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My God; Through Jesus Christ

Romans 1:7-15

Conversion is not the end of the Christian journey; it’s the beginning. The apostle Paul was aware of this and longed to visit the Christians in Rome so that he might strengthen them. In this sermon titled “My God, Through Jesus Christ” from Romans 1:7–15, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones displays the apostle Paul’s love for others which stems from his confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. Filled with the Spirit, Paul’s passion is clearly seen as he thinks of others, prays for them, and seeks to visit them. Among many Christians today, the primary concern is for oneself. A person talks about their own personal journey toward God. It’s not uncommon to hear a Christian declare, “I'm just focusing on myself right now.” But is this the way of Christ? Through Jesus, Christians have confidence before God. Christians are no longer simply “seeking God,” but rather seeking to love others through the assurance they have found in Jesus Christ. Listen in as Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates how the gospel motivated Paul, not only with the desire to visit and strengthen others, but to pray for them. As Paul comes to God in prayer, he comes through the one in whom he has such confidence: the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the way of salvation and the Christian desires all others to be built up in Him.

Exposed by the Light

Ephesians 5:7-14

How should a Christian act toward the darkness that is not pleasing to the Lord? How are Christians to interact with those who do not follow Christ? In this sermon on Ephesians 5:7–14 titled “Exposed by the Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides some helpful insights to aid believers in working through these complex issues. Throughout the centuries, some Christians have argued for a sort of lifestyle that withdraws them completely from interaction with the world. Yet, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out, this robs the gospel of one of its main victories— that Christians are able to live a different life in the same world as a witness to those who don’t yet know Christ. How can one do this? First, they are to break completely with sin— they once were partakers of these activities, but now are to walk as children of the light. This exhortation reminds that sanctification is a process, not a one-time “product.” Second, Christians must not even be interested in the unfruitful works of darkness. Yet, this point often raises an interesting question: how should Christians balance having company with unbelievers without becoming like them? Since Christians are called to live among them and to be a witness, how can they maintain these values without compromising their faith? Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides helpful commentary on this that aids in thinking through how to best live out the faith.

Who Does the Fighting?

Ephesians 6:10-13

Christians are called to fight a spiritual battle but how are they to fight? What role do they play in this struggle? Are they to be passive, or are they alone to be the ones engaging the enemy? In this sermon on fighting in the Christian life from Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Who Does the Fighting?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on spiritual warfare and the responsibility that Christians have to be fighting in their lives. The phrase “Let go and let God” is popular today among many Christians, but is it Biblical? Are they to just surrender to God and let Him fight all of their battles? Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents strong arguments from Scripture that demonstrate otherwise. He argues that if this was the case, many of the exhortations seen in the New Testament to believers are unnecessary. Many passages in Scripture instruct the Christian to play an active role in fighting spiritual warfare—to resist the devil, put to death the deeds of the flesh, stop lying, fight the good fight, and many other such encouragements. God’s word is consistent and clear— followers of Jesus are commanded to take action. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also notes that this is a relatively new doctrine, and one that ignores Christian teaching on this subject that has been accepted for thousands of years. Because of these reasons, he says, Christians are to understand that their role in spiritual warfare is an active one.

It is God Who Acts

Exodus 3:3

Christians must be careful not to turn to God only when they are disturbed by an experience or to satisfy curiosity. This is what Moses did at the burning bush, but God arrested Moses’s cares and attention. In this sermon from Exodus 3:3 titled “It is God Who Acts,” Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones addresses this fatally casual approach to God. He states how often Christians address God out of exhaustion or need. He corrects this by saying that Christians must always begin with God as He is the root of all things. What a transformation would take place if Christians applied God to their experience rather than appealing their experiences to God. Indeed, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that the main business of Christianity is Christ’s death on the cross that brings His people face to face with God. God is so pure that He cannot look upon sin, but because of salvation the Christian can enter His presence. Not only this, but God’s plan for salvation is certain, as seen in this passage. He sees the Christian’s sorrows and acts as He did for the Israelites. Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages turning to God in full attention as His purposes are good and He has cared for the greatest need so that His people might dwell in His presence rather than address Him only when they must.

