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Renewed in the Spirit of the Mind

Ephesians 4:23

What is the nature of the new life of the Christian? In this sermon on renewing your mind from Ephesians 4:23 titled “Renewed in the Spirit of the Mind,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says the renewal of the mind by the power of the Holy Spirit transforms one’s most central faculty. This is what the apostle Paul calls the renewal in the spirit of the mind. This transformation is not simply a repair of minds, but it is a Spirit-empowered supernatural recreation of what the fall and sin has corrupted and distorted. This does not mean that fallen people are not as smart as Christians or that only Christians can know truth. But this transformation allows the new self to see the fingers of God in all life. It is a new orientation towards the same world that both Christians and non-Christians live in. This does not mean that when the minds of sinful people are renewed, they immediately become more intelligent, but this spiritual renewal allows them to see the gross nature of sin and the glorious love of God. The Spirit transforms people from the inside to the outside. This new self lives in accordance with godliness having been renewed by the power of the gospel.

Schism in the Church, Part 1

Ephesians 6:10-13

The unity of the church is undoubtedly one of the most important things for all Christians to seek. But what is unity? In this sermon on division in the church from Ephesians 6:10–13, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to answer this without falling into extremes. On the one hand, the ecumenist says that unity is about all Christians belonging to one worldwide church and that doctrine must be minimized so that division is not caused. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that this is an imbalanced and unbiblical position as it does not have a high enough view of doctrine and truth in the life of the Christian and church. The other imbalance that must be avoided is that of the schismatic who divides the church not over the essential truths of the faith, but over things such as carnal desires and inclinations. This is seen when Paul rebukes the Corinthians for dividing over who to follow, Paul or Apollos. This is division for the wrong reason. Dr. Lloyd-Jones goes on to condemn those that cause division because of what he calls an attitude of “bigotry.” This is the person who holds so tightly to their preferences that division and disharmony occur in the church.

Recovery of Sight to the Blind

Luke 4:18-19

In this sermon on Luke 4:18–19 titled “Recovery of Sight to the Blind,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones uncovers the biblical truth regarding the human heart that most do not want to consider. People are wholly corrupt and sinful as a result of the fall. They are blind and unable to see the light of God’s truth because they reject the grace of God and scorn the gospel of Jesus Christ as foolish and offensive. But it gets worse. God has appointed a day when He will come in judgment to condemn all those who will not repent and believe in the gospel. The Bible is clear that no one escapes this final judgment. There are no second chances. But as Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims, there is hope. By repenting and believing in the message of salvation given in God’s word, anyone may be made right with God. This powerful work is what the Holy Spirit does inside of people, giving the blind sight and the dead new life. This gospel of grace, repentance, and redemption in Christ Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit is the only means of salvation that God has given this world.

Sermon on Love, Part 1

Romans 12:9-21

In this sermon on Romans 12:9–21 titled “Sermon on Love, Part 1,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches that the believer must always proceed from doctrine to application and the two great principles must characterize and govern the Christian life. The apostle Paul is concerned with the practicalities of the Christian life, both in how the Christian acts and reacts. The listener will see their absolute need for the salvation of Christ and respond in presenting themselves as a sacrifice. Love is the fulfilling of the law and it sums up the whole of the law — these two must never be contrasted. “We should be animated in our living with the same kind of love by which God loves us,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. Love is totalitarian, not sentimental and weak. God should not be loved merely in word, but also in deed. Learn of the love of the atonement that commands one’s love of God and neighbor. The Christian must keep the law with the Spirit; otherwise they will fall into dissimulation. “The law is an expression of God’s being,” says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. The Christian is to hate and abhor evil, adhering themselves to that which is good in the eyes of God.

Hearing of Faith

Romans 10:16-17

How is a person saved? Is it through just hearing the gospel or is it through faith? The debate is a theological divide in the Christian church. In this sermon on Romans 10:16–17 titled “Hearing of Faith,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives firm biblical grounding in salvation that comes not just by hearing, but by faith in Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that there are two types of hearing: hearing that falls on the ears and hearing that moves a person to believe. Quoting the words of Isaiah, he reveals that this has always been the case. Not every person who hears believes. It was the same in the Old Testament, the New Testament, and today. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that this is an example of divine inspiration in Scripture. In a relatable “church goer” example, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reviews the elements needed for a person to hear the gospel with faith. That person’s heart must be opened by God and they must then trust in Christ’s redeeming death on the cross. To convey this incredible truth, Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws on other examples from the New Testament that embody and proclaim this faith today.

