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The Sons of Sceva

Acts 19:13-16

Many in the modern church are like the seven sons of Sceva who know of Christianity, but they are not truly regenerate. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches in this sermon on the Sons of Sceva from Acts 19:13–16, they have yet to give up their worldly ways and believe in the truth of the gospel. Many associate themselves with the church for social or financial gain. They are self-deceived hypocrites who try to use Christianity for worldly gain and pleasures. Many of these people are simply humanists or socialists who use Christianity as a platform for their ideologies. This kind of association for gain has been prevalent whenever Christianity is viewed as socially expedient. But this has the terrible effect of creating false believers who have never truly believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ or repented of their sins. This is why there are so many Christians who resemble the world more than Christ. The answer to this is a call to true faith in the only gospel that can save. It is a call for all to turn from their sins and hypocrisy and be born again to a new life in Christ. The church must be clear that to be a Christian one must have been regenerated and given a new nature that comes from the work of the Holy Spirit.

God's Enemies Destroyed

The spiritual conflict Christians experience is much deeper than merely a battle against people. In this sermon titled “God’s Enemies Destroyed,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches on this spiritual warfare as it is written about in this last book of the New Testament. Who are the antagonists behind the opposition of men and women? Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies these as the devil, the secular powers and governments of the earth, false religion, and the seductive power of worldliness. Over and over throughout Scripture, Christians are warned against being lured by the pleasures and promises of the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that when all attempts fail, Satan leans heavily on this to cause Christians to fall. However, even though God gives descriptions of these enemies, how marvelous it is that in Revelation He shows the details of the Christian triumphs. The essence of comfort is that Christians ultimately have no need to fear. God promises that these antagonists will be judged and that this judgment is final and emphatic.

A Sense of Balance (2)

Romans 14:17

Christians are part of the kingdom of God and it is big. However, sometimes Christians can give the opposite impression. They can be guilty of emphasizing an aspect of the kingdom at the expense of the whole, making the kingdom seem small and negative. The church at Rome had given the impression that the kingdom was about eating and drinking. They had made the kingdom tiny and petty. In this message on Romans 14:17 titled “A Sense of Balance (2),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones asks the contemporary church what impression they give the world about the kingdom. What do they say is essential to Christianity? Is Christianity merely about being moral? Is it about abstaining from certain things? Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests that Christians become trapped into making the kingdom of God about small matters because they do not know how to think in terms of the kingdom. Since the kingdom of God is completely different than anything humans have experienced, they must learn a new way of thinking. Christians are tempted to think in earthly terms rather than the kingdom controlling our thoughts. People are looking for something big, not small. Learn from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones about faithfully witnessing to the kingdom of God in one’s daily life.

The Armor of Light

Romans 13:11-14

Being suddenly awakened in the middle of the night by bright lights can be an incredibly alarming and disconcerting experience. In this sermon on Romans 13:11–14 titled “The Armor of Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the similarities between this kind of event and conversion for those who become Christians and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. They are called to wake up out of spiritual sleep. What does Paul mean when he tells to awake and arise? Overall, it is a general call to spiritual discipline. Time and time again, Scripture warns against living in a purely theoretical way. The Christian life is to be one that is extremely practical. Christians are to take the knowledge of their conversion and the knowledge of what it means to be saved and apply those truths as they seek to live their lives. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that it is because the Christian has been washed that they need to keep themselves clean. In constant practice, Christians are to put off the old man and put on the new man. Since they have been saved from being slaves to sin, why would they still live as they did before they were saved? Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages Christians to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ.

The Principles of the Faith

Romans 14:17

What does one consider central to their Christian life? In this sermon on Romans 14:17 titled “The Principles of the Faith,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones suggests this could be an indication of what they think Christianity is all about. The church at Rome had much to say about observance of days and whether a Christian can or should eat this food or drink this drink. Paul abhors such pettiness in the church at Rome, and through God’s inspired word, the reader can see He is not pleased with such smallness in the church today. Dr. Lloyd-Jones brings the gospel back to center of a church that is often divided over pettiness. He cautions on the subtle loss of proportion or a sense of balance on secondary matters. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains in this message how zealous and well-intended Christians can over-concentrate on matters like eating and drinking and miss what the kingdom of God is all about. This does not mean those secondary issues are unimportant or should not be discussed with full conviction. Instead they ought to be discussed in accordance to the principle of Christian liberty. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows how righteousness in Christ, peace with God, and joy in the Holy Spirit contribute to genuine Christian unity.

