Son of God; Saviour
A Sermon on John 7:8-13
Originally preached May 3, 1959
Scripture
8Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. 9When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
10¶ But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on John 7:8–13 titled “Son of God, Saviour,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones grapples with the nature and condition of unbelief in the world but first encourages looking closely at the Savior Himself. Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on Scripture’s teaching concerning Christ’s loneliness, isolation, humility, wisdom, and the purpose for His suffering. In so doing, it is all the more perplexing that the world rejects such a blessed person. How could it be that the world rejects such a Savior? How could it be that the religious authorities, experts, kings, and common people all rejected the Son of God? What does this say about the human condition? What is the answer to such spiritual blindness? Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explores this important topic of the world’s rejection of Son of God, savior of the world.
Sermon Breakdown
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The sermon begins by introducing the topic of unbelief and how it is portrayed in John 7:8-13. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says these verses show unbelief in a dramatic and striking form, especially in how Jesus' own brothers react to him.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones says the Gospels were written to show us Jesus and how people reacted to him. They show the "tragedy" of how Jesus came to his own but his own did not receive him.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on Jesus' loneliness and isolation in verses 8-10. Jesus knew he was the Son of God and the Messiah, which set him apart. He was also misunderstood, unable to fully share his mission with others. He had no place to call home.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones says Jesus showed wisdom in how he avoided confrontation and danger. He did not go openly to the feast but secretly. He did not rush into trouble.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights Jesus' humility. He did not seek popularity or notoriety. He obeyed the Law and went to the feast even though he was above the Law. He submitted to the will of the Father.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes Jesus' quiet confidence in his mission. He knew the plan of God and did things in God's timing. There was no hurry or excitement.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones says Jesus had knowledge of human nature. He knew how people would react to him, which is why he did not go openly to the feast.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones transitions to discussing people's reactions to Jesus in verses 11-13. The Jews, meaning the religious leaders, reacted with contempt and saw Jesus as a nuisance. They dismissed him as "that fellow."
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The common people reacted by muttering and arguing about Jesus. Some said he was a good man, maybe a political reformer. Others said he deceived the people. But they were all wrong.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones says the only right reaction is to worship Jesus as the Son of God and savior. Mere opinions about him are useless. Interest in arguing about him shows blindness.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks why people reacted this way to Jesus, who did no harm. The only explanation is spiritual blindness and sin. People cannot respond properly to God and holy things in their natural state.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones says the only solution for such blindness is being born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. No one becomes a Christian by nature or choice alone. God must open blind eyes.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the listeners to examine if they truly know Jesus as the Son of God and savior. If not, they remain in blindness and sin. They must cry out to God for mercy and new life.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones says it is not enough to think Jesus was a good man. One must see him as the Son of God who came to die for sins and be raised again. One must love him for his sacrifice and endurance.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones again pleads for listeners to examine themselves and cry out to God if they do not know Jesus. God will open their eyes if they ask for mercy and life.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers About Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on John 7:8-13
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the main theme of the early portion of John 7?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the early portion of John 7 is "an exposition of this terrible condition which is known as unbelief." He notes that this passage puts unbelief before us "in a very striking and in a very dramatic form," particularly as revealed in the attitude of Jesus' own brothers toward Him, and then in the reactions of the Jewish authorities and common people.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the special glory of the Gospels?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "the special glory of the Gospels is that they enable us to see Him as he was when he was in this world." The Gospels not only give us theological doctrine about Christ but show us actual pictures of Him in action. Additionally, they allow us to "see men and women reacting to Him so that we are not left to our imaginations." This dual portrayal helps many people find salvation by seeing themselves in the picture of unbelief presented in the Gospels.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the loneliness of Jesus?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that "there has never been such a lonely person in this world as the Lord Jesus Christ." He identifies several elements of Christ's loneliness: His knowledge of His own uniqueness as the Son of God, His awareness of being constantly misunderstood, His inability to share His burdens with others who couldn't comprehend His mission, and even His physical isolation (having "not whereon to lay his head"). Lloyd-Jones points to specific examples like the garden of Gethsemane and how "every man went unto his own house" while "Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives."
What examples of Jesus' humility does Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlight in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to several examples of Christ's humility: 1. He didn't rush to be notorious or seek popularity (refusing to go up with the crowd) 2. He often withdrew when crowds sought to make Him famous 3. He humbly obeyed the Law by eventually going to the feast, though He was above the Law 4. He submitted completely to His Father's will, saying "not my will, but thine be done" 5. He took "upon Him the form of a servant" despite being the Son of God
How did people react to Jesus according to John 7:11-13?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies different reactions: 1. The Jewish authorities sought Him with contempt, asking "Where is that fellow?" 2. Among common people, there was "much muttering" and arguing about Him 3. Some said "He is a good man," viewing Him as perhaps a political reformer or leader 4. Others said "He deceiveth the people," claiming He was deluding the masses 5. Overall, "no men speak openly of Him for fear of the Jews"
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the cause of people's negative reactions to Jesus?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones declares that the only explanation for these reactions is "spiritual blindness" and "perversion." He explains that "this is what sin has done to man" - creating an "inability to respond to God and the holy and the true and the lovely and the loving." Even when people physically saw Jesus, heard His words, and witnessed His miracles, many still rejected Him because of this spiritual blindness caused by sin.
According to the sermon, what is the only solution for spiritual blindness?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states emphatically that "there is only one answer. It is this: he must be born again." He explains that no one becomes a Christian by nature or inclination, but only "as the result of the operation of the Holy Spirit of God upon us." He urges those who don't see Christ properly to "cry out to God for mercy and for the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit," promising that "if you do so God will hear you. Your eyes will be opened. You will see Him as he is."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the one important question in life for every person?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that "the one important question in life for every one of us is what think ye of Christ?" He emphasizes that this question is important because it transforms our current life, is the only thing that matters when we face death, and determines our eternal destiny. He concludes that "nothing is so important as just this: What think ye of Christ?"
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.