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Sermon #5582

Built on Sound Foundations

A Sermon on Galatians 6:12-13

Originally preached Oct. 13, 1963

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Scripture

Galatians 6:12-13 ESV KJV
It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire …

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Sermon Description

The certainty of the gospel is the foundation for the Christian life. In this sermon on Galatians 6:12–13 titled “Built on Sound Foundations,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows why the assurance all believers can have in the gospel is central to the Christian hope. God reveals Himself and His plan of salvation through His true word, the Scripture. Humanity is not left wondering what they must do to be saved, for holy Scripture says that all who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus will be saved. Christians ought not to be led astray by false teachings that say they cannot know what the gospel is. Scripture stands above all human reason and institutions; it stands above all other sources of authority. Furthermore, Scripture tells facts that really happened. It tells that Jesus of Nazareth lived and died for sinners, but it also tells that He rose from the dead in victory over all sin and death. God’s word calls all to believe in the gospel for the forgiveness of sins as the only path to true and lasting peace with God.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostle Paul had to fight false teachings and establish the true Christian message.
  2. There were false teachers telling the Galatians they needed to be circumcised to be true Christians. Paul says this is not the gospel.

  3. Paul establishes three tests to determine true and false gospels:

  4. Authority: False gospels are based on human authority, true gospel is based on divine authority of Scripture.

  5. Character: False gospels are institutional, external, rely on human effort, and are popular. True gospel is simple, internal, relies on faith, is humbling, and glorifies Christ.

  6. Pragmatic: False gospels do not work - they do not provide power, joy, peace or help in life and death. The true gospel does provide these things through Christ.

  7. The true gospel is that we are saved by faith in Christ alone, not by works or human effort. This gives freedom, joy and assurance of salvation.

Sermon Q&A

What Are the Characteristics of False Teaching According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the crucial question of how to distinguish between true and false teaching in Christianity based on Galatians 6:12-13. This sermon outlines clear tests to evaluate teachings that claim to be Christian.

What three tests does Lloyd-Jones provide to identify false teaching?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, there are three main tests to identify false teaching:

  1. The authority behind the message: False teaching is based merely on human reason, opinion, and understanding rather than divine revelation through Scripture.

  2. The character of the teaching: False teaching has specific characteristics that distinguish it from true biblical teaching.

  3. The pragmatic test: Does the teaching actually work in practice? Does it transform lives and provide real salvation?

What are the characteristics of false teaching according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones identifies several characteristics of false teaching:

  1. It's institutional: It puts great emphasis on the institution rather than the message.

  2. It's external and formal: It focuses on rituals and ceremonies rather than inner transformation.

  3. It exalts human effort: It emphasizes what humans can do to save themselves.

  4. It's popular: It pleases people and avoids persecution.

  5. It detracts from the glory of Christ: It minimizes Christ's necessity and centrality.

How does Lloyd-Jones describe true biblical teaching?

True biblical teaching, according to Lloyd-Jones:

  1. Has a simplicity about it rather than institutional complexity
  2. Focuses on internal transformation of the heart
  3. Emphasizes faith alone (sola fide) rather than human effort
  4. Is humbling to human pride
  5. Glories in Christ alone
  6. Actually works - it transforms lives and provides real salvation

Why does Lloyd-Jones emphasize "Scripture alone" in his sermon?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes "Scripture alone" (sola scriptura) because he believes that the Bible contains God's authoritative revelation. He argues that true Christianity is based on:

  1. The historical facts of God's actions recorded in Scripture
  2. The fulfilled prophecies that demonstrate divine authority
  3. The person and work of Jesus Christ as recorded in Scripture
  4. The consistent message of the apostles who received direct revelation from God

He contrasts this with approaches that add to Scripture through tradition or subtract from Scripture through critical methods that reject parts of the Bible.

How does Lloyd-Jones say true Christianity affects a believer's life?

According to Lloyd-Jones, true Christianity: - Sets believers free from bondage - Provides peace with God - Gives assurance of forgiveness - Grants power to live and die well - Brings joy and certainty - Removes fear of death - Enables believers to face whatever the future holds

The true message, he concludes, is the "truth once and forever delivered to the saints, the truth which can save you, the truth which can set you free and give you something of the glorious liberty of the children of God."

Sermons on Authority

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.