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To Know God

John 7:17

In its deepest time of need, the world did not receive the Son of God. This is as true today as it was when the Gospel of John was written. But why does the world persist in its unbelief? In light of its desperation, how is it possible that the world continues to reject the extraordinary message of the gospel? In this sermon on John 7:17 titled “To Know God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues his study of unbelief and says that unbelief is moral rather than merely intellectual. He then goes on to expound why this must be the case based upon an understanding of the nature of God and the truth of the Christian faith. In their prejudice, people want to make Christianity an intellectual or detached academic endeavor. Intellectualism allows exploration of religion in lab coats rather than coming face-to-face with the fact that all are sinners who cannot approach a holy God with feeble intellect. While the majority of the world rejects the gospel of Christ, Christians have eyes to understand the moral dilemma and flee to Christ by faith. Listen to Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach on unbelief to not only understand its characteristics, but more importantly to worship the Son of Man who came to seek and save the lost.

The Good News of Salvation

Acts 5:29-32

How great is the gospel? To see the transforming and saving power of the Gospel, there is no better place to look than the early church. In this sermon on Acts 5:29–32, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks to the great deeds of the Apostles as they stand against persecution and boldly proclaim the gospel. After the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, Peter, John, and the other disciples have no fear in the face of persecution. They are beaten and imprisoned, but what do they do? They continue to preach Christ and Him crucified. This shows the great power of God, that He can work to change fearful fishermen into bold heralds of the kingdom of God. What does this message have to offer modern Christians and the church of today? The message of God’s faithfulness and the good news of salvation is a timeless message that the church always needs to hear. God has promised that He will give His Holy Spirit to the church, and He will empower believers to take the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth. This is so that all people might know that Jesus is the Savior of the world who has died for sinners so that all who believe are saved and made children of God.

Let Everyone Worship the God of Daniel

Daniel 6:1-28

In this sermon on Daniel 6:1–28 titled “Let Everyone Worship the God of Daniel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones asks the listener if people talk about the Christian’s God like they talked about “the God of Daniel.” This is the only true and living God. What can the Christian do to proclaim their belief and trust in Him? Look at the faithfulness of Daniel in his work and character. He was a worker not marked by error or fault, but rather as being the best, most reliable, and honest of all workers. Listen to the history of other faithful Christians who proclaimed the gospel of Christ through their exceptional work ethic. Does the gospel have such a clear influence on the Christian’s life? It was obvious that Daniel knew the God he worshipped; he had a clear and specific religion that could be defined. Daniel did not even compromise his religion. There was no superficial excitement. Daniel stood on the gospel principles in the face of death itself. A man of character who thanked God, whatever the circumstances. The Christian is encouraged to know the way of salvation, so that they can rely upon God and be ready to suffer anything for Him.

The Sons of Sceva

Acts 19:13-16

Many in the modern church are like the seven sons of Sceva who know of Christianity, but they are not truly regenerate. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches in this sermon on the Sons of Sceva from Acts 19:13–16, they have yet to give up their worldly ways and believe in the truth of the gospel. Many associate themselves with the church for social or financial gain. They are self-deceived hypocrites who try to use Christianity for worldly gain and pleasures. Many of these people are simply humanists or socialists who use Christianity as a platform for their ideologies. This kind of association for gain has been prevalent whenever Christianity is viewed as socially expedient. But this has the terrible effect of creating false believers who have never truly believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ or repented of their sins. This is why there are so many Christians who resemble the world more than Christ. The answer to this is a call to true faith in the only gospel that can save. It is a call for all to turn from their sins and hypocrisy and be born again to a new life in Christ. The church must be clear that to be a Christian one must have been regenerated and given a new nature that comes from the work of the Holy Spirit.

