285 sermons ranging across 19 of the books and letters in the New Testament, all preached at Westminster Chapel. Some were preached in short series, others were individual sermons.
Is Christmas really that important? Does the story of Christ’s birth really matter? In this sermon on Luke 1:46–55 titled “The Magnificat I,” Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones preaches of the true significance of Christmas. Christmas is not simply to warm hearts, nor only to produce a cheerful attitude. Christmas is a time when believers in Jesus Christ must magnify the Lord their God. Through an explanation of “The Magnificat” in Luke’s passage, Dr. Lloyd-Jones aids listeners with a rich and theologically profound explanation of Mary’s song of praise upon learning she is pregnant with Jesus. One of the first points Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes is Mary’s heart in forgetting herself and praising the Lord. She is humbled and grateful that the Lord would choose her to bear the Savior of the world. She is able to praise God so thoroughly because her praise is based on understanding, not simply emotion. Since she is able to understand a portion of God’s glory, her emotions correspond and she praises God. She praises God’s power, without which not a soul on this earth would be saved. She praises His holiness, without which He would not be worthy of praise. She praises His mercy, without which everyone would be condemned. In God’s precious mercy, He chose Mary to bear Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Listen in as Dr. Lloyd-Jones helps the hearer worship God better.
Do you ever worry about the state of Christianity in today’s world? Many denominations are leaving orthodox beliefs, traditional beliefs are scoffed at, our country seems to be falling apart. Where is God in all of this? In examining Mary’s song of praise, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows us how God is always faithful to His people, although the times may be dark. We are reminded of the promise made to Abram that he would be the father of many nations. Yet did Abram see this promise fulfilled in his life? God’s ways are much higher than ours, a thousand years is like a day to Him. As His bride, the church should be faithfully and eagerly awaiting Jesus’s second coming. Though it has been over 2,000 years since Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, we can be assured that God will keep His promise. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also reminds us that this promise is personal, and that God has promised to keep us in the faith and rid us of all our sin. If you are discouraged today by the sin of others and yourself, find rest in the promise that all sins will be washed away.
Have you come face-to-face with the real purpose of the Gospel? Has it made any vital difference to you? It's meant to change everything. Listen in as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from Luke 1:46-55 and talks about the dangers of being unaffected by the Gospel, and what response and reaction it ought to invoke. "To be a Christian means that we have had an experience of the grace of God; that is essential Christianity.” Diving into Mary’s Magnificat, we see the recounting of her response to God's work; in a sense this was the first Christian experience. More than an amazement that she would have a child was the realization of what God was doing on a larger scale. Christianity is, “the life of God in the souls of men.” It is about what God does to us, not what we have done. The mark of a Christian is the experience of God’s grace, but this does not look exactly the same for everyone. Search yourself to see if, “The One who made you at the beginning is making you again.” Assurance is not in a feeling of entitlement to be forgiven, but rather in one who is immensely conscience of his own unworthiness. God’s mercy is on those who fear Him.
Christmas is always a wonderful time of the year. People seem to be on their best behavior, full of cheer, and often become religious during this time. But what is the meaning behind Christmas? In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:20 titled “Christmas and the Modern Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that the true meaning of Christmas is something that seems offensive, and even foolish, to the natural person. Today’s culture has missed the reason why God sent His Son to Earth in the first place; that is, to reconcile humanity back to Himself. This is the part of the gospel message that is offensive; the Christmas story makes one realize that they are helpless enough that they need a baby to come save them. Christmas is truly a miraculous story. A virgin gives birth to a boy who will save humanity from their sins. This message sounds like foolishness, yet this is the message that all must come to grips with and in hope believe that Jesus was the promised King who will redeem humanity. Some think that He was only a good teacher with good philosophy. This sermon will show that God cannot be made known through religious efforts and earthly wisdom, but only by believing in what the world considers to be foolish.
