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How does one know that they are born of God? How do they know if they are walking by the flesh or by the Spirit? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the Christian’s lack of assurance in John 1:12–13 by discussing the leading of the Holy Spirit in the daily life of the Christian and connects the Christian’s conscience and convictions to the inner work and leading of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, he addresses the grave error of antinomianism and religious traditionalism for the Christian. He also addresses if a Christian should abstain from certain foods or practices for the season of Lent and confronting a religiosity that embraces the “leading of the Spirit” apart from the Word of God, considering that the Spirit is instrumental in the illumination of the Word and the renewing of the Christian’s mind. Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides this as a test for the Christian who lacks assurance: “Does your conscience allow you to return to sin again and again or does it rebuke you and draw you further and further into a holy life and practical love for God?” Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses these and other issues surrounding what it means to be led by the Spirit of God and know what it is to be born of God.
What is it that empowers Christians to live as followers of Christ? In this sermon on John 4:13-14 titled “The Power Within,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that the answer is the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers. All who have believed in Christ have the Holy Spirit indwelling in them, and they have been made new by His power. For this reason, Christians ought to look to what the Bible tells them is the standard for living and for the world. All who believe have overcome the world. Christians cannot simply avoid doing what the world does, but they must strive to please God by living a life according to His commands. This frees believers from the danger of legalism because they look to God’s Word as the standard for what it means to live as a Christian empowered by the Holy Spirit. This sermon forces everyone to ask the questions: “do you have the Holy Spirit? Have you repented of your sins and believed in Jesus Christ?” It is only through trusting in Christ that anyone can have peace with God.
Why does the church seem weak, ineffective, and powerless? As the world is in chaos, why are Christian people so lethargic about witnessing to the glorious good news of the gospel? In his sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Quenching the Spirit (2),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones offers a challenging and convicting message to the church today: beware of quenching the Spirit. Quenching the Holy Spirit is one of the ways the devil works in believers’ lives in order to make their Christian life ineffectual and lacking power. Dr. Lloyd-Jones diagnoses the problem by looking at the Scriptures and noting that the person filled with the Spirit knows their doctrine, has a love and warmth about them, and has the power of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones then proceeds to offer application for how one can be guilty of quenching the Spirit. He attacks such practices as formalism in the church, conflating regeneration and the baptism of the Spirit, as well as a general resistance of the Spirit’s prompting.
What could be better than living with the incarnated Son of God? What could be better than audibly hearing His voice and feeling the wounds He bears from the cross? Remarkably, Jesus said that the sending of the Spirit would be better than if Jesus stayed on Earth bodily. In this sermon from John 1:16 titled “The Promise of the Spirit,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses the glorious truths surrounding the sending of the Spirit and its impact on Christian theology and practice. He traces the activity of the Spirit from Genesis through Acts to see how the giving of the Spirit at Pentecost was a vital gift from Christ to His Church. The Spirit was involved intimately with creation and in giving strength and wisdom to the people of God, but only in the new covenant is the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit found as the new norm for the people of God. This giving of the Holy Spirit is intimately connected to the Christian’s understanding of the new heart and the sanctification of the Christian.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in one’s life? Is there any room in prayers for praying for revival and a fresh outpouring of the Spirit? In this sermon on the wonderful works of God from Acts 2:11, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses the outlook of the church in his day. The church waxes and wanes throughout church history. At times it is strong in spreading forth in holiness and evangelism, reaching far and wide to exclaim the glories of her great God and Savior Jesus Christ. And yet at other times it wanes in want for a glimpse of the power of God in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that throughout the Old and New Testaments, the focus of the Bible is on the mighty acts of God. At Pentecost the mighty acts of God were heard in a multitude of languages. Moreover, he points out that the church has reserved little room to pray for revival and a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit with power. He implicates this rejection as the main reason for the weaknesses of the church in the modern day, closing itself off from the possibility of revival.
