Ezekiel — Chapter 36

With all the many voices in the world today, it is hard to determine which ones should be listened to. Between friends, family, media, and experts on various topics, there is an overflow of input. In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:16 titled “The Revelation from God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds of the importance of listening to Scripture above all other voices. Many of these inputs try and tell that nothing is desperately wrong with the world and that everyone should just go on and enjoy life. But that is not what Scripture says, and Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges the listener to see this difference. He states that nothing is more important than one’s approach to this book. But what is unique about it compared with the other supposed sources of wisdom? First, it is a revelation from God, who is all-knowing and all-powerful. This in and of itself is a reason to listen very closely to what the Bible teaches. Second, the Bible starts with the foundation that no one on their own can attain the truth about what really matters eternally—all are wholly dependent on God for this. Many will say that they do not like these truths, but Dr. Lloyd-Jones is quick to state that this attitude does not change the truth. Through Jesus, God has made a way for people to be reconciled to Him.

Do you know the truth about yourself and the truth about salvation? In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:21-33 titled “Separated unto holiness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers these questions while examining God’s message to Israel when they were in times of trouble. The gospel is unchangeable and can never be altered; therefore, the Christian must know the general fundamentals of the gospel in order to have hope. Firstly, God tells us that we are hopeless because of our sin, and we have to realize that God punishes sin. The Israelites were in their situation because God was punishing them, and similarly the whole world is in trouble because God is punishing our sin. God has made a way for us to have hope however, by giving us eternal life. Secondly, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the three general facts in the gospel that we have to understand in order to receive salvation: Salvation is in spite of our sin, salvation is all of God, and the primary design of the gospel is to vindicate God’s character. Lastly, Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by saying, “If you truly acknowledge your sins and realize that Christ is the only Savior then he will deliver you.”

Some may posit that the Bible could never be fully explained and understood in a single sermon. However, in Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ sermon on Ezekiel 36:16-18, he points out that two main themes can be drawn from this passage. The first, that we are all sinners. No man is perfect and all have sinned. The second, that God punishes sin. Dr Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that these two themes are interconnected and one cannot be taken without the other. Some insist that God is a completely loving entity who does not punish, when really, they know that God punishes sin. God can be both a jealous God and a God of love. Dr. Lloyd-Jones claims that, we will never understand this correlation, because if we claim that we can fully understand God, then we claim to be as intelligent as God. And that is simply impossible, for we are finite, and God is infinite. Put simply, Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, “God hates sin, God judges sin, God punishes sin” – These are facts. As shown in the passage when the Israelites were sinning, “[God] poured out [his] wrath upon them.” Dr. Lloyd-Jones even points to Adam and Eve’s banishment from the garden as a consequence for their sin. It is clear that God punishes sin. However, “Why does God punish sin?” If he is all powerful, why can’t he simply acquit all of humanity from their sinful deeds. To this, Dr. Lloyd-Jones replies that it is because God is a holy and just God. A just God cannot simply let sinners go consequence free, just as a judge cannot acquit a murderer simply because he has the power to. No, God could not simply forget our sins and welcome us into heaven. However, God loved us so much, that he gave us a lifeline that would appease the consequences of sin and uphold God’s justice. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this lifeline is Jesus Christ. And by his sacrifice, we may be accepted into heaven if we believe in him. We must only ask for God’s mercy, and he will receive us.

Is humanity responsible for all the evil in the world? The Bible says that humanity was made in the image of God and they were made upright, but they sinned and become corrupt when they put their own wisdom above that of God. Ever since, all the children of Adam and Eve have been born in sin and corruption. In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:16 titled “The Act of Rebellion,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that this sinful nature lies at the heart of all false worship and rebellion. What is the cure for humanity’s sinful and depraved nature? Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that it is none other than the death of God’s own Son upon the cross of Calvary. Human depravity is so thorough that it must be removed by Jesus Christ dying for sinners so that they would be clean. No moral improvement, no amount of education, and no good deeds can ever atone for sin. Only Jesus can cleanse from all sin and make anyone holy before God. All must repent and believe upon the crucified Son of God in order to be freed from death and the power of Satan, and transferred into the kingdom of God. All self-righteousness and self-justification must be abandoned at the foot of the cross where Jesus bled and died so that sinners might have eternal life.

