Explore Sermons By Dr. Lloyd-Jones
Book of John
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Not of This World
Christ came on a mission; the problem of the world; the world doesn't know God; an offering for sin; Christians no longer of this world.
Godliness
The tool, used by God in the sanctification of his people, is the truth of His word. In John 17:17, Jesus prays that the Father will sanctify His people with the truth. As The Doctor unfolds this text, he asks and answers two important questions: “What does it mean to be sanctified?” and “What is the first truth or doctrine the Christian must consider and study to be sanctified?” Throughout this message, Lloyd-Jones explains that sanctification is the process of becoming more like God. The believer is striving to live a holy life and growing in godliness. This godliness that reflects the holiness of God is not just a removal or avoidance of sin in the believer’s life. Godliness, that truly demonstrates sanctification, is a life that loves God with all of one’s being. If that is the case, then what is the first doctrine or truth to be considered? It is the doctrine of God. The Christian cannot assume the truth about God. The truth or doctrine about God is the starting place of sanctification. As he explains from Scripture, Lloyd-Jones demonstrates that this first truth is what ultimately leads us to godliness.
The Doctrine of Sin
What separates us from God? What keeps us from knowing Him on our own? The answer is found in understanding the sin that is within us. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues to expound the truth from John 17:17, explaining that believers are sanctified in the truth, and sanctified from the ugliness of sin that keeps us in a wrong relationship to God. Sin is what separates us from God. It is not intellect. It is not a cognitive problem. Our disobedience to God places us in a wrong relationship to Him. Sin is centered on self. Sin causes the pagan to be focused on himself and not God. The sinner is not God-centered. How does he or she know this? The law is that which exposes one’s sin and the holiness of God. Therefore, the sinner must be converted from sin. He must receive a new nature and become a new man, a new creature in Christ. But, conversion is only the beginning. Through ongoing sanctification, the believer is not cleansed from sin and made like God. Have you glossed over sin? Have you crowded it out? Or have you dealt with sin through repentance and belief and continue to deal with it in your sanctification?