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Testing the Spirits (1)

John 1:26-33

What does one do if confronted with miraculous spiritual events? In this exposition of John 1:26–33 by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones titled “Testing of the Spirits (1),” he begins the discussion of how to process and test the spirits. First, Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that, throughout history, revival (which he deems as “many people being baptized in the Holy Spirit”) may or may not be accompanied by miraculous gifts, and is actually more often than not lacking these miraculous occurrences. However, in light of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes several errors. First, some people say that the baptism always has to be accompanied by the miraculous gifts, but it is arrogant to say the Holy Spirit has to work that way. Next, there are those who deny the miraculous gifts and quench the Spirit. This, too, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is unbiblical. Lastly, there are those who accept all things without testing anything, which Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues can be dangerous. The Christian must accept and test. In light of this, Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that they must not rely solely on feelings, nor the credibility of people, but should examine what is being taught. The Christian must not be surprised if Satan attacks those closest to the Lord.

The Meaning of Salvation

John 5:31-35

Is there convincing proof that Jesus was the Messiah? In part three of his series on John 5:31–35 in a sermon titled “The Meaning of Salvation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers this question with a firm yes. The proof comes in the form of testimony from John the Baptist. As he testifies of Jesus as the Messiah, the Lamb of God, he offers one final prophetic affirmation that Jesus is indeed the consolation of Israel. Speaking of Jesus, John declares that He is the one who will come and baptize with the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament speaks of the coming outpouring of the Spirit, and John, as the last prophet, proclaims that Jesus will initiate and send that very outpouring. This fact alone demonstrates that Jesus is the Messiah. John the Baptist called the people to repent of their sins, be baptized in water as a sign of that repentance, and directed them to produce the fruit of repentance in their lives. In this message, Dr. Lloyd-Jones considers if John’s baptism was sufficient and how it compared to the baptism of the Spirit, and how they relate to the gospel and salvation.

The Lord's Supper

In this sermon on the Lord’s Supper, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones concludes his series of sermons on the sacraments with this message, focusing specifically on communion. Like baptism, communion is a sign to the recipient of God’s work in the believer, and also a reminder of the seal of the Holy Spirit living in him or her. However, communion is uniquely vivid in signifying the Lord’s death in the breaking of the bread and pouring out of the wine. As with the water for baptism, Catholics believe that God’s grace is actually in the bread and juice of communion, an idea called transubstantiation—the false thinking that the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus. Dr. Lloyd-Jones takes the listener through the arguments for and against this, showing that it is an unbiblical idea. Who is able to take communion? As with baptism, Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates from Scripture that communion is only for those who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Quenching The Spirit (2)

Ephesians 6:10-13

Why does the church seem weak, ineffective, and powerless? As the world is in chaos, why are Christian people so lethargic about witnessing to the glorious good news of the gospel? In his sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Quenching the Spirit (2),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones offers a challenging and convicting message to the church today: beware of quenching the Spirit. Quenching the Holy Spirit is one of the ways the devil works in believers’ lives in order to make their Christian life ineffectual and lacking power. Dr. Lloyd-Jones diagnoses the problem by looking at the Scriptures and noting that the person filled with the Spirit knows their doctrine, has a love and warmth about them, and has the power of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones then proceeds to offer application for how one can be guilty of quenching the Spirit. He attacks such practices as formalism in the church, conflating regeneration and the baptism of the Spirit, as well as a general resistance of the Spirit’s prompting.

Receive the Holy Ghost

John 1:26-33

Can Christians receive more power from the Holy Ghost for the work of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ? In this sermon on John 1:26-33, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He argues that the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is not the first giving of the Spirit, but rather a second anointing of power. He argues this by pointing out that Jesus says to “receive the Holy Spirit” when He reveals Himself to them in the upper room before Pentecost. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this means that the giving of the Spirit at Pentecost was not the regeneration of the disciples or the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; rather, it was a unique empowerment of the Spirit for the work of the kingdom. A Christian’s view of the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament directly informs what they pray for and how they approach Spirit-led revival. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that Christians who don’t understand Pentecost correctly will be unable to seek after, or accept, revival and awakening.

