The Minister - Task and Calling
A Sermon on Ephesians 3:7-8
Originally preached Nov. 4, 1956
Scripture
7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Ephesians 3:7–8 titled “The Minister – Task and Calling,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones lays out the calling and job of the minister as addressed here by Paul. The minister is called and appointed by God alone. He is called to preach the unsearchable treasures of Christ, that is Christ himself. Dr. Lloyd-Jones goes on to show that the treasures of Christ are for all believers. In Christ all that is needed is found, including wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. When one has understanding and realizes their sin, how can they possibly approach the holy God they know they need? He can be approached only in Christ who clothes Christians with His righteousness. Christians can continue their lives with God when they face sin and evil only through sanctification in Christ. Christ sanctifies through the power of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones ends with an encouragement – knowing the unsearchable treasures of Christ, that is, knowing Christ, is the greatest treasure. It is a great privilege and responsibility to take that treasure and show it to the unbelieving world.
Sermon Breakdown
- Paul was made a minister of the Gospel according to the grace of God.
- Paul expresses amazement that he was chosen for this role. He considers himself the least of all saints.
- Paul received this role through the effectual working of God's power. God's power transformed Paul from a persecutor of Christians to an apostle.
- Paul's role is to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles.
- The role of a minister is not to:
- Preach current events
- Express political opinions
- Preach patriotism
- Preach morality and ethics
- Preach religion in general
- Tell people to pray and be disciplined
- Preach specific teachings of Christ (e.g. pacifism)
- The role of a minister is to preach Christ himself and what He gives us.
- The riches of Christ are "unsearchable" - they cannot be fully comprehended or described. They are inexhaustible and endless.
- The riches of Christ include:
- Wisdom and knowledge of God
- Righteousness
- Sanctification
- Redemption
- Life
- The Holy Spirit
- Rest
- Peace
- Joy
- Contentment
- Victory over death
- An eternal inheritance
- We must receive these riches by faith and enjoy them. We must not be like the Laodiceans who thought they were rich but were actually poor.
- We have an opportunity to display these riches to the world in this time of crisis.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers About Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on the Unsearchable Riches of Christ
What are the "unsearchable riches of Christ" according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the "unsearchable riches of Christ" refers to all that Christ is and all that He gives to believers. These riches are unsearchable because they are inexhaustible, can never be fully comprehended, cannot be fully described, and are endless. They include wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, life, peace, rest, joy, and contentment. Most importantly, they include Christ Himself who comes to dwell in believers' hearts through faith.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define the primary purpose of Christian preaching?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphatically states that the primary purpose of Christian preaching is to "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." He specifically contrasts this with what preaching should not be: it is not to express opinions on current events or politics, not merely to preach patriotism, not just to inculcate general morality or ethics, not even merely to preach religion or godliness in general, and not to reduce Christianity to any single specific teaching. Rather, it is to proclaim Christ Himself and all the riches found in Him.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the Christian ministry and its current state?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones laments that the Christian ministry has become debased, often viewed as a profession rather than a calling. He says the minister is often seen as someone "to organize games and pleasant entertainments for young people" or to "visit and have a pleasant cup of tea with people," but this is a "travesty." He states that a minister is properly "a herald of the glad tidings," "a preacher of the gospel," "a prophet," and that the church needs to recapture this New Testament conception of ministry.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain Paul's statement about being "less than the least of all saints"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul's statement about being "less than the least of all saints" is not false modesty or hypocrisy, but reflects Paul's genuine amazement that "the blaspheming and injurious Saul of Tarsus" was ever called not only to be a Christian but to be an apostle. He notes that it's "a bad day in the life of any Christian when he forgets his origin" and the pit from which he was drawn. Paul never forgot that he was what he was solely by the grace of God.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the impact of world events on Christian peace?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christ gives believers peace regardless of external circumstances. He quotes Jesus: "Peace I give unto you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let they be afraid." He emphasizes that Christians can have internal peace even during international crises, and can say with Paul, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." This peace is part of the unsearchable riches of Christ that enables believers to face anything "quietly and steadily."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the transformation that happens when someone becomes a Christian?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes conversion as "the effectual working of the power of God." He explains that no one can become a Christian by their own decision or effort. Rather, a person is "entirely made anew," "regenerated," and made "a new creation." This transformation is not something a person decides to do, but something that is done to them by God's power. He cites Paul's own transformation from a "persecuting, blaspheming Pharisee" to an apostle as evidence of this divine work.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest Christians should do during times of international crisis?
Instead of obsessing over news or politics, Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges Christians to contemplate and enjoy the unsearchable riches of Christ, to deepen their relationship with Christ, and to pray for fellow Christians in troubled areas. He suggests that times of crisis present "a unique opportunity" for Christians to demonstrate to the watching world the difference Christ makes. When unbelievers observe Christians maintaining "calm and balance and peace and poise and even joy in the midst of the hurricane," it may open their eyes and lead them to Christ.
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.