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You Shall Be Clean

Ezekiel 36:25

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.

Higher than Adam

Ephesians 1:5-6

God is the Creator of everyone, but not everyone is in His family. Nineteenth and twentieth century liberalism emphasized the universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of people. This false teaching disregards the gospel’s call to repentance and dismisses the wickedness of sin. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:5–6 titled “Higher than Adam,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones confronts this wrong theology and continues to expose others that have harmed the church. Another errant teaching confronted by Dr. Lloyd-Jones in this sermon is the teaching that differentiates between “sons of God” and “children of God” and the benefits given to them. The former, according to this teaching, enjoy a much greater fellowship with God than the latter. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds how important sound doctrine is for the Christian church. While providing a robust response to these errors, Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages seeing the absolute privilege Christians have in Christ. He does so by contrasting Adam and the Christian. He notes that in Christ the Christian has been given more than what was lost in Adam. The privilege of redemption includes forgiveness of sin but also exaltation to sonship.

The God Who Judges

Acts 7:1-8

God’s great plan of salvation is found in Jesus Christ. But as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains through Stephen’s sermon on Acts 7, this plan of salvation was foreseen in the Old Testament and in the sacrificial system. One clear foretelling came when God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac upon an altar. While in the end God provides a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead of his son, this looks forward to when God gives His only Son to die upon the cross for the sins of the world. God tells that the blood of bulls and goats will not atone for sins and Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims that it is only the perfect blood of Jesus Christ, true God and true man, that can take away sins and make sinners righteous. This is the whole message of the Old Testament: the need of salvation for all and the need for God to supply the means of this salvation. This is why the Old Testament is so central to Christianity; the Old Testament tells of the need of salvation and of the futility of human means. It is the overarching narrative of Scripture that tells of the fallenness of humanity and the great gospel of Christ that is the only salvation of the world.

The Unproductive Age

Ezekiel 36:34-35

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.

The Nature of Sealing

Ephesians 1:13

The timing of the sealing of the Holy Spirit is a contested topic. It is a topic that raises many other questions. One could be tempted to ignore the subject or teach it in such a way as to minimize the difficulties with the doctrine. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:13 titled “The Nature of Sealing,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones thoughtfully engages this topic and the difficult questions head on. One cannot ignore the teaching of Holy Scripture but instead must carefully examine the Bible and conform their lives according to it. By looking at the teaching of the New Testament on the work of the Holy Spirit and invoking great theologians and pastors of the church, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says one must emphasize the experimental aspect of the sealing of Holy Spirit that occurs after belief in the gospel. He challenges the people of God to consider whether they have experienced the sealing of the Spirit. Is there an unmistakable experience that has occurred, resulting in a great assurance, joy in Christ, or love for God deep within their hearts? Dr. Lloyd-Jones cautions distinguishing between the sealing of the Spirit and particular gifts of the Holy Spirit that may or may not come as He dispenses gifts as He sees fit.

Why the Apostles Prayed

Acts 6:1-4

The priorities of the Christian life, according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones, are the gospel and prayer. In this sermon on Acts 6:1–4 titled “Why the Apostles Prayed,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones continues his series on the book of Acts and specifically looks at the apostles’ emphasis on prayer. “Even Orthodoxy is not enough; it needs prayer,” says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. The early church knew that they ought to pray and preach the word of God because the primary task of the church is to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. But how? How should they faithfully fulfill this purpose? Dr. Lloyd-Jones compares this dilemma with the modern church and strictly warns against churches relying on human methods rather than on the method of God. While the method of humanity will try to improve their own abilities and comfort in communication and programs, the method of God ultimately seeks after God’s power, wisdom and Spirit to work in hearts. By praying, the apostles sought power and strength from God’s Spirit to change the people’s hearts. In this sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones urges and pleads with Christians to show dependence on God through prayer.

The Hope of His Calling

Ephesians 1:18

Christians can often feel distant from God. What is their response when coldness towards spiritual matters creeps into their heart? Does their assurance waver? How can they have a steady anchor for their Christian life? Rather than wait for another experience, the prayer of the apostle Paul for Christians is that they may know the hope of their calling. This is not a general hopefulness, but hope in God. More specifically, hope in God’s calling of them. This will have a profound effect on the assurance says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:18 titled “The Hope of His Calling,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds this great prayer of Paul and carefully navigates between the general call of God in the gospel for all and the effectual call of the Holy Spirit for believers. To find assurance, one must look to the covenant-keeping God and Scripture. The Christian must look to the God in whom there is no variation or change, to the Father who will keep His children by His grace until the very end. Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges Christians to consider these wonderful truths of Scripture and pray this for themselves.

