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In this sermon on Isaiah 1:5–6 titled “Man in Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the need to know the cause of humanity’s troubles in order to begin to understand the proper remedy. Ease, deliverance, and happiness are often enemies of a proper diagnosis. He calls the listener to come face to face with the cause of their ills and see the root of the problems that trouble lives today. The true character, nature, and consequences of sin are examined as they affect the whole of life. Humanity is made blind by sin; all have sinned and are under the very same condemnation. The head and heart are affected by this sin – there is not a part of anyone that goes untouched by sin. Learn of the terrible power of sin against correction, teaching, and trials. The exceeding depth of sin is seen in the increased rebellion against what is good and right. Do not be driven into further arrogance in sin and recognize that all need an entire renovation and this is the very thing God offers through His only Son. The power of the devil is greater than that of humanity; God alone can deliver from this power. Receive this salvation and be delivered from the power of sin.
The hymn writer Charles Wesley famously wrote a Christmas hymn about Jesus Christ, saying, “born a child and yet a king.” In this sermon “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” from Isaiah 9:6-7, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones finds this as the great summation of the prophet Isaiah’s announcement 800 years before the coming of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6–7. In this Christmas sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds of the kingly aspect of the good news. He warns that while the personal aspect of salvation must never be forgotten, it must not stop there. Isaiah preaches the cosmic aspect of the coming Messiah. Christians are indeed saved individually, but there is a day coming when the entire cosmos will be restored. Jesus is the universal king of the cosmos for He was David’s greater son. There was great anticipation of the son of David. Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates how many in the first century missed the characteristics of the Messiah’s coming. Jesus Christ’s first advent was not one of military might and power politics. Instead, He was born a child and yet a king. Nevertheless, Christ introduces justice, righteousness, truth, order, and peace. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explores the cosmic truth of the child born in Bethlehem. Hear proclaimed the coming of King Jesus and His rule for which there will be no end.
The Christian life is altogether the work of God, not humanity. God’s word is from Him and to those waging warfare against Him. In this sermon on Isaiah 40:1–2 titled “A State of Warfare,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses sin, peace, and the mark of a true Christian that separates them from all others. Humanity is not what it was meant to be—iniquity is a perversion and wrongness that completely misses God’s mark. No one can buy or learn peace. The world searches for peace by their own means, but sin is a hard taskmaster. The greatest folly of humanity is thinking that they can bring real peace within themselves or outside of themselves, while forgetting God. This sermon is unlike many other messages—it is a message of comfort, not a call for anyone to save themselves but to receive a new life and be made into a new creature. The mark of God’s own people is a unique recognition and confession of their own sin. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls all to a standard of biblical ownership, so that they no longer shift the blame for personal sin to God, others, or circumstances.
How has God turned the wisdom of the world into foolishness? The answer is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the opposite of what the world tells is wise and mighty. In this sermon on Isaiah 40:13–14 titled “The Wisdom of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones confronts the worldly pursuit of high-minded thinkers and well-educated leaders. Jesus came from a lowly family in Nazareth. He did not bring a message for the wise and proud, but for the lowly and humble. He did not come to conquer with an army, but to die for the sins of many and to deliver them from Satan. The cross is foolishness to the wise, as the apostle Paul says. What does this mean for Christians today? It means that Christians must not look to worldly wisdom and authority to spread the message of Christ, but they should come as servants as Jesus Himself did. The church cannot become like the world to reach the world, for Jesus never changed who He was and instead He trusted God the Father and did all that He commanded of Him. Christians must trust in the humble power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not the vain and passing wisdom of this world.