Darkness and Light

Ephesians 4:17-19

The greatest hindrance to belief in the gospel does not arise from human intellect, but from the heart that has been darkened by sin. In this sermon on Ephesians 4:17–19 titled “Darkness and Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones highlights the warning of Christ that all people in their natural state are alienated from God and unable to pursue what is good and right. This is because the effects of the fall extend to every aspect of humanity. It corrupts the mind, hardens the heart, and distorts the will. Despite this fallen state, humanity still places great worth and confidence in their ability to reason and know morality. This is evident in the many great philosophers of the ancient world who after all their learning and knowledge were still never able to come to true knowledge of God. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches, this shows that what people need is not simply more knowledge, but a new heart and mind that is freed from the mastery of sin and its domination. However, freedom from sin comes only through the gospel of grace and the sovereign working of the Holy Spirit. This is why it is so important to pray that God would work in the hearts and minds of others to reveal Himself to them and give them a true understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Nature of Unbelief

Acts 5:33-42

Opposition to Christianity is nothing new. The apostles faced much resistance in their day when they proclaimed the gospel of the risen Christ. Listen to “The Nature of Unbelief” as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unpacks Acts 5:33–42, showing how this came primarily from the same Jewish leaders who had opposed the ministry of Christ and put Him to death. The Jewish leaders did this not because they were rational individuals who sought to preserve the truth, but because they had been blinded by sin and the devil. This is unbelief manifested. It is a reaction against the truth of the gospel that is produced by a sinful, fallen nature. As it was then in the early church, so it is also now. Modern humanity opposes the truth claims of Christianity because they think they are scientific and enlightened. This rejection of Christianity is really nothing more than the outworking of a fallen and sin-corrupted heart and mind. Humanity’s fundamental problem with the gospel is never a matter of intellectual objections alone, but with the heart. The heart of a person can only be renewed by the sovereign working of God’s Holy Spirit when it opens the eyes of the spiritually dead. The church should take great comfort in knowing that it is the Spirit of God that has the power to make even the most hardened sinners repent and believe.

Behold Your God

Isaiah 40:12-17

What is one of the greatest errors when people talk and think about God? In this sermon on Isaiah 40:12–17 titled “Behold Your God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that it is the assumption that God is like people. This tendency is seen in the way that humanity set themselves up as judges of Scripture, and how they question the goodness of God. This human-centered way of thinking puts God second and people first. But Scripture gives a different picture of how people are to approach God. In Scripture, God stands above all humanity and exists in unapproachable light. God is glorious and holy. Sinful people cannot even look at Him, lest they be consumed. How then are sinful and fallen people to relate to God? The answer is found in the glorious truth of the gospel. God sends His Son Jesus Christ into the world to die for sinners that they might be righteous. God cannot even look at evil, yet in the gospel He makes what was evil good through the work of Christ. How can anyone stand before God? The answer is by believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ and confessing one’s sin before God. Then they are declared righteous by God’s grace.

The Narrow Way

Matthew 7:13-14

“Why are Christians so narrowminded?” This is a frequent charge against Christians, but according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the great danger is actually when Christians in the church become broadminded. In order to curry favor with “the man of learning,” the church is cutting and trimming the gospel message. Instead Christians must embrace the narrow way, and preach the whole truth of the gospel with holy boldness. In this sermon on Matthew 7:13–14 titled “The Narrow Way,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines the words of Jesus Christ who taught much on the soul during His years of ministry on the earth. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives several examples of Jesus’s life and teaching where He focused on the human response to His message. The message of Jesus Christ is intimately narrow, and intensely personal so that every individual must face it alone. The narrowness of the gospel is seen most clearly in the saving work of Jesus Christ, because there is no other way of salvation. Jesus lived His whole life on earth by the narrow way, eventually leading to His death on the cross. But the narrow way ultimately leads to eternal life as seen in the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. The wide way, however, leads to destruction.

