Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions and Answers on Ephesians 5:14

What is the main theme of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Ephesians 5:14?

The main theme of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon is the Christian's calling to be light in a dark world. He focuses on the verse "Awake, thou that sleepest and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light," explaining how this summarizes the Gospel's work of awakening those who are spiritually asleep or dead, and how Christians are called to be instruments of this illuminating work. The sermon emphasizes that the primary function of the Christian gospel is to illuminate spiritual darkness.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the condition of non-Christians in this sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes non-Christians as being in a state of "sleep" and "death" - a condition of spiritual unconsciousness. He explains: "The trouble with the world, the trouble with all who are not Christians, is that they're in this condition of unconsciousness... Both are unaware of certain matters that are happening round and about them, certain possibilities, certain dangers." He describes them as "dead in trespasses and sins," "deadness to the spiritual realm," and "deadness to the fact of God and the being of God."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach happens when Christ gives light to someone?

According to Lloyd-Jones, when Christ gives light to someone, several things happen: 1. He gives them life itself - "He'll give you life itself, and life is light, and light is life" 2. He enlightens their understanding - "He enables us to see life truly. He enables us to see ourselves" 3. He brings them into knowledge of God - "He brings us into the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" 4. He gives fellowship with Christ - "A Christian is a man who has fellowship with God and with his son, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit" 5. He enables them to walk in the light - "You follow him, and there'll be a bright light always before you"

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the phrase "wherefore he saith" in this verse?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "wherefore he saith" is the apostle Paul's formula for quoting Scripture. However, he points out that Paul is not quoting any one exact or particular Scripture verse. Instead, "The apostle here himself, under the inspiration and guidance of the same Holy Spirit who inspired Isaiah and the other New Testament writers, is giving the meaning and the pint and the purpose of quite a number of Old Testament scriptures." He suggests Isaiah 60:1 is the closest reference but explains that Paul is summarizing the essence of multiple Old Testament passages about light.

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, what is the relationship between the Gospel and politics?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes a clear distinction between the Gospel and politics. He states: "I cannot imagine anything that is more remote from the function of the Christian church and from the business of the preaching of the gospel than for men to be taking this day as an opportunity to talk about politics and to tell people how to exercise their vote." He emphasizes that the church's primary task is not political change but spiritual awakening: "What's needed is not a change of government, not one party rather than another. It doesn't matter which you have. The darkness remains, and the business of the gospel is to illuminate this darkness."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the way the Gospel call works in awakening sinners?

Lloyd-Jones explains that the Gospel call works through the power of the Holy Spirit. He uses the illustration of Jesus healing the man with the withered arm: "As the Lord uttered that command, there was power in the command. The ability entered with the words, and the man stretched forth his hand." Similarly, when the Gospel calls "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead," it doesn't merely command but empowers. He states: "As he calls, he gives light. It is he who gives the power in the call to awaken. We are awakened in the call to rise. We are given power to rise."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the role of Christians in sharing the Gospel's light?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians are meant to be instruments through which the Gospel's light shines to others. He says: "This work of enlightenment takes place in the world through you and me." Christians are to "walk as children of the light" and "have no fellowship with the unfruitful work of darkness, rather reprove them." He emphasizes: "Let your light shine so that men and women looking at you and seeing you will begin to see where they are and what's true of them." He summarizes this role by saying, "We are saved to save. We are saved to become channels and means and instruments disseminating this glorious light."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the fundamental problem facing society?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the fundamental problem facing society as spiritual and moral, not political. He states: "The chief problem in this country today, when you're looking at it even industrially or economically or anything else, is the attitude of men and women towards life. By manipulating the political procedures, you don't change that." He points to moral decay as the root problem: "It was the moral wrath that set in. And it has been the cause of the downfall of most of the great empires. This moral wrath that comes in which leads to indolence and then to sin and to lasciviousness and a living for evil and for vice."