If Any Man Thirst
A Sermon on John 1:16
Originally preached May 17, 1964
Scripture
16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Sermon Description
Who is the Holy Spirit? Why does he matter for the life of a Christian? In this sermon on John 1:16 titled “If Any Man Thirst,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones deeply looks into God’s Word to see how the Holy Spirit brings new life and changing power to the Christian life. The Holy Spirit was active throughout the lives of the Old Testament saints and without the work of the Holy Spirit, no one can be saved and brought to a true knowledge of God. Nevertheless, in the new covenant the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon those that believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This new power that the Holy Spirit grants is the source of the Christian life; it allows Christians to flee from sin and to grow in holiness. Moralistic teaching and practices cannot bring lasting change because true change is a supernatural act of God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost marks the beginning of a new era.
- The Holy Spirit could not come in fullness until Jesus completed his work of salvation and was glorified.
- The Holy Spirit was present and active in the Old Testament but not in the same fullness as after Pentecost.
- The difference between the Old Testament and New Testament is like the difference between a child and an adult. The Holy Spirit was given in greater fullness and power after Jesus' work was done.
- We should not judge ourselves by the standard of the Old Testament saints but by the standard of Pentecost and after.
- Two characteristics of the new era are inwardness ("out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water") and abundance ("rivers of living water").
- The abundance is of forgiveness, assurance, rest, peace, light/knowledge, life, joy, power, hope.
- The only hope for the church is that Christians become an exultant, overflowing people. This will draw others to the faith.
- To have this abundance, we must listen to Jesus' invitation ("if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink"), experience thirst for it, and keep coming to Jesus in faith until we have it.
- We must go on believing in and seeking Jesus until we know we have this life within, more than enough, overflowing.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Teaching on the Holy Spirit
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "the fullness of Christ" in John 1:16?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "the fullness of Christ" refers to what makes a person truly Christian. It's not merely intellectual assent to doctrines, but rather receiving Christ Himself. As he states, "A Christian is a man who has received of the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ. A Christian is a man who is in Christ, and Christ is in him." This fullness is mediated to believers through the Holy Spirit, who applies the benefits of Christ's completed work to each believer.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the difference between the Holy Spirit's work in the Old Testament versus the New Testament?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the Holy Spirit was certainly active in the Old Testament (in creation, with prophets, with David, etc.), but there is a crucial difference after Pentecost. He explains: "The spirit was not yet as he was later... He wasn't with that fullness, that he wasn't with that profusion which characterizes Pentecost and which had never happened before." In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon specific people for special tasks, but in the New Testament era, He is "poured forth upon all sorts and kinds of people" with greater fullness, permanence, and power.
What does Lloyd-Jones mean when he says Christians should measure themselves by the "new" rather than the "old"?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that modern Christians should not merely compare themselves to Old Testament saints like David, but to the New Testament standard. He states, "You and I today are to examine ourselves not in the light of the Old Testament saints, but in the light of the New Testament saints." This is because we live after Pentecost when the Spirit has been given in fullness, so our Christian experience should reflect that greater power, assurance, and abundance that comes through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
According to the sermon, what are the characteristics of the Christian life in the "new era"?
Lloyd-Jones identifies two general characteristics: 1. Inwardness - Christianity operates from within, not as an external duty 2. Fullness/abundance - described as "rivers of living water" flowing from within
He then lists specific manifestations of this fullness: - Forgiveness and assurance - Rest and peace - Light and knowledge (understanding life and the world) - Abundant life - Joy (not fear or heaviness) - Power to live and witness - Hope that cannot be measured
How does one receive this fullness of the Spirit according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the process in these steps: 1. Recognize your spiritual thirst and need 2. Hear Christ's invitation: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink" 3. Come to Christ in faith - "He that believeth on me" 4. Keep seeking until you experience this fullness 5. Not merely believe facts about Christ but trust Him personally
He concludes with this exhortation: "Go to him now as you are, and plead with him to give you this living water. That you may have it within you as a well of water springing up into everlasting life. You will not go to him in vain. Keep on until you know, until you have. Until you possess, until you are literally overflowing."
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.