Has Christianity failed? In this sermon on the question “will he find faith on earth?” from Luke 18:8 titled “Has Christianity Failed?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that many critics of Christianity say that after nearly two thousand years since the establishment of Christianity, the world is still full of strife and conflict. The world is still full of war, poverty, and crime. Modern history has shown that, if anything, the world is only getting worse. What does all this mean for the claims of Christianity? Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that the troubles of the world do not constitute an argument against the claims of Christianity as Christianity never claimed to solve all the world’s problems here and now. At the center of Christianity is Christ who died upon the cross in order to save sinners from the wrath of God and make them inheritors of eternal life in the age to come. In fact, the Bible teaches that people are fundamentally sinners who hate God and oppose His law. It is only by the gospel that they can ever be transformed. Christianity never claims that this world will be made perfect by the church, but what it does teach is that Jesus Christ will return on the last day, and He will make all things right.
The Christian must soberly consider if they get more excited about the things of this world than they do about God. In this sermon on the church of Laodicea from Revelation 3:14–22 titled “The Lukewarm Church,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches against lukewarmness in the church—not only as a whole, but the lukewarmness that is pervasive in each individual’s heart. The lukewarm heart is one that does not despise God, but it does not love God. It is one that is sentimental towards God. Ignorance is the cause of this lukewarmness; ignorance towards the greatness of God and ignorance about the history of the church. Lukewarmness can look like nice, moral people who are involved in church, yet they desire to be in control of their religion. Listeners will be charged to examine themselves to see if they truly desire God, have His peace, and desire more of Him.
Lists of names or genealogies can seem quite obscure, boring, and irrelevant. In his message on Matthew 1:1 titled “The Promise Fulfilled,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says the essence of the Christmas message is found in Matthew’s genealogy. If Christianity was just a teaching or philosophy then historical events in the Bible would not matter. If Christianity was merely a new outlook on life, then dates would be no concern. Since Christianity is based upon and concerned with the person of Christ, one can recall that there was a given day when Christ was born. Because Christians are concerned with a person and not just a teaching, they remember that this event really did happen. Take away the event and Christ is taken away. Take away Christ and there is no Christianity. Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights the names of David and Abraham in the genealogy in order to connect the coming of the Messiah with the Old Testament promises. The essence of the Christmas message can be summarized in the fulfillment of these two promises, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. In God’s covenant with David, He establishes that it is through His posterity that His universal kingdom will be fulfilled. Through Abraham, God commits Himself to the salvation of the nations. Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls listeners to reflect upon the Christmas season and find comfort in the fulfillment of the promises of God. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones bring the message of comfort and joy in the fulfillment of Old Testament promises.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 seem simple: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reveals in his sermon on Matthew 6:33 “Seek Ye First,” they are in fact a profound statement on the priorities of the Christian life. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the impact “seek ye first” can have on a Christian’s life and how seeking God and his righteousness can change perspectives for the better.
In this age of anxiety, does the Christian gospel offer a distinct message? Is the Christian life a different way of looking at the world? In this sermon on Matthew 6:33 titled “Right Priorities,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that humanity’s trouble in life is due to a false view of the world. In this way, the Lord Jesus Christ offers Christians an entirely different way of understanding the world around them. The Christian does not think like the Gentiles do. Instead, they have different priorities. The Lord teaches that while food, drink, and clothing are essential to being human, these things are not the priority in the Christian life. Rather than having fear, worry, and anxiety about such things, the Christian life is marked by their relationship to God and His kingdom. The Christian seeks after the kingdom of God and His righteousness rather than material goods. But how does one obtain the righteousness of God? How do they become heirs of God’s kingdom? Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones lifts the mind to consider the right priorities in life and how sinners can actually obtain such eternal joy.
What does it mean to be called by the Lord Jesus Christ? In this sermon on Matthew 9:9 titled “The Call of Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks to the example of Matthew, a tax collector whom Jesus called one day. Matthew responds to this call by leaving his old sinful life behind and committing himself to Christ. This demonstrates that the call to be a Christian is a call to leave behind the old way of living and to seek Christ Jesus and His kingdom. It is an uncompromising commitment to love God and follow His commandments, not out of self-preservation, but out of a new love for God and neighbor. To be a Christian is to follow Jesus and to obey His commandments. This is done first and foremost by believing in His gospel and the fact that He is the Savior sent from God. How does this apply today? Being a Christian in modern times is fundamentally the same as it has always been because it is about following Christ and believing in His gospel. It is about trusting in Jesus in the midst of suffering and persecution, and pursuing God in all aspects of life. The call to be a Christian is one that all must accept because it is the only way to eternal life.
