The Blood of the New Covenant
A Sermon on John 1:16
Originally preached Oct. 27, 1963
Scripture
16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Sermon Description
How does Christ begin the new covenant? In this discourse on John 1:16 titled “The Blood of the New Covenant,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones elaborates on the old and new covenants. If any are to benefit from Christ, they must benefit under the new covenant that Christ Himself said was a new covenant in His own blood. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ ratified the new covenant with His blood and as every old covenant was begun with blood, so too the new covenant would begin with blood. Not only do Christians benefit from the life and work of Christ on Earth, but Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how they also benefit from the assurance of Christ’s intercession at the right hand of God in heaven. Finally, Dr. Lloyd-Jones gloriously explains the priesthood of Christ and that the Savior will never cease to be the priest nor need to make a sacrifice for sin again. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives assurance that the sacrifice of Christ was once and for all time. His sacrifice will never be looked upon by the Father as insufficient or without power. If Christ’s blood covers one sin, then it covers all of them.
Sermon Breakdown
- Jesus has the fullness and ability to enter into the holiest of all (heaven) - only he can enter into the presence of God.
- In the Old Testament, the high priest could only enter the holiest of all once a year. The people would wait outside to see if the sacrifice was accepted. They knew it was accepted if they heard the bells on the hem of his garment.
- Jesus entered into the holiest of all - heaven - with his own blood as the sacrifice. His blood was accepted, reconciling us to God.
- God's covenant of redemption and grace had to be ratified before we could receive the benefits. A covenant is ratified by the shedding of blood.
- The old covenant was ratified by the blood of bulls and goats. It only purified the flesh.
- The new covenant is ratified by the blood of Jesus. It purges our conscience and reconciles our spirit.
- Jesus had to die to ratify the new covenant. "A testament is of force after men are dead." His blood had to be shed.
- The earthly tabernacle was a "pattern" of the heavenly tabernacle. The earthly one was purified by the blood of animals. The heavenly one was purified by the blood of Jesus.
- Jesus entered into heaven itself, not an earthly tabernacle. He entered into the presence of God for us.
- God decreed that covenants must be ratified by blood so we would never forget the cost of our redemption.
- The communion table reminds us of the new covenant ratified in Jesus's blood.
- Jesus has done his work perfectly. "He sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high." He offered one sacrifice for sins forever. No more sacrifice is needed.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on John 1:16
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones call John 1:16 in relation to Christians?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes John 1:16 ("And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace") as "the charter of the Christian man." He explains that this verse provides "the very essence and vitals of our whole position as Christians." It summarizes what defines a Christian - one who has received of the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What steps does Dr. Lloyd-Jones outline regarding Christ's fullness before we can receive it?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines several essential steps: 1. First, we must understand Christ's essential, eternal fullness as God (the fullness of the Godhead) 2. Second, this fullness had to be found in the person of Jesus through the incarnation 3. Third, Christ had to exercise this fullness on our behalf as our representative 4. Fourth, Christ had to conquer all our enemies, including death 5. Fifth, Christ had to enter into the heavenly holy place with His own blood 6. Sixth, Christ had to ratify the covenant of redemption and grace
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain about Christ as our High Priest?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ, as our Great High Priest, has "passed through the heavens" into the very presence of God. Unlike the Old Testament high priests who entered the earthly holy place once a year with animal blood, Christ entered the heavenly holy place once for all with His own blood. This was essential for our reconciliation - the presentation of His blood as the atonement, offering it in the presence of God in the holiest of all.
What is the covenant of grace according to the sermon?
The covenant of grace is God's pledge to grant special benefits to all people represented by Christ. According to Jeremiah 31 (quoted in Hebrews 8), God promises: "I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts... I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people... all shall know me, from the least to the greatest, for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."
Why was blood necessary to ratify the covenant?
Blood was necessary because God decreed that all covenants must be ratified with blood. In the Old Testament, animal blood was used to ratify covenants (with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses). For the new covenant concerning the soul, spirit, and conscience, better blood was required - the blood of Christ himself. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that God required blood ratification to remind us of the cost of our redemption: "When he gives everything for nothing, he says, I'll remind you there's blood on the agreement."
What is the significance of Christ "sitting down" at God's right hand?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ "sitting down" at God's right hand signifies the completeness and finality of His work. Unlike the Old Testament priests who stood daily offering sacrifices repeatedly, Christ offered one sacrifice for sins forever and then sat down, indicating that the work was finished. Nothing can or needs to be added to Christ's work of redemption. It is "once and forever" complete.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe receiving from Christ's fullness?
He describes receiving from Christ's fullness as "grace for grace" or "grace upon grace," indicating there is no end to it. This receiving is the practical experience of being a Christian - rejoicing in Christ's fullness that has entered into us. This receiving comes through the ratified covenant, and produces joy, peace, and an effective witness in this world.
What did Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is wrong with the Roman Catholic teaching about the Mass?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that "the Roman Catholic teaching about the sacrifice of the Mass is not only wrong, but is blasphemy to boot" because it suggests Christ's sacrifice needs to be repeated. He emphasizes that Christ's work was done "once and forever" and is completely finished, requiring no addition or supplement. Christ "did it alone, by himself" and "needed no assistance."
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.