Heard. Believed. Trusted

A Sermon on Ephesians 1:11-14

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Scripture

Ephesians 1:11-14 ESV KJV

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, …

Sermon Description

Does the sovereignty of God minimize the responsibility of humanity? Reformed theology is often caricaturized by insisting it promotes a world where people lack true humanity. God’s work in salvation is said to be in contradiction to human responsibility of proclaiming the gospel and the sinner believing the gospel. But that is not Reformed theology, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. A fundamental truth is lacking in this common objection. While it is absolutely God’s work, He uses means to accomplish His work. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:11–14 titled “Heard. Believed. Trusted,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener of these means that are always constant as God is working. If these means are not present, then a person cannot become a Christian. They are necessary for the sinner to move from being under the wrath of God to being in Christ. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones carefully works through God’s Word and teaches on this extremely important subject. Whether the listener is a faithful Christian who desires to better understand the relationship between evangelism and the work of God or a skeptic of Reformed theology, Dr. Lloyd-Jones will assist in explaining this important truth of Scripture.

Sermon Breakdown

There is going to be a restoration and reforming of the cosmos through Jesus Christ.
The church consists of Jews and Gentiles brought together in Christ.
We become fellow heirs and obtain an inheritance in Christ.
We become Christians through God's action and work, not our own merit.
God uses means, specifically the preaching of the word of truth, the gospel, to make us Christians.
The word of truth is the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ and what he has done.
We do not become Christians through experiences or feelings but through believing the word of truth.
The gospel includes deliverance from the wrath to come through Christ bearing our sins.
God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself by not counting their trespasses against them.
Preachers are ambassadors for Christ, imploring people to be reconciled to God through Christ.
God made Christ sin so that we might become the righteousness of God.
The gospel must be believed to become a Christian, not just living a moral life or worshipping God.
The gospel is preached but only believed through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit brings the word with power and assurance, quickening us from spiritual death to belief.
No one can believe in Christ without the Holy Spirit. The natural person cannot receive spiritual things.
God reveals the gospel to some but hides it from others according to his will and purpose.
Lydia's heart was opened by God to believe the gospel preached by Paul. The word itself does not convert without the Spirit.
Faith is a gift of God, not something we generate ourselves. The Spirit enables belief.
God does not force belief against our will but persuades our will to find the gospel attractive.
Upon hearing the gospel, we are called to believe in Christ and place our hope and trust in him.
The Christian hopes in Christ alone for salvation and confidence in life, death, and eternity.

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.