Christian Unity
A Sermon on Ephesians 2:19
Originally preached April 22, 1956
Scripture
19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Sermon Description
What makes people unified? Is it the way they act? The same interest? In this sermon on unity from Ephesians 2:19 titled “Christian Unity,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones states “Nothing else can bring men together truly but this—this gospel.” In Ephesians, Paul is addressing the reality that both Jew and Gentile were side by side in standing before God through Jesus. This reality would have stunned the readers of Ephesians. No “righteousness” that Jews had would earn right standing before God and no lack of religious heritage for the Gentile would hinder salvation through Christ. Their righteousness was as filthy rags before God and all are on the same plane (Isaiah 64:6). All sinners are absolutely helpless before God. However, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes, Christians are those who are agreed upon the cross, know Jesus Christ, and share Christ’s righteousness. Also, Christians are one because they are brought to one Father by one Spirit (Eph. 2:18). Dr. Lloyd-Jones also notes that all who are in Christ are fighting the same battle, have the same struggles, and are able to carry each other’s burdens as they journey through this life. They are also comforted by one savior. Though living this life may be challenging, Christians are marching towards one eternal hope.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on Ephesians 2:19 - "Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God."
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that it's important to pause and summarize what has been said so far to avoid losing the main message.
- The main message is that Gentiles, who were once far from God, have now been brought near through Christ. This is a miraculous thing that only God's power could accomplish.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines several principles from this passage:
- To be a Christian, one must realize they are a sinner in need of a savior.
- Nothing but the gospel can truly unite people. Superficial unity will not last.
- True Christian unity is inevitable for those transformed by the gospel. It is not manufactured by humans.
- The unity of Christians comes from shared beliefs and experiences, not superficial attributes.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that before the gospel, Jews and Gentiles were divided by prejudice and sin. They needed radical change.
- The gospel shows that all people are sinners and helpless before God. This demolishes distinctions and brings unity.
- All Christians share the same Savior, Jesus, and the same salvation through His blood. There is no unity apart from this.
- All Christians share the same Holy Spirit, who gives them new life and new desires. This produces unity.
- All Christians share the same Father - God. Like a family, they may disagree but are fundamentally united.
- All Christians face the same trials, temptations, and enemies. But they also experience the same grace and deliverance.
- All Christians are journeying to the same eternal home - heaven. They share the same hope.
- True unity is based on shared spiritual realities, not superficial attributes. But divisions between true Christians are sinful.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones cares most about a person's relationship to Christ, not their labels, attributes or affiliations. Unity is in Christ.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About True Christian Unity?
What is the main focus of Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Ephesians 2:19?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on the concept of Christian unity as revealed in Ephesians 2, particularly examining how Paul demonstrates the miraculous bringing together of Jews and Gentiles into one body in Christ. The sermon begins with "Now, therefore" from Ephesians 2:19, which Lloyd-Jones uses as a point to summarize and reflect on the teaching about how God has united different groups of people in the church.
According to Lloyd-Jones, what distinguishes true Christian unity from false unity?
According to Lloyd-Jones, true Christian unity differs from false unity in that it is: - Not superficial or based on temporary common interests - Not artificially produced or arranged by human effort - Not merely cooperation for specific objectives - Instead, it is an inevitable, organic unity that stems from shared spiritual realities - It is "a life unity...a unity of blood and of nerves...something that is a whole having various parts" - It is created by the Holy Spirit rather than human arrangement
What are the elements that create inevitable unity among Christians according to the sermon?
Lloyd-Jones identifies several elements that create inevitable unity among Christians: 1. All Christians recognize they are equally sinners 2. All Christians acknowledge their equal helplessness to save themselves 3. All look to the same Savior - Jesus Christ 4. All are saved through the same means - the blood of Christ 5. All have the same Holy Spirit dwelling within them 6. All possess the same new nature produced by the Spirit 7. All have God as their Father 8. All experience the same trials and temptations 9. All are heading toward the same eternal home
How does Lloyd-Jones view denominational separation in light of true Christian unity?
Lloyd-Jones questions whether it's right for believers to be "diluted amongst the various denominations as they are," suggesting it may be "sinful that we do allow anything to separate us." He wonders about the wisdom of Christians being attached to people with whom they have "nothing fundamentally in common but simply tradition." While he acknowledges the failures of Christians to fully implement the "glorious truth" of unity, he maintains that all who are "born of his spirit" are one "in spite of all our blindness and our sinfulness."
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe that nothing but the gospel can bring true unity?
Lloyd-Jones argues that only the gospel can bring true unity because: - The division between people stems from their sinful nature, not just superficial differences - The problem requires a "radical change" in human nature - Political arrangements, common interests, or temporary alliances cannot address the deep prejudices in human hearts - Only the power of God in Christ through the Holy Spirit can transform people at the fundamental level required for true unity - The gospel brings people to see their common sinfulness and need, eliminating the basis for pride and division
What does Lloyd-Jones teach about the relationship between true Christian unity and agreement on doctrine?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that true Christian unity requires agreement on essential doctrines: - He states, "If there's any question about him [Christ], is he Son of God or is he only men? If there's doubt about it, there's no unity" - He insists, "There must be no question about him. There's no unity unless we are agreed about him" - He rejects unity with those who "bypass the cross" or "don't like the theology of blood" - He emphasizes that unity exists only with those who share the same salvation through Christ's blood atonement - True unity requires shared belief in Christ's literal resurrection and his righteousness
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the natural state of humanity regarding unity?
According to Lloyd-Jones, humanity in its natural state is characterized by: - Deep division and prejudice ("Men in sin is a mass of prejudices") - Racial, class, and group divisions that are "deep down in the life of men" - An "elemental" division that is "beyond the control of men" - A veneer of politeness that masks internal enmity - Self-interest that prevents true unity ("The whole so called art of politics...is based upon this very supposition that you can't trust anybody and you just keep your eye on your own best interests") - Fundamental prejudices that cannot be changed by surface-level adjustments
The Book of Ephesians
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.