Controlled by Unbelief
A Sermon on John 7:25-36
Originally preached July 5, 1959
Scripture
25Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? 26But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? 27Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but …
Sermon Description
What is at the root of people’s unbelief regarding Christianity and the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is it a heart issue or is it something that is more intellectual? In this sermon on John 7:25–36 titled “Controlled by Unbelief,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches to understand what unbelief is and what is at the root of it. Not seeing Christ as Savior, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, is not merely an indifferent opinion that someone can hold. A person’s eternal destination is hinging on how they answer this, and thus, it is of the utmost importance. Unbelief is the consequence of the fall in Genesis 3. Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks what the deep and radical nature of unbelief is and provides three helpful points to think through in consideration. First, it is deeper than merely intellect and reason— unbelief is an issue of the heart that is not fixed simply by changing someone’s mind alone. Second, it is deeper than superficial differences of opinion, and this is because of the importance and weight it bears. Third, unbelief leads to an appalling ignorance of God and that everyone, including the unsaved, will have to give an account and will be subject to God’s judgment for their sins. If one struggles with unbelief towards God, listen to this sermon and think carefully about their standing in relationship to God.
Sermon Breakdown
- Unbelief is not merely a matter of opinion or intellectual reasoning. It is something much deeper - at the center of human being and personality.
- Unbelief leads to ignorance of God. The Pharisees and religious leaders did not truly know God. They had a superficial, outward knowledge of God but lacked inward, spiritual knowledge of him.
- Unbelief leads to ignorance of one's own condition. People do not realize they are in God's hands and under his control.
- Unbelief leads to ignorance of God's plan of salvation in Christ. The Pharisees did not understand why Christ came and what his mission was.
- Unbelief leads to ignorance of being outside the kingdom of God. The Pharisees did not realize they were outside the kingdom and could not enter on their own.
- The cause of unbelief is spiritual deadness. The natural man cannot understand spiritual truth. The Pharisees could only understand Christ's words in a material, earthly sense.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About the Nature of Unbelief?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides profound insights about the nature of unbelief in his sermon on John 7:25-36. Here are key questions and answers that unpack his teaching:
What does Lloyd-Jones say is the fundamental cause of unbelief?
According to Lloyd-Jones, unbelief is not merely a matter of intellectual opinion or casual preference, but stems from sin itself. He states: "This, according to the Bible, is the result of the fall, the result of sin. It is the result of men's estrangement from God." He explains that unbelief is "the most tragic consequence of the fall" and reflects a deep spiritual condition rather than merely a rational conclusion.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the depth of unbelief?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that unbelief operates at a deeper level than reason or intellect. He explains: "Unbelief is not a mere matter of opinion. It is a vital power in men. Something in his heart, at the center of his being which is deeper than all reason and understanding, deeper than all differences and opinions. Something controlling. It's a passion, it's a lust, it's a driving force." He points out that unbelief persists even when confronted with compelling evidence and reasoning.
What common misconception about unbelief does Lloyd-Jones challenge?
Lloyd-Jones challenges the idea that unbelief is primarily an intellectual position held by educated people. He points out that unbelief unites people across all educational and social divides: "The intellectuals are not the only people who don't believe in the Lord Jesus Christ... The biggest fools in the land are still saying that there is no God." He shows how unbelief creates strange alliances, noting how traditional enemies like Pharisees and Sadducees, Herod and Pilate, united in their opposition to Christ.
What types of ignorance does unbelief produce according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones identifies several forms of ignorance that unbelief produces: 1. Ignorance of God's true nature: "You don't know God in a spiritual sense, which is the only real sense." 2. Ignorance that we are in God's hands: "Do you know that at this moment you're in the hands of God? That your life is determined." 3. Ignorance of God's plan of salvation in Christ 4. Ignorance that unbelievers are outside God's kingdom and cannot enter as they are: "If you don't believe in this Lord Jesus Christ, you are outside God's kingdom and its blessings."
Why can't unbelievers understand spiritual truth according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones explains that unbelievers lack spiritual perception: "The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for their foolishness unto him. Neither can he. Why? They are spiritually discerned." He illustrates this with how Jesus' listeners materialized his spiritual statements about returning to heaven, thinking he was merely traveling to another country. Lloyd-Jones concludes: "That's the trouble with men in sin. He is dead. He's spiritually dead."
What is Lloyd-Jones' plea to unbelievers at the end of his sermon?
Lloyd-Jones passionately appeals to unbelievers to: "Acknowledge your ignorance, your blindness, your folly. Ask him to have pity and to have mercy upon you, and by his spirit to give you a glimpse of this glorious redeemer." He assures his audience that even if they have rejected Christ previously, God will forgive and receive them if they turn to Him, emphasizing Christ's promise: "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out."
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.