Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones's Sermon on Hebrews 8:5 - Questions and Answers

What is the main theme of Dr. Lloyd-Jones's sermon based on Hebrews 8:5?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the main theme of his sermon is about authority and revelation. He emphasizes that the most important question facing people today is "where do we find authority?" He argues that the only answer to this question is revelation - God's revealed pattern for humanity. He states, "The most important and the most urgent question today is that of authority... there is only one answer to this question of authority, and the answer is revelation."

What is the significance of the phrase "according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount"?

The phrase refers to God's instruction to Moses when building the tabernacle. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that God gave Moses not a mere general idea but a detailed plan that had to be followed precisely. He uses this as a metaphor for how we should approach Christianity - not by our own wisdom or ideas, but by closely following God's revealed pattern. Lloyd-Jones states, "God gave to Moses not a mere general idea. He gave him a detailed plan... every detail is of importance."

What mountains does Dr. Lloyd-Jones reference in his sermon, and why?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones references four significant mountains as metaphorical peaks of divine revelation:

1. The Mount of Transfiguration - where Christ's divine nature was revealed
2. The Mount of the Sermon (Sermon on the Mount) - where Christ's teaching was revealed
3. Mount Calvary - where Christ's sacrificial death occurred
4. Mount Olivet - where Christ ascended and promised to return

He uses these mountains to outline the key elements of the Christian gospel message according to God's revealed pattern.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast modern approaches to religion with God's pattern?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts the modern approach that starts with human needs and ideas versus God's revealed pattern. He states: "This is where we've gone astray. This is where the church, speaking generally, has gone astray. How? Well, like this, we always start with men, with men's needs, with men's ideas." He criticizes the approach of adapting Christianity to modern man rather than submitting to God's revealed truth, saying "We've listened to philosophers. We've listened to politicians and statesmen and poets and all the people who claim to be experts. But they don't help us."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about Jesus Christ's identity?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Jesus is not merely a great religious teacher, moral reformer, socialist, or pacifist. He emphasizes Christ's unique divine nature, stating: "Jesus of Nazareth is not just a great religious teacher... He's son of God. He's come from heaven. He's the brightness of God's glory and the express image of his person." He quotes God's words from the Mount of Transfiguration: "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about salvation according to the pattern?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that salvation comes exclusively through Christ's sacrificial death. He emphasizes that "without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins," and that Christ's blood alone is sufficient where animal sacrifices were not. He states: "Salvation is alone through the shed blood of the Son of God. His sacrifice for us on the hill of Calvary." He rejects the idea that there are multiple ways to salvation, saying: "If there had been another way, there would have been another."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about Christ's return?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christ will return physically just as He ascended from Mount Olivet. He rejects the notion that the world will gradually improve through human efforts, stating instead that "evil men shall wax worse and worse." He describes Christ's return as a time of judgment for His enemies and salvation for believers: "Coming to judge the world in righteousness. Coming to destroy all his enemies... Oh, but he comes to set up his glorious kingdom of light and of knowledge and of love and of truth."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones apply the message of "the pattern" to his listeners?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges his listeners to accept God's revealed pattern rather than trusting human opinions. He presents a stark choice: "You either do all things according to the pattern shown you on the mount, or else you don't." He urges his listeners to submit to this pattern by believing in Christ: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." He concludes with a call to accept God's plan of salvation immediately, promising that those who do will be "amazed from day to day at the outworking of this glorious plan in your own personal life."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the law of God in the Sermon on the Mount?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it. He quotes Jesus: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law of the prophets. I came not to destroy, but to fulfill." Lloyd-Jones teaches that the law is absolute and spiritual, addressing not just external actions but the condition of the heart. He states: "The law given through Moses was the law of God. And it's absolute, and it stands. Heaven and earth shall pass away. But this will never pass away."

What message does Dr. Lloyd-Jones draw from Mount Calvary regarding God's nature?

From Mount Calvary, Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights two key aspects of God's nature:

1. God's holiness - which requires a blood sacrifice for sin: "Without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins."

2. God's love - demonstrated in giving His Son: "If you want to know the measure of God's love, you've got to go to Calvary's hill. And there you see it. God giving up his own son to bear the punishment and the shame and the agony of it all to taste death for every men."