The Fellowship of Believers

Romans 1:7-15

Despite Paul’s great power given by the Holy Spirit, the authority given by Christ to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and his extraordinary experiences, the apostle Paul never put himself up on a pedestal. He expected to pour into the church at Rome, but he also wanted to be encouraged by them as well. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains in the sermon “The Fellowship of Believers,” this is a glimpse of the doctrine and nature of the Christian church in Romans 1:7–15. Paul’s depiction of the communion of the saints is one which consists of fellowship in the Holy Spirit. Neither color of skin, nor social status, nor education matter. What matters to Paul and constituted his desire to fellowship with them was that they were fellow members of the body of Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the human desire to limit fellowship to certain types of Christians – perhaps those Christians found to be most interesting or stimulating. The encouragement from Dr. Lloyd-Jones is to enjoy the fellowship of all Christians. This, he says, is the New Testament understanding of fellowship. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains what the apostle Paul found so encouraging about these simple Christians in Rome, and the dangers of contemporary “movements” as they often replace the role of the church in the Christian life.

Rooted in Love

Ephesians 3:17

How can one have an abundant life in Christ? What is the secret to living life to its fullest? In this sermon from Ephesians 3:17 titled “Rooted in Love,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones takes the listener through a section of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians to answer these questions. In this section, Paul is praying that Christians will know and seek Christ Himself, not solely the blessings that He offers. The Christian’s primary ambition in life, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, should not be to aim merely at a good life since all religions have a version of this. Rather, the Christian should have a holiness that flows out of their relationship with Him, and this happens when He dwells in the heart. What occurs when the Christian allows this to take place? As Paul prayed for his readers, they become rooted and grounded in love. The language he uses reminds the readers of a tree and just like the roots of a tree, their love is to grow deeper and stronger every day. “Knowledge,” Paul says, “puffs up, but love builds up.” One’s knowledge of God must drive them to an increased love of God since God is love (1 John 4:8). Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages Christians to grow in love and reminds the listener of why this is so important for the Christian life.

The Fruit of Light

Ephesians 5:9-10

Christians are called to walk in the light of the Lord, but what is this light? How is it manifested? What is the difference between a good, moral person and someone who is a Christian? In this sermon on Ephesians 5:9–10 titled “The Fruit of Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that the Christian has a knowledge of the Lord that they lacked before— they now have a knowledge and understanding of spiritual truth. A Christian is one who knows God intimately, beyond mere intellectual assent to the truth of His existence. They also now have a heart that desires to know God more and follow His commands. They desire holiness. Next, this light is manifested in the will—rather than works of darkness, their life exhibits the fruits of righteousness. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out a key fact about the difference between “works” and “fruit.” Fruit signifies growth, and it signifies that it is occurring naturally. Thus, Paul is writing that a believer will have a desire to please the Lord flowing out of themselves naturally because Christ is life. Fruit is the expression of that in which Christians are rooted, as a believer is rooted in Christ. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones illustrates the importance this can have for the Christian walk, and why it is such a tragedy that the church is often filled with more works than it is with fruit.

Flesh and Spirit

John 1:16

Every Christian must deal with old, evil desires that resurface, and every Christian must deal with indwelling sin. In this sermon on John 1:16 titled “Flesh and Spirit,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses the way that God deals with remaining sin in the life of the Christian. This namely occurs through progressively sanctifying them through the work of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit whereby Christians are enabled more and more to die to sin and live in righteousness. Dr. Lloyd-Jones elaborates that the Christian must also mortify, or kill, the sin in their life. A Christian who falls into sin is like the Israelite who forgets what it actually was like in slavery in Egypt and longs for the land of his slavery. Instead they must stand fast on Christ who has set them free. Moreover, Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that legalism is not the same as obedience, because legalism assures people of salvation based on their own merit, rather than pointing them to a Savior who has set them free from the Law of Moses. If someone is trapped by their conscience and feels the weight of legalism pressing in, this sermon encourages that the gospel offers freedom from slavery to the law and sin.

A New Quality of Life

John 4:13-14

Does the saved person comprehend Christianity? Have they also been changed by it? While good doctrine is necessary, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains in his sermon on John 4:13–14 titled “A New Quality of Life” that the Christian doesn’t merely follow a teaching but instead the Christian’s life is changed by the Holy Spirit. It is not about what they do but what is done to them. He describes that the Holy Spirit changes people in a moment and over time. Every Christian is changed instantly when they are regenerated and given new life. Moreover, every Christian undergoes some degree of change through sanctification, which means being changed progressively over the course of an entire lifetime. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that one of the best ways to perceive these changes is to look at the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of a changed life; a life that is impacted by the Spirit and given new life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones goes on to detail these fruits and categorize them. The Christian asks themselves: “Do you find that you have been changed by the Holy Spirit? Do you have a new heart with good desires and joy?” All are encouraged to listen and hear how to gain clarity on the state of the soul.