What is the gospel and how does it reveal God’s glory? In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:24 titled “Out of Babylon into Canaan,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches how one’s blindness to the truth about sin is what enables them to continue in it. God’s punishment of sin is very clear. The gospel comes in where all hope seems lost. God set out to restore His own name that humanity profaned. This is not merely an act of morality and kindness, nor is it the choice of anyone; it is entirely the work of God. Learn of the immense distance between the depth of sin and the height of God’s glory. God deserves the praise of ten thousand tongues. Nothing less than the power of God can do such amazing work; all of humanity could not conjure up enough power to make one single person a Christian. All must stand in the power of God, rather than the wisdom of humanity. The first thing the world needs to be delivered from is their ignorance of God. Sin puts people in the wrong relationship with God, but salvation restores them to what ought to be as humanity was made for paradise.

In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:25 titled “Ye Shall Be Clean,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tells listeners that all humans are born into slavery to sin. The first reality that sinners must come to in order for them to be saved by God is their sinfulness. Sinners stand dirty before God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches the good news of the gospel; that all who come to Jesus Christ and repent shall indeed be cleansed by His holy blood. Since God is light and there is no darkness at all in Him, sinners must be first cleansed before entering Heaven. The wonderful news is that Christ washes His people clean as soon as they turn to Him and repent. The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world specifically to atone for sins. He did not only teach or provide an example, though He did do these things. He came to be the propitiation for the sins of the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones exhorts that the only way that a sinner can enter Heaven is through the eternal blood of Christ, which is sufficient to atone for all sins.

What does it take to change a person? Many in modern society say people simply need political change, or to change their environment. In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:26 titled “A New Heart,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that Scripture gives a very different answer. Scripture tells that a person’s greatest need is not that they should be wealthy or emotionally fulfilled. The greatest need is to be made right with God. For all are naturally born with a sin-hardened and corrupted heart. They desire sin continually and reject God and His ways. This cannot be remedied by shallow and external change, but it requires true change. What is this change? According to the prophet Ezekiel, it is a change brought about by God granting a new heart to sinners. This is when God miraculously changes people from sinners to children of God. This wholly new orientation frees people from the bondage of sin and immorality, and gives them new desires for what is righteous, beautiful, and good. This is the free gift of salvation for all who believe in Jesus Christ.

If one fails to understand the completeness of the gospel and Christianity, they will fail to reap the benefits given by God. First, all need forgiveness and to be washed of their sins. One cannot receive help from God until they receive forgiveness. They must be in a right relationship with Him to receive anything from Him. But, after being made right, how can the Christian live to His standards? In this commentary on Ezekiel 36:27 titled “I Will Put My Spirit Within You,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches the glorious truth that God says He will put His spirit in His people and cause them to walk in His statutes. This is a promise. It is all God’s work from beginning to end. This power is seen in the apostles—the acts of the apostles are really the acts of the Holy Spirit. The cowardice of people is now replaced with a unique confidence. Christ not only justified His people, but He also forgave them and then made them holy. God does not halfway complete His work; He gave His Spirit to solidify the completion of it.

The greatest tragedy in the world is the neglect of the Christian message. This neglect causes so much unhappiness and distress. Everything God does is a perfect work and in His salvation nothing is left undone, but many people, even Christians, fail to recognize this greatness. They need a new attitude toward holiness: “Ye shall be my people.” In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:28 titled “A Great and Complete Salvation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to view this Scripture from God’s perspective. There is nothing more terrible than to be without God in the world; to do so is to belong to a realm that is dying and decaying—this is a tragic position, yet one the sinner delights in. Gain the assurance that God is a personal God, and that He will not let His people go. Salvation brings a certainty when the Christian goes to God in prayer. “In Christ, we are brought to an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares and encourages that this is reserved in heaven by God for His people. Not only are they a holy nation as His people, but He is their God. He laid Himself down that He might bring them to God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones leaves the listener with one question: “Can you say ‘He is my God’?”

