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In this sermon on Ezekiel 36:25 titled “Ye Shall Be Clean,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tells listeners that all humans are born into slavery to sin. The first reality that sinners must come to in order for them to be saved by God is their sinfulness. Sinners stand dirty before God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches the good news of the gospel; that all who come to Jesus Christ and repent shall indeed be cleansed by His holy blood. Since God is light and there is no darkness at all in Him, sinners must be first cleansed before entering Heaven. The wonderful news is that Christ washes His people clean as soon as they turn to Him and repent. The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world specifically to atone for sins. He did not only teach or provide an example, though He did do these things. He came to be the propitiation for the sins of the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones exhorts that the only way that a sinner can enter Heaven is through the eternal blood of Christ, which is sufficient to atone for all sins.
In his sermon to the Jewish leaders, the Apostle Peter, under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, proclaims Jesus as the risen Messiah and Savior of the world. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds in this sermon on Acts 3:19, showing that Jesus Christ has come, died, and was buried according to the words of the prophets. It is Jesus who is the breath of life and He gives His Spirit to those who repent and believe in His name as the only Son of God. This saving power that Jesus Christ brings is the only true hope for a world filled with sinners who are destined to die and suffer the righteous judgement of God Almighty. But Jesus brings redemption and restoration to all who will repent and believe in His name. This is the message of hope that the Apostles proclaimed, and it is this message that must be proclaimed today for there is no true life outside of the kingdom of God as is brought in Christ. The church today must be faithful in its proclamation to this fallen and sinful world. It has been entrusted with the great and magnificent message of salvation and should be bold in its proclamation, knowing that it is the power of God.
The great need for every person living on earth is not for the world to be made a better place, but for their souls to be saved from eternal destruction. In this sermon on Acts 2:37–40 titled “What Shall We Do?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says this is why the gospel is first and foremost a call to personal salvation and repentance. When the apostles and Jesus Christ preached, they did not do so before nations and governments, but before individual people. They spoke of the judgment that each person must endure in the final days because of their sins, and the only way to escape this judgment was repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. This is not to deny the importance of working to make the world a better place through charity and the like, but it does mean that the primary application of the gospel is to individual salvation. While some may claim that this concern with personal salvation is narrow-sighted and selfish, the Bible presents the greatest need for all is salvation. Salvation is purposefully a matter of individuals, not nations and countries. The church and Christians must be focused in their proclamation of the gospel so that it does not become another message of social reform, but it is the power of salvation to all who believe.
Sin darkens and deceives the mind, leading to all kinds of horrors that are found in this life. It causes distance and estrangement from God. People forget that God is holy, but all of creation proclaims God and His majesty. The heavens declare the glory of God. In this sermon on Jeremiah 17:10 titled “The Judgement of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes in wonder that humanity does not constantly live in light of the fact that God sits in the heavens and does whatever He pleases. Meanwhile humankind cannot even understand their own heart, but God discerns the hearts of people. This God who knows the heart and secret sins, as well as secret generosity and quiet prayers, will judge every person. Jesus said that each person would have to give account for every idle word that they speak. This is a sobering reality, namely, that everyone will have to stand before a just God and account for not only their actions, but also their idle words. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also elaborates on repentance and says that not all weeping is a sign of repentance. At times a person who has no intention of giving up their sin will weep because of the consequences of a wicked lifestyle.
In this sermon on Acts 17:1–4 titled “It was necessary for the Christ to suffer,” from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, he preaches about Christ being the pivot point of history. More specifically, Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection are the turning point and only hope for humankind. The only way to be saved, Dr. Lloyd-Jones beckons, is through the sacrifice of God made flesh. The greatest offense in the history of humankind is the murder of Jesus Christ. Yet through this horrid event, the curtain was torn and humankind is given access to the Holy of Holies. Dr. Lloyd-Jones thoroughly repeats how Christ must have suffered. This means that the Messiah had to suffer and lose His life in order for anyone to receive life. It is only through faith that people have access to the blessings Jesus Christ has accomplished for humanity. Dr. Lloyd-Jones exhorts that there is no other way to be saved than through the Son of God. He begs his listeners to show their gratitude to Jesus Christ by giving their lives to Him in repentance and praise. The significance of the crucifixion is difficult to comprehend and will not be completely understood on the earthly side of heaven. Repent and put trust in Him and be saved from death.