Seeking Certainty

Psalms 63:1-3

How can one know that God loves and cares for His children? In this sermon on Psalm 63:1–3 titled “Seeking Certainty,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that Christians can know this by trusting in God’s revelation of Jesus Christ. A Christian that is maturing in their faith is one who rests on what Christ has done for them. This mature faith produces assurance that is not simply a passing emotion that comes and goes, but it is an abiding and true experience knowing they belong to God. That belonging is proven in a life of humble obedience. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones also warns against those who teach an assurance of bare intellectual assent. They say that to simply claim that one believes in Christ and His gospel is all that is needed of assurance. This is shown to be inadequate from the many scriptural passages that show the deep and loving trust that the saints of God can have in the gospel. This is an intimate and personal knowledge that God loves them and has sent his Son to die a cruel death on the cross so that they could be saved. This is certainly intellectual assent to the gospel, but it is more. It is the product of the Holy Spirit working in their lives so that they trust God and His promises in true faith. This should be an experience that all Christians seek and obtain.

They Went Everywhere Preaching

Acts 8:4

Christianity began as a small movement in a vast, often hostile Roman Empire. How did it grow? What factors contributed to it eventually becoming the dominant religion of the empire? Moreover, what can be learned from the early church as the culture reverts back to hostile paganism? In this sermon on Acts 8:4 titled “They Went Everywhere Preaching,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones highlights the vital importance of men like Peter, Paul, and the other apostles as they preached the good news around the empire. Interestingly, he notes the role persecution played in the spread of the gospel. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones specifically points to the witness and testimony of ordinary members of the Christian church as being a means God regularly uses to spread the truth about Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones comments on how often the Holy Spirit uses ordinary Christians to preach the word. He emphasizes that the spread of the gospel comes by the preaching of the word, not just talking about oneself. Christians must consider today how God has used ordinary men and women in ordinary conversation, preaching the extraordinary message of Christ to evangelize the world. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches why “gossiping” the gospel is of such great importance.

Christ; the Answer to Our Needs

Acts 5:1-11

Modern people reject the truth of the Christian faith often on the basis of the supposed superiority of science over faith. The claim is that no rational person can believe the gospel and the Christian faith in light of what is known about the world. In this sermon from Acts 5:1–11 titled “Christ: The Answer to Our Needs,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that while people may affirm the need for moral improvement, and therefore like the moral teachings of Jesus, they reject the two natures in Christ and the need for salvation from sin and the wrath to come. They reject the supernatural religion of Christianity for the moralistic teachings of godless humanism but moralistic religion cannot save people from their inevitable death. Humanity needs a new nature that will grant a true desire for righteousness. They must be delivered from the wrath of God and the power of Satan. Only through the supernatural work of Christianity can His children be transferred from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones powerfully says, those who reject the gospel of Christ have no hope. Moralistic teachings cannot save anyone from death, Satan, and the wrath of God against all unrighteousness. Salvation is only through the supernatural work of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Opponents: Objections and Judgment

Acts 4:1-12

Christians should be encouraged that some of the trials and persecution they are facing in life might be as a result of being a follower of Jesus. Christians are not facing a new situation, and in this sermon on Acts 4:1–12 titled “Opponents: Objections and Judgment,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches on the gospel and people’s rejection of it. Christians must not forget that hostility towards the gospel is not a novelty— from the beginning, Christianity was rejected, and opposition to it has not changed at all. While people reject the gospel because of prejudices they bring against it that blind them to the truth, one of the main barriers to belief is pride. Christianity does not fit into the way that people want to think about the world and themselves. What are unbelievers rejecting? Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that at the root, people reject Jesus Christ as Savior and as the only Savior. Yet, as he points out, these are two extremely vital doctrines that must be dealt with by all. Why is Jesus the only Savior? From Scripture, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that everyone is dead in their sins by their nature. Jesus is the only Savior because He is the only Savior sufficient enough to rescue humanity since He lived sinlessly and conquered death. Through Him, and Him alone, people can have the victory.