The Witness of the Spirit

Romans 8:16

When Satan tempts the Christian to despair or tells them that they are not a child of God, they can turn to the word of God and find an abundance of assurance based upon the promises of the Scriptures. In this sermon on Roman 8:16 titled “The Witness of the Spirit,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones does not discount the amount of assurance found by going to the Bible. He argues, however, that there is an even greater level of assurance that the believer can have. In Romans 8:16, the apostle Paul mentions the witness of the Spirit. This witness of the Spirit, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is the same as the baptism of the Spirit, or the sealing of the Spirit, found elsewhere in Scripture. While every Christian has the Spirit of adoption and is a child of God, not all have the witness of the Spirit. This is a second blessing that comes upon a believer for the purpose of assurance. Moreover, it illumines the believer’s understanding with respect to salvation. In essence, it is a special way the love of God is poured out on a particular believer in the quietness of the heart. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives an extended teaching on the witness of the Spirit and breaks down the Scriptures in order to gain insight and understanding to this special work of the Holy Spirit.

What Seek Ye?

John 1:35-39

“What seek ye?” This is a pivotal question Jesus asks not only His followers in the New Testament, but of His followers today. Has the Christian church truly sought after and found the fullness of Jesus through the baptism of the Holy Ghost? Preaching from John 1:35–39, listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones answers these questions and explains the simple steps to attaining this same baptism. First, he states the importance of John the Baptist’s message within this passage of beholding the Savior. It is through beholding and seeking after Him that the Christian can truly understand what Jesus has done in becoming the substitute who took sins upon Himself. It is through putting faith and trust in this simple, yet monumental, truth that brings about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and which opens eyes to the fullness of God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones ends by examining the difference between seeking after Jesus for who He is versus seeking after Him for what He can do. The Christian should truly seek after Christ with the goal of glorifying Him. It will take the form like that of Mary, kneeling down at her savior’s feet. The Christian is asked “what seek Ye?” and can respond with thankful and sincere hearts, “Jesus, my Savior.”

The Spirit Fell on the Church

John 1:26-33

Does the Christian need power to live a Christ-filled life, and for evangelism and obedience in the face of persecution? Do they find that they lack boldness to share the gospel? In this sermon on John 1:26–33 titled “The Spirit Fell on the Church,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes how the disciples received power when the Spirit descended on them at various times throughout the book of Acts. He considers that their receiving of the Spirit was not limited to the regenerative work but instead was multifaceted and involved multiple fillings of the Spirit. He elaborates that this is the normal method that God uses to give power to the church and argues that a baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs with any true revival. He determines that revivals are not built on the church’s obedience, but by God sending His Spirit with power to the church. Therefore, the Christian should pray for revival in order that the church would be given great power by the Spirit in order to do the work of the kingdom of God on earth. In a time when the work of the Spirit is debated, listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones speaks clarity into the discussion and encourage prayer for the empowerment of the church.

The Sealing of the Spirit

John 1:26-33

Scripture teaches that Christ, through having died, risen, and ascended to the right hand of God, has purchased a glorious inheritance that is waiting for all those who believe in Him. But how do God’s people know this inheritance is waiting for them? In this sermon titled “The Sealing of the Spirit,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains from John 1:26–33 that God seals His people with His Holy Spirit as a guarantee. This sealing is something most believers would be familiar with in theory, but how many could explain what it actually is? Some base their explanation on their own experience, directly connecting the seal of the Holy Spirit to the work of producing the fruits of sanctification or to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But both of these explanations pose problems to the understanding and experience of the work of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from various pertinent Scriptures, Dr. Lloyd-Jones brings forth the meaning, purpose, and comfort of the sealing of the Holy Spirit in believers’ hearts as a sign of ownership, security, and, ultimately, an authentication and confirmation for the believer of all God has promised.

