What is the Task of the Church?
A Sermon on 1 Timothy 2:3-7
Scripture
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 …
Sermon Description
Why does your church exist? What is the job of it and your pastor? In this sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to teach from Scripture regarding the proper role of the church. Over the last several decades, many churches have taken on the world’s job of entertaining people. Yet, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones rightly points out, this is opposite of the church’s focus to bring people to a knowledge of the truth. Who is God, and who is man? What is wrong with man? These questions serve to quickly diagnose that we are in trouble and in need of a Savior, and this message, says Lloyd-Jones, is the reason churches exist. As Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” People in the world are wandering about, suffering under the effects of sin. They are often seeking to find lasting joy, peace, and forgiveness in created things that cannot satisfy. Yet, Jesus offers a remedy for all who come to Him in faith and accept His sacrifice for sins on their behalf. Why is it so urgently important, Lloyd-Jones asks, that churches exist to preach this? His answer is simple but pointed: people will stand before God and be judged when they die. The message of hope and forgiveness must be preached, and this is the function of the church.
Sermon Breakdown
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones expresses his privilege at being present for the induction of Reverend Gordon Murray. He has known and admired him for 20 years.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges the confusion in the world today, especially in the Christian church regarding the role and purpose of the church and ministry.
- The Bible, specifically 1 Timothy, is the only authority on the role and purpose of the church and ministry. We must conform to its teachings.
- The primary task of the church and ministry is to bring people to a knowledge of the truth according to 1 Timothy 2:4.
- The truth is definite and revealed in the Bible. It is not vague or uncertain as some claim.
- The truth starts with the existence of the one true God, the creator of all things. A lack of belief in God is the cause of the world's problems.
- All people are sinners and estranged from God. They need to be saved and reconciled to God. They cannot save themselves.
- Jesus Christ, the God-man, is the only mediator between God and man. He gave himself as a ransom for sinners through his death on the cross and resurrection.
- It is urgently important that people come to a knowledge of the truth because they must face death and eternity. Only the truth of the gospel can prepare them to face God.
- The truth saves and renews the whole person - mind, soul, and body. It gives peace with God, joy, and a blessed hope.
- The church is the only hope for the world. Proclaiming the truth of the gospel is the highest calling and privilege.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones prays that God will use Reverend Murray and the church to proclaim the truth and be lights in the world.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the primary task of the church and its ministers?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the primary task of the church and its ministers is to bring people to a knowledge of the truth. He states, "The primary task of the church and her representatives is to bring people to a knowledge of the truth." He emphasizes that the world is as it is because it doesn't know this truth and is ignorant of it. The church's purpose is not primarily entertainment, healing, or providing experiences, but rather presenting the truth as revealed in Scripture.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe preaching is still relevant in modern times?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones believes preaching is still relevant because the truth of God needs to be proclaimed, regardless of whether modern people are supposedly "word resistant." He rejects the idea that modern people can't listen to reasoned discourse, pointing out that in Puritan times, people could listen to 3-hour sermons. He emphasizes that the Holy Spirit makes preaching effective: "Of course, the natural man doesn't receive these things, but we preach in the demonstration of the spirit and of power. And the spirit of God can awaken men and give them the ability to understand and to receive the truth."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the source of moral and social problems in society?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies unbelief in God as the source of moral and social problems: "Most of the troubles in the world tonight are due to the fact that people don't believe in God. That's why you've got industrial strife and confusion. That's why you've got lawlessness in your trade unions and in the whole of society, in the homes, in the schools and everywhere else. People don't believe in law. Why? Because they don't believe in the ultimate law giver." He argues that the lack of belief in God accounts for the moral tragedy and confusion in modern society.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the uniqueness of Christianity compared to other religions?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christianity is exclusive and unique because "there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." He explicitly rejects religious pluralism, stating: "We preach an Exclusive Gospel. We have no right on the basis of this teaching to believe in a world congress of faiths." He distinguishes between interracial services (which he supports) and interfaith services (which he rejects), emphasizing that Christianity is not merely one of many equally valid religions.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe that the doctrine of Christ's death is essential?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones believes the doctrine of Christ's death is essential because it is through Christ's death that humanity is redeemed: "It is by dying for us that he redeems us, pays the ransom for us, reconciles us to God, saves us." He states emphatically, "Without the shed blood of the son of God on Calvary's hill, no one can be saved. There is no salvation without remission of sins, without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins." This sacrificial death is central to the gospel message that the church is called to proclaim.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the nature of man's problem?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes man's fundamental problem as being estranged from God through sin: "Man is under the wrath of God. God's displeasure is upon the world. That's why it is as it is." He explains that humans are sinners who have lost contact with God, becoming self-centered and selfish. Man needs "to be reconciled to God" and requires "a new life and a new nature, a new outlook." The human condition is one of alienation from God that requires divine intervention through Christ.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones see as the most practical reason why the truth of Christianity matters?
The most practical reason Christianity matters, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is that it prepares people for death and eternity: "Whatever he may think or whatever he may feel, he has got to die. It's appointed unto all men once to die. And after death, the judgment." He argues that no amount of entertainment, experiences, or worldly pleasure can prepare someone for facing death and God's judgment. Only the truth of the gospel provides a solid foundation that will remain when everything else passes away.
Itinerant Preaching
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.