Justified by God

Romans 8:33-34

The Reformers were adamant that the church stands or falls on the doctrine of justification. Martin Luther, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, was thrilled when the doctrine of justification dawned upon him. Many Christians today, however, may be apathetic towards justification. Even those who happily affirm the truth of justification may do so with less excitement than previous generations of Protestant believers. Given that there is no charge whatsoever the devil can bring against God’s elect and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says justification is the key to everything. In this sermon on Romans 8:33–34 titled “Justified By God,” he gives an exposition of the meaning of justification along with its legal and covenantal context. For Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the Christian’s joy, security, and safety is at stake when considering the doctrine of justification by faith. If one relies on anything else, including experience, then they will certainly be shaken as the devil shows one’s guilt before the law. Hear this grand exposition of the only ground that a believer can truly stand on as they proclaim that it is God who justifies.

The New Covenant

John 3:30

Jesus Christ is the means by which His people become a new creation. Where Adam fell and brought condemnation and sin into the whole world, Christ Jesus came to not only reverse the effects of the fall, but to make a new and better creation. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains in the sermon “The New Covenant,” the new creation is better than the one that Adam inhabited; it is more glorious and complete. Central to the new creation is the renewal of humanity. This renewal is accomplished by Christ as the head of the new covenant, and this new covenant is brought about by His atoning work on the cross. Those whom are redeemed become the first born of the new creation and become a part of Christ’s body, the church. This creates a new community of believers who have partaken of the new covenant and are united to Christ by the grace of God. As believers in Christ, the church has freedom to pursue a life of righteousness and holiness. It is this great truth of the new covenant that grounds the Christian life. Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant provides a new way to live and because of this, the church and Christians have a new way of relating to the world, fellow believers, and God.

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.

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.

The Magnificat, Part 2

Luke 1:54-55

Do you ever worry about the state of Christianity in today’s world? Many denominations are leaving orthodox beliefs, traditional beliefs are scoffed at, our country seems to be falling apart. Where is God in all of this? In examining Mary’s song of praise, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows us how God is always faithful to His people, although the times may be dark. We are reminded of the promise made to Abram that he would be the father of many nations. Yet did Abram see this promise fulfilled in his life? God’s ways are much higher than ours, a thousand years is like a day to Him. As His bride, the church should be faithfully and eagerly awaiting Jesus’s second coming. Though it has been over 2,000 years since Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, we can be assured that God will keep His promise. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also reminds us that this promise is personal, and that God has promised to keep us in the faith and rid us of all our sin. If you are discouraged today by the sin of others and yourself, find rest in the promise that all sins will be washed away.

The End of The Age

1 Peter 1:13-25

This world is one of uncertainty. Some lives seem to be near perfect, and some seem to be falling apart. What does the Christian do when the trials of life seem to continually crash like waves against them? Listen to this sermon on 1 Peter 1:13-25 as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones challenges the listener to “gird up the loins of our mind,” as they live in this ever-changing world, and proclaims the hope that Christians have as foreigners in a strange land. The only hope is the return of Jesus Christ that will take place at the end of the age when everyone will rise from the dead to experience judgment. Dr. Lloyd-Jones clearly explains that the judgment comes from a God who is holy and judges each person’s works impartially from the standard of His own holiness. The only way that one can measure up to his standard of holiness is through the Lord Jesus Christ who died and rose again on humanity’s behalf. In this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the Christian to remember that this life is short, death will come, but Christ will return. He encourages hope in Christ, for that is the only certainty in an uncertain world.