How has God overcome death? All people know that eventually they will die, either from disease or some other way. Death is a universal human experience. God’s word teaches that death is not a part of the original creation, but exists only because of sin. In this sermon on Acts 17:1-4 titled “Death is Not the End,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the great truth of God’s conquest over sin and death, and the life that all who trust in God will have. God has overcome sin and death by dying upon the cross to remove the power of sin and its curse, death. All who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ will be forgiven of all unrighteousness. In the last day, when every human who has ever lived will be resurrected, those who are in Christ will not suffer any judgement, but they will be made perfect by the grace of God. The sermon points all true believers to the great hope of the future life with Christ in the new heaven and the new earth. But to those that do not trust in Jesus now, this sermon calls them to repent of their sins and flee to Jesus, the friend of sinners. Christ is the only salvation from death and sin.
What is the message of the church? In this sermon on obedience from Acts 6:7 titled “Called to Obedience,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones boldly proclaims that it is the message of salvation in Christ to all who repent and believe in His name. It is a message of regeneration and new life as a new creature. This is not simply moral transformation, nor is it educational, but it is new life in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is redemption by His blood and this new life generates obedience to God and His Word; it calls for holiness and purity. Genuine conversion will always manifest itself in one’s actions and attitudes. The idea of a Christian who is saved but never repents of his sin and seeks holiness is an oxymoron. On the other hand, just because someone has an ethical transformation or lives a life of charity and good works, these do not save a person. The Christian life is a life of both good deeds and saving faith. There is a Spirit-empowered desire for righteousness and good works that only comes with salvation. The Christian must avoid the error of seeing all good deeds as the result of regeneration and a new heart. They also should not fall into the trap of thinking that one can know God truly and yet never desire holiness.
Christians have all experienced that moment where the gospel all of a sudden makes sense. They did not know and could not understand the gospel but then they could. This is why the gospel is so mysterious. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:18–20 titled “The Mystery of the Gospel (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unpacks the mystery of the gospel, and why a person in their natural state cannot comprehend it. Dr. Lloyd-Jones begins by asking the questions, “What is the mystery of the gospel?” and “Why is the gospel a mystery?” After delving through the Scriptures, he comes to the conclusion that the mystery of the gospel is the mind of God. No one understands the mystery of the gospel on their own because it is the very wisdom and mind of God. One might consider themselves wise, but no one is wise enough to understand the mind of the eternal God. At this point, Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives hope by providing the only way that anyone might understand the gospel. They must repent and turn away from the foolish thinking that they can understand the mind of God, and consider themselves rightly as a fool. Once they repent and asks God to forgive them, then the Spirit will reveal the mystery of this gospel and they will rejoice in it. Be encouraged by this clear explanation of the glorious mystery of the gospel.
Who really needs the gospel? Is it just for the weak, the lonely, the worst of society? In the sermon “He That Hath Ears,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones turns to Acts 8:5–12 and shows that the gospel calls all to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation only comes to those who surrender their entire life to Christ. There are no halfway Christians. While many men and women hear the preaching of the gospel and see the lives of other Christians, they often think Christianity is merely an external code of conduct, an ethical system, or another lifestyle. Sadly, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes, they never actually come to a true understanding of what it is they are rejecting. However, even though humanity is in sin and rebels against the one true God, no one is beyond salvation. Salvation is ultimately the result of God’s Holy Spirit. He regenerates fallen men and women, giving them new hearts and minds that believe and trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the hope that Christians have when sharing the gospel; it is ultimately God who saves and redeems. Once one is saved by the power of God, they begin to live the new life of a believer. They repent of their sin and live a life of faith and hope in the great Savior, Jesus Christ.
