MLJ Trust Logo Image

Showing 622 results for the gospel

Baptism in the Spirit (1)

John 1:26-33

“Perhaps the greatest danger of all is to interpret the Scriptures in the light of our own experiences, rather than the other way around,” preaches Dr. Lloyd-Jones. In this sermon on the Baptism of the Spirit from John 1:26–33, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones declares two main ways to go wrong in relating experiences to Scripture. First is claiming that things are beyond or contrary to Scripture. Second is being satisfied with something less than Scripture and reducing to the level of one’s own knowledge and experience. The Christian is called to listen and evaluate personal experiences on the basis of Scripture. The danger of the church today is the whole of Scripture’s teaching being reduced to what humanity is and thinks. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones engages with John’s gospel, he asserts that one can be a believer in Christ without the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This seeming contradiction is teased out from both the Old and New Testaments. Fundamentally, the Spirit must convict and give the ability to believe, for no one can be a Christian at all without the work of the Spirit. In the interest of an individual’s personal point of view, the devil gets people to bypass portions of Scripture and Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges his listeners to forsake this way of reading the Bible.

Resisting the Devil

Ephesians 6:14

Temptation is a constant trap that the devil puts in the path of Christians. Satan is constantly prowling around as he tries to convince Christians into crediting their salvation to the binding of rules and regulations. He twists and distorts the truth of the gospel by making the Christian think that they are still under the power and dominion of sin. How then do Christians turn away from these temptations? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:14 titled “Resisting the Devil,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the weapon to use against temptation is the breastplate of righteousness. He points out in Scripture how the breastplate of righteousness is a reminder that the old self has been crucified with Christ, resulting in liberation from the laws and regulations they were bound to before. In Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s words, Christians no longer live a good life to become a Christian, but rather because they are a Christian. Not only are they liberated from the old law, but also from the dominion and power of sin. Sin and evil no longer rule them. Christians are now ruled by the power and dominion of God. The breastplate of righteousness helps them resist the devil by realizing that his temptations and traps no longer have power over them.

Man in a State of Famine

Ezekiel 36:29-30

“I come to a place of final satisfaction.” In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:29–30 titled “Man in a State of Famine,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones rejoices in the fullness of the Christian life and hope of the gospel. Christianity doesn’t call God’s people to scorn the luxuries and pleasures of life. The “laws of nature” that one discovers are simply rules God has put in place. God’s dealings with humanity and the delivery of His people from sin demonstrate His plan. God always works upon a plan. God will do nothing with His people until their guilt has been dealt with: forgiveness is first in salvation. God’s way is through Christ alone, then continues on in sanctification by the Holy Spirit. Humanity’s real need is to know God and to know how to come to Him. The tragedy of today is that people don’t know the cause of trouble because they are ignorant of God. A life not looking at God invariably leads to famine. God is what people were made for. The most terrible thing to happen to a human is to be abandoned by God. Intellectual and moral activity declines without God. The godless life starves the mind and the heart. The Christian life alone leads to fulfillment.

Mobility

Ephesians 6:15

The Christian soldier must always be ready and prepared for action because the enemy is always active and his attacks are unexpected. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:15 titled “Mobility,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones warns to know the devil will do anything to get a Christian down. Paul exhorts believers to have “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” meaning there must be a firmness and a mobility, ready and prepared for action. Preparation is the element of mobility, which is of great significance in warfare. Christians must not only watch the enemy, but be ready to counter his moves and meet him where he is attacking. Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests that this means the Christian cannot be sluggish of spirit, dull, or complacent. Like David, the Christian must be ready to fight in God’s way, no matter how impossible or ridiculous it seems. They must have firmness in strategy: the battle against the devil is the same as it always has been. But they must have mobility and adaptability that is always true to the fundamental teachings of Scripture, because the enemy is always varying his tactics. Christians hold onto old principles, but apply them in a manner that is effective against and adaptable to modern challenges.

True History?

Genesis 3:15

Without the facts of biblical history there is no gospel. From a Christian perspective, this becomes most important in approaching the book of Genesis. While the first book of the Bible is full of historical facts, it is also much more than this. It is where the great biblical drama begins—the drama of what God is doing in salvation. In this sermon on Genesis 3:15 titled “True History?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls the listener to see the big picture of the biblical message. He teaches literal historical facts but he also notes the beginning drama of deliverance as God pronounces a great conflict between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. In order to understand secular history that is marked by sin, evil, war, pride, and hopelessness, people must come to grips with the biblical history of God initiating liberation of humanity from the bondage of Satan. Genesis 3:15 reminds that humanity’s problems run much deeper than morality or mere happiness. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones says in this compelling sermon, Genesis 3:15 recalls the utter helpless condition that only the cross of Christ can fix. Listen as he traces biblical history from the beginning to the end where Christ returns in glory and subdues the devil fully and finally.