Pride

Romans 11:18-22

Why is pride so dangerous? What about pride undermines the gospel and leads people into self-deception and deceit? In this sermon on Romans 11:18–22 titled “Pride,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the need to learn God’s word so as to fight against pride. Pride undermines the gospel because it makes people focus on themselves and their own works, justifying themselves. According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the great sin of many of the Jewish people who wanted to return to the law was the sin of pride. They sought to find salvation in their own identity and works but this is wholly opposed to the message of Jesus. Jesus Christ tells that one must forsake any chance of saving themselves. He tells that no works can makes one right before God. Pride makes the person look at what they do for their worth; Jesus makes them look to Him to find worth. Paul warns the church of his day about the danger of falling away from the gospel and looking to works to justify oneself. This is still a temptation for many Christians and for this reason, believers must always flee from self-righteousness and look to Jesus Christ and what He has done as Jesus alone saves.

Jesus Christ; Our Lord

Romans 1:3-5

Christians are forgiven of sin so that they may follow their Savior. Some today reject this notion that one must submit to Jesus as Lord. They argue salvation is by grace, and therefore obedience is not necessary. While salvation is completely by grace through faith, the Christian faith must not be separated from obedience to Jesus. Can one accept Jesus as Savior and not as Lord? In this sermon titled “Jesus Christ, Our Lord” from Romans 1:3–5, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers that question with a resounding no. The earliest Christians were persecuted over the word “Lord.” For them, Jesus was not only Savior, but he was also Lord. The very nature of believing the gospel becomes an issue of submission. Christians are commanded to believe, and thus obey the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that the only way one can accept Jesus is in this full sense: as both Savior and Lord. Faith is obedience to the word of God. If the word of God is rejected, then God is also rejected, making Him a liar. Receiving the gospel is, therefore, to obey Him and receive Jesus as Lord. The entire Christian faith depends on the recognition of this and this is what makes one a Christian. This is the work of God: that the Christian believes on Him who He has sent –– Jesus Christ, the Lord.’

The Pharisees

Luke 16:14-15

Why was Jesus opposed to the Pharisees? In the gospels, no one is condemned more by the Lord Jesus than the religious leaders of the day, the Pharisees. Throughout the gospels, they oppose Jesus and seek to trap Him in His words. In this sermon on Luke 16:14–15 titled “The Pharisees,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that eventually the Pharisees—with the help of the Romans—crucify Him. Jesus condemned them because they claimed to follow the law of Moses and the prophets, yet they were religious hypocrites who loved public praise and recognition. Jesus condemned them because they claimed to be experts in the law and not only added their own traditions to the law of Moses, but they opposed Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the law. They pretended to be holy and righteous, yet they were dead on the inside. Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims that there are many today in the church just like the Pharisees. They are self-righteous hypocrites who love to be thought of as holy but do not believe in the gospel, and they trust in their own works for salvation. This false righteousness that is only concerned with looking good is condemned by Jesus because the true righteousness of the kingdom of God comes not by anything one does. It comes by Christ Jesus who is the righteousness for all who believe.

'But God': The Christian Message to the World

Ephesians 2:4

It is not merely the outwardly wicked who are saved by grace who should be amazed at their salvation. Every Christian, even those who lived a supposed moral life before salvation, should be amazed at God’s grace. Salvation is entirely God’s work. In the sermon on Ephesians 2:4 titled “‘But God:’ The Christian Message to the World,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines Paul’s introduction of the chief characteristics of the gospel. What makes the gospel good news? It is that in one’s salvation, they become a new creature. Conversion is not merely something added to life, but rather a new realm of thinking. The dead have become alive. Dr. Lloyd-Jones remarks that Christ’s redemptive work for such sinners seems impossible and yet it’s true. He died for the dead so the dead may be made alive. God has done this to show His unmerited favor. His kindness and love are displayed through the salvation of wretched sinners. Come to Christ and discover the exceeding greatness of His power to all who believe. Through the gospel, God has found a way of liberating sinners from all their sin. The Christian, therefore, should be amazed that God would save a sinner such as themselves and not be ashamed because it is the power of God.

