The Light Shines in the Darkness
A Sermon on Light and Darkness from John 1:5
Originally preached Oct. 14, 1962
Scripture
5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Sermon Description
What happens when the joy of salvation begins to fade? How does the joy of salvation deliver us from the darkness of life? The apostle John confronts this critical threat. In this sermon on light and darkness, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows us how this modern day problem exposes lethargy in the believer's heart, the failure to rely on the Holy Spirit, and the depths of darkness from which we are saved. It's not until we understand the depths of our sin that the church can fathom the greatness of the Word becoming flesh. The world is in a current state of darkness that has pervaded every aspect of human history since the Fall. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that this darkness is twofold; it is not only a state of ignorance that mankind is in, but that the darkness is also within man's heart, as manifested by his love of sin and hatred of Christian doctrine. However, God has sent believers the Holy Spirit, who through enlightening the believer's eyes to the truth about God and the glory of His salvation, enables them to be lights themselves in the persistent darkness.
Sermon Breakdown
- The world is in darkness due to the fall of man. Man is ignorant of God, himself, and the meaning of the world.
- The darkness is not just around man but in him. Man's mind, desires, and will have become twisted. Man thinks, desires, and does evil.
- The darkness in man makes him incapable of recognizing the light, even when it's shown to him. Man cannot see the light of Christ.
- Not only can man not recognize the light, he hates it and despises it. Man hates the light of the gospel and the doctrine of Christ.
- Despite man's darkness and hatred of the light, the light of Christ continues to shine. The light has shone through the Old and New Testaments, through prophets and apostles, and through the church.
- For Christians, the light has shone into our darkness. We have been enlightened and brought to know Christ, who is the light.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on John 1:5: Questions and Answers
What does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones mean by "the darkness comprehended it not" in John 1:5?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the phrase "the darkness comprehended it not" means that mankind in its fallen state is incapable of recognizing the light of Christ even when it shines directly before them. He argues that this translation from the Authorized Version is correct, as it aligns with verses 10-11 of the same chapter which state: "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not." Lloyd-Jones explains that humanity's darkness is so profound that people cannot perceive spiritual light without divine intervention.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the nature of mankind's darkness?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes mankind's darkness in two fundamental ways. First, man is "in the dark" - existing in an atmosphere of darkness and ignorance about God, himself, and the world. Second, "the darkness is in man" - it has penetrated into his very being, affecting his mind, heart, and will. Lloyd-Jones quotes Genesis 6:5 to demonstrate this: "God saw that every imagination of the thought of man's heart was only evil continually." This darkness causes people to think wrongly, love wrongly, and act wrongly.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe understanding darkness is essential to Christian joy?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones believes Christians often lack joy because they fail to appreciate two essential truths: the glory of Christ and the depth of darkness from which they've been rescued. He states: "A light view of sin always leads to a superficial salvation and to a superficial Christian life. You've got to measure the heights of his glory. You've got to measure the depth of our own natural iniquity and darkness." Understanding both creates a profound appreciation for salvation that naturally produces joy and wonder.
What are the main consequences of mankind's darkness according to the sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, mankind's darkness results in: 1. Ignorance about God, self, and the world's purpose 2. Perverted thinking and reasoning (Romans 1) 3. Corrupt desires and affections (loving darkness rather than light) 4. A twisted will that chooses evil 5. Inability to recognize spiritual truth even when presented with it 6. Hatred and rejection of the light 7. Active opposition to Christ and His message
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the world's rejection of Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the world rejects Christ not because of superior knowledge but because of spiritual blindness. He states, "The vast majority of people in this country don't believe this gospel. Why not? Well, they say because of their enlightenment. Because they're educated and cultured. The real answer is, because they're blind." He references John 3:19-20, showing that people reject Christ because "men loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil." This hostility toward the light explains why Christ was ultimately crucified.
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe education and philosophy cannot solve humanity's problems?
Lloyd-Jones argues that education and human philosophy cannot solve humanity's problems because "the world by wisdom knew not God." The fundamental issue isn't a lack of information but spiritual blindness. He states: "What's the point of giving teaching to people who hate the light? No. No knowledge and instruction can ever save such people." Since the darkness is internal to human nature, only divine light can penetrate it. That's why Christ's incarnation was necessary - mere teaching would be insufficient.
How has God's light been shining in darkness throughout history?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones traces how God's light has been shining in darkness throughout history: 1. In Eden after the Fall, God gave the promise of the seed of the woman 2. Through Noah preaching for 120 years before the flood 3. Through Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah 4. Through Abraham, the patriarchs, and Israel 5. Through the prophets 6. Through Christ's personal ministry on earth ("I am the light of the world") 7. Through the apostles whom Christ called "the light of the world" 8. Through the church empowered by the Holy Spirit 9. Through individual believers who are now "light in the Lord"
What solution does Dr. Lloyd-Jones offer for Christians who lack joy?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers a doctrinal solution for Christians lacking joy. He states: "We don't need some psychological treatment in order to make us happy. What we need is doctrine." Specifically, Christians need to better understand: 1. The glory and wonder of Christ as revealed in Scripture 2. The depth of darkness and sin from which they've been rescued 3. The miracle that God's light has penetrated their natural blindness 4. That salvation is entirely of grace, since they naturally would reject the light
Lloyd-Jones concludes that when Christians grasp these truths, they will naturally experience the wonder and joy that characterized early believers.
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.