Through His Blood
A Sermon on Ephesians 1:7
Originally preached Jan. 16, 1955
Scripture
7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Sermon Description
Christians are forgiven of all sin past, present, and future. This marvelous truth is proclaimed as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives this compelling and comprehensive exposition in this sermon from Ephesians 1:7 on what is meant by “Through His Blood.” While recognizing the distinction between redemption and the forgiveness of sins, Dr. Lloyd-Jones nevertheless says the forgiveness of sins is the first item of redemption. If the sinner does not have their guilt removed, then sanctification and glorification do not follow. Modern society dislikes talk of guilt, wrath, the cross, and bloody sacrifice. They much more enjoy talk of the happiness and power that Jesus can bring. Dr. Lloyd-Jones thinks this is an incomplete gospel. The fundamental component (or first item) one needs is to be reconciled to God and this comes only when guilt is removed, forgiven, and ultimately covered by the death of Christ. He took the punishment, endured the wrath of God, and bought His people with the price of His life. Although forgiveness is difficult and sorrowful to God, as seen in the death of Christ, it is the only means that leads to absolute restoration with God. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches of complete restoration and present forgiveness found only through the blood of Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The passage emphasizes that our salvation is entirely in Jesus Christ. There is no salvation apart from him.
- We are saved particularly by his blood. His death is a sacrificial death that links to the Old Testament offerings. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.
- Redemption means ransoming or buying out of bondage by paying a price. It refers to the method of redemption through paying a ransom price.
- Redemption also refers to what it brings to us and gives us. It refers to the whole of our salvation. We are not fully redeemed until our bodies are redeemed.
- The first thing redemption brings is the forgiveness of sins. There is no sanctification or glorification without forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness of sins is the first vital step and the key that opens the door to everything else.
- The first problem in salvation is the guilt of our sin. We must be delivered from the guilt of sin before we can be delivered from the power of sin.
- Forgiveness of sins was an extremely difficult problem for God to accomplish. Nothing but the shedding of Christ's blood could accomplish it. God cannot forgive sins by just a word.
- God's way of forgiveness is thorough. It exposes sin, unmasks it, and defines it. The cross first condemns us before it sets us free. We must realize the enormity of sin before we are forgiven.
- God's way of forgiveness is absolutely just. God does not forgive sin in a way that allows us to go on sinning. Sin deserves and merits punishment. God punished sin in Christ. God is just in forgiving sin because the guilt has been expiated.
- God's forgiveness leads to complete restoration of the offender to God's favor. We are completely reconciled to God by the death of His Son. Our sins are put away once and for all.
- God has dealt with our sins in such a way that He forgets them. They are gone from His memory. Only God can forget in this way.
- We have redemption and forgiveness of sins as a present possession. We are to enjoy it here and now. God laid on Christ all our sins, past present and future. They were all punished and dealt with. When God forgives us He applies what Christ did to us.
- If we are still saying we are not good enough to be Christians, we do not understand the first principle of salvation. We are reconciled to God while still sinners by the death of Christ.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Ephesians 1:7 - Forgiveness and Redemption
What is the primary focus of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Ephesians 1:7?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on unpacking the meaning of redemption through Christ's blood and the forgiveness of sins according to God's grace. He emphasizes that this is a fundamental, foundational truth of the Christian faith, without which one is not truly in the Christian life at all. The sermon particularly examines the relationship between redemption and forgiveness and the proper understanding of both concepts.
According to Lloyd-Jones, why must we pay attention to the particulars in scripture?
Lloyd-Jones insists that every word in scripture has significance and meaning. He warns against taking general statements and overlooking particular words, as this can lead to heresies. He specifically points out how people might substitute "death" for "blood" in Ephesians 1:7, but these terms have different meanings and implications. Proper interpretation requires careful attention to the exact wording the apostle uses, not what we think he wanted to say.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the relationship between redemption and forgiveness of sins?
Lloyd-Jones explains that redemption is a larger, more comprehensive term than forgiveness of sins. While forgiveness is the first crucial element of redemption, redemption ultimately includes the whole of our salvation. He cites Romans 8:23 about "the redemption of our body" and 1 Corinthians 1:30 where redemption comes after righteousness and sanctification. Forgiveness is the starting point of redemption, but not its entirety.
Why does Lloyd-Jones argue that forgiveness must come before deliverance from sin's power?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that the first problem that must be addressed is the guilt of our sin, not just its power. He notes that people naturally prefer deliverance from sin's power because it leads to happiness, but Scripture consistently puts forgiveness first. We cannot be rightly related to God until the question of our guilt has been dealt with. Being reconciled to God precedes receiving help from God, as Romans 5:10 indicates: "we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."
What makes the forgiveness of sins difficult according to the sermon?
Lloyd-Jones argues that forgiveness is extremely difficult—in fact, it was the only "problem" God has ever faced. Unlike our sentimental, easy notions of forgiveness, God's forgiveness required Christ's blood. God could not simply say "let men be forgiven" as He said "let there be light" because His justice, righteousness, and holiness cannot be contradicted. Sin had to be thoroughly dealt with, exposed, defined, and punished justly, which is why Christ's sacrifice was necessary.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe God's way of dealing with sin?
He describes God's way as: 1. Thorough - not merely overlooking sin but exposing and defining it 2. Just - maintaining God's righteousness while justifying sinners 3. Complete - leading to full restoration of the offender to God's favor 4. Final - sins are put away forever, as far as east is from west 5. Forgetful - God remembers our sins no more
What does Lloyd-Jones say about the timing of redemption for Christians?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that redemption is a present possession, not just a future hope. He points to the phrase "we have redemption" - not "will have" or "might have." For the Christian, forgiveness is already accomplished through Christ's completed sacrifice. Our sins—past, present, and future—were all laid upon Christ at Calvary, and God applies this finished work to us when we believe.
What is Lloyd-Jones' critique of modern approaches to the gospel?
He criticizes approaches that emphasize the resurrected, living Christ as helper while bypassing the cross and blood of Christ. He notes that even in evangelical circles, there's a tendency to preach Christ as one who helps overcome sin and temptation without first addressing the need for forgiveness through His sacrificial death. He insists that there is no salvation without first coming through the cross and the blood of Christ.
Why does Lloyd-Jones say the parable of the prodigal son is incomplete as a gospel presentation?
He states that the parable was intended to teach only one thing: that God is ready to forgive publicans and sinners as well as Pharisees. It was never meant to be a complete exposition of salvation. The same Christ who told this parable also taught that He came to give His life as a ransom for many, showing that forgiveness requires more than just welcoming sinners back.
How can someone know they are a Christian according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, a Christian is someone who realizes they have been reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus Christ while they were still sinners and enemies of God. They know their sins have been forgiven "freely and entirely and utterly and absolutely and once and forever in and by the blood of Christ." The Christian doesn't try to make themselves worthy but believes and rejoices in what Christ has already accomplished for them.
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.