Preciousness of Faith

2 Peter 1:1

How will a Christian stand fast in the midst of trials, and not be discouraged by the continued attacks on Christianity and how few people are following the Lord? In this sermon on 1 Peter 1:1 titled “Preciousness of Faith,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how believers can honor the Lord and hold fast to His word in the midst of persecution. Often when Christians are in the midst of hard times, they tend to think that they need something new to help them out of the rut they are in. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that they need to grasp what they already believe—that God is all-powerful and that their salvation is precious. In this passage, Peter describes faith as precious for a couple of reasons. First, it is rare—many believers are discouraged when they see how many people are not Christians when instead they should be rejoicing that they are part of His family. Instead of counting heads, Christians should look to the character of the few. Second, it is rare because it cost God His own Son. Third, it gives so many blessings—forgiveness of sins, being partakers of the divine nature, companionship, and more. The Christian faith is the most precious thing in the universe, and this alone is a magnificent truth they can stand on in the midst of hard times.

Fear of the Future

2 Timothy 1:7

It is possible to be so gripped by fears of the future that the Christian becomes ineffective in the present. In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:7, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses fear of the future as a contributor to depression. Satan’s primary goal is to discredit Christ, and therefore, he attacks Christians. To do so, he tempts us to dwell on the future and then fear of the unknown becomes paralyzing and the result is depression in the present time. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that one’s natural temperament, characteristics, and make up can contribute to depression as inclinations do not disappear once a person becomes a Christian. Therefore, the Christian must recognize personal fears and tendencies, and strive to deal with them. For all who are gripped by this fear of the future, they must fight as a new creature, filled with new life. God has not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. The future may indeed be filled with sorrow, challenges, and suffering, yet the Christian should trust the Lord and boldly step into the unknown with confidence placed in Christ.

Looking Unto Jesus

Ephesians 6:14

Christians live in a daily battle where the devil is continuously trying to entice them to disobedience and sin. How then do they stand against the enticements that seem to be forever in their path? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “Looking Unto Jesus,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dives into the answer , revealing that the breastplate of righteousness is the only thing that can protect the Christian. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how putting on the breastplate of righteousness means looking to Jesus and following His example. It is through taking eyes off of the enticements of the devil and turning them on to Jesus that the Christian can be victorious. A Christian’s job is to follow the example of their Savior, and the breastplate of righteousness is what helps them do this by reminding them that Jesus has imputed and imparted His righteousness to them. During the hardest trials and temptations, the Christian can be comforted by the fact that Jesus also faced the same temptations, and can be encouraged by the example of obedience, humility, and surrender that Jesus gave us to follow.

The Bible and Death

2 Corinthians 5:1

How can the Christian face any and all trials that may come in this life? In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:1 titled “The Bible and Death,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd tells how Christianity is not a vague spirit and religion but that it must be taught. He shares the reason for both preaching and listening to the gospel of Christ. The Bible alone causes people to truly face the question of death. Nothing is as absolutely certain as death. Every person that lives is born to die. “Here is the one question and the one answer which can never be corrected,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. Christianity is not speculation, but it is a revelation from God. Paul is simply an ambassador for Christ; this is not a human idea. Christians are merely representatives of God. Other philosophies and religions have no answer. The incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ are absolutely essential. The Christian knows when they die in this body that they will be alive unto God. It is only when one knows how to die that they then know how to live. Listen to this sermon to gain this certainty through Christ.

Faith and Joy

Romans 10:16-17

What is the Christian’s reaction to the gospel? In this sermon from Romans 10:16–17 titled “Faith and Joy,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones declares the first action of a Christian is to obey. There is a difference between people who merely hear the gospel and those who take action from it. Some listen and forget and some listen and do. He declares that this is the primary reaction to the gospel. The secondary reaction is joy. Dr. Lloyd-Jones raises a powerful question: if Christians are supposed to be lights in this world, why are so many caught up in their own problems and gloom? He says that Christians should be the happiest people on earth. He gives examples of some of the most joyous people in the New Testament: the Philippian jailor, the shepherd who found his sheep, and the woman who washed Christ’s feet. These are all people who, in different ways, heard the good news and responded appropriately. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that Christians have great cause to rejoice as they have been forgiven of much sin and are promised an eternal inheritance with God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes that in light of those joyous New Testament believers, perhaps Christians today should reevaluate their reaction to the gospel and reconsider the life they’ve been given.

