Original Sin
A Sermon on Ephesians 2:1-3
Originally preached Oct. 16, 1955
Scripture
1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among …
Sermon Description
How can one make sense out of the awful state of the world? In this sermon on Ephesians 2:1–3 titled “Original Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones brings much needed clarity to today’s chaos, showing how humanity’s sinful nature is behind the wickedness seen all around. Since human nature is wholly given over to sin, one is unable to do good and obey all that the law of God requires. Those, like the humanist, that claim sin is simply an outdated religious superstition that can be replaced by modern psychology fundamentally misunderstand the extent of humanity’s sin and corruption. The sinful nature is not something that people lack within, but it is active rebellion against God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that sin dominates the very will and the orthodox doctrine of original sin accounts for this sinful nature. It says that when the first man, Adam, sinned, all fell into sin and inherited the corrupt nature. This is why moral reform as a way of salvation is hopeless. If people could keep the law then there would be no need for the gospel and death of Christ. It is only by the saving grace found in the death of Christ that anyone can be delivered from sin and made righteous before God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by honoring the martyrs Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley who were burned at the stake 400 years ago for their evangelical faith.
- The sermon will focus on Ephesians 2:1-3 which describes man's condition in sin. This is important to understand the greatness of God's grace.
- Man is dead in trespasses and sins, governed by the world and the devil. This explains the state of the world today.
- The sermon will explain man's condition in sin and why man is in this condition.
- Man is disobedient which leads to his condition. Disobedience is man's relationship to God and his desire to be God. This manifests in denying God's creatureliness, asserting self-sufficiency, and asserting autonomy.
- Man resents that there is anything beyond his comprehension. He believes he does not need God. This is the heart of man's objection and opposition to God.
- Man believes he can make a perfect world and life himself. He needs no aid. This is why the gospel offends man.
- Disobedience is active and amounts to enmity against God. Man cannot obey God in this state. Man delights in sinning.
- The terms "children of disobedience" and "sons of disobedience" mean disobedience is the source of man's character.
- The "natural mind" is enmity against God. Man is not free to choose good. Man is incapable of willing good.
- Man sins deliberately but cannot will good. Man enjoys sinning.
- The second term is "by nature" which means man is born with a disobedient nature. Man is not born neutral.
- The Psalmist says "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." Man is born with sinful tendencies and desires.
- The environment is not the only influence on man's sin. Man's nature is already polluted at birth. Man inherits a sinful nature.
- The third term is "all" which means this condition is universal to all mankind. Both Jews and Gentiles are in sin. Even the apostle Paul was the "chief" of sinners.
- The height of sin is to feel no need for God's grace. Self-righteousness and self-sufficiency is the greatest sin.
- The only explanation for the universality of sin is the biblical doctrine of the Fall and original sin in Genesis. Man is born in corruption with a polluted nature.
- Nothing but the power of God can save man from this condition. This is what God has done in Christ. Christians are raised from this condition by God's grace alone.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the State of Man in Sin: Questions and Answers
What significant historical event does Dr. Lloyd-Jones commemorate at the beginning of his sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones commemorates the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, who were burned at the stake in Oxford on October 16, 1555, for their evangelical faith. He honors their memory by noting they died for specific doctrines, such as justification by faith alone and their view of the sacraments, not just a vague belief in Christ.
What passage of Scripture is the focus of Lloyd-Jones' sermon?
The sermon focuses on Ephesians 2:1-3: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and whereby nature the children of wrath, even as others."
According to Lloyd-Jones, why is understanding the doctrine of sin vital?
Understanding the doctrine of sin is vital because without it, we cannot grasp "the greatness of the gospel, the greatness of God's grace, the greatness especially of the power of God toward usward that believe." He argues that we must understand the depth from which man has been raised to truly comprehend God's love, grace, and mercy. Additionally, he asserts this doctrine is practically essential for understanding the problems in society, industry, and international relations.
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the primary cause of man's sinful condition?
Lloyd-Jones identifies disobedience as the primary cause of man's sinful condition. He explains the term "children of disobedience" means that "disobedience is the source of this distinctive character." This disobedience is not merely negative or passive but positive, active, and deliberate—it is rebellion against God stemming from self-love and self-assertion.
How does Lloyd-Jones refute the idea that humans have free will?
Lloyd-Jones refutes the idea of free will by referencing what Martin Luther called "the bondage of the will." He explains that since Adam fell, no one has had true free will—we are "children of disobedience" who cannot obey God in our natural state. He cites Romans 8:7, saying the natural mind "is enmity against God; is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." While we can and do will to sin, we are incapable of willing spiritual good or salvation without divine intervention.
What does Lloyd-Jones mean by saying we are sinners "by nature"?
When Lloyd-Jones says we are sinners "by nature," he means we are born with a disobedient nature—we inherit a sinful nature at birth rather than being born neutral. He cites David's words in Psalm 51:5, "Behold, I was shaped in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me." This contradicts the popular notion that children are born perfect and only corrupted by their environment. Rather, our sinful tendencies are inherent from birth.
How does Lloyd-Jones address the universality of sin?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the universality of sin through the word "all" in verse 3. He stresses that this sinful condition applies to everyone—Jews and Gentiles, respectable people and obvious sinners, even the apostle Paul himself. He argues this universality can only be explained by the biblical doctrine of the fall and original sin, where Adam's sin and its consequences have "devolved upon all his progeny."
According to Lloyd-Jones, what is the greatest sin?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the greatest sin is "not to feel any need for the grace of God" and to be self-sufficient and self-righteous. He states: "Infinitely worse than committing some sin of the flesh is to feel that you're independent of God and that Christ need never have died on the cross of Calvary." He believes the Pharisees were greater sinners than the publicans because of their self-satisfaction and self-sufficiency.
What solution does Lloyd-Jones offer for the human condition of sin?
The only solution Lloyd-Jones offers is the power of God. He concludes by saying "Nothing less than the Almighty power of God" can rescue, redeem, and save humanity from this condition. He references the power mentioned at the end of Ephesians 1—the same power that raised Christ from the dead and set Him in heavenly places. Christians are saved "solely because of his wondrous grace."
How does Lloyd-Jones connect the doctrine of sin to practical issues of his day?
Lloyd-Jones connects the doctrine of sin to practical issues by pointing to industrial and financial problems, wars between nations, and social breakdown. He argues these problems exist because people refuse to recognize the biblical truth about human sinfulness. Rather than blaming specific groups or countries, he states that all are "in sin together," and until this is recognized, the world will continue in its troubles. He calls biblical doctrine "the most practical thing this morning in the world."
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.