The Riches of Christ
A Sermon on John 2:9-11
Originally preached Nov. 7, 1965
Scripture
9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth …
Sermon Description
Christians have been promised the kind of living water by which they will never thirst again. Are they living lives that reflect this? Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks on the fullness of God and the abundance found in Him from John 2:9–11 in this sermon titled “The Riches of Christ.” First, he speaks about the abundance that is found in the Lord. He never runs out of grace, forgiveness, or mercy, but is ready to extend it freely to those who seek after and believe in Him. It is important to realize that it is His work in the Christian that fills to overflowing. He then goes on to speak about an important truth in the Christian life: experiencing the fullness of God is not a one-time thing, but is meant to increase as the Christian grows in their walk with the Lord. This truth is something Christians can rejoice in and find great hope. The more God’s fullness is received, the greater a desire will be to grow in that fullness. And as Christians grow in that fullness, it will overflow into their every action, causing them to live lives that reflect this beautiful abundance of their Lord.
Sermon Breakdown
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The sermon examines Jesus' first miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. This miracle illustrates the abundant and overflowing life Jesus gives.
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The life Jesus gives is one of full satisfaction, changing our situation from desperation to peace. When Jesus acts, it is evident he has done so. This new life overflows from within us.
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Examples of this overflowing life are found throughout the Bible, from the Psalmist's cup running over to Jesus' promise of rivers of living water flowing from within us. The early church was filled with the Holy Spirit and Paul describes the unsearchable riches of Christ.
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This abundant life is not just for outstanding Christians but for all believers. Throughout church history, from early martyrs to 18th century leaders like Wesley and Whitefield, ordinary Christians have experienced this overflowing life.
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This abundant life is progressive, increasing from glory to glory. It does not end with our initial conversion but continues to grow and develop. The Psalmist and Isaiah describe flourishing into old age. Paul says we are being transformed into Christ's image with ever-increasing glory.
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The abundant life increases our faith. Jesus' disciples believed in him more deeply after witnessing his miracle at Cana. The more we receive of Christ's life, the more we desire him and seek after him. Paul continued to pursue knowing Christ more deeply.
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The effect of this life should be a desire to love and please God more, to be filled with a holy passion for him. We can lean on God's strength and rejoice in his glory, grace, love, and truth.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on John 2:9-11
What is the significance of Jesus' first miracle at Cana of Galilee?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Jesus' first miracle at Cana of Galilee is significant not only as a historical event and a manifestation of Christ's glory, but also as a parable. It illustrates the main theme of John's Gospel - that Jesus came to give us life, "not merely to save us from hell and to procure for us forgiveness of sins, but to make of us the sons of God, to make us partakers of the divine nature, participators in the divine life." The miracle demonstrates how Christ gives this abundant life and how we receive it.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the fullness of satisfaction that Christ gives?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ's provision is characterized by superabundance - not just meeting our basic needs but providing overflowing satisfaction. He states, "He didn't merely turn just a little water into wine. There was a sufficiency, there was a superabundance." He compares this to other biblical examples like feeding the 5,000 with twelve baskets left over. This superabundance is a key characteristic of God's grace - "not only its freeness, but its fullness, its abundance, its all sufficiency."
What biblical imagery does Lloyd-Jones use to describe the Christian life?
He draws on rich biblical imagery, including the Psalmist's "my cup runneth over," the Song of Solomon's "banqueting house" with love as a banner, and Isaiah's wilderness becoming a pool. From the New Testament, he highlights Jesus' words to the Samaritan woman about "living water" that becomes "a well of water springing up into everlasting life" and Jesus' promise that "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." He also references being "filled with the Spirit" and the "fruit of the Spirit."
Is the abundant Christian life only for the apostolic era or for exceptional Christians?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones strongly refutes the idea that the abundant Christian life was only for the apostolic era or for exceptional Christians. He states, "If I believe that what I'm told here in the New Testament was only for the first generation of Christians and not for us today, my dear friends, I wouldn't be in this pulpit. It's a lie. It's not true." He points to church history across the centuries, noting that ordinary Christians as well as great leaders have experienced this abundance, saying, "At every time of revival, there is no distinction between great and small."
What does Lloyd-Jones say about the progressive nature of Christian experience?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the Christian life is not just about an initial conversion experience but continues to grow and deepen. He references the governor of the feast's statement, "thou hast kept the good wine until now," to illustrate that in the Christian life, "The best is at the end." He criticizes those who only talk about their conversion experience from years ago with nothing since. Quoting Psalm 92, he notes that the righteous "shall still bring forth fruit in old age" and references 2 Corinthians 3, describing Christians as being "changed into the same image from glory to glory."
How should Christians respond to the abundance Christ offers?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the proper response to Christ's abundance is increased faith and desire for more of Christ. He notes that after the miracle, the disciples "believed more than ever." He quotes Paul in Philippians 3, who despite experiencing much, still says "that I may know him," showing that "The more you receive, the more you desire." Christians should press forward, forgetting what is behind and reaching for what is ahead. The fullness of Christ should lead us to say, "O Lord, I cast my care on thee. I triumph and adore. Henceforth, my great concern shall be to love and please thee more."