December 1966

Who is Jesus? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from John 4:25–26 that Jesus reveals His identity to a Samaritan woman as the long-awaited Messiah. Here Jesus tells that He is not just another prophet or religious teacher, but He is God’s appointed Messiah that has come to bring salvation. Furthermore, He is not simply the savior of the Jewish people, but of all who believe. This is the message of all of Scripture – who Jesus is and what He has come to do. He was born in a lowly place to normal people, but He was born as the Son of God. He lived and preached the kingdom of God as the very one who would inaugurate the new heavens and the new earth. He died so that all who believed in Him might be saved. Many people have had false ideas about who Jesus is but Scripture is clear about who He is – He is the Savior of humanity. This sermon calls all to ask the vital questions: “Who do you say Jesus is? Is He your only hope in this world?” Salvation comes only by believing in Jesus Christ and His work.

All throughout the Bible, God’s beautiful story of redemption and salvation unfolds. The Bible shows that God is the author of history. Listen to the sermon “Three-score and Fifteen Souls” on Acts 7:14 as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones talks about God’s plans and work in the lives of people thousands of years ago, and in the lives of people today. First, he points out the importance of recognizing the details in God’s plans in the Bible. It’s often easy to skip over the small details, but even these are important because they are also inspired by God. He shows how it is often in the details that the prophecies of old are fulfilled. God works as much in the small details as He does in the big ones. Dr. Lloyd-Jones goes on to show how God works in ways that go beyond worldly understanding. While people would look at outward appearances and large numbers, God can work through people least expected and in small numbers. The Christian’s job is not to be in control, but to surrender themselves to His work and realize that they are His people. Lastly, He points out that God works in this way to humble and help the Christian see His power and glory through His work.

The Bible tells that when Jesus came down to earth, He came as both fully God and fully man. What proof is there that Jesus was both God and man? Listen to this sermon on John 4:13–14 titled “Who Is This Person?” as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers this question through Jesus’s encounter with the woman at the well. First, He shows the woman that He is equal with God by telling her to believe in Him. This statement shows His authority and His claim of being equal with God. However, He goes on to speak of Himself as being a man by referring to Himself as being a Jew of the line of David. Here, He is transitioning to saying that He was also fully man. Many would argue that Jesus was not fully man, but only appeared to be man. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out how the Bible is very clear that Jesus did not just appear to be man, but came to this earth as fully man with a human soul. He goes on to state that because Jesus was fully man, He was made subject under the law. Therefore, the reason Jesus had to come as both fully God and fully man was because in order for Him to save all from the law, He also had to be under the law as a man. Because of His sacrifice in coming down to the world as God and man, all can find salvation in His work for humanity.

God's power is on display in the lives of His children. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines the illustration of Joseph highlighted in Acts 7 and this sermon titled “All Power is Given to Me,” that is true today just as it was in the Old Testament. This powerful passage shows God’s work through Joseph as he was given authority by Pharaoh over all of Egypt, and was used by God to spare Egypt and the surrounding nations by preparing for the great famine in the land. In a parallel way, Jesus is given authority over all things by His Father. He is made king of every inch of creation by nature of His death and resurrection. Jesus Christ alone has died, been buried, and rose from the dead in order that all who believe would be saved from the eternal penalty of their sin. Christ alone saves sinners and reconciles the world to God the Father. This is the good news that brings lasting hope that the world has ever known. The message to the early church is the message to the contemporary church: be faithful to proclaim this great and glorious message to all. Without the Gospel of Christ, no one can be saved.

During times of international conflict, the national conversation inevitably moves to the legitimacy of war or the pursuit of peace. Christian conversations are no different. As those who acknowledge this is God’s world and are sincerely concerned about the well-being of their neighbors, Christians are called to engage the issue by bringing God’s word to bear. Historically Christians have supported (as a last result) wars that can legitimately be called “just,” while in the past century there has risen a competing position called Christian pacifism. In this sermon on Romans 13:1–7 titled “Christian and the State (3): The Christian and War,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues to draw out the implications of this passage by asking the question: what is the Christian position on fighting in war? While Dr. Lloyd-Jones is concerned about answering this question with regard to the individual Christian, he also engages the overall pacifist position in depth. He leaves no stone unturned as he examines the best arguments of pacifists and offers extensive critique of the position. While the Christian should always reject nationalism or jingoism, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says as a matter of Christian freedom that one is allowed to partake in a war if they are satisfied their country is pursing war as a last resort and for a righteous or just cause. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones navigates this hot-button issue and seeks to bring biblical clarity.

Do Christians truly rejoice in Jesus Christ? Do they rejoice in the salvation He has freely given? Listen to this sermon on John 4:13–14 titled “The Need of Man” as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks on salvation and what it reveals. He begins by bringing up the saddening lack of rejoicing most Christians have towards salvation. He explains that this lack comes directly from a failure to see the utter and complete need of Jesus’ salvation. One cannot truly rejoice in the salvation Christ offers if they do not first see their need and realize their complete inadequacy in saving themselves. The whole Bible, especially the Old Testament, points directly to the fact that all need a Savior. People can only be moved by salvation if they see their need for it. Not only do they have to recognize their need, but they have to know their complete need. This is realizing that without Christ and His salvation they are spiritually dead and ignorant. But the good news is that as Christians, they have a Savior who came to earth, died, and rose again victorious over death. He is the deliverer. Let all run to Him, realizing the complete need, and rejoice in His salvation.