Two Mysteries - Jew; Gentile

Ephesians 3:2-7

True unity can exist within the church. Since Christians are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise, harmony can be found between Jew and Gentile. In this sermon on Ephesians 3:2–7 titled “Two Mysteries – Jew, Gentile,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses the general mystery of Christ that is the glorious story of the gospel and the particular mystery of the Gentiles now being fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise just as the Jews. Dr. Lloyd-Jones stresses here the importance that there now is no difference as to membership in the family of God between Jews and Gentiles. There is no longer a need for a Gentile to become a Jewish proselyte since they are now members of the same body. This is important because this mystery had not always been known to the people of God. Paul, here in this text, is pointing out that this mystery has now been revealed and Jew and Gentile are members of the same body. Amidst this glorious message of salvation Dr. Lloyd-Jones also takes time to address a particular fallacy that is believed by some regarding this text and the biblical evidence against it.

No Other Foundation Can Be Laid

1 Corinthians 3:11

On what is the Christian life built? Is the hope resting in financial security or job status? If all of that came crashing down, would Christians have something to fall back on? In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 3:10–11, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the importance of foundations for the Christian life. Houses require proper foundations in order to secure their safety and structural integrity for the many years to come. Though it takes time and effort to lay a good foundation, it is absolutely necessary to ensure a building remains safe. By themselves, humanity is incapable of providing the foundation needed because all the typical “foundations” are changing and temporary— sex, money, and power are here one moment and gone the next. There is no other foundation that will stand the test of time than that which is built on a relationship with Jesus Christ. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks this most important question: Is the Christian’s life built on the foundation of Jesus Christ? Without this foundation, joy will rise and fall with the changing seasons of prosperity and difficulty. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches on why lives must be built on the eternal, unchanging truth of the gospel.

Repentance

Acts 3:19

Peter addresses the Jerusalem crowds in Acts 3 with the very same call that all sermons should have: repent. In this sermon on Acts 3:19 titled “Repentance,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses Peter’s words in this passage not from a theoretical standpoint, but as a practical step that should occur at the end of every message that is shared about the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes repentance as a “thinking again” on what one may think they know to be true. At the heart of humanity is wickedness and prejudiced thinking, yet the inerrant word of God calls each and every listener to think again about who God is and who they are in relation to God. One’s own intellect drives one’s emotions and by extension, their actions. Because of the worldly intellect, repentance requires all to think again about what they are convinced in their intellect that they already know. In order for one to truly change their ways and turn away from sin, they must allow for the possibility that their intellect may be wrong and look to the Bible for knowledge to change from pride to humble submission to God, and to turn away from flesh and the world. This is true repentance.

The Witnesses

Acts 5:29-32

As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes in this sermon “The Witnesses,” the Christianity proclaimed in the book of Acts 5:29–32 by the apostles is a Christianity that is grounded in real events. There was a man from Galilee who taught that He was the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah. He said that He would be crucified for the sins of the world, but that on the third day He would rise from the dead, the result of doing the Father's will. This is the Christianity that the apostles boldly proclaimed to the Jewish leaders following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Those who seek to defend the truth of the Christian religion by minimizing or even denying the historicity of its claim do so in complete opposition to the example that the apostles give in the book of Acts. They believed in a true historical Jesus Christ and His bodily resurrection and to deny these historical truths is to reject the Christianity of the apostles, and therefore the true Christianity. The church of today should find hope in a real savior who really lived and died so that sinners could be saved and become children of God. The real life and death of Jesus stand at the heart of the gospel.

Spiritism and the Christian

Ephesians 6:10-13

Do not tinker with demons! In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Spiritism and the Christian,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the topic of spiritualism and the use of mediums. He says that while the Bible never denies the existence of spirits and other powers, it nevertheless condemns the use of these spirits to commune with the dead and divine the future. He uses the example of Saul and the witch of Endor as an example of the pagan spiritism that God’s word unequivocally condemns. It is only out of a spirit of unbelief that people are tempted to turn away from God and try to consult the dead. This reliance on unholy demonic powers is a fundamental denial of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and His loving providence over the entire world. It is only when people reject God that they turn to pagan idolatry. Furthermore, some have argued that the Bible, particularly the ministry of Jesus, is compatible with spiritualism. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that to do so is to reject the clear teachings of the gospel that it is the Holy Spirit and the power of God that empowers the ministry of Jesus, not so-called spirits and medians. Only the true power of God can preserve and lead to all truth and righteousness.