Faith and Experience

Romans 8:16

When does the believer receive the Holy Spirit? Is it at the moment of adoption into the body of Christ through faith or is it sometime later? Often after accepting the gift of salvation, one may not feel the flooding nature of spiritual baptism. Others may feel the Spirit immediately. In this sermon on Romans 8:16 titled “Faith and Experience,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones comments on this phenomenon in this message of assurance and unity. The sermon also surveys other examples in the New Testament where the Spirit is received. He provides context into the sealing of the Spirit, as well as context into the translation of the word. He answers the question: Who baptizes with the Spirit? Dr. Lloyd-Jones elaborates on what rights a believer has, both before and after receiving the Spirit. He delves into the wide scope of Puritan writers, as well as other Christian perspectives, concerning this theological argument in order to further expand this topic and solidify its interpretation. Listen as the power of the Spirit is unraveled and opened to the believer in its ability to unify the church body of Christ across its many differences to do His good work in the world.

Witness in The Power of The Spirit

Acts 5:32

How is one to face the problem of evangelism? Listen to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones as he preached this sermon on Acts 5:32 titled “Witness in the Power of the Spirit,” onboard the OM ship Doulos on September 18, 1978. The church is fighting for life amidst pagan countries. Be certain of the authority of God and not humanity, and replace the fear of humanity with the fear of God. Learn of the two elements that are absolutely necessary for witness. One can be perfectly orthodox and yet still dead. There is great danger in taking the Spirit without the Bible and apostolic witness. Hear of the baptism of the Spirit and the transformation of Peter. To what does the Spirit bear witness? Is it to Himself, humanity, gifts, or something else? He was sent for one great purpose. Learn of one test to know whether a person has been filled with Spirit: do they point to Christ? There is great danger in living off other people’s experiences. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the true understanding of a revival. This is not something that can be announced and planned for: it is the falling of the Holy Spirit upon people in great power.

When the Spirit Comes

John 1:26-33

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in this sermon on John 1:26–33 titled “When the Spirit Comes,” Scripture teaches that God often works in special ways through His Spirit. This special deployment of the Spirit’s power and work is different than His indwelling of every believer. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out from the book of Acts, God is seen sending the Holy Spirit upon those early believers in order to empower their ministries. God still chooses to work by sending his Holy Spirit upon men and women in modern days. The greatest examples of this is in the revivals since the time of the Reformation. This is a unique blessing of the Holy Spirit. This baptism of the Holy Spirit does not come to all people, and when it does, it is often not permanent. Yet this is a great blessing that all Christians ought to seek, and often come upon in times of trial and great suffering. It produces a heart of joy and peace that rests in God and His many promises. While not all will experience this great blessing of the Spirit, nonetheless, all should seek it. According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, even if it is only temporary, many live their lives looking back on this experience and gain strength from it.

The True and the False

Romans 8:16

What does one do with excesses related to the Holy Spirit? Many Christians are wary of any emphasis on the experience of the Spirit. In this sermon on Romans 8:16 titled “The True and the False,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has been working out the doctrine of Spirit baptism and recognizes many will be fearful of such talk. He warns his listeners, however, that they must not fall prey to quenching the Spirit simply because there are potential excesses. Doubling down, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that those who minimize the experience of the Spirit’s work are perhaps guilty of quenching both revival and evangelism. What is his alternative? He acknowledges that any time there is an outpouring of the Spirit, counterfeits will follow. Satan will take advantage of this opportunity and convince Christians to focus on the experience rather than God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s solution is not to deny the Spirit’s work, but to discern the true from the false. Christians should watch for holiness to follow those who claim a special work of the Spirit. He encourages being wary if awe and glory of God do not follow the particular experience of the Spirit. Listen to this sermon on Romans 8:16 as Dr. Lloyd-Jones seeks a balanced approach to the witness of the Spirit in the experience of believers.