Let Not Sin Reign

Romans 6:12-14

Let not sin therefore reign in the mortal body. Doctrine is always something to be applied, not just considered. In this sermon on Romans 6:12–14 titled “Let Not Sin Reign,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones divides Christians into two groups based on interest in doctrine verses practical matters. Is Christian doctrine simply an intellectual hobby? What is the distinction between a person and their “mortal body”? Look at the connection between mortality and corruption. Sin remains in the body and if it is not kept in check, then it will reign in the body. Sin is not dead, but the Christian must remain dead to sin. The Christian is encouraged to yield the body as a slave to righteousness and holiness and not allow sin to reign, for God provides a way out. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones give the exhortation that the Christian is called not to a sudden deliverance but to a life of sanctification. For the Christian who longs to be holy, they must understand this doctrine and continually remind themselves of it. It is the truth that sanctifies and makes one free. “It is God’s purpose to make us holy and He is working in us,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener. Resist the devil and he will indeed flee.

The Problem of Suffering

Romans 8:17

The urgent problem for the Christian faith in times past and still today is to reconcile trials, tribulations, and suffering with the exceeding great promises of glory that await the children of God. This is the foundation of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s sermon on Romans 8:17 titled “The Problem of Suffering.” The Christian must remember, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, that Paul is no professor of theology, but a profound theologian with a pastoral heart. The apostle Paul is concerned with Christian assurance and when suffering threatens this security. But, Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues, suffering confirms the promises of the gospel. When rightly understood, far from raising doubts or questions, suffering is the proof of the truth of those promises. The doctrine of union with Christ is important for the pastoral task of understanding suffering, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. As joint-heirs with Christ who suffered, the Christian’s suffering is absolute proof that they belong to Him. Moreover, this suffering is part of the preparation for the glory that awaits the believer. In their current state, counsels Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the Christian is unprepared for glory. But thanks to God that He is preparing them for it and Christians must remember that it is He who is doing so.

Counterfeits

Ephesians 6:10-13

What distinguishes counterfeit forms of Christianity from real Christianity? In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Counterfeits,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses false forms of Christianity and shows what makes them so different from biblical Christianity. He says that the cults always offer purely practical advice, but never any doctrine. This is wholly opposed to Christianity that grounds all life in teaching. The cults simply seek to make people’s lives more comfortable, but there is never true and lasting spiritual renewal. The true church of Jesus Christ is different because it alone has the gospel of God that is able to save to the fullest. God has the power to not only deliver from sin and judgment, but also to totally transform men and women. The church must stand against all false teaching and counterfeit forms of Christianity by boldly preaching the one and true gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a timely sermon for those dealing with cults and people involved in them because this sermon has the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only true and lasting hope in this life.

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.

Noah believed God

John 1:12-13 ; Hebrews 11:7

In this sermon on Noah from John 1:12-13 and Hebrews 11 titled “Noah Believed God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives the example of Noah and teaches that the Christian life is supposed to be markedly different than the rest of the world. Noah’s life was marked by faith and radical obedience. The rest of the world was consumed by ungodliness but Noah believed God when God warned him of coming wrath. He obeyed the word of God to build an ark and Noah’s faith contrasted the whole world. The Christian life is meant to be in contrast with the world. If the Christian has faith, they will not look like the world because that faith will change what they do with their speech, body, and mind. The Christian who is out of place because of righteousness is right where they should be. Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the righteousness of the believer by saying that they are not perfect or sinless, but thoroughly upright and sincere. Even when a Christian sins, they strive toward righteousness. Like Noah, the Christian does not merely hear the warnings of wrath, but heeds them and hides in Christ.

You Must Be Born Again

John 3:1-8

What is so dangerous about the religious life? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones takes up this question in this sermon titled “You Must Be Born Again” from John 3:1-8. He says that often times people who claim to be religious are trying to live as Christians without actually being saved. They try to be sanctified without being justified. This is a hopeless way to live because it treats Christianity as a graceless religion that is attained by works alone. This is similar to the error of intellectualism, which says that Christianity is about simply knowing and assenting to certain truths. Both of those views lose sight of what it means to be justified freely in the grace of God as the foundation of the Christian life. Both views replace the grace of God with works of humanity. Instead, you must be born again. The Christian must ask themselves if they believe the Christian life is merely intellectual and works based or if they trust the justifying grace of God that alone has the power to save and make fallen sinners new. This message of justification is the only hope that this world has and is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ for all who believe.

