The Blood of Christ
A Sermon on Ephesians 2:13
Originally preached Feb. 12, 1956
Scripture
13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Sermon Description
A new pathway to God cannot be invented. Whether through morality and good deeds or by the ritual of religion and mysticism, there is no human invention that will save humanity. On their own, none of these are sufficient to bring people near to God. In this sermon on the blood of Christ from Ephesians 2:13, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that the theology of blood is offensive to modern people. The blood of Christ, in His sacrificial death, is a scandal to people today. While people, even some who claim to be Christian, go to great lengths to deny this teaching, one cannot escape the truth that is found throughout Scripture about the necessity of the blood of Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones traces this theme in the Bible in order to demonstrate why the death of Christ was necessary. Far from being a doctrine to be despised, it is a doctrine to be cherished by those with eyes to see it. It is a doctrine where full assurance and forgiveness can be found. Listen attentively as Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds on wonderful truths of expiation, atonement, and sacrifice.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul emphasizes the contrast between what we were (non-Christians) and what we are now (Christians). There is an absolute difference between the two states.
- We are now made nigh unto God. We have the privilege of entering into God's presence. This brings us joy, rejoicing, praise, thanksgiving, assurance and confidence in Christ.
- There are three things emphasized in this passage: the contrast between what we were and now are; what we now are - made nigh unto God; and how this comes to pass - in Christ Jesus, and by His blood.
- We cannot draw near to God through our own goodness, good deeds, religion or mysticism.
- We are made nigh in Christ Jesus, not through His teaching or example, but through His death - His blood. His blood makes expiation for our sins.
- God's punishment for sin is death. Christ came to taste death for every man and bear our sins in His body on the tree. God made Him to be sin for us.
- God took our trespasses and imputed them to Jesus Christ. He demanded the penalty from Him, and it was paid. This is how God forgives us.
- Every covenant of God is ratified by the sprinkling of blood. The new covenant is ratified by the blood of Jesus.
- We must believe this teaching and come boldly to God through the blood of Jesus. We must listen to what the blood of Christ says - it speaks of pardon, expiation and peace with God.
- We can have our conscience sprinkled by the blood of Christ, cleansing us from dead works to serve God. Though we will continue to sin, the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin.
- We have been made nigh if we rely utterly on Christ and His blood alone, not on our own goodness. We can have boldness to enter the holiest place through His blood.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Ephesians 2:13
What does the phrase "made nigh by the blood of Christ" mean according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, being "made nigh by the blood of Christ" means being brought into the presence of God through Christ's sacrificial death. He explains that the blood of Christ accomplishes two things: first, it provides expiation for our sins (removing the barrier of sin that separates us from God), and second, it ratifies and seals the new covenant between God and believers. The blood of Christ is the only means by which sinners can draw near to God, as it pays the penalty for sin that we could never pay ourselves.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones reject mysticism as a way to approach God?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones rejects mysticism because it suggests people can approach God directly by looking within themselves, without the mediation of Christ. He states that mysticism teaches that "if you want to draw nigh unto God, you must turn into yourself and look into yourself," or "sink into yourself" to find God. Lloyd-Jones firmly denounces this approach as a denial of the Christian gospel, which teaches that "no man cometh unto the Father but by me [Christ]." He emphasizes that there is "no way of drawing nigh unto God except in and through the Son of God."
What are the incorrect ways that people try to draw near to God according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, people incorrectly try to draw near to God through: 1. Their own goodness or morality 2. Good deeds and philanthropic activities 3. Religious practices, forms, and ceremonies 4. Mysticism (looking inward and trying to connect with God directly) He emphasizes that none of these approaches can bring a person into God's presence, as they all bypass the necessity of Christ's blood and sacrifice.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the relationship between the new covenant and Christ's blood?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that every covenant God made with humans was always ratified and sealed by blood (in the Old Testament through animal sacrifices). The new covenant is ratified by Christ's blood. He cites Jesus' words at the Last Supper: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood." Christ is the mediator of this new covenant, standing between God and humanity. His blood guarantees the promises of the covenant, which include forgiveness of sins and a personal relationship with God. Without Christ's blood being "sprinkled upon it," the new covenant would not be secure for believers.
How does the blood of Christ speak "better things than that of Abel" according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the blood of Abel (who was murdered by Cain) spoke of vengeance, judgment, and cursing. It "cried out to God for vengeance." In contrast, the blood of Christ speaks "better things" - it speaks of pardon, expiation, and peace with God. Christ's blood is "shouting out... 'I have died. You can live. The punishment has been born. You are free.'" It also purges the conscience from dead works and cleanses believers from all sin, allowing them to continue in fellowship with God even when they fall.
How can someone know if they have truly been "made nigh" to God?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, a person can know they have been "made nigh" if they have stopped relying on their own goodness or constantly worrying about not being "good enough." The person who has truly been brought near to God says: "I know that I'm a sinner... But though I know that, I know that I am in the presence of God because I am in Christ." They have "listened to the speech of the blood of Christ" and rely "utterly, entirely upon Jesus Christ and him crucified." They approach God with both boldness and reverence, knowing they have "access to God" through Christ's merits alone.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasize that Christ doesn't bring us near to God through His teaching or example?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ doesn't bring us near to God through His teaching or example because these aspects of Christ's ministry actually show us how far we are from God's standard. He states that Christ's teaching, such as the Sermon on the Mount, actually "drives me farther away" by revealing the depth of God's law and our inability to keep it. Similarly, Christ's perfect example is impossible for humans to imitate or follow in their own strength. Only Christ's death - His blood - can bring sinners near to God by paying the penalty for sin that we could never pay ourselves.
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.