What Baptism did You Receive?

John 1:26-33

What does it mean to be a Christian and receive the fullness of Christ? Is there a difference between Christianity and religion? Listen in the sermon “What Baptism Did You Receive?” as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones walks through the stages of the Christian life and answers these pressing questions. Christ is the essential element to a new life and He alone characterizes the difference between having life and having life abundantly: “God deals with you not on the basis of your ancestors.” One cannot rely on those who’ve gone before. There is a thirst, hunger, and longing that is an essential pre-requisite to acquiring such life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones follows the life of Apollos who was instructed not just by way of books so as to imitate the religion of the Jews, but in the way of the Lord and salvation and being zealous in the Spirit. Christianity is not merely something that one must do or even know. It is a revival of the heart, one that requires honesty, instruction, and humility. To be mighty in knowledge is to be mighty in the knowledge of the Scriptures, growing in accuracy and in affection. These truths are rekindled in proclamation of Scripture from John 1:26–33.

The Sacraments

Is communion a means of receiving grace? In this sermon on sacraments, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones begins a series on the sacraments and their place in the lives of believers. This topic provokes many different views but as Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, keeping these practices is one of the ways that believers receive God’s grace. Protestants have held that there are two kinds of sacraments: communion and baptism, and that these two sacraments are outward spiritual signs of inward spiritual grace given by God. However, this is different from the Catholic view, which holds that God’s grace is in the actual water of baptism, and the food and drink of communion. This difference brings up an interesting question: what is the relationship between the sacrament and the grace that is given through it? In this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents his argument for the Protestant view holding that the sacraments serve to signify the seal of the Holy Spirit and convey Christ’s love to the recipient. Dr. Lloyd-Jones likens this to what an engagement ring accomplishes. Though the ring itself is not the love of the man for the woman, it is a token, a symbol and new expression of that love. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones guides the listener through this sometimes challenging subject.

Testing the Spirits (5)

John 1:26-33

What is the place of spiritual gifts in the life of believers and the church? How should Christians approach the command to test the spirits? In this sermon on John 1:26–33 titled “Testing the Spirits (5),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones helps the church think through these questions and how to apply the answers to life. “The general purpose of our baptism with the Holy Spirit is evangelism,” he says. What are the main points of the Scriptural texts that address spiritual gifts, such as in 1 Corinthians? First, gifts should never be used as an end in and of themselves— all gifts are temporary and, as is written elsewhere in Scripture, are to be used for the benefit of others. One of the primary reasons for these texts was because a spirit of competition had entered in among the believers, and they were becoming so distracted that they were losing sight of the bigger picture. The main reasoning for these gifts is to glorify the Lord. The second point, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is evangelism. The third is the edification of the body. Some Christians live in pursuit of these gifts, but Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers a helpful reminder— do not seek the gifts selfishly, but rather indirectly by pursuing the Lord and trusting that He will give what is needed to accomplish His purposes.

Spiritual Gifts (1)

Romans 12:6

In this sermon on Romans 12:6 titled “Spiritual Gifts (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones encourages a look at the nature of spiritual gifts. God decides which gift to provide to each Christian but they all work in and through the very same Spirit. He reminds that there is a “diversity of operations, but the same God that worketh all in all.” Why and how are Christians to “covet” and “desire” the best gifts? How ought they seek these gifts? The listener is encouraged to learn to love the spiritual gifts and to be filled with love. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes and explains the doctrine of the body, love, and contentment. Can one “claim” a gift? Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks more directly at the gift of tongues, pastoring, and missions and shows the importance of understanding that gifts cannot be “claimed” or imparted by others. Some people proclaim that “the need is the call,” but this simply shows an ignorance of the doctrine concerning the call of the Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones touches on baptism with the Holy Spirit, how gifts differ, and His call to the particular service. God decides the gifts, calls the Christian to a certain gift, and equips them to the service to which each of His children have been called.