A Life in Christ

A Sermon on John 5:25-26

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Scripture

John 5:25-26 ESV KJV

“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life …

Sermon Description

Regeneration is not defined by morality, but rather it is defined by new life in Christ. In John 5:24, Jesus summarizes the gospel by focusing on the new life that comes by believing. In this sermon on John 5:25–26 titled “A Life in Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unpacks the implications of this new life. He states, as Jesus does in the text, that the Father has life in Himself, and He has given this life to Jesus. How does Jesus dispense this new life? New life is realized through the means of regeneration. According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, regeneration is the power of Christ to give new life. Furthermore, he wants there to be no confusion about the results of regeneration. Regeneration does not bring about simply a moral person. On the contrary, regeneration brings new spiritual life to the sinner that radically changes the controlling disposition of his or her soul. Personality, temperament, and cognitive abilities remain the same, but through regeneration, the governing disposition of the regenerate sinner is now changed forever. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones challenges the listener to consider the new life found in Christ and passionately desires that all possess it.

Sermon Breakdown

Jesus emphasizes the importance of his statement by saying “Verily, verily”.
Jesus is referring to spiritual resurrection, not physical resurrection of the dead. He has the power to give spiritual life.
Those who receive spiritual life will live. They will have eternal life.
Jesus has life in himself, just as the Father has life in himself. The Father has given Jesus the power to give life.
Jesus' power to give life will cause people to marvel. His followers and those who receive life will marvel at the change in themselves.
Receiving spiritual life means undergoing a profound and radical change. It is like passing from death to life.
Becoming a Christian is not just modifying your life or becoming more moral. It means receiving a new heart and nature. It means a change in the controlling disposition of your life.
Receiving spiritual life is mysterious and beyond human understanding. It is miraculous and supernatural.
Receiving spiritual life does not depend on human psychology, ability, or goodness. It depends entirely on Jesus. He gives life to whomever he wills.
You can know you have received spiritual life if you gain an interest in spiritual things, understand spiritual truths, desire God's word, find prayer easier, see the world differently, desire holiness, and enjoy fellowship with other Christians.
Spiritual life is essential to have fellowship with God, enter heaven, and enjoy eternal life with God. Without it, heaven would be hell.
Jesus calls people to hear his voice and receive life. Those who receive life will live eternally. Those who do not will remain in their unbelief and sin.

The Book of John

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.