Titus — Chapter 2

Christmas can come and pass without Christians truly questioning what the season means. This is a tragedy because Christians can easily adopt the world’s view of Christmas if there is not proper effort and diligence. The world will celebrate the season with a vague principle called the “Christmas spirit” – general benevolence and encouragement to each other to be a little nicer than before. Or the world will tout a gospel of peace where nations, political leaders, and governments are addressed about their bombs and armaments. But how does the apostle Paul react to the coming of Christ? What does the celebration of Christmas mean to him? In this sermon on Titus 2:11–14 titled “Christmas: An Event in History,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that Paul reacted with the deepest feelings, emotions, and praise at the appearing of the Son of God. This praise and shouts of joy were because of an actual event in history that took place. God’s grace appeared, not in a teaching or principle primarily, but in a real person whom Paul declares is the great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the listener to ascribe to the “facts” of Christmas without losing the joy that the event should bring.

For various and sometimes nefarious reasons, people often isolate the Christmas message of the babe in a manger from the rest of the gospel story. The tendency is to take parts of the whole person and work of Christ and segregate them from the rest. Or perhaps worse, some as children heard the message of gentle and lowly Jesus in a manger and never move beyond; they start at Bethlehem and end with Bethlehem. This is a tragedy that inevitably ends in error, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. In this sermon on Titus 2:11–14 titled “The Two Advents,” he states that Christians must follow the apostle Paul’s important principle and take the Lord Jesus Christ’s work as a whole. Paul frames the first appearing of Christ in conjunction with His second advent. Placing these two advents side-by-side in his sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones then contrasts them. While the first coming of Christ was humble, lowly, and hidden, the second coming will be glorious and made for all the world to see. Listen as he provides a unique and passionate Christmas message where the listener comes face-to-face with the entire person and work of Christ.

The Son of God appearing in human history is not simply an abstract truth. While the Christmas message objectively happened in the past, the good news does not simply tell facts in history. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that the gospel asks Christians to look at themselves. The gospel forces them to ask who they should be. It challenges people to personally ask “What have I done with the good news?” In this sermon on Titus 2:11–14 titled “The Christian View of History,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones follows the apostle Paul in emphasizing how the gospel teaches how to live the Christian life. Living between the first advent and the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ radically alters one’s understanding of God, themselves, and this world. This results in changed living without the desire for worldly lusts, but instead with a longing for righteousness. A sober view of life takes over ungodly living as one remembers the present time and anticipates the future return of the Savior. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches how to put the gospel into practice in this present age, between the first coming and second coming of the Son of God.