Father; Son and Holy Spirit

Acts 4:31

Christianity is a historical faith. While the world is full of other religions and “spiritual experiences,” Christianity is set apart by the objectivity of events brought about by the Triune God. These events—the history of Israel; the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus; the day of Pentecost; the global spread of the gospel—are objective events that point creation back to God. In this sermon titled “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones takes the listener back to the early church in this sermon on Acts 4:31 and shows that Christianity is not taken up on one’s own accord or power; rather, it takes the Christian up. The apostles were not well-educated or eloquent men and yet God used these ordinary men to spread the good news and Christianity flourished. Acts emphasizes that this is the work of the Trinitarian God - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is the basis of the apostles’ hope and confession and the foundation of great hope. Subjective experiences don’t rule one’s faith, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. The objective reality of the Christian’s history, as well as the ongoing work of revival, reminds them that their living God actively cares for this world.

Glorying in God

Romans 5:10-11

Is the Christian finding glory in God? Is He their delight? In this sermon on Romans 5:10–11, Paul has already confirmed that salvation is assured in Christ Jesus and so this means the Christian should have joy in Christ Jesus and what He has done. Christians should glory both in their salvation and in God as the giver of salvation. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones goes as far as to say that true Christian faith always leads to glorying in God. He states that things such as trusting in oneself rather than God, failure to mediate on the things of God, and not reasoning with Scripture could all be causes for a failure to properly glory in God. Not glorying in God is a sign of unbelief and a sin and unbelief is the chief of all sins. A Christian should be in constant examination of themselves to ensure that they are always glorying in Christ. All self-examination should lead to rejoicing.

Heirs according to the Promise

Romans 8:17

Does the Christian rejoice that they are a child of God and an heir to the coming glory? Through his sermon on Romans 8:17 titled “Heirs According to the Promise,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones joyfully proclaims that every time that Paul references the Spirit being a seal, he also mentions that the Spirit is the guarantor of the fact that believers are heirs with Christ. This fact is great assurance and certainty of the Christian faith: if Christians are children of God, then they are also His heirs. Paul once again demonstrates that believers have union with Christ; it is absolute and cannot end. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expresses that only Christians have this kind of hope. The inheritance of glory for Christians was set before the beginning of time in God. This is a great promise and is shown often throughout Scripture. All believers are joint heirs with Christ and should be looking toward the coming of their Savior.

Attacks on Assurance, Part 2

Ephesians 6:10-13

Christians can feel as though the Lord has withdrawn His smile from them and are concerned that their current or difficult state may mean that they are not truly a Christian. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Attacks on Assurance (2),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that when Christians experience hardship and adversity, they must remember that the Lord allows difficult things in their lives because He wants to grow them as Christians. This ought to be a great comfort in hardship. Adversity encourages the Christian not to rely on their good works, but to be encouraged that they are being matured and prepared for future glory with Christ. They should not question their justification when they experience trials and suffering. Instead they should remember that when they confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse His people from all unrighteousness.

Final Perseverance

Romans 11:16-22

Can Christians lose their salvation? There are few more contested and more important theological questions in Christianity. Many believers are plagued by doubts because they fear that they may fail to work out their own salvation and be eternally lost in hell. In this sermon on Romans 11:16–22 titled “Final Perseverance,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones offers solace to any fearful Christians. He says that the Bible never teaches that true believers can lose salvation. This is for the simple reason that it is God through His Son Jesus Christ who saves. Christians are not even saved by faith, first and foremost, but ultimately by Christ who grants them their faith. Jesus loves His people and He is both able and willing to guard them from ever falling away. What about those passages that speak of the need to persevere? The Holy Spirit uses many means to build up Christians in faith and joy and these passages that warn Christians not to fall away are one of these means that God uses to preserve those He loves. What about people who say they are Christians and stop believing? There are many who are self-deceived and think that they are saved, but their life shows that this is not a true work of God. The glorious truth of the gospel is that Jesus saves all those that He loves and He will lose no one.

