Book of John
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The Light Shines in the Darkness
What happens when the joy of salvation begins to fade? How does the joy of salvation deliver us from the darkness of life? The apostle John confronts this critical threat. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows us how this modern day problem exposes lethargy in the believer's heart, the failure to rely on the Holy Spirit, and the depths of darkness from which we are saved. It's not until we understand the depths of our sin that the church can fathom the greatness of the Word becoming flesh. The world is in a current state of darkness that has pervaded every aspect of human history since the Fall. Lloyd-Jones notes that this darkness is twofold in that it is not only a state of ignorance that mankind is in, but that the darkness is also within man's heart, as manifested by his love of sin and hatred of Christian doctrine. However, God has sent believers the Holy Spirit, who through enlightening the believer's eyes to the truth about God and the glory of His salvation, enables them to be lights themselves in the persistent darkness.
The Results of His Coming
When the Word became flesh, Jesus Christ became incarnate man! This reality has both temporary and permanent ramifications. Lloyd-Jones proclaims the incredible reality that Jesus lived among His creation for a time, as the Apostle John says, He lived with humanity. Our life on earth, says the Dr., is a temporary season that will give way to permanent home in Heaven. This really is a lasting comfort and fills us with vigor for the truth. The permanent result, Lloyd-Jones explains, is that Jesus took on human nature and can readily identify with all the experiences and challenges of daily life short of sin. This made Him that much more able to empathize with the infirmities and temptations of human nature, and solidified his role as our Great High Priest. This, Lloyd-Jones concludes, also ought to be of great comfort to the believer.
God's World
Is there anyway to predict the future? Can we tell what life will hold? Absolutely not! We live in a world of endless uncertainty that we cannot know in advance. Lloyd Jones opens the gospel of John and shows us the firm foundation that gives those who are saved total security, peace, and even joy in the worst of trouble. We are living in God’s world and under his sovereign control. The meaning behind events is hidden from us, but it is known and designed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Lloyd Jones shows how God permits evil to exist in the world as a means of teaching, instructing, and showing the need for salvation. No matter how dire the circumstances, the providence of God is at work to care for His world, and show compassion for His children. The plan of God to save sinners will not be undone.
Christ the Hope of Glory
Does the world care about Christ? It never will if the joy and peace of Christ isn't seen and alive in the church today. This lack of obvious joy, claims Lloyd Jones, flows from a failure to reflect on the Gospel. Listen as this sermon unfolds the three central components to the Christian faith: knowing, believing, and receiving. These truths illustrate that this is God’s world, that though there is darkness in the world, God sent His son to save us from that darkness. When we receive Jesus and believe in the power of His sacrifice for our sin, we are saved. Any christian lacking in joy will rekindle their passion by considering these things, and dwelling on the fact we are completely forgiven in Christ. Our feelings are dictated by our thoughts and our knowledge; therefore, an accurate understanding and belief on these truths will lend oneself to experience and demonstrate great and genuine joy.
Children of God
We are children of God! One of the most astounding truths in the Bible is our adoption as sons and daughters of God. Through believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we join the family of Christ. This is more than a mere intellectual knowledge of Jesus. Rather, it is a “faith of reliance,” a total submission to who Jesus said he is, dependance on His saving power, and of His faithfulness to fulfill our needs. Without the cross there is no payment for sin, and no other way of salvation exists! It is through repentance from sin and faith alone in Christ that any person may be saved. Ancestry, good efforts, human will and academic learning will not save.
Authentic Marks of God's Child
What is the most wonderful thing about our salvation? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones emphatically responds: “That we are the children of God!” Too often we focus on the things that we avoid when we are saved; avoiding God’s righteous judgment, or being saved from eternity in hell. While those things are true and weighty, the Doctor would have us also remember the things that we gain: we gain the privilege to become the children of God, and we gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. There are several questions that, depending on our answers, prove that we are indeed God’s children: Are we concerned about the name of God? Do we grieve at sin and blasphemy? Do we enjoy creation in a way that reflects our understanding that the world is God’s? Do we look forward to Christ’s return? Lloyd-Jones examines these questions and more with scrutiny and with the aid of the Scriptures.
A Child-Like Relationship
The Christian view of the world; the Christian awareness of God's purpose; the Christian and the Church; a child; and the commandments of God; a Christian is born of God.
The Children of God
How one can know that one is a child of God; reaction to sin; led by the Spirit of God; periods of desertion; delight in the doctrines.
The Spirit in Christians
The constraint of the Spirit; the guidance of the Spirit; the Holy Spirit reveals the Bible; He leads in prayer; the Spirit in our infirmities.
The Spirit; Leading and Love
The Spirit and His teaching in all areas of our lives; the Quaker approach to sex; the error of Quakerism; love misunderstood; eros and agape love; Scripture given by God.
About Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.