Sin contaminates everything. Although God created the first two humans to be sinless, pure, and upright, they quickly fell into sin. What started with their act of sin continues in everyone today. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches the sermon “Uncircumcised in Heart” from Acts 7:54–60 and proclaims that sin blinds and makes humanity unable to hear the things of God. Even when the gospel first enters the ears, it sounds foolish and incomprehensible. This is the case of many who saw Jesus perform great miracles yet because of their unbelief did not understand what they saw. Just as a blind person cannot heal themselves, neither can a sinner save themselves. This why God in his grace provided a way of salvation. This is the gospel of grace. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts people and enables them to believe. While sinful people can and do resist the Holy Spirit as the Pharisees did, the Holy Spirit can ultimately overcome the most deep-seated unbelief. God is able to overcome the most irrational aspects of unbelief. When God’s Holy Spirit works to make sinners born again and give circumcised hearts, they receive the new life in Christ and the Spirit indwells them, making them new creatures.
Today’s cultural environment is difficult for the church. How are Christians supposed to act in the midst of increasing hostility towards the faith? In this sermon on Acts 5:32, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws from Scripture and church history to encourage believers in how to walk with the Lord in difficult times. The church has had to fight for her life many times over the centuries, and the essence of wisdom is to look at the past and see how she has survived. How did the church flourish in the midst of trials and persecution? The church flourished through the emphasis on personal witness and the witness of the Holy Spirit. So often believers focus solely on their abilities and witness when instead they are also called to recognize the need for the Holy Spirit. Though the Spirit is often thought of in terms of the spiritual gifts He bestows, perhaps more important is the role He plays in everyday lives and how He lives out His testimony in and through His people. This correct view shows that people are desperately dependent on the Holy Spirit for their lives to be lived out in a godly manner. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages Christians about how they can keep the faith in the midst of a hostile environment by relying on the Holy Spirit.
In the sermon titled “A More Excellent Way,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues his series on John 1:12–13 by shedding light on the topic of the Holy Spirit. This topic, which is often shrouded in foggy notions and vague ideas, has light to bring to the Christian stranded in a dark season of lack of assurance. For anyone who fears grieving the Holy Spirit, there is assurance. The person who does not know God may fear losing their good name. They may fear failure, but be assured, Christians should not fear grieving the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones touches on these notes, as well the difference between spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit, and several other chords that ring close to the heartbeat of the Christian. Before he closes his discourse, Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on the way that three of the fruit of the Spirit impact the Christian life – love, joy, and peace. The sermon asks the listener to examine their own soul and ask “do these divine realities live in my soul? Do I weep when the Holy Spirit is grieved by my sin? Does love for God and love for my neighbor mark my life? Does joy and peace mark my soul despite suffering and hardship?”
What does one do if confronted with miraculous spiritual events? In this exposition of John 1:26–33 by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones titled “Testing of the Spirits (1),” he begins the discussion of how to process and test the spirits. First, Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that, throughout history, revival (which he deems as “many people being baptized in the Holy Spirit”) may or may not be accompanied by miraculous gifts, and is actually more often than not lacking these miraculous occurrences. However, in light of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes several errors. First, some people say that the baptism always has to be accompanied by the miraculous gifts, but it is arrogant to say the Holy Spirit has to work that way. Next, there are those who deny the miraculous gifts and quench the Spirit. This, too, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is unbiblical. Lastly, there are those who accept all things without testing anything, which Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues can be dangerous. The Christian must accept and test. In light of this, Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that they must not rely solely on feelings, nor the credibility of people, but should examine what is being taught. The Christian must not be surprised if Satan attacks those closest to the Lord.
Does the saved person comprehend Christianity? Have they also been changed by it? While good doctrine is necessary, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains in his sermon on John 4:13–14 titled “A New Quality of Life” that the Christian doesn’t merely follow a teaching but instead the Christian’s life is changed by the Holy Spirit. It is not about what they do but what is done to them. He describes that the Holy Spirit changes people in a moment and over time. Every Christian is changed instantly when they are regenerated and given new life. Moreover, every Christian undergoes some degree of change through sanctification, which means being changed progressively over the course of an entire lifetime. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that one of the best ways to perceive these changes is to look at the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of a changed life; a life that is impacted by the Spirit and given new life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones goes on to detail these fruits and categorize them. The Christian asks themselves: “Do you find that you have been changed by the Holy Spirit? Do you have a new heart with good desires and joy?” All are encouraged to listen and hear how to gain clarity on the state of the soul.