The Message Calls for a Decision

Acts 4:13-22

Those who reject Christianity do not do so on the basis of rational thought. This is seen in the actions of the Jewish leaders, who do not deny the miracles done by the Apostles in the name of Jesus Christ, but nevertheless sought to stop their ministry and silence their preaching. In this sermon on Acts 4:13–22, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that the reason for this opposition to the truth of God’s gospel is found in fallen and sin-bound minds. Because of the fall, all have been enslaved to sin and the devil. Their every faculty is thoroughly and wholly dominated by sin, and it is this sin that produces unbelief. For this reason, no one should be surprised when the gospel is rejected, for the Bible tells that without the work of God in their hearts, no one will believe. This is because belief is not a matter of reason, facts, or compelling argumentation, but it is about the state of one’s heart. The church should not fear the many so-called intellectual assaults against Christianity, for all these arguments are really a matter of one’s relationship to God and His gospel. Only the heart that has been regenerated can truly think rightly about God.

The Kingdom of God

Matthew 24:14

In this sermon in a series on Matthew 24:14 titled “The Kingdom of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches on what the gospel is, not just what it is not. What is the way of escape that is offered to followers of Jesus and what is the kingdom of God found so often in the gospels? First, the gospel is good news. This good news is about God’s action, not humanity’s, and it is directly related to the kingdom of God. This is the realm in which God rules and reigns in the hearts of people. This kingdom is related to the good news of the gospel because it is a demonstration that God has not given up on humankind, thus becoming a beacon of hope for a lost world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes with addressing God’s relationship to history. First, He is in control of all things. Second, God has acted, and is still acting, throughout history. From the very first pages of Scripture, God’s hand in the movement of history is clear: from the fall of humanity, to His promise to Abraham of a coming ruler, to the cross of Christ. All can trust His control over history because He has faithfully acted in history, keeping His promises, and staying faithful to His character.

Scriptural Love

Romans 13:8-10

Vestiges of the Christian call to “love one’s neighbor” can be found throughout Western culture. What has been lost, however, is the Scriptural understanding of love and a strong theological foundation to support the command. Without Scripture and theology, love of neighbor is either reduced to sentimentality or the gospel is denied. The seriousness of the latter is highlighted in this sermon on Romans 13:8–10 titled “Scriptural Love.” Modern teaching claims sinful people are able to fulfill this important command despite the fact that they have not experienced regeneration. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines both Scripture and culture, arguing that a biblical view of self and neighbor is necessary to understand Paul’s words correctly. This also answers one of the fundamental questions Christians ask: what is the Christian relationship to the law? Be warned against the trap of mysticism with its emphasis on mere contemplation of love and also watch out for rigorism with its emphasis on the merely knowing the letter of the law. Rather than falling into mysticism or rigorism, Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues for both the letter and the spirit of the law. Listen closely as he argues for a balanced approach to the law and seeks to challenge contemporary views of love of the neighbor.

Once Saved; Always Saved?

Romans 14:14-16

A chief doctrinal debate within church history is the nature and character of eternal security. Does Scripture indeed teach the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints? Or to ask the question another way: is it possible for one for whom Christ died to be lost? Despite the clarity of Scripture on this topic (in places like Romans 8 and John 10), there are a few ambiguous texts which seem to suggest the possibility of a regenerate person falling away from grace. One such difficult text is Romans 14:14–16 where Paul seems to suggests one can destroy – eternally perish – the soul of another brother if they neglect considering their conscience. In this sermon on “Once Saved, Always Saved” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines this passage and others like it, using it as an opportunity to teach Christians how to responsibly handle apparent contradictions in Scripture. With theological acumen, Dr. Lloyd-Jones helps the listener to consider why it is impossible for anyone to be responsible for the everlasting destruction of another person. Not only listen and be encouraged by the assurance believers have, but hear Dr. Lloyd-Jones handle difficult texts with care.