Separated From God

Colossians 1:21-22

The sinful state of the world can be explained by understanding the truth that humanity is alienated from God. Because of the sin of Adam, the whole human race is subject to corruption and immorality. This is why humanistic approaches to fixing the world are all misguided and will ultimately fail. What then is the cure for human sin and alienation? In this sermon on Colossians 1:21–22 titled “Separated From God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides the answer in what God has done for the world in His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells that God has sent Jesus into the world to die for sinners and to reconcile them with God. Only this divine love can overcome humanity’s natural hatred of God and His law. Only Jesus can overcome sin and misery by His death and resurrection. Those who believe in Jesus and trust Him for their forgiveness of sins can have full assurance and confidence that God loves them. Believers are to seek to love God and their neighbor; they are to pursue a life of holiness that reflects the God they serve. This gospel is not only the true way of salvation, but it alone can give peace with God in this life and in the next.

The Condition of Fallen Man

Jeremiah 2:10-12

What is the greatest contradiction about humanity? According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in this sermon from Jeremiah 2:10–12 titled “The Condition of the Fallen Man,” it is the fact that people claim to be great rational thinkers, yet they reject God and die in sin. Humanity claims to be enlightened, yet they are slaves to sin. The explanation is that people have rejected God and pursued their own goals in life because they are sinners. A person is not the master of their own fate as they would like to believe, but they are a slave to sin. What then is the answer to humanity’s sinful condition? The answer is grace. People can only escape their sin and the judgment that follows it because God has acted in time and history in the person of Jesus Christ. The gospel breaks into a person’s foolishness and blindness and gives life. God gives glory and honor in and through Jesus Christ because all that repent of their sins and believe are made children of God, righteous and holy. The sermon calls all to forsake their sins and believe in Jesus who has died so that humanity might live forever.

The Only Authority

Ephesians 6:14

Modern teaching says that what a person believes matters little if they live a good life. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “The Only Authority,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that this attitude is the exact opposite of the exhortation from the apostle Paul to “put on” truth. Dr. Lloyd-Jones boldly proclaims that putting on truth will put the Christian at odds with the world. Doctrine will divide while the world will fight to put unity above truth. Paul said that the Christian must hold on to truth, for without it they are already spiritually defeated. The great question today is the question of authority. Modern authority is human reason based upon modern knowledge but that is inadequate. Human minds are too finite to be trusted as ultimate authority. Authority cannot be based upon feelings either because they are so variable and unreliable. It also cannot be the pragmatic test of what makes one feel better or live better. That is entirely subjective. Authority cannot be reason or feeling. The Christian must preach the gospel faithfully to warn people and to bring them to the knowledge of truth as it is in Christ Jesus.

The Godhead Revealed

Isaiah 40:5

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.

Taste and See

John 1:5-46

What does it mean to taste and see the fruit of new life? In this sermon on John 1:45–46 titled “Taste and See,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on what it means to know Christ and believe in His message. Many oppose Christianity because they say it asks people to abandon all reason and evidence and make a blind commitment. But this is all wrong, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, because Christianity is a faith based in what God has done in time and history. It is faith grounded in the real person of Jesus Christ who came and died for sinners. When humankind abandons their pride and comes before God, they find that Christianity is a religion about relationship with God. It is about the God who loves His sinful creatures enough to send His own Son to die for them. All are called to believe in Christ and to repent of their sins; this is the only way to salvation and peace with God. This sermon brings the greatest message: the message of Christ. It calls all to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and to come to know the Creator and Lord.

Final Perseverance

John 1:16

What is the result of salvation? Often times Christians speak of their salvation as simply being forgiven or saved from sins. While this is true, in this sermon on John 1:16 titled “Final Perseverance,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that salvation is more than being forgiven. According to him, salvation is salvation unto good works and a life of holiness. The idea that one can be a Christian while continuing to live in sin and rebellion is not taught in the Bible. This is because the Bible always teaches that God uses good works to enable Christians to persevere to the end. God gives the Holy Spirit that equips the faithful to live a life of good works. This same Spirit keeps all true believers from falling away and losing their salvation. All who are saved persevere to the end. This is only because God has promised to keep all those whom He has saved. This sermon gives great hope to all believers who have truly trusted in God. To those who do not know Jesus, it promises a salvation that is secure and stable to all who believe in the gospel.

In the Likeness of Christ

John 1:16

How does the Christian know they have been forgiven and given new life? In this sermon on John 1:16 titled “In the Likeness of Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones elaborates on the traits of the Christian who has received salvation. He explains that no one has received the fullness of Christ if they do not also acknowledge their own sinfulness. The person who thinks they are healthy has no mind to receive the counsel of a doctor. Similarly, the person who thinks they are good and moral has no interest in forgiveness. The person who has received forgiveness and life from Christ has been enlightened by the Holy Spirit to see that the heart is wicked and deceitful, and in need of forgiveness. Furthermore, this Christian realizes their dependence upon God for this new heart and new life. They see that, in themselves, they can do nothing to save or make themselves holy, but that by God’s Word and Spirit may have a life marked by the fullness of Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers numerous Biblical tests that can bring clarity and hope in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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.