Sin affects everything and its results are seen in many of the difficult daily patterns of life. In this sermon on Isaiah 1:7–8 titled “Enslaved by Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches on sin and how its consequences reach into every area of existence. When disasters strike, people often wonder about the reason behind why something like that happens. Sin alone explains the state of the world as it is in complete rebellion to God and His character. Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds on the attractiveness of sin and how it is endlessly deceptive— Christians know that the wrong choices they make will result in bad things, and yet still choose to do them, even though it never keeps its promises to fulfill. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also points out how sin never gives anything of value but instead robs of what is best. After this, sin leaves the sinner alone and isolated. In contrast, consider the promises and the call to life in the gospels that Jesus extends to those who are lost. Unlike the problems of sin, Jesus promises to never leave His people, and He fulfills the promises He makes. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds unbelievers of the kind of life available in Christ.
Why should one listen to the message of the prophets and of holy Scripture? In an age of doubt and the rationalistic criticism of Scripture, this remains a vital question for the church and all believers. In this sermon on Isaiah 1:1–2 titled “As Revealed by the Prophets,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the nature of Scripture as the word of God given through the apostles and prophets. God gives His word to His people in times of need and guidance. This word from God is the only reason that the church has any authority to speak to the world and call it to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The message of the church is that Jesus Christ has died for sinners so that they might be righteous and children of God. All who repent and believe in Jesus are saved from sin and the wrath of God. This message of salvation confronts the world in its fallenness and brokenness and tells of the God who has died for the world. God’s revelation is the only reason that the church can stand and proclaim this great truth that Jesus has come and died for sinners. This sermon confronts all that they need to repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
What ought to be the prayer of God’s people in all times? It is the prayer that God would come down and save His people. It is the prayer that God would deliver His people from suffering and persecution. It is the prayer that God would save sinners and make them spotless children of God. In this sermon on Isaiah 64:1 titled “Revival Sermon: O Wouldst Thou Rend the Heavens,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the need for God’s people to always pray for God to show mercy and compassion to His people. The church should pray this prayer in faith and belief that God is as loving and good as He has told them He is. It is a prayer that relies on the absolute greatness of God to be what He has said He will. The church can know that in the midst of a world that is hostile to God and His people, God is always for them in His Son, Jesus Christ. This sermon encourages both believers and unbelievers to turn away from doubt and unbelief, and to trust in God who is always faithful. This sermon tells of human sin, but most of all, it speaks of God who is gracious and who has sent His Son to redeem all things.
Everyone needs to consider what is their greatest need. Is it health, fitness, employment, love? Do these desires distract them from their need for God? Throughout history, humanity cycles through philosophies to explain away their need for God and declare their own intellectual superiority. In this sermon on Isaiah 5:21 titled “The Wisdom of the Wise,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out that these philosophies are recycled like clothes that go in and out of style and fashion. There is no truly new philosophy. Moreover, he points out that any philosophy that leads to saying “there is no God” is foolish and is a copy of the first sin in the garden of Eden. In fact, he points out that wherever humanity says “I know best,” they are in danger of repeating the sin of Adam and Eve. This kind of intellectual and moral superiority is not only false, but also dangerous. When a person tries to solve their problems with intellect, they may solve some bodily ailments, but cannot repair the state of their own soul. The Christian should consider if they are caught up with fixing their own problems and if these “solutions” distract them from Christ and the salvation that He provides. Sin is the greatest ailment and Christ is the only remedy.
Saying “God is love” is not controversial and likely receives nods of affirmation and hearty amens. It is a universal doctrine that receives little backlash. While many elevate the love of God above all other attributes, any mention of discipline or wrath is violently objected and attacked. In this sermon on Isaiah 5:25 titled “The Anger of the Lord,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones invites the listener to question this reaction with a few questions: Is it the sum of God’s character to describe Him as loving? Does Scripture attribute love as the highest and greatest attribute of God? Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphatically says no. He urges considering the whole counsel of God’s word, not merely picking out what is most appealing. He chastises those within the church who have rejected this doctrine in favor of a more palatable God. To embrace God’s love while rejecting His anger and wrath is a dishonest and inconsistent representation of God and the Bible. It also weakens the necessity of the incarnation of Christ and the understanding of the grace, mercy, and love demonstrated by Christ’s death on the cross. Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents a strong case for the embrace of God’s love and God’s wrath in balance as he turns to the revelation of God found in Scripture. Listen as he addresses the essential nature of the doctrine of wrath in this sermon.