In this sermon, "Follow Me", from Matthew 9:9, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones helps the listener understand the meaning when Jesus says “Follow me.” Much more serious than being lost in a strange place, all of humankind is completely lost in their sin. Jesus says that all are blinded by their sin, dead in their trespasses, and condemned before a Holy God. When Jesus says to follow Him, He means that He alone must be followed. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that salvation means to follow Jesus and to become a slave to Him. It is not a light decision, but the rewards are worth it. To follow Jesus may mean loss of friends, persecution, and even death; but it also means that all sins are forgiven, the blessing of the most loving companion, and measurable joy. If anyone is burdened by sin today, they can lay them down at Jesus's feet and see that He will gladly take them if one will only follow and trust His way.
In this sermon on Matthew 9:10–13 titled “What is Christianity?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers questions that will determine a person’s eternal destiny. Learn about the wrong idea of Christianity and what living a “good life” really means. A Christian should not assume that they are a Christian as this is dangerous. The Pharisees were among those who were farthest from understanding the truth, yet they thought they were the wisest. God demands the spirit not merely sacrifices. The Christian must consider both the spirit of the law and the letter of the law. Religion must require sacrifice, but it is not merely about external observances. Listeners are encouraged to consider their view of themselves, religion, and others. Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses the doctrine of repentance and the necessity to understand the weight of one’s own sin and acknowledge the need for mercy. Christ has come for the sinner to make them an heir and child of God. There is hope in the midst of utter hopelessness and helplessness. Jesus left the courts of glory for His people. No one is too far gone, and all can be received.
What is it about Christianity that brings about such strong reactions from people? In this sermon on Matthew 9:14–17 titled “The Effect of Christianity,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how believers and unbelievers both have strong opinions on Christianity. Some are hostile to Jesus and His claims, some want to reduce Him to a mere teacher of morality, and others claim that He is the Savior of the world. All these responses were present in the days of Jesus when some believed in Him and became His disciples, while others rejected Him and ultimately put Him to death. Jesus was opposed because He contradicted the false and hypocritical religion of the day. While many were only concerned with the outward appearances and looking good, Jesus taught that true religion was a matter of the heart. No one can make themselves holy or pure before God. That is why Jesus came to die and suffer in the place of sinners. This idea of Jesus dying for sinners is as offensive today as it was in the time of Jesus. People do not want to be told that it is only by believing upon the suffering servant that they can be saved, but it is this message of a crucified King that is the only means of salvation for all who believe.
What are the essentials of the Christian gospel? In this sermon on Matthew 9:36 titled “Sheep Without a Shepherd,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones analyzes this passage in which Jesus sees a multitude of people and has compassion on them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones recognizes the unique authority of Jesus, the truth of the sinful disposition, and the comfort that only Christ can bring as essentials of the gospel. He examines the human condition and finds that all are still sheep without a shepherd. Despite the appearance of development and progress, life is the same. The multitude is rightly related to sheep in the way they are fainting, scattered abroad, harassed, mangled, and distressed. They are sheep at the mercy of thieves and robbers, dogs and wolves. Men and women are in a state of bewilderment and all have gone astray. The world is without a shepherd—no politician, no statesman, no philosopher, or thinker can give rest from this bewilderment. Yet, Jesus Christ looks upon humanity and is moved with compassion. Jesus does not belong to the multitude, so He can be the Good Shepherd that is needed. He is the only hope for the world. Listeners are encouraged to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd so that they may find rest and peace.