Christ's Way of Making Peace

Ephesians 2:15

In Jesus Christ a new harmony formed, not along the lines of race, family, or country, but in the basis of membership in the family of God. In this sermon on Ephesians 2:15 titled “Christ’s Way of Making Peace,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims the words of Paul, saying all who believe are adopted into God’s family and become inheritors with Christ of the whole world. In this new people there is neither Jew nor Gentile, for the people of God are those who are the children of Abraham by nature of their faith in Christ and their adoption into God’s family. This is why division in the church on the basis of age, race, and nationality are such a travesty. The peace of God transcends all divisions and walls. This peace, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes, is one that makes fallen men and women righteous before God and it also puts them in a right relationship with one another as brothers and sisters in the family of God. This new relationship is the first fruits of what is to come in the new creation that Christ will bring to completion when He returns in glory and judgment on the last day. The church should look to the peace that Christ has granted in the gospel as the greatest hope in the Christian life.

The Law of God

Acts 7:37-38

Based in pride and sin, humanity believes that they can obey all that the law of God commands and obtain their own righteousness. But as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues with Acts 7:37–38 in the sermon “The Law of God,” this is a complete misunderstanding of what the law is and why God gave it to His people. God never intended for His people to obtain righteousness by the works of the law and the blood of animals that could never atone for sin. But as the apostles taught, God gave the law in order to convict all of their need for salvation and redemption. The whole of the law points not to humanity and their ability to do what God commands, but it points to the need of a Savior. It points to one who can obey the law for those who cannot. This man is Jesus Christ. He came to fulfill all that the law required. The sacrificial system looked forward to His death on the cross as a sacrifice for all who would believe. This is the gospel: Jesus Christ saves those who cannot save themselves. He stands in their place before God so that they may have life and fellowship with Him. By believing in Jesus, the Christian has new life through His sacrifice.

God Must Punish Sin

Genesis 6:7-8

The story of the flood as found in Genesis tells of something very important about who God is and who humanity is. In this sermon on Genesis 6:7–8 titled “God Must Punish Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the justice of God will not tolerate sin and His holiness demands the punishment of evil. This is exactly what He did in sending the flood upon the whole earth, wiping out all the inhabitants for their iniquities. He spares only Noah and his family because Noah found favor with God. Furthermore, just as God judged the world in the time of Noah, He will also come again to judge the world and punish all evildoers who do not repent and believe in Christ Jesus. Despite this clear warning, many live as if God never judges the earth. Just as those in the time of Noah scoffed at the idea that God was going to flood the earth, so today many laugh at the belief that Christ Jesus will return and bring judgment on the last day. The Bible warns that God is just and holy, and because of sin the whole world lies under the condemnation of God. It is only by believing in the gospel that any will be saved.

Through His Blood

Ephesians 1:7

Christians are forgiven of all sin past, present, and future. This marvelous truth is proclaimed as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives this compelling and comprehensive exposition in this sermon from Ephesians 1:7 on what is meant by “Through His Blood.” While recognizing the distinction between redemption and the forgiveness of sins, Dr. Lloyd-Jones nevertheless says the forgiveness of sins is the first item of redemption. If the sinner does not have their guilt removed, then sanctification and glorification do not follow. Modern society dislikes talk of guilt, wrath, the cross, and bloody sacrifice. They much more enjoy talk of the happiness and power that Jesus can bring. Dr. Lloyd-Jones thinks this is an incomplete gospel. The fundamental component (or first item) one needs is to be reconciled to God and this comes only when guilt is removed, forgiven, and ultimately covered by the death of Christ. He took the punishment, endured the wrath of God, and bought His people with the price of His life. Although forgiveness is difficult and sorrowful to God, as seen in the death of Christ, it is the only means that leads to absolute restoration with God. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches of complete restoration and present forgiveness found only through the blood of Christ.