Sons of The Living God

Romans 8:14

Does the Christian ever long for Heaven? How often do they think of glorification? Christians often discuss sanctification and do not realize that it is only a part of the process for the end goal of glorification. Glorification can be understood because of the assurance in Christ Jesus. In this sermon on Romans 8:14 titled “Sons of the Living God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says the theme of Romans 8 is not sanctification, but rather the assurance of a Christian’s salvation. It is the absolute security of the final perseverance of all who have been justified by Jesus Christ. As Paul works through this chapter to Romans, he has been outlining several reasons for this assurance. In Romans 8:14, he come to the assurance in terms of sonship with God, which Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues is also the theme of the whole of Scripture. Because glorification is the final goal for all Christians, God would never allow something to prohibit His people from getting there. Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses four points: not all are children of God, Christians are children of God, what this sonship means, and the consequences of this sonship. He leaves the listener with an encouraging message: because Christians are sons and daughters of God, they can look out into this world and never experience despair or panic because they belong to the family of God.

The Lesson of Nathaniel

John 1:45-49

What is the difference between a true Christian life and someone who simply sees it as a formal religion? Is Christianity all about following the right rules and looking the right way on the outside? In this sermon on John 1:45–49, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers these questions by diving into the life of a man named Nathaniel from the New Testament. He uses this man to show that true Christians do not view Christianity casually, but out of a sincere and concerned heart. This means a heart that is not only interested in the things of the Lord, but one that has a desire to know them. Secondly, true Christians will carefully consider what is given to them and testing it against the Scriptures. Nathaniel did just this when he was told of Jesus of Nazareth. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones is careful to point out that although he carefully considered what was told to him (“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”), he did not reject it all together. Those who truly desire to know the Lord must not believe everything they hear, but they also must not quench the Spirit. This is the mark of a true Christian: someone who truly desires to know Jesus Christ and who does not take the process lightly, but takes it with a concerned and sincere heart.

Faith and Experience

Ephesians 6:10-13

What is the role of experience in the Christian life? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Faith and Experience,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses this very practical question by looking at the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He warns of the great danger of reducing all of the Christian life to mere emotions. This is dangerous because it makes the Christian put their hope not in Jesus Christ and His work, but in their own subjective feelings. Christians can become enslaved to passing emotions and desires. The other danger is to reject all emotions as fundamentally deceptive and misguided. Some say that all that is needed is to affirm the truth of Christianity. But the biblical position avoids both these imbalances because it grounds all hope and emotions in what God has done in Jesus Christ. God has declared His people free from sin as His children. This should produce a true and lasting joy that casts out all fear and doubts. Christians can love God and neighbor because God has made them new creatures in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Emotions are the appropriate reaction to the objective work of God. This sermon calls all to ask the question: “do I have this hope in what God has done for me?” There is no more important question any can ask.

In the Heavenly Places

Ephesians 2:4-7

There is true hope in Christ. One of the most comforting and practical teachings of Scripture is that all who are united to Christ in faith have been seated with Him in the heavens. But what does it mean to be seated in the heavenly places? In this sermon on Ephesians 2:4–7 titled “In the Heavenly Places,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones brings this great news of hope with the reminder that the Christian has been delivered from this present evil world and its coming judgement because of the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. For this reason, Christians should seek to set their minds not on earthly and carnal things, but in that which is heavenly and good. Christians should put their hope with Christ who has died in their place and ascended to heaven where He rules. This does not mean that the Christian has no obligation to do good while on this earth, but it simply means that they should be as pilgrims who are always looking toward the inheritance with Christ Jesus in heaven. This affects how Christians are to conduct themselves, for they should seek what is good, pure, and holy, fleeing from all worldliness and immorality. They should not be like the unbeliever who in their worldliness cares for nothing but what is present in the here and now. The Christian should always seek the heavenly inheritance that they have in Christ by believing in His gospel.

Meeting Trials and Tribulations

1 Peter 1:13

Persecution of Christians is on the rise around the world and it’s not limited by geography or governmental laws. How can people of faith stand strong in the face of trials and tribulations? Is it better to ignore the issues, or face them head-on? The Apostle Paul acknowledges that instead of encountering fewer trials, Christians will have more tribulations than those who aren’t saved. Biblical trials and tribulations come from striving to live godly lives in a world that hates anything that resembles God's holiness. But yet, they are still called to rejoice. This can be hard to do, and Christians may struggle with finding joy while going through hard times. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that Christians, while talking about the joy and peace Jesus gives us, often respond to trials the same way the world does— with despair and anxiety. In this way, the Christian testimony does not line up with how they live their lives. In 1 Peter 3, the author challenges us to conquer this defeatist mindset, not by building up positive emotion, but rather by “girding up the loins” of the mind and by choosing to dwell on the greatness of salvation as shown in the biblical text. The Christian can often think too lightly about their salvation, but is encouraged to fight this and preach the gospel to themselves. God is the sovereign Father, and eternal inheritance in Him is guaranteed.