Grieve Not the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:30

What does it mean to “grieve the Holy Spirit?” In this sermon on grieving the Holy Spirit from Ephesians 4:30, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks of Paul’s statement that encompasses all the particulars that he had been talking about in the preceding verses. Importantly, it also serves to differentiate Christian ethics from any other ethical tradition. If a Christian’s morality is not rooted in this purpose and understanding of sinning against God, then it is not Christian at all. Paul’s point is this: any wrong living grieves the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is the seal of the Christian’s inheritance and indwells those who are saved. All sin runs counter to the character of God and grieves Him greatly. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that when one becomes a Christian, their relationship to God becomes one of love instead of one as a lawbreaker. Thus, when one sins, they must not be grieved because they have broken His law, but rather because they have sinned against His great love for them. Understanding this, it is easy to see why it is such a serious thing to sin and grieve the Holy Spirit. How can this be countered? Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that the Christian must constantly be aware of the Lord’s presence. As people are reverent around royalty, Christians must remember that God is constantly with them and act accordingly. This will drive them to a desire to honor and please Him with their lives.

Renewal of the Mind (2)

Romans 12:1-2

The purpose of the incarnation, the cross, and the resurrection is not to merely have individuals escape hell. The Christian will miss the glory of the person and work of Christ if they reduce salvation to fire insurance. In this sermon on Romans 12:1–2 titled “Renewal of the Mind (2),” regeneration, or new birth, is being transferred out of the kingdom of darkness, and transferred into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. This is what it means to be a Christian – God creates a new humanity. The Christian has new thoughts, new attitudes, and a new outlook on life. In short, their mind is changed. As the apostle Paul says succinctly, the Christian has a renewal of the mind. One misses the message of the entire New Testament if they miss the apostle Paul’s teaching in this passage. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds how important Paul’s teaching is to the Christian life. As pilgrims on the journey, Christians say to themselves day by day, “I no longer belong to the darkness; I am of the people of God. I am of His kingdom.” By reminding themselves of these things, they view God, themselves, the world, and time itself in a completely different way. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones applies one of the most profound teachings on the doctrine of sanctification.

New Life

Romans 6:3-4

Does the battle against sin feel hopeless? Will the Christian ever conquer this war against their flesh? As Christians, all have died, been buried, and crucified with Christ. But yet they still sin. Paul explained that all Christians were previously under the wrath, rule, and reign of sin. However, just as they were related and joined with Adam, so now they are related and joined with Christ who died on the cross. In this sermon on Romans 6:3–4 titled “New Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this happened without question. It is the first step in justification. In addition to being joined in Christ’s death, the Christian has been buried with Christ as well. Burial is always the final proof of death. This means that the Christian is truly done with their past way of life and sin and will join Christ in His resurrection. Christ could not be held by the power of death; the glory and power of God raised Him from the dead. That same glory and power also raised the Christian. Because of this, Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges the listener to walk in this newness of life and to rejoice in the fact that they are joined with Christ and walk with Him in the new life.

Servants of Righteousness

Romans 6:18

What does it mean to be a “slave to righteousness”? Paul explains in Romans 6:18 that Christians are no longer slaves to sin and sin has power no longer. Instead, Christians are now slaves to righteousness. In this sermon on Romans 6:18 titled “Servants of Righteousness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones details several truths that can be drawn from this one verse. He is clear to point out that he is not saying that there is no sin left in the Christian or that they are free from sinful nature or temptations. There is no choice in this matter of sanctification because it starts the moment that the Christian believes. Once they believe, the soul yearns with jealous envy for righteousness because they are drawn to the realm of God instead of the realm of sin. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also warns that many people can have qualities of a Christian but not hold the same doctrines. He mentions that the Pharisees were people like this, creating their own righteousness instead of submitting to God’s righteousness. This practice is ignorant. One does not understand what morality is and needs to lean on the Lord for wisdom. Christians can rejoice that the Lord who began a good work in them will be faithful to complete this work.

Knowledge Puffs Up

Ephesians 6:10-13

What does it mean to know God and His word? Some say that by merely knowing many facts about the Bible, they truly know God. But in this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Knowledge Puffs Up,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the need to know God with true knowledge. Many Christians are tempted to think about the Bible as just another book from which to learn. But this is not the Bible of the living God. Scripture demands that Christians approach it as God’s word and in a way that they learn who God is. Mere theoretical knowledge is not the goal of Christian growth. Christians must encounter God as He has revealed Himself in His word, and they must look to Scripture as the speech of God. Christians must seek to know God, not merely know about Him. They must have a personal knowledge of God. Theological debates cannot replace loving God and each other, for true knowledge of God is a saving knowledge based in His Son, Jesus Christ. This sermon calls each and every Christian to a deeper and fuller knowledge of God as found in His word.