What does it mean to be baptized in the Spirit? In this sermon on John 3:30, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from the part of this gospel where John the Baptist says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He speaks of what it means to be baptized by the Holy Ghost, which is mentioned throughout the book of John. Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is one that awakens a believer into joy and evangelism and out of despair and loneliness. Many have prayed to be baptized by the Spirit, but God has only chosen to give it to some. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that John the Baptist was not baptized by the Spirit since he was the least in the kingdom. He also explains that John the Baptist sometimes spoke the words of God, while Jesus Christ always spoke the words of God. This contrast is important when recognizing that prophets and people are not infallible, yet Jesus Christ was and is truly without error. The difference between water baptism and baptism by the Spirit, Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches, is that water baptism is obedience and confirmation of conversion, and baptism by the Holy Ghost is in order to bring more lost souls home to Christ.
What happened on that day when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost? Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unfolds the teaching of Christ in this sermon from Acts 4:31 and the power of the Spirit that came upon the early church. This event, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, began the supernatural and Spirit-filled ministry of the early church led by the Apostles. This was the source of their success, not programs that catered to what fallen sinners wanted. This is a message that the church in modern times needs to hear, as it is not the entertainment value of the gospel that brings people to faith and repentance in the name of Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit works in the lives of fallen men and women, they become new creatures with new desires and inclinations. This is the source of the Christian’s strength in life, and it is the Holy Spirit that prompts them to pray and seek God. This is not the mere effort of people, but it is part of being a new person in Christ Jesus. Once the church understands this, they will see the futility of appealing to the appetites of fallen people. They will cease to accommodate the gospel to the standards of minds that do not know the light and have suppressed the knowledge of God. The church must imitate the examples of the Apostles who relied on the power of God and not on humanity.
What is the power in preaching? Is it in the preacher’s own preparation and scholarship? If it is, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that they are to be most miserable. In this sermon titled “The Spirit and the Power,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds upon what he believes to be the most important ingredient in preaching: the unction, or power, of the Holy Spirit. Consider the apostles: they had all of the teaching and preparation, but this was not enough. The Holy Spirit must come and give these men power to preach the gospel. In one’s own strength, the preacher is filled with only fear and trembling. He is a weak man; an “earthen vessel.” Dr. Lloyd-Jones tells of a minister who went to bed feeling utterly incapable, and awoke the next morning feeling like a lion ready to preach. What happened? This man was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. This power in preaching gives the preacher clarity of thought and speech. It gives assurance and confidence in their proclamation of God’s word. This power, however, is not something the preacher can conjure up. It is a gift of God. Unction is something that comes upon, and takes hold of, the preacher. Listen as he encourages his students to pray for this power in their preaching.
Do not tinker with demons! In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Spiritism and the Christian,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the topic of spiritualism and the use of mediums. He says that while the Bible never denies the existence of spirits and other powers, it nevertheless condemns the use of these spirits to commune with the dead and divine the future. He uses the example of Saul and the witch of Endor as an example of the pagan spiritism that God’s word unequivocally condemns. It is only out of a spirit of unbelief that people are tempted to turn away from God and try to consult the dead. This reliance on unholy demonic powers is a fundamental denial of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and His loving providence over the entire world. It is only when people reject God that they turn to pagan idolatry. Furthermore, some have argued that the Bible, particularly the ministry of Jesus, is compatible with spiritualism. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that to do so is to reject the clear teachings of the gospel that it is the Holy Spirit and the power of God that empowers the ministry of Jesus, not so-called spirits and medians. Only the true power of God can preserve and lead to all truth and righteousness.
What was the significance of the historical event known as Pentecost? According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in this sermon on Acts 2:12, there would be no Church if not for what occurred in the Upper Room that day. The filling of the disciples with the Holy Spirit during the feast of Pentecost was a fulfillment of prophecy and reveals to us God’s plan for redemption. This event falls properly in line with other important events involving our salvation, specifically the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sending of the Holy Ghost is one of the mighty proofs that the Son of God carries out what He promises, and He is who He says He is. Salvation comes when one is face to face with the power of the Holy Spirit. He descends and He works to convict sin. Do you feel guilty in your sin before God? Perhaps the Holy Spirit is working in you for the purpose of salvation! Dr. Lloyd-Jones pleads with you to “call on the name of the Lord” as he explains what exactly that entails in this sermon covering the historical event of Pentecost.
