He Condemns and Convicts
A Sermon on John 1:17
Originally preached Nov. 4, 1962
Scripture
17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Sermon Description
Why do Christians often live as if they do not have the benefits of salvation? In this sermon on John 1:17 titled “He Condemns and Convicts,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers this question by pointing toward a true understanding of what Christians are saved from. He says that essential to understanding salvation is a correct understanding of how Christians were condemned under the law of God. All were in bondage to sin and death and because they lived a life of unrighteousness, the law of God condemned them. The law itself is not sinful, but entirely righteous and holy. However, because humanity is sinful, they are condemned by breaking of the law. Christians must understand that salvation in Christ is freedom from the curse of the law. It is freedom from the just condemnation that befalls all who break God’s commandments. This means that now that believers are in Christ, they have the benefit of His righteousness covering them. The listener should ask themselves: “Do I have this benefit of salvation? Am I freed from the law of sin and death by the gospel of Christ?” It is only by trusting and believing in the gospel that anyone is saved for there is no other way to God than through His Son who has taken the place of those who believe in Him.
Sermon Breakdown
-
The sermon focuses on John 1:17 which states "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
-
Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks why many Christians do not enjoy the blessings offered in the Gospel and salvation. He says it is because of uncertainty about Jesus, failure to understand the incarnation, and confusion about the law.
-
Dr. Lloyd-Jones says the law reminds us we are in the presence of God, reveals God's character, and shows us our duty to God and others. The law was given at creation and reiterated at Mount Sinai.
-
Dr. Lloyd-Jones says the law's main function is to define sin. Without law there is no sin. The law brings knowledge of sin.
-
The law reveals the sinfulness of sin by showing that sinful desires and coveting are as bad as sinful acts. The law exposes the depths of sin in the human heart.
-
The law stirs up sinful passions in sinful human beings. What is meant for life brings death. The law is not the problem, human sinfulness is the problem.
-
The law shows all people to be guilty before God. No one can be justified through the law. The law leaves the whole world condemned.
-
Many people do not see their need for Christ because they do not understand the law and their own sinfulness. Understanding grace requires understanding the law.
-
Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls the congregation to feel the conviction of sin so they can know the power of grace. He prays for hearts freed from sin to praise God.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Law, Grace, and Truth in the Gospel of John with Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
What is the function of the law according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the law serves several important functions:
- It reminds us that we are face to face with God, delivering us from self-obsession
- It reveals the character of God (holy, just, righteous)
- It defines sin specifically and precisely
- It brings out the element of desire in connection with sin (coveting, lust)
- It shows us "the exceeding sinfulness of sin"
- It ultimately shows all people to be guilty and condemned before God
As he states: "The law was given to enable us to realize our sinfulness... Here's the divine x-ray that reveals everything and there's nothing left hidden."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the relationship between the law and grace?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that we cannot properly appreciate grace without understanding the law. He explains:
"We will never appreciate grace truly unless we understand something about the law. The measure of grace is what it does to us in terms of delivering us from the law and its condemnation."
He argues many Christians fail to enjoy the fullness of Christian salvation because they've "never understood their whole position as they were under the law." The law and grace are brought together in John 1:17: "The law was given by Moses. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
What does it mean that the law is written in people's hearts?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the law wasn't only given to the Jews at Mount Sinai but is actually written in the hearts of all people. Referencing Romans 2, he states:
"God, when he originally made men, made him righteous, he put a righteousness into him, and there is a remnant and a relic of that in every human being. That in a sense is the meaning of the conscience. The law of God is written in the heart of every human being."
This is why the apostle Paul says that even Gentiles who don't have the written law "show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe modern moral teaching often fails?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones criticizes modern moral teaching (particularly sex education) because it fails to understand the human heart's sinful nature. He references Romans 7, where Paul explains that sin actually uses the law to stir up sinful desires:
"The very law of God, which was given to men to keep them from sin, made them sin all the more. How? Oh, it had the effect of stimulating these passions and evil desires that were within them."
He argues that simply providing information about immorality can actually stimulate curiosity and interest in the forbidden behavior, leading to more sin rather than less.
How does understanding the law lead to appreciating grace?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes that only by truly understanding our sinfulness through the law can we properly appreciate God's grace in Christ. The law:
- Shows us our complete failure to keep God's standards
- Reveals the depth of sin in our hearts (not just actions but thoughts and desires)
- Demonstrates we're all "guilty before God" with "no difference, for all have sinned"
He states: "There is no greater sin than this - that you've never seen your need of the blood of Christ to cleanse you and to save you." Only those who have truly recognized their sinfulness can fully appreciate "this wondrous grace of God in Christ Jesus."
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.