Christianity and Morality (2)
A Sermon on John 1:26-33
Originally preached Oct. 25, 1964
Scripture
26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where …
Sermon Description
Christianity is moral, morality cannot in and of itself arrive at saving faith. People can be moral, but still rotting on the inside; the Pharisees exemplified this. Simple morality cannot make the crooked straight. Without the gospel, morality is merely a corrective. Christianity, however, produces true righteousness. Dr. Lloyd-Jones both exhorts and encourages hearers in this sermon that the only righteousness to be found is the righteousness of Christ Jesus. Christ’s exemplary life, substitutionary death, and miraculous resurrection give access to the righteousness of God. It is the reminder yet again that the greatest gift Christianity has to offer is the gift of God Himself. Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes what righteousness in the kingdom of God looks like. The kingdom of God is peaceful, holds the power of God, and gives life. The only way to get rid of the unrighteousness bestowed upon all at birth is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is the only remedy to humanity’s pervasive sickness. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds his hearers that Christ is making all things new, so they must use their gifts to glorify Him.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon is based on John 1:26-33 which introduces John the Baptist and his message.
- The sermon's main point is the difference between morality and Christianity. Morality is corrective but does not transform. Christianity transforms by the power of God.
- John the Baptist's message prepares the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance and good works. But Jesus' message is superior, offering transformation by the Holy Spirit.
- The crooked shall be made straight - Christianity can transform even the most corrupt person into righteousness. This is impossible by human effort alone.
- The rough ways shall be made smooth - Christianity brings peace, joy and tranquility in place of turmoil. This is impossible through morality alone.
- These transformations are possible through God's salvation and power, not human effort. "With men it is impossible, but not with God."
- God's power works through regeneration - giving new life and a new nature. This is a secret, spiritual work that changes one's heart and disposition.
- Regeneration produces growth, liberty, and the ability to keep God's law through the Spirit's power. It makes perfection and ultimate faultlessness possible.
- Regeneration is available to all people, not just the moral or elite. The gospel offers hope and transformation for everyone.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Baptism with the Holy Spirit: Questions and Answers
What is the difference between John's baptism and Jesus' baptism according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, there is a crucial distinction between John's baptism and Jesus' baptism. He emphasizes that John the Baptist himself pointed out this difference when he said, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." John's baptism was merely with water - symbolic and external - while Jesus' baptism involves the Holy Spirit, which is transformative and internal. This represents the difference between morality (John's message) and Christianity (Christ's message). John's baptism could cleanse externally, but only Jesus' baptism through the Spirit could transform from within.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the transforming character of Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christianity's transforming character is summarized in Isaiah's words quoted by John the Baptist: "The crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth." Unlike morality, which merely corrects behavior externally, Christianity produces true righteousness by transforming the inner person. He contrasts this with the book of Ecclesiastes which states "that which is crooked cannot be made straight" - the world's pessimistic view. Christianity goes beyond correction to total transformation, making the impossible possible through God's power. It doesn't just restrain sin like morality does; it changes the heart and nature of a person, bringing peace, joy, and smoothness to what was once rough and crooked.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about regeneration and new birth?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that regeneration or new birth is the core process by which God transforms people. He describes it as a secret, profound work of the Holy Spirit that gives new life. Unlike morality, which works externally "with ink" or "on tables of stone," regeneration works "in the fleshy tables of the heart." It's not about improving the old nature but receiving an entirely new nature - becoming "a new creation" where "old things have passed away." This regeneration produces a new disposition that changes how we use our existing faculties. It's not about gaining new abilities but redirecting existing ones from selfish ends to God's glory. Most importantly, regeneration introduces life and therefore growth, allowing Christians to "receive of his fullness, grace upon grace."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast morality with Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes several stark contrasts between morality and Christianity: 1. Morality is corrective, but Christianity is transformative 2. Morality deals with external behaviors, Christianity changes the heart 3. Morality relies on human willpower, Christianity relies on God's power 4. Morality merely restrains sin, Christianity gives new life 5. Morality works at the periphery, Christianity works at the center 6. Morality is static, Christianity grows through the life within 7. Morality keeps the letter of the law, Christianity keeps the spirit of the law 8. Morality is for exceptional people with strong willpower, Christianity is for "all flesh" 9. Morality is like a "trap dog" keeping down impulses, Christianity brings peace within
He summarizes: "Thank God that we don't preach a morality, but we preach the power of God unto salvation."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe Christianity is the only hope for the world?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones believes Christianity is the only hope for the world because nothing else can transform human nature. He states that politics, education, and other human efforts cannot reform people fundamentally. The world is "in its appalling condition" and "progressing from bad to worse," and only the Gospel of Christ can address the root problem. This is because only Christianity offers "the power of God unto salvation" - the ability to change human nature from within. Where human solutions fail ("with men it is impossible"), God succeeds ("with God all things are possible"). Christianity offers hope to even "the blackest, vilest sinner" because it doesn't depend on human capability but on God's power. The doctor particularly emphasizes that while morality is only possible for exceptional people with unusual natural endowment, the gospel is for "all flesh" - including the poor, the common people, and "publicans and sinners."
The Book of John
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.