Why does God allow evil to exist? Many see the presence and reality of evil as something God should extinguish. In this sermon on Roman 9:19–24 titled “God’s Wrath,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that what fails to be seen is that evil is not an external force acting upon humanity, but an internal reality within people. To extinguish evil would be to extinguish humanity. The holiness of God will not tolerate anything sinful in His presence and His wrath is completely justified to protect His glory. That protection should immediately send every sinner to hell; however, it is God’s grace and mercy that restrains His wrath. As seen in the example of Pharaoh, God endures sinners for a time so that His kindness may be on display and people brought to salvation (Romans 2:4). However, His kindness is not to be abused and His patience and longsuffering are not to be ignored. Though for a time He may endure sinners as Christ did with Judas, that patience did not save him and it only prolonged the time until his punishment. That is the lesson of the Old Testament – that God waits, longing for people to repent. However He will not delay punishment forever and when it does arrive, it will be without recourse. The lesson to humanity today is to repent while there is time and while the longsuffering of God endures their sin. Be reconciled to God today and embrace the forgiveness only available through Jesus Christ.
One day all will be face to face with God. In this sermon from Galatians 1:3–5 titled “God ‘Is’,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that to believe in God is not enough; one must truly know Him. He tells that to know God is to tremble in His presence, because once one knows God’s character, they understand the depth of their depravity. God has been revealed in Scripture and one can come to know Him because of the death of His Son. Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges knowing God because when one truly knows Him and repents, all of His wrath will turn to mercy and compassion; His terribleness will be seen as holiness. When one truly knows God, they are adopted into His family and are given a hope of everlasting bliss.
The world today is filled with false conversion: people who know about Jesus, but do not actually know Jesus. In this sermon on Acts 9:6 titled “Saul of Tarsus, Christian,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones brings the listener face to face with the saving power of the gospel. It is the gospel that produces contrition, the sense of fear and trembling that comes when sin is exposed, and the need for forgiveness is made clear. More than a temporary emotional experience, true conversion involves the will, heart, and the mind. True repentance abandons the former life and looks back with gratitude and thankfulness for the patience of Christ in saving sinners. The love of Jesus surrounds His child and brings a peace that surpasses all human understanding. The saved child of God now looks at hell and realizes they have been saved from it, by their gracious and loving Lord.
In this sermon on Romans 6:1–2 titled “An Introduction,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains why this passage is so important. Here is found the great truth of justification by faith alone through the work of Christ alone. He explains why justification by faith alone rightly understood does not lead to a life of sin and immorality. This is because the gospel not only makes the Christian righteous before God, but also gives them the Holy Spirit and the desire to live a life of purity. It is only by abusing the doctrine of justification by faith alone that people are encouraged to sin and to break the law of God. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how this is a deeply practical doctrine that has profound and lasting impact for how the Christian lives as a follower of Jesus Christ. All who come to Jesus as repentant sinners and believe upon His name will be saved, and justified by faith in Christ alone.
What does it mean that “God so loved the world”? In this sermon on John 3:16 titled “The Love of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks beyond a superficial interpretation. This verse tells that great truth about just how much God loves the world. It is the love that sends one’s own son to die a torturous death upon the cross for vile sinners. This verse also tells just who He dies for: the world. This is not just any world, but it is a world that is sinful and rebellious. It is a world that hates God and His ways. It is the world of humanity who would rather live and die in their sin instead of repent and submit to God. The sermon calls the listener to ask: “Do you know God’s love as redeemer and savior or are you a part of the sinful world that hates God and who spurns His holy love given in Jesus Christ?”