The Christian and the Devil

Ephesians 6:10-13

Does Satan really have free reign on earth? The Bible teaches that the whole world is in the kingdom of Satan and under his power. Those who live in the world are blinded by his lies and continually live under his power. In this sermon on Satan and the Christian from Ephesians 6:10–13, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds that Christ Jesus has come into the world and by His death and resurrection has overthrown the devil. Those who are in the kingdom of God have been rescued from the power of Satan and transferred to the kingdom of God. Those who are of God can never fall again and become subject to the devil's power. This does not mean that the devil will not try to destroy the faith of Christians. He is a lion seeking to devour , but if Christians resist him, he will flee, for the power of Christ is greater than the devil. Christians live continually battling against the schemes of the Satan as he is opposed wholly to the kingdom of God and the church. However, Christians can now know that Christ will return and vanquish Satan once and for all. Christ will bring the kingdom of God to completion and destroy the kingdom of Satan. This hope should strengthen the church and Christians in their faith, love, and trust in Christ and in his gospel.

Watchfulness

Ephesians 6:10-13

How does the devil operate against individuals in the church? It is important to know the wiles of the enemy to become better equipped in spiritual warfare against him. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Watchfulness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones notes the absence of literature that recognizes the devil for what he does. He provides a couple examples from history that properly reveal the wiles of the devil, such as Pilgrim’s Progress by Paul Bunyan and Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Resources like these come alongside Scripture to help the Christian watch carefully. That being said, there is no substitute for consistent prayer rooted in Scripture and accompanied by self-examination. These essentials help defend the three main lines of attack: mind, experience, and behavior. The devil produces an error of imbalance somewhere in the three so that Christians either do too much or too little to recover. Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws out the dangers of over-emphasizing in these areas leading to intellectualism, emotionalism, or pragmatism. The solution that he offers his listeners for perfect balance comes from a true view of the gospel. Christians must submit to God’s way of delivering them wholly and completely, through mind, experience, and behavior.

Praising God

Acts 2:46-47

In this Easter day sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims the centrality of praise in the Christian life. He says that praise is one of the marks of a true Christian who has been transformed by the Holy Spirit. While even the demons believe that God exists, only Christians who know God as Savior and Lord can praise Him in truth and joy. This desire to praise God flows from the great salvation that He has granted in His Son, Christ Jesus. It is by grace and grace alone that Christians have been regenerated and adopted into God’s family as children and heirs with Christ. It is the great and glorious truth for which God is praised. He is to be praised for His grace and mercy that He has granted. The apostolic church in Acts 2:46-47 lived out this great truth in the ministries and lives of its people. The preaching of the apostles on the day of Pentecost was driven by their desire to see the Lord and Savior praised by all. The church of today and of all times must behold the greatness of God and His Son, and they must praise Him for all His great works of mercy. Only by seeking the glory of God in truth can the church of today be a bold witness of Christ and His gospel.

The Only Way to God

John 4:27-38

In Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, the outworking of God’s great plan of salvation is seen. In this sermon on John 4:27–28 titled “The Only Way to God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unfolds the words of Jesus Christ who boldly proclaims to the woman that He is the living water and the source of eternal life. He says that this is the Father’s mission and the very reason He came into the world. Jesus brought redemption to the whole world by the atoning work of the cross. It is this truth that is at the heart of true Christianity; the Son of God dying upon the cross for sinners. It is only because of this great and glorious work that anyone can approach God as children and heirs. It is only through partaking of Christ, the bread of life, that anyone can come to have true knowledge of God. To reject that Christ came as the Son of God and his deity is to reject the gospel. For only by the redemptive work of Christ on the cross is anyone saved. According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, one cannot ever forget that Christ willingly went to the cross in their stead because He knew it was the will of God his Father, and this desire to fulfill the will of God marked not only His death, but His whole life as the perfect Son of God.

In the Beginning was the Word

John 1:17

Why is the world as it is and what can one do about it all? Only the Bible can help with the answer, as it accounts for who God is and what He has done. Thankfully, while everything else leads to greater despair, Christians have the Bible to turn to in times of trouble and turmoil. The apostle John says, “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” In this sermon on John 1:17 titled “In the Beginning was the Word,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones asserts that this is the announcement of all Christianity. He contrasts how the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Christianity is not a teaching or point of view as if it was something to be given. Christianity is essentially the person of Christ Himself. Dr. Lloyd-Jones turns to the introductory phrase in John’s gospel which says, “In the beginning was the Word.” Jesus, “the Word,” expresses and reflects perfectly the mind of God. He is a perfect and complete revelation of the almighty and eternal God. The Word was made flesh. He was born as a man with human nature and came in the likeness of sinful flesh, yet the world moves on as if it never happened. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ and it is to Him alone that one turns.

Enslaved by Sin

Isaiah 1:7-8

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.