Principalities and Powers

Acts 8:5-12

Rebellion against God takes many forms. While some reject all notions of religion, more often rebellion shows up in substituting a belief system in place of the gospel of Christ. In the sermon “Principalities and Powers,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exposes false faith as he shows how modern day humanity turns to the failed faiths such as new age mysticism, eastern religions like Buddhism, in rejection of the only true God. Humanity’s instinct for faith refuses to be satisfied with the God of the Bible. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares from Acts 8:5–12 how the gospel goes to Samaria as the apostles encounter Simon the magician. He used his so-called magic to make a great name for himself and to win the adoration of the people but he is shown to be an evil man who uses false religion to deceive people and lead them astray. This deceptive and demonic kind of false spirituality that Simon the magician used is no different from the many spiritualistic religions of the modern humanity. Both reject true Christianity and use spiritualistic practices, whether it be magic or drugs, and both are ultimately false religions. This is why the church of today must be clear and bold in its witness to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation from sin and death.

Ignorance: Prejudice and Fog in the Mind

1 Timothy 1:12-13

Why do some people reject Christ? The truth of the gospel seems so sure, and yet many still turn from it. Why? In this sermon on 1 Timothy 1:12–13 titled “Ignorance: Prejudice and Fog in the Mind,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones takes to Scripture to explain why people reject the gospel. One of the greatest missionaries of all time was the apostle Paul. Yet in 1 Timothy 1:12–13, he makes a startling admission—he had at one point been a great blasphemer of God and persecutor of Christians. And yet, God eventually saved him. People today say that they are not Christians because of their high intellect— they say that Christianity is for the weak-minded, and that they do not need it since they have a high intellectual understanding. Yet, many great Christians throughout history have shown this to be false simply because they were of towering intellect themselves. Augustine and Paul himself are just two out of a vast number of those who were brilliant and yet followed Jesus. Paul writes that the real reason for rejection is unbelief and ignorance that bring prejudice against the gospel and blind people to its truths. What exactly is this unbelief and ignorance about? Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the real reason for unbelief and how Christians can effectively engage it today.

The God of Miracles

Acts 7:30-33

What is the purpose of miracles? Can they happen today? In this sermon on miracles from Acts 7:30–33 titled “The God of Miracles,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the power of God to supernaturally work through miracles and providence. He cannot be comprehended by finite creatures apart from the Holy Spirit’s illumination. Modern humanity rejects God, refusing to submit to the One who stands above and beyond all humanity and who reserves the right to do with them and all of creation as He pleases. Humanity wants a god they can understand and grasp, not one who is the ultimate authority, directing and ordaining all things. Sinful people do not want to believe in angels, demons, or miracles because their hunger for imperial evidence views them as non-scientific or irrational. However, these reasons for denial are only excuses to avoid accountability to God’s holy standard. With the message of the gospel comes the strong warning of condemnation that will fall on all who reject God. On that final day all will bow their knees before the throne of God and there will no longer be any objection to God’s law and reign. They will no longer sneer at the word of God and its miracles. All who reject the gospel of God and His only Son will perish without any hope. Only by believing in the gospel can any rebellious sinner be saved.

God's Way of Salvation

Acts 6:2-7

How does one respond to the gospel? What should the attitude be toward Jesus Christ? In this sermon on Acts 5:41-42 titled “God’s Way of Salvation,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones directs attention to hearts and attitudes toward Christ. Is the view of Jesus like that of the Sanhedrin or the apostles? While the Sanhedrin believed in the existence of God, they rejected Jesus the Son and His atoning work on the cross. The apostles, on the other hand, had a different response — they believed in Jesus the Messiah. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes how Christians should live in light of the gospel. Christians should rejoice and glorify Christ, ready to suffer in His name. His name is worthy of suffering and sacrifice because, as Christians, Christ is all.