Do you know "the God who acts"? Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from Acts 2:1–2 and asks probing questions to search the heart. The peace the world searches for can only be found on the other side of submission to Christ. While the world lives in fear of death, Christians can see “beyond the veil” by learning from God’s word. Christianity is about what Jesus began, is currently doing, and will bring to completion. “Any notion that Christianity is merely the result of something that we do is always completely wrong; it is always the activity of God,” shares Dr. Lloyd-Jones. One cannot reason their way to God, nor can they approach Him on their own terms. He revealed Himself to Abram, Moses, David, the prophets, and now to His people today. His believers are invited to receive His free gift of grace if they repent.
What is one’s response to the word of the Lord? Do they believe it and does His word draw them to confession of sin and repentance? In this sermon on Jeremiah 17:14–15 titled “The Unbeliever,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exhorts the Christian to examine how they respond to the word of God. He elaborates that everyone in the whole world is divided by whether or not they respond in faith to the word of God. The non-Christian does not believe the word, but instead mocks, scoffs, and denies what it says. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that this was the reality for Jeremiah’s audience; they mocked the prophecies spoken by Jeremiah. Moreover, the same is true of unbelievers today. Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds that people will scoff at the word of God until judgement day. However, the believer is cut to the heart by the word of God and confesses their sin. The Christian trusts the word of God and risks losing everything in obedience.
“The test of anything that claims to be Christian is the test of power.” In this sermon on 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches that whether we are speaking of the church or of the individual Christian, the test of authenticity is the test of results produced by divine power. The gospel had been delivered to the Thessalonians in word, but it did not come in word only. The gospel came with divine power to bring about results. The results included repentance of sin and pagan idol worship to the service of a living and true God. Furthermore, this gospel power was accompanied by the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit took the words of the gospel and made them effectual in the lives of the Thessalonians and all true believers. Dr Lloyd-Jones identifies that the apostle himself brought personal conviction and assurance that was so authentic, the power of God in his message was unmistakable and effectual. What is the test of authenticity for the church and the Christian? It is the test of the gospel of power.
What is the first task of the local church? While some may say that serving the world is the first task of the church, Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones shows us something different from the Bible. In this sermon titled “A Question of Priority,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues in this sermon on Acts 6:1–2 that the priority of the church is not philanthropy but it instead must be preaching. It is clear that the early apostles chose to preach rather than to “do good in the world” because they saw the greatest and primary need in the world was not lack of help but lack of repentance. Acts 6:1–2 becomes a model for current Christians and churches to follow. The first and primary task of the church should reflect the fundamental need of humanity, which is hearing God’s Word. While the church should not neglect in doing good and serving others, it also should also not forget the role of preaching as only God’s word has the power to change people for their greatest benefit.
What does it mean that salvation is all of grace? Despite the centrality of grace to the Bible, many Christians do not have a good understanding of what it means that God is gracious. In this sermon on Psalm 107:33–43 titled “A Gift of Grace,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that God gives grace freely so that sinners can be saved. Salvation is a gift of grace; a free gift of God apart from any human merit or works. The work of salvation is a unique act of God wherein God sends His Son into the world to die for sinners. Salvation is accomplished in Christ and given as a free gift to all who repent and believe in Jesus. This sermon shows first and foremost that it is the message that one’s merit and works can never make one right with God. All human striving for salvation is wholly done away with on the cross of Calvary when Jesus died for sinners. This sermon calls all to forsake sin and to believe in God.
Is salvation merely an intellectual endeavor that begins and ends with the mind or does it include the heart? In this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “A Change of Heart,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines what the apostles preached in their missionary journeys and what true salvation looks like. Throughout the New Testament, the apostles preach that saving faith is not only in the mind, but that it must include a change of heart. In the Old Testament, God promises to change the heart of stone into a heart of flesh. The question now is not whether or not the mind believes, but if the heart believes that Jesus is Lord. In today’s age many believe that one must only make a decision in order to be saved. Yet if this decision does not stem from a heart burdened by sin and seeking repentance from God, then it is not saving faith. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows the hope of salvation that can only be given by God through the Son, a salvation that is so miraculous it changes a wicked heart into one that loves God.
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