What is Christianity?
A Sermon on Matthew 9:10-13
Scripture
10¶ And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Matthew 9:10–13 titled “What is Christianity?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers questions that will determine a person’s eternal destiny. Learn about the wrong idea of Christianity and what living a “good life” really means. A Christian should not assume that they are a Christian as this is dangerous. The Pharisees were among those who were farthest from understanding the truth, yet they thought they were the wisest. God demands the spirit not merely sacrifices. The Christian must consider both the spirit of the law and the letter of the law. Religion must require sacrifice, but it is not merely about external observances. Listeners are encouraged to consider their view of themselves, religion, and others. Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses the doctrine of repentance and the necessity to understand the weight of one’s own sin and acknowledge the need for mercy. Christ has come for the sinner to make them an heir and child of God. There is hope in the midst of utter hopelessness and helplessness. Jesus left the courts of glory for His people. No one is too far gone, and all can be received.
Sermon Breakdown
- There are certain people to whom the Lord does not call - the self-righteous who believe they have no need of a savior.
- The self-righteous have an incorrect view of themselves - they believe they are morally upright and without sin.
- The self-righteous have an incorrect view of religion - they believe external observances and good works make one righteous before God.
- The self-righteous have an incorrect view of others - they look down upon and condemn "sinners" and see no hope for them.
- The Lord calls those who recognize they are spiritually sick and in need of a physician.
- The Lord calls sinners - those who recognize they have transgressed God's law and offended Him.
- The Lord calls sinners to repentance - to turn from sin and turn to God.
- The Lord calls those who recognize their only hope is the mercy of God.
- The Lord came to call and save sinners, not the self-righteous.
- No one is too sinful to come to Christ for salvation.
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.