In this sermon on freedom in Christ from Isaiah 5:24, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses a culture that is driven by temporary happiness and is opposed to any kind of law or call to obedience. He explains that humanity is addicted to experience, but cannot be satisfied. Moreover, he says that the world tries to remove all restraints, but cannot shake off their consciences. Happiness, satisfaction, and freedom cannot be found without discipline. Who is more free to buy a house: one who has constrained themselves to work and save, or one who spends their savings? Think of a good law like a good fence on a mountaintop. The fence gives the peace of mind to walk, run, and jump on the mountaintop without a worry of falling. However, the world thinks that laws and discipline are opposed to happiness and love. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that love for God and for neighbor actually fulfills the law of God.
In this sermon on Isaiah 5:20 titled “Moral Perversion,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones talks about how today’s society is particularly contaminated with perverse sin. He describes how society is not merely indulging in evil but also calling it good; for example, he describes how society looks down on the value of the family and encourages the exploration of sexuality before, during, and after marriage. He describes how this is the common path of sin. Once someone is fed with “common” sin they are no longer satisfied with it but give themselves over to a more “uncommon” or “perverse” sin. Take the example of a drunk who has their fill of alcohol but cannot attain the same experience they once had. They will very likely seek after drugs which give more of a high than alcohol. The same is true of theft, sexual immorality, and any other sin that entangles a person. Moreover, Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes how increased sin and perversion is always met with the wrath and justice of God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones powerfully concludes that perverse hearts need rebirth, that they need new desires and new hearts. This change can only be done by God, through Christ, and in the working of the Spirit.
Can God and His promises be trusted? Christmas affirms that they can. In this sermon on Isaiah 9:6 titled “A Son is Born, a Son is Given,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches in this text that Christians must think more highly of the gift of Christ they are given from the Father. A gift tells about the one who gives as well as the one who receives. When Christians consider the greatness of God giving His Son, they understand three things. First, they must make much of God and not only Christ; the giver is as great as the gift. Second, they must be in very great need if they are given so costly a gift. Finally, their response must be one of amazement, gratitude, and praise. God loves so much that He gave the greatest gift that could be given. Christians should hold fast to that when they struggle to trust God’s promises. Christmas is the guarantee that they can trust God’s goodness.
Who is the promised Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament? In this sermon on Isaiah 40:11 titled “A Life in Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that it is Jesus Christ. He is the faithful Shepherd who loves His sheep and lays down His life for them so that they might have eternal life in Him. For by knowing Christ, all can be saved and brought to a true knowledge of God. This message of the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the center of all of Scripture. The prophets and the law looked forward to His coming, and the New Testament is inaugurates the new covenant when the wages of sin were paid by the blood of Jesus Christ. Those who repent of their sins and believe in His name are His true sheep. They will hear His voice and seek after Him. They live as new creations who are continually being drawn closer to Christ Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit. Not only are Christians eternally saved, but they are also cared for constantly by their Creator. This is the great hope in life’s darkest and most trying times. Jesus Christ is the faithful Shepherd.
This gospel is the most astounding thing the world has ever known. In this sermon on Isaiah 40:5 titled “The Godhead Revealed,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones declares the character and kindness of God. The life of sin is one of misery, but God is ready to pardon iniquity and change one’s whole condition. One’s eternal destiny hangs upon their view of Christ. “What is God like?” Learn that glory is the extreme attribute of God. The supreme need is to know God. Listen as the ignorance and arrogance of humanity are addressed. Remember that the chief end of man is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Both the Old and New Testaments serve as manifestations of the glory of God. “Have you ever considered the plan of salvation?” Through this plan, God revealed Himself in a way He never had before—look at the person of Christ. Jesus is the “brightness of God’s glory and the express image of God’s person.” Love, compassion, and holiness are put on display. How can anyone receive a new nature and pull themselves out of the mire? See the wisdom and grace of God in His solution. The righteousness and justice of God demands atonement.
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