Character of Unity

Romans 12:5-6

What guides and keeps a church unified? How can the church encourage unity among its members? In this sermon on Romans 12:5-6 titled “Character of Unity,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains there are two elements to preserving the unity of a church. There is a spiritual unity that can only be brought about the Spirit of God and there is a necessary fundamental agreement of doctrine. While agreeing in the area of doctrine, it is also important to remember that the church body was created for a specific purpose. It ought to function in a living and active way together as many members of one body. The church must be using her gifts otherwise she is failing as a church. Dr. Lloyd-Jones cautions the listener to beware of their church falling into two extremes when it comes to being active: on one hand, activism or over busyness tires the body and wears out its members. On the other hand, hyper-paralysis, where the individual members are only worried about themselves, causes the church to be perpetually inactive and unhealthy. The activity of the church must be consistent and in conformity with the mind of the head, which is Christ Jesus, as he instructs in Scripture.

Future of the Jews

Romans 11:28-32

How has God chosen to show mercy to Israel? Some argue that God is done with the nation of Israel and that when Paul says that Israel will be saved, he is speaking of the gathering together of the elect. In this sermon on Romans 11:28–32 titled “Future of the Jews,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has a different interpretation of this passage. He argues that the apostle Paul is prophesying of the day when God stirs up the hearts of the people of Israel and causes a great revival amongst them. God will fulfill His promises to the patriarchs and save many of their physical descendants. The hardening that has come upon Israel is only temporary and is used by God to send the gospel to the nations of the Gentiles. Did Israel stumble in order that they might fall? Paul says no. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the church should look forward to the day when God moves and brings a great revival in Israel and brings many to faith in Jesus Christ. This should encourage the church to evangelize the people of Israel, knowing that God has promised to do a great work of salvation among them, bringing many to faith and new life in Christ.

Gifts in the Church

Romans 12:3-5

Spiritual gifts have been a matter of controversy in the church since the beginning of Christianity. How quickly the body of Christ forgets the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in the distribution of the gifts. From this error arises all manner of sin and abuse of gifts given by God. In sermon on Romans 12:3–5 titled “Gifts in the Church,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses two particular follies the church falls into when it forgets the sovereignty of the Spirit and the diversity of the gifts. On the one hand, he says, the Christian thinks more highly of themselves than they ought. Following the apostle Paul, he demonstrates how the Scriptures teach humility and particularly the most profound demonstrations of humility in the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul’s call for the church to think is key as this connects with his previous teaching on the renewal of the mind. On the other hand, Christians can underestimate the importance of any gift. There are two equal dangers, warns Dr. Lloyd-Jones, to overestimate a gift, becoming puffed up, or to despise another gift and thus denigrate the Spirit’s work. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches on the gifts in the church, a topic in which Christians consistently need clarity and direction.

Christ's Work Complete

Romans 8:34

Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Yet how does this demonstrate the final perseverance of the saints and serve as an assurance of salvation? In this sermon from Romans 8:34 titled “Christ’s Work Complete,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul is discussing the doctrine of the final perseverance; if one has been justified, they will also be glorified. Nothing can ever take that away from a believer and there is no such thing as falling away from grace. Christ seated next to the Father means that He is the Christian’s high priest. He intercedes on their behalf, showing just how much of a compassionate and caring God He is. This also means that Christ has perfected all who have been sanctified once and forever and because this work is done, that means He is able to sit. The final end to all of Christ’s work is the salvation of His people. A believer can be assured of their salvation because God the Father has accepted the Son’s sacrifice and gives His Son a place of dignity at His right hand. Believers shall then lack nothing that is essential to their final sanctification and glorification.

The Mechanics of Interpretation

Romans 5:12

How can one be sure of the meaning of Scripture? In this sermon from Romans 5:12 “The Mechanics of Interpretation”, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones begins this message by giving a few tips on how to read and study the Bible. Since Paul began this verse with the word “therefore,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws attention back to the previous messages and shows how Paul is going to tie things together. In the chapters leading up to this passage, Paul emphasized that all fall under the wrath of God because all have sinned. Why is this? It is because all are united as one in Adam. Because of what happened in the Garden of Eden, all are guilty of sin and born into sin. In the same exact manner, because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, Christians are not only saved by Christ but also saved in Christ. There have been two great heads to the human race: Adam and Jesus Christ. In Adam, all sinned, and in Christ, all can be saved. Christians should be so thankful that they have not only been saved from the impending wrath but are also engrafted into Christ’s body. While they were once enemies, they are now safe and secure in Christ.