not know what their prayer should be as a result of suffering, nor do they understand what would actually be a blessed outcome from the trial. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones relates Paul’s teaching on the intercession of the Spirit to the larger context of future hope, assurance, and the doctrine of glorification, listen and be challenged as he discusses the exact nature and characteristic of weaknesses that can hinder prayers.

How are Christians related to the power of God? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “God’s Battle, not Ours,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that Christians must remember that Jesus Christ is the captain of their salvation. Salvation is God’s work. Christians are individual soldiers in a great army fighting a great campaign. The ultimate perspective is not the individual’s fight, but God’s. The battle is the Lord’s. God is “leading many sons to glory” according to His scheme. The appointed leader of this plan is Jesus and as the Christian fights, they must remember that God is involved in it all with them. Therefore, they must realize this: this fight cannot fail because God’s honor is in it. This means their salvation is secure. Christians cannot “fall from grace,” because to do so means the power of God fails and the devil wins. That does not happen. Therefore those who are in Christ are secure and kept by the power of God at work in them. The devil can shout, rail, and threaten, but he cannot touch those in the kingdom of Christ. All believers are members of the body of Christ, empowered by His Spirit, and therefore kept from the devil triumphing over them in the end.

In Dr. Martyn-Lloyd Jones sermon on Jeremiah 9:23-24, he explores the consistent nature of man throughout time. Our inherent nature, both in biblical times and now, is to live life for ourselves and enjoy ourselves however we see fit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, “man doesn’t change at all; human nature is consistent.” And just as human nature never changes the Bible never loses relevance. It is as relevant today as it was centuries ago. The verse at hand, Jeremiah 9:23- 24, provides a clear description of the ego of men. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that man glories and puts his final confidence in himself. Man is inherently confident and believes he needs no help and is self-sufficient. Man certainly possesses good things such as wisdom, riches, and strength; however, once a man puts his final confidence in any things such as these, he is lost. Dr. Lloyd- Jones gives the example of fire. Fire can be a wonderful thing that provides warmth; however, if left unattended it can consume your house. Similarly anything a man possesses must be tempered, for there is only one person that we can place our faith and final confidence in and that is Jesus Christ. Many turn to philosophy for their final confidence and others turn to knowledge. But neither of these can truly supply an answer to mans purpose or real need. No, the only thing we can put our trust in is God. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones puts it, “many attack God but none succeed in ceasing his plans.” Why should we trust ourselves and our own abilities when everything is in the control of God? Instead, we should put our faith in him and we should glory in God’s might and ability to lift us up. If we do so, we will be given the infinite wealth and power of God. If God is for us who can be against us?

Suffering can lead to despair. Many Christians undergoing great trials (especially older saints) desire to “get out” of this life. In those moments when they see the sad state of this world, evil increasing, and the limitations of humanity to change anything, the Christian may be tempted to think, “why doesn’t God take me out of this world?” But is this the Christian position? Is this biblical hope? Further, what does hope look like in practice? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers these questions in this sermon on Romans 8:18–25 titled “Hope in Practice.” He says mere desire to escape this life is contrary to the biblical hope because biblical hope is always positive, not negative. Biblical hope desires to be with the Lord, not merely escape difficult circumstances. By examining the apostle Paul’s words as well as other biblical passages, Dr. Lloyd-Jones characterizes hope as eager or joyful waiting. This means Christians are not to wait passively, but straining and stretching for the glory that awaits. Moreover, he emphasizes the posture of patience in hoping. Listen to Dr. Lloyd-Jones expound the wonderful truth of gospel hope.

Christians are in the midst of a fierce battle; how can one fight and stand strong? An important step in this battle, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, is to recognize one’s role in this conflict— Christians are called to fight. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “The Call to Battle,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones tells of Paul’s two commands: to stand strong in the Lord, and to put on the full armor of God. What does this look like in practice? First, Christians must recognize the need to be strong— not only because they will need strength in order to stand until the final day, but also because they are the children of God and have the God-given ability to be strong. Next, Christians also need to realize their own weaknesses and need of help and this awareness helps the Christian to know the areas that can be potential trouble spots. Third, Christians must recognize that He is their source of strength. God has not called His people to live the difficult Christian life on their own. Rather, He wants them to lean on Him because that is the only way they will make it through. Instead of focusing on how capable one thinks they are, the Christian must meditate and focus on Christ’s strength and might because He alone is powerful enough to see them through this life.

The Bible is a book one can turn to for truth. It comes with warnings, and challenges one’s thinking. In it are found the teachings of what is right and wrong, how to live during one’s time on earth, and the history of humans. In this sermon on Judges 18:7 and 28 titled “A Right View of Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out that even though the Bible gives directions on how to live, humans too often decide to make their own way of life and come up with their own solutions to the world’s problems, all apart from the Bible. Dr. Lloyd-Jones goes through the history of the Bible and points out specific examples of how humans have done this. This kind of view on life is a selfish one: it only focuses on the self rather than on God and others. Not only that, but this kind of view also leads to lawlessness and carelessness. Humans are sinners and not fit to decide how they should live. Rather, Christians need to spend time growing their relationship with God and reading His word. They need to listen to His commands on how they should live and love Him well.

Suffering permeates this world. Christian or not, all question the purpose of tragedy and suffering. In order to maintain a proper Christian joy in this hopeless world, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in the sermon “The Sphere of Hope,” the Christian must follow the apostle Paul’s argument in Romans 8:18­–25. One cannot be confused on the Christian’s hope and he explicates the topic in great detail. He explains the difference between objective hope and subjective hope, and argues that the apostle is interested in both. In other words, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, a person who is saved has the grace of hope within them and a hope with respect to something outside themselves. A person is saved in the sphere of hope as well as in the realm of hope. Moreover, one must remember the “tenses” of salvation – past, present, and future. When the Christian does this, they avoid the dangers of having no assurance concerning salvation as well as claiming too much of salvation by saying they have reached full sanctification. The Christian position, Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, is one where the Christian confesses this world is not their home. The reason they can say this with confidence is because they have been brought into the sphere of hope.

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.

How do Christians live in an evil world that opposes God? This is not a new question for Christians, and Paul himself addresses the early church in 2 Corinthians 4:16. Christians must always seek to live according to the gospel and the mission of Christ. In the midst of an evil world, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims, Christians must share the gospel. Christians living in the world must seek to make Christ known in all that they do. And even as Christians are seeking to be a light to the world, the Bible says that believers are still wasting away, but the inward man is being renewed within. Jesus transforms all who believe in Him and makes them holy. In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:16, Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches this great truth of the hope of transformation in Christ. This sermon is a call for all to flee sin and come to Jesus, for Jesus alone can transform sinful bodies of death by making all things new. Only Jesus can make whole again and give true and lasting peace with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.