In this sermon on Matthew 11:2–6 titled “Art Thou He that Should Come?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-looks at the question John the Baptist asked during his imprisonment. Getting the answer correct to this question is of the highest importance, but it is an answer that makes many people feel ashamed. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that it is impossible for the natural person not to be ashamed of the answer. Many people have preconceived notions about how Jesus was to redeem humanity. Some believed He was to be a great military leader, while others see Him as a good, passive, and moral teacher. Jesus’s actions are ones that turn logic on its head and show that His ways are so much higher than humanity’s ways. Jesus did not come to this earth to answer to people, but so that they could turn to Him for the forgiveness of their sin.
What did Jesus mean when He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened”? What is the burden? In this sermon on Matthew 11:21–28 titled “Woe Unto Thee,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the necessity of seeing Christ’s gentleness as well as His severeness. Many today preach only on God’s love, believing that a loving God cannot possibly condemn anyone. If that were the case, what was the point of Jesus’s death on the cross? Dr. Lloyd-Jones dispels the false idea that God cannot punish sinners, and instead shows that God must punish sin, whether that is through Jesus or through the sinner. It is the gospel that determines who takes the wrath of God. The most important question a person can ask themselves is where they stand before God, and their eternal soul depends on the correct answer. God has promised that He will give salvation and rest to those who humble themselves and believe God is who He says He is. However, for those who try to shape God into their own being, Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that there is no salvation or rest.
In this sermon on Matthew 18:1–4 titled “The Great Question,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how Jesus taught that souls are of greater importance than anything else on the earth. This sermon shows that without Christ, the condition of the soul is lost and no one can find satisfaction in the temporary things of this world. Everyone on this planet has a soul in one of two conditions: it is either lost or it is found. The condition of one’s soul determines whether or not they will spend eternity alongside God in His goodness, or under the eternal wrath of God. In conclusion of this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the listener to soberly consider the current condition of their soul.
Amidst all of the chaos that rules on a global scale, humanity still believes that the key to peace is self-help and self-improvement. In this sermon on Matthew 18:1–4 titled “A Clean Heart, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that, just like the disciples, people today have a false understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Jesus tells His disciples that they must be like little children to enter His Kingdom. Jesus meant that everyone must be entirely reliant on Him for everything, including making them humble. Dr. Lloyd-Jones goes through the Bible, expounding on how humanity is hopeless to change themselves. No matter how hard they try, they still cling to sin: lust, anger, greed, and pride all continuously ravage souls, even those who are Christians. Yet Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows the true difference between the Christian and the unbeliever, and that is the desire for a pure heart.
What is the meaning of life? If history is compared with today, it seems that humanity has been going in circles. Wars continue to occur, evil people are in charge of the nations, crime abounds, and it seems that hope is hard to come by. Many put their hope in modern humanity and the achievements they have accomplished in the technological revolution. Bigger strides in medicine and technology have been made in the past hundred years than in all of human history. In this sermon on Matthew 24:1–2 titled “The Living Temple,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines how Jesus shows His disciples that nothing on this earth will last. Jesus correctly prophesied the destruction of the Jewish temple (an architectural feat in itself) to show that the only lasting hope that anyone can have is in Jesus Himself. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that although humanity has had technological innovations, the basic problems still plague humanity. Listeners will learn of the hope that Jesus promises to be, that sins can be forgiven through faith in Him, and people can be granted a life that outlasts this very earth.
Some make the charge that the gospel failed because the world is not a better place. In this sermon from Matthew 24:3–14 titled “The Destruction of the World,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones walks through these questions and how to analyze them from a biblical perspective. First, Scripture never claims that its purpose is to reform the world and make it better. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that this is a teaching derived from an evolutionary worldview in which everything gradually improves over time. Second, in stark contrast to this evolutionary teaching, Scripture actually claims the opposite—that things will continue to get worse until Jesus returns. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that this is another reason Scripture can be trusted. Unlike false worldviews, the Bible can explain and account for the present realities in the world. Third, Scripture explains why things are the way they are—the lust of the flesh. If one is seeking to change the world, make it a better place, and long to see right prevail over wrong, Dr. Lloyd-Jones has one question: “what is your attitude towards God?” In order for anything to change, people must individually address the state of their own sinful hearts, ask forgiveness for sins, and believe in Jesus Christ—only then can true, lasting change take place.