What does one do with excesses related to the Holy Spirit? Many Christians are wary of any emphasis on the experience of the Spirit. In this sermon on Romans 8:16 titled “The True and the False,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has been working out the doctrine of Spirit baptism and recognizes many will be fearful of such talk. He warns his listeners, however, that they must not fall prey to quenching the Spirit simply because there are potential excesses. Doubling down, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that those who minimize the experience of the Spirit’s work are perhaps guilty of quenching both revival and evangelism. What is his alternative? He acknowledges that any time there is an outpouring of the Spirit, counterfeits will follow. Satan will take advantage of this opportunity and convince Christians to focus on the experience rather than God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s solution is not to deny the Spirit’s work, but to discern the true from the false. Christians should watch for holiness to follow those who claim a special work of the Spirit. He encourages being wary if awe and glory of God do not follow the particular experience of the Spirit. Listen to this sermon on Romans 8:16 as Dr. Lloyd-Jones seeks a balanced approach to the witness of the Spirit in the experience of believers.
Paul states that the greatest proof of the love of God is His plan of salvation. The one assurance beyond that is the direct witness of the Holy Spirit Himself. The Holy Spirit bears witness that Christians are indeed children of God. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones notes in this sermon on Romans 5:9-10 that after Paul discusses being justified by God, he uses the phrase “how much more then.” Christ has already died, which meant that His people no longer have to face God’s wrath. Also much more, Christ gave the gift of the Holy Spirit as well. Dr. Lloyd- Jones then discusses justification and how the cross procures this justification on the Christian’s behalf. It is not human works, faith, or self- sanctification that justifies; it is purely the work of Christ on the cross. This act guarantees final salvation, when Christ comes to receive His church and His people are with Him in glory for eternity.
When is a Christian sealed by the Holy Spirit? Through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament writers, the Christian knows that salvation comes by trusting in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. But when is a believer confirmed by the Holy Spirit and what is this experience like? In this sermon on Romans 8:16 titled “Nature of the Spirit’s Witness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dives into these questions, quoting examples from the Bible and Christian theologians. He says that not all believers undergo the feeling of being sealed by the Spirit. Some believers do not feel that singular moment where they experience a period of spiritual elation or a time of intense connection to God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says these moments are not necessary for a person to be a Christian. After all, the disciples were believers before the Spirit came upon them at Pentecost. In his sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the sealing of the Spirit is a tool used by God to prepare Christians when perhaps a time of temptation or persecution is coming. He concludes by saying that God may send these believers the gifts and empowerment necessary to weather the time ahead.
What is the greatest hope in this life? In this sermon on John 3:8 titled “The Spirit’s Witness with Our Spirit,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that the Bible tells that the great truth is that Jesus has died to forgive sins and bring about redemption. All believers can and should know with full assurance that they have indeed been saved and are now children of God. This is unlike false religious systems that teach that one can never have true and final assurance that they have been saved. This is in contrast to God’s word that teaches that true joy in this life requires that one knows God. Believers do not have to go through life plagued by doubts of God’s love for them, but all can rest in the peace that God has sent His only Son to die for them and cleanse them from all sin. True religion produces a firm and steadfast knowledge of God that worships God in spirit and truth. Part of the gift of salvation is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of God works to bring all believers to a deeper and fuller knowledge of God, His love, and His plan for their lives. All believers can know that God loves them because God has revealed Himself in Scripture and in His Holy Spirit.
Conflict is an ongoing part of life today, just as it was for the church at Ephesus. In this sermon on Ephesians 4:2–3, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones opens Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and addresses how believers can live in unity and peace. Rather than ignore sin or avoid confrontation, Christians must quickly exhort and forgive one another, guarding the unity of the Spirit, and guarding the fellowship of believers. This is supernatural unity that can only belong to those indwelt with the Spirit. Therefore, to not guard this unity is actually a grievance to the Holy Spirit. So how can one guard Holy Spirit’s unity? Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims that being humble, gentle, patient, and bearing with one another are critical characteristics of believing relationships. Christian brothers and sisters must do this because they love one another and desire to guard their unity. Just as parents humbly serve and instruct their children with patience and gentleness, Christians must do the same thing with their brothers and sisters in Christ.
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