“I come to a place of final satisfaction.” In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:29–30 titled “Man in a State of Famine,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones rejoices in the fullness of the Christian life and hope of the gospel. Christianity doesn’t call God’s people to scorn the luxuries and pleasures of life. The “laws of nature” that one discovers are simply rules God has put in place. God’s dealings with humanity and the delivery of His people from sin demonstrate His plan. God always works upon a plan. God will do nothing with His people until their guilt has been dealt with: forgiveness is first in salvation. God’s way is through Christ alone, then continues on in sanctification by the Holy Spirit. Humanity’s real need is to know God and to know how to come to Him. The tragedy of today is that people don’t know the cause of trouble because they are ignorant of God. A life not looking at God invariably leads to famine. God is what people were made for. The most terrible thing to happen to a human is to be abandoned by God. Intellectual and moral activity declines without God. The godless life starves the mind and the heart. The Christian life alone leads to fulfillment.

God provides emancipation and deliverance from the captivity of sin, but the devil is also trying to provide a “solution.” The Bible is careful to tell and teach how to discern what is true. If this world was the only one, it really wouldn’t matter what one seeks for happiness, but all will have eternal life somewhere. In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:31–32 titled “The Foolishness of Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dives into the many parts of God’s one way of salvation. Peace, plenty, and joy are all characteristic of this salvation. However, what about self-loathing over sin? Christianity doesn’t start or end with people like the cults do, but rather it brings people to see God and thereby loathe themselves. There is a fountain of evil within all. One does not disdain evil naturally. They crave sin and find entertainment in it; sin is not a result of external circumstances. The world sees Christianity as a kind of “narrowness.” Don't reject the love of God. This is the greatest issue of all.

In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:33–35 titled “The Temple in the Soul,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that there is one God and one message of salvation that runs consistently throughout the entire Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God is working to bring His plan of salvation to its fulfillment in Christ Jesus. The prophet Ezekiel looked forward to this fulfillment when God would rebuild what was lost in the fall. God does this through the gospel and forgiveness of sins. All were born in sin because of the fall and this fallen nature is wholly given over to sin and corruption. Humanity’s will, mind, and every action are tainted by sin. Relationships are twisted and marred by the effects of the sinful nature and disposition. Ignoring it doesn’t change the presence or reality of sin. The good news is that there is hope in Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that it is only in Christ that anyone can have true fellowship with God and neighbor. In the gospel people are made right with God and humanity by the blood of the only Son of God. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows the path out of the loneliness and confusion that engulfs humankind.

Discover the benefits that come when one forfeits sins for the glory of God. Exceeding riches of God’s grace are found to be endless in Christ. In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:34–35 titled “The Unproductive Age, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the sin that ruins humanity and defaces the image of God. Listen to the hope of the gospel in undoing these effects of sin. Sin wastes life; it is not just “negative,” it is devastating. Nothing in a person is left unaffected. Both in general and in particular, sin makes utterly useless that which was designed to be productive. This is an unproductive and barren age. History shows great productivity in ages of great faith. What is the condition of souls today? Look at sex, work, drinking, gambling, and beauty and see how happiness and pleasure become ends in themselves. Taken out of context and isolated from the glory of God, these become idols. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reveals the real and abhorrent nature of such sin. Sin always produces a crop of misery, shame, regret, and suffering. Nothing in sin enables the soul or increases anyone’s faculties. The Holy Spirit must break, smash, and convict.

Sin pollutes and perverts—it is an attack on God’s greatness and glory. In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:35–36 titled “Saved By Grace Alone,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks about Israel's example when the heathen looked on Israel’s desolation and mocked God. Humanity is designed to bear God’s image, but sin always distracts from the glory of God and taints the image of God. God’s plan is to punish sin and to restore His people. Listen to this preview by Dr. Lloyd-Jones on the Christian gospel and God’s way of salvation. Salvation vindicates God’s name and displays His glory. Many agencies in this world can give peace, healing, and happiness, but only up to a point. Salvation restores humanity to its created position. Forgiveness is merely the beginning—all the effects of the Fall become undone. God deals with both the guilt and power of sin; Christ bore the punishment. No one can deal with their own sin because they continue in it. The gospel makes the weak strong. Regain not only a knowledge of God, but a communion with Him as His own child. When God works, it is unmistakable to all.