Is God in charge of every detail? He is sovereign over the universe, but what about on a moment-by-moment level? In the sermon “But God was With Him,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains from Genesis to Revelation how God is at work on every level. This is true in the case of Abraham and the patriarchs as described all throughout the Old Testament. God is not abstract and above history, but He is very present in the world. He is actively working to bring about His great plan for the world. What is His plan? It is nothing less than the salvation of all who believe though the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. God loves the world and He has acted through his Son to redeem it. Apart from His atoning work, there is no hope of salvation. Human effort cannot erase the guilt of sin or impress the holy God. The only hope for the world is not in human efforts or schemes, but in God who has acted in the world through his Son and the gospel. It is this gospel alone that is the power of God to save and redeem. It is by God’s actions that the world will be redeemed, not by human ingenuity and creativity. The church of today must proclaim this glorious truth of God and His plan and power to save through Christ Jesus.

How the people of God relate to kings, emperors, magistrates, and the state in general has long been a topic in the Christian church. Persecution by the state, unjust laws, along with the emergence of new political ideologies, often lead to a re-evaluation on the topic. Can the Christian say with confidence that there is a biblical view on the relationship between the Christian and the state? If so, what principles should guide them? What are the implications for a hot-button issue like capital punishment? In this sermon from Romans 13:1–7 titled “Christian and the State (2),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues to examine Paul’s message as he tackles this confusing topic by providing biblical and theological principles as guidance. Within what Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls the two “extremes” – always maintaining the status quo or anarchy – and paves a way forward that holds together the Christian call to be subject to the state, the limits of being subject to the state, a nuanced understanding of liberty of conscience, and a tempered overall expectation of what the state can accomplish in a sinful world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones is able to soberly look at the complexity of the topic and leave both sides challenged and also encouraged. While ultimately citizens of heaven, Christians are still pilgrims in this world. Listen and learn how to faithfully relate to the state as sojourners and strangers.

Salvation is an important and frequently discussed topic among Christians. It is also big part of the Bible and of what Jesus has done. Listen to this sermon on John 4:13–14 titled “Salvation Is of the Jews” where Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones talks about salvation in light of Jesus’s encounter with the woman at the well. He begins by stating that submission is essential for salvation. However, in order to submit to Him, one must know who He is. Dr. Lloyd-Jones then touches on the exclusiveness of the Christian message of salvation. Jesus is the only way to the Father and salvation comes through Him alone. Because of this, the gospel is not human-made and cannot be attained through humanity, but is solely dependent on Christ and the wonderful works He has done. All of these truths point to the uniqueness of the Christian faith and salvation. This exclusivity is seen even in the Old Testament that rings with the promises of what the coming Messiah would do to save humanity. Christians can rest in the uniqueness of salvation coming from what Jesus has done for His people, rather than what they have done.

The New Testament repeatedly points back to individuals from the Old Testament to demonstrate a life of saving faith. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues the study of Acts 7 with the sermon “A Blind World,” it is in Joseph that a kind of Christ is seen. Joseph was hated and betrayed by his brothers for no other reason than their jealousy and anger. But in a few years’ time, it was his brothers that came to him seeking help and relief from the famine. In a similar way, Jesus was persecuted, betrayed, and ultimately murdered because the Jewish leaders were jealous. The great irony is that the Jewish leaders murdered their own long-awaited Messiah, the very one who came to save them from their sins. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that this rejection of God and His will demonstrates the spiritual blindness and rebellion that propels opposition to the gospel. It is not clear and rational thought but blind prejudice that has its source in sinful hearts that will not submit to God’s ways. This must always be in mind when unbelief and opposition to the gospel is seen. It is not a matter of intelligent and reasonable methods that prompt people to harden their hearts when they hear of Christ and his death and resurrection but it is sin and unbelief. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that anyone can come to true knowledge of God.

In today’s media-driven culture, the public can witness firsthand the mess of politicians and politics on social media, cable television, and in print media. Cynically, many Christians might find it necessary to simply retreat out of political concerns and government altogether. Perhaps the Christian could justify a retreat from politics by positing the need to focus exclusively on spiritual matters. In this sermon on Romans 13:1–7 titled “Christian and the State (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to answer such objections. He engages these ideas and other radical ones that call for Christians to abandon concern for the state, government, or politics altogether. In answering critics, Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides a positive Christian view of the state by looking at Romans 13:1–7 and the implications of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Christians understand that the origin of government is not in human evolution but arose from God Himself. Moreover, the Christian knows human nature and how easily sin and evil can deteriorate society. God has instituted government for the restraint of evil and the well-being of society. Dr. Lloyd-Jones insists that the Christian needs motivation to be not only the best citizen, but also to be compelled to participate in government for the promotion of peace and the common good of all.