Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Ephesians 2:20-22

What is the main illustration Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses to describe the church in this sermon?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul uses the illustration of a building to describe the church. He explains: "Here in particular, he's explaining their position thus in the church in terms of these pictures that he implies, and this particular one, of course, is that the church is like a building. It's a holy temple in the Lord. It's a habitation which is being prepared for God." The church is described as a holy temple, with Christ as the cornerstone, and believers as "lively stones" or "living stones" in this spiritual building.

What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the first principle for functioning properly in the church?

The first principle Lloyd-Jones identifies is: "We must always think of ourselves in terms of and in relationship to the whole building." He explains that we must think of our position and privilege as Christians within the entire structure, not primarily in terms of ourselves. This prevents individualistic thinking, where we focus on "my experience, my happiness, my joy." Instead, we should think in terms of our place within God's grand purpose for the church, which helps us avoid many difficulties and provides perspective.

What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' critique of modern "activism" in the church?

Lloyd-Jones criticizes the modern tendency toward excessive activism in the church, particularly the popular teaching to "give new converts something to do." He calls this "extremely dangerous" because it puts "doing before being" and often leads to mechanical, organized activities without spiritual depth. He notes that despite unprecedented levels of church activity in the 20th century, church attendance has declined. Lloyd-Jones warns that this activism can lead Christians to neglect fundamental responsibilities (like caring for family members) in favor of religious activities, and points out that Christ often criticized those who boasted about their religious activities.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the proper understanding of a Christian's "call" to service?

Lloyd-Jones rejects the notion that "the need is the call" (the idea that all Christians should go to mission fields simply because there's a need). Instead, he teaches that "if we only learn to wait upon God, God will show us what he wants us to do." He emphasizes that God doesn't delight in leaving His children in uncertainty, but will guide those who patiently seek His direction rather than rushing into activity. Lloyd-Jones suggests that by reading God's Word, deepening our spirituality, and prioritizing communion with God over constant activity, believers will discover their particular place in God's building.

What does Lloyd-Jones suggest is the greatest need of the church in his time?

Lloyd-Jones states that "the greatest need of this hour is a mighty spiritual awakening in the whole church." He contrasts the modern approach of organizing new activities when the church declines with the approach of previous generations who recognized their need to seek God's face through prayer, fasting, and humility. He points out that revival through the Holy Spirit "can do more in an hour than all this activity and organizing of men can do in ten years and more." Lloyd-Jones suggests that excessive focus on individual activities has caused the church to "cease to pray for revival" and forget the importance of the whole.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the purpose of the church in the world?

Lloyd-Jones explains that the primary purpose of the church is "to glorify God and to live to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ." He notes that we often have a wrong conception of the church as "a place in which we get something" rather than understanding our role in displaying God's glory. The church fulfills this purpose by being "the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15), both by teaching God's word and by how believers live their lives. He states that every Christian should think, "I am a representative of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" and realize that people will judge the Christian faith by what they see in us.

What does it mean for the building to be "fitly framed together" according to this sermon?

Being "fitly framed together" means that while individual Christians maintain their distinct identities and purposes, they function in unity within the church. Lloyd-Jones explains that we're not meant to be "a block of concrete" but rather "individual stones" who are "not individualistic, but still an individual." Each believer has a special part to play and a special function within the body. This unity doesn't require uniformity—Christians aren't "all meant to be identical in every respect"—but rather requires each person discovering their particular calling and place in God's building while maintaining harmony with the whole.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones view the relationship between being and doing in the Christian life?

Lloyd-Jones strongly emphasizes that "we are to be before we do" and that "it's very dangerous to put doing before being." He criticizes the modern tendency to rush converts into activities before they're spiritually established. He points to the pastoral epistles which teach that novices shouldn't be rushed into offices but should first be tested and trained as they grow from spiritual infancy. Lloyd-Jones references the Corinthian church's problems as stemming from prioritizing gifts (doing) over graces like faith, hope, and love (being). He suggests that the proper order is first developing spiritual depth and communion with God, which then leads to appropriate actions.