A Body of Truth
A Sermon on Colossians 1:3-7
Originally preached Oct. 14, 1962
Scripture
3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5For the hope which is laid up for you in …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Colossians 1:3–7 titled “A Body of Truth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on a fundamental question: What is Christianity? Paul writes to the early church in Colossae, congratulating them on their love for God’s people. He also affirms the gospel they heard from Epaphras, a fellow servant of God and a friend of Paul’s. The church in Colossae, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, was not so different from the other early churches in the New Testament. It was most likely a collection of new believers, united by the gospel, meeting in a home to discuss and study the Old Testament. This, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, is what Christianity is about. It is not about catching a feeling, as if Christianity were a disease. He says the core of Christianity is the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says it is about understanding and explains that Christ came for the redemption of sin, and whoever believes in Him has eternal life. Although Christians may argue among themselves, this incredible doctrine should remain central. In closing, he invites those who have yet to receive this salvation to accept God’s grace.
Sermon Breakdown
- Christianity is not primarily about emotions or will but about truth and doctrine. It is a message that comes to the mind and understanding.
- The gospel is a word, a teaching, a body of doctrine that can be learned and known. It is not a vague feeling or spirit.
- The early church recognized the importance of doctrine and truth by developing creeds to correct false teachings. Creeds define the faith and allow us to identify heresy.
- The gospel is the apostolic teaching found in Scripture. We cannot add or subtract from it. It is the unchanging truth about the unchanging God and unchanging man.
- The gospel is the truth about the grace of God shown to undeserving sinners in Jesus Christ. It starts with God, not us or our problems. We must understand our sin and guilt before God to understand grace.
- The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, and appeared to many. This is the message the apostles preached.
- We cannot know more about God or Christ than the apostles. We are dependent on their teaching in Scripture. The passage of time does not change the truth.
- The gospel calls us to believe in Jesus Christ. When we do, we are saved and become children of God with the hope of heaven.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding the Essence of Christianity According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
What is the primary focus of true Christianity according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, true Christianity is primarily a body of doctrine, truth, and teaching that is addressed first to the mind, not primarily to the emotions or will. He emphasizes that Christianity is not merely "a vague feeling" or "nebulous spirit" but specific content that must be understood intellectually before it can affect emotions or actions. Lloyd-Jones states: "Christianity does not address itself primarily, and in the first instance, either to the heart and emotions or to the will. It addresses itself primarily to the mind."
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the essential message of the Gospel?
Lloyd-Jones describes the Gospel as "good news" about what God has done for humanity, not what humans must do. He explains it is "the grace of God in truth" - favor shown to utterly undeserving people. The essential message includes the facts about Jesus Christ (his life, death, and resurrection) plus their proper interpretation. It's centered on "the grace of God that explains Jesus of Nazareth in everything that he did." The Gospel addresses our relationship with God, which Lloyd-Jones considers the most important matter for every person.
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as common misconceptions about Christianity?
Lloyd-Jones identifies several misconceptions about Christianity: - That it's merely a "Christian spirit" that can be "caught, not taught" - That it's primarily emotional uplift or comfort - That it's just an ethical system or moral appeal to live a better life - That it's simply the message that "God loves us" without further content - That it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you live a good life - That doctrine and theology are irrelevant to practical Christian living
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe the original apostolic teaching cannot be changed or developed?
Lloyd-Jones argues that the apostolic teaching cannot be changed or developed because: 1. It is revealed truth from God, not discovered truth by humans 2. It concerns the unchanging nature of God and humanity 3. It was delivered by those who directly witnessed Christ 4. All truth about God is fully incorporated in Jesus Christ
He states: "As it is purely a matter of revelation and that the revelation was given, then you obviously can't add to it and you obviously can't detract from it because it is God who's giving the revelation."
How did the early Christians respond to false teaching according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the early Christians responded to false teaching by: 1. Emphasizing the importance of correct doctrine 2. Drawing up creeds to define and defend essential truths 3. Refusing fellowship with those who denied essential doctrines 4. Holding councils to establish agreement on fundamental teachings
Lloyd-Jones quotes 2 John where the apostle instructed believers: "If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed, for he that biddeth him Godspeed is a partaker of his evil deeds." This demonstrates how seriously the early church took doctrinal purity.
Other Sermons
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.