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Sermon #4226

Trust in God and ...

A Sermon on Ephesians 6:10-13

Originally preached Dec. 3, 1961

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Scripture

Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV KJV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against …

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Sermon Description

In Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ sermon on Ephesians 6:10-13, he visits the topic of sanctification. Specifically, how our relationship is to God in our lifelong journey of sanctification. To begin, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how justification is unrelated to sanctification. We can do nothing to be justified. Our justification is completely up to God. However, in the case of sanctification, we have a job to do. It is our activity. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that unlike justification, sanctification is a continual process in which we must realize our need for salvation, listen to God’s commandments, and follow them. The first process of realizing our need for salvation happens only once; however, we must strive for the rest of our lives to live faithfully, according to God’s commandments. But, how can we live such a life? Well, Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides key tips on how we can stay strong in obedience to God. He first states that to do so, we must practice it. Often, a Christian will be to intimidated to act on their faith and will simply back away from opportunities to obey God’s commandments, but the truth is that if we simply attempt to take action, God will grant us the strength to do it. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives the example of Peter walking on water or Moses making water flow from a rock. Neither of these men had the power to do such things, but they took action regardless, and because they took action, God granted them the power to accomplish their tasks. As Christians in the process of sanctification, we cannot stand by and think that God will do everything for us. No, we must do things. God’s work on earth is done by works and enabled by the spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, “Use the means that are available, but put your confidence in God.” The great puritan leader, Oliver Cromwell, knew this when he told his men, “Trust in God and keep your [gun]powder dry.” Whenever doubt crowds our minds and threatens to quench the holy fire inside of us, we must go ahead with action, all the while remembering that we can do all things through Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes his sermon saying, “Whatever we may be facing, we must remember that Christ is with us and that nothing can separate us from the love of God.”

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The two main exhortations in Ephesians 6:10-13 are:
  2. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might

  3. Take unto us and put on the whole armor of God

  4. We must reject any doctrine of passivity. We must exert ourselves with all our might while relying on God's power.

  5. We must continue to develop the power and strength we have been given as Christians. We must also rely on God's promises that he will strengthen us.

  6. We must practice the presence of God and continue in prayer, communion, and the Word. Growth takes time and diligence.

  7. We must believe the promises and doctrines of God's Word. We must remind ourselves of God's grace, nearness, and presence.

  8. To apply these truths, we must make the effort to taste and see that the Lord is good. We must act in faith. Faith involves an element of venture.

  9. The enabling to live the Christian life is in the command to live the Christian life. We are given power as we obey.

  10. We see this principle in Moses striking the rock, the man with the withered hand stretching it out, and Peter walking on water. The power was given as they obeyed.

  11. We see this with the apostles' miracles in Acts. They were given power and commission, so as they acted, miracles happened. They did not know when miracles would happen.

  12. This applies to preaching as well. We must prepare but rely on the Spirit. The Spirit uses our preparation. We must not rely on preparation alone or the Spirit alone.

  13. The same is true of healing. We should use means but trust in God. We should not use means alone or trust God alone. We see this in Hudson Taylor and Andrew Murray's lives.

  14. This is like encouraging a child to walk or ride a bike. We hold them less and less until they have the power and ability within them. They just have to make the effort and venture out.

  15. We must believe God is speaking to us and act. His power will be given as we obey. We will be amazed at the power and strength within us.

Sermon Q&A

What Does It Mean to "Be Strong in the Lord"? Understanding Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Teaching

What does "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" mean according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10) means we must exert ourselves fully while simultaneously relying on God's power. It doesn't teach passivity where we "hand it all over to the Lord and do nothing." Rather, it teaches that in rebirth we receive a new principle of life with inherent power and strength that needs development. Lloyd-Jones explains that "the doctrine is that in the rebirth we are given a new principle of life, and in that life there is inherently and of necessity power and strength." We must do everything we can to increase this strength while recognizing that "unless the Lord himself will be with us," our efforts are insufficient.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish between justification and sanctification?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes a crucial distinction between justification and sanctification. He states: "There is this essential difference between justification and sanctification. Justification is taken entirely by faith. Sanctification is something that we work out by faith." Justification (being declared righteous before God) is entirely God's work for us, which we simply receive. In contrast, sanctification (growing in holiness) requires our active participation. As Lloyd-Jones puts it, "We are dead in trespasses and sins. We are altogether without strength. That [justification] is entirely his work, and it is done for us, and we but receive it." With sanctification, however, we've been given new life and strength, so "we are the ones who've got to overcome" while utilizing the resources God provides.

What examples does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use to illustrate the principle of receiving power through obedience?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses several biblical examples to show how "the enabling is in the command itself":

  1. Moses striking the rock: God commanded Moses to strike a rock to produce water. Though humanly impossible, "Moses, in faith, took his rod and he smote...the rock, and out of it came the water gushing forth."

  2. The man with the withered hand: Jesus told a man with a paralyzed hand to "stretch forth thine hand." Though the man couldn't naturally do this, when he made the effort in response to Christ's command, "he stretched it forth, and it was restored whole like as to the other."

  3. Peter walking on water: When Peter stepped out of the boat in response to Jesus' command, "he walked on the water." The power came as he acted in faith.

  4. Apostles performing miracles: The apostles performed miracles not by their own power but "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones address the balance between human effort and divine power?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christian living requires both our effort and God's power working together. He rejects two extremes:

  1. The moralistic approach: Those who try to do everything in their own strength, who "think the people who say, 'oh, yes, I used to believe the whole of the christian faith, but I've grown up now. I've rejected all the dogmas, but I'm holding on to the ethic.'"

  2. The passive approach: Those who say, "You do nothing. It's all done for you. Don't you make an effort? There mustn't be any effort in you."

The proper balance, according to Lloyd-Jones, is "your effort, energized by the Lord, and you're relying upon him." He summarizes this with Oliver Cromwell's phrase: "Trust in God and keep your powder dry." We must take action while ultimately relying on God's power.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the practice of applying this principle to daily life?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides practical guidance for applying this principle:

  1. First believe the teaching: "We've got to believe all the teaching" about our position in Christ, our need for spiritual nourishment, and God's promises.

  2. Practice the presence of the Lord: "We go on practicing the presence of the Lord, seeking his face, seeking a realization of his nearness."

  3. Recognize it takes time: "Take time to be holy" - there are no instant shortcuts or formulaic solutions.

  4. Grow in confidence through experience: "Every experience we get of his grace, his nearness, his presence makes us stronger."

  5. Act on your faith: "There is only one way to know these things, and that is to try them, to practice them, to make a beginning." Faith requires venture - "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

Lloyd-Jones encourages believers that as they practice these principles, "You'll be astonished at yourself and filled with amazement at the power and the strength and the authority which has been given to you."

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.