Pointing to Christ

John 1:41-42

The Spiritual realm is much different than the realm of the world. It sees things differently, judges things differently, and estimates things much differently than the world. What may seem little through the world’s eyes can be huge in light of spiritual matters. Listen to “Pointing to Christ” as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from John 1:41–42 and expresses this truth through the lives of Andrew and Simon Peter. He uses these men of the New Testament to show that those whom the world may look at as simple fishermen, God can use as kingdom bearers and messengers of the gospel. He then encourages that it is the same today. Christians may look at themselves and wonder how they could serve the Lord, but God tells them to simply come to Him, and through His own strength and power they too can play a part in the kingdom of God. It is essential to realize that they cannot do it on their own, but must rely upon Him and His own strength. Lastly, they can also be encouraged by seeing how this truth points to the fact that God cares about each one personally and wants them to be a part of His great plan.

He that Believeth Not

John 3:18

What is the great need of humanity? It is nothing less than salvation from sin. In this sermon on John 3:18 titled “He That Believeth Not,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the only hope is proclaimed by the accomplished work of Jesus Christ who came into this world by being born under the law in the likeness of sinful flesh in order to redeem those who were slaves of sin. Jesus is God’s appointed means of salvation for all who believe. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but in order that sinners would be saved and brought to a knowledge of the truth. Many people misunderstand this, supposing that God is only a cruel judge who takes delight in destroying the wicked for their sins. Others make the opposite mistake and think He is so loving that He will not require any recompense for evil deeds. So, they suppose that there is no need to be saved and no need for a Savior. These are both terrible misunderstandings of the gospel that is given in Holy Scripture. In Scripture is found God who sent His Son to die in the place of sinners so that all who believe would be inheritors of eternal life and all blessings in Christ.

A Life of Darkness

John 8:12

Why does humanity love sin? In this sermon on John 8:12 titled “A Life of Darkness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the fallen nature that is captivated and controlled by sin. This sinful nature is ever present and resides within every human. It controls everyone’s heart, mind, and will. The modern humanist who attempts to save by education and moral teaching is doomed to fail; not because these are not good things, but because they do not take account for the fundamentally fallen state of the human soul. This sinful principle is why there is so much darkness and suffering in the world, and it explains why the experience of sin is universal and common to all humankind. But God has acted in time and history to bring humanity out of this wretched state by sending His only Son to achieve salvation for all who repent and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who receive salvation are not only adopted into the family of God and made right, but they are also given a new nature that is free from sin and depravity. They are free to love God and neighbor because the truth of God has radically transformed and reoriented their every desire and thought.

Has Christianity Failed?

Luke 18:8

Has Christianity failed? In this sermon on the question “will he find faith on earth?” from Luke 18:8 titled “Has Christianity Failed?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that many critics of Christianity say that after nearly two thousand years since the establishment of Christianity, the world is still full of strife and conflict. The world is still full of war, poverty, and crime. Modern history has shown that, if anything, the world is only getting worse. What does all this mean for the claims of Christianity? Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that the troubles of the world do not constitute an argument against the claims of Christianity as Christianity never claimed to solve all the world’s problems here and now. At the center of Christianity is Christ who died upon the cross in order to save sinners from the wrath of God and make them inheritors of eternal life in the age to come. In fact, the Bible teaches that people are fundamentally sinners who hate God and oppose His law. It is only by the gospel that they can ever be transformed. Christianity never claims that this world will be made perfect by the church, but what it does teach is that Jesus Christ will return on the last day, and He will make all things right.

The Only Light

John 8:12

Over the course of civilization, humankind has diagnosed its problems many different ways. Some generations have determined that poverty is the great motivator of crime. In other generations, ignorance was the culprit. The world has, therefore, gone from one false hope to another. At one time it says “education will be our savior” and at other times “riches will free us from crime.” What these nearsighted solutions cannot comprehend is that humankind’s main problem is an ignorance of God. In this sermon on John 8:12 titled “The Only Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones elaborates and says that the main problem is a lack of knowledge of God, regardless of whether one is a prostitute or a philosopher. From here he shows his audience how Jesus the Messiah is the ultimate revelation of God to humankind. It is for this reason, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, that Jesus is called the light of the world. He shines true knowledge of God on the world, which cannot know God apart from God’s revelation. Jesus had compassion on the crowds and on the lost. Similarly, the Christian should likewise have this burden for unbelievers: that they are sheep without a shepherd, that without hearing the gospel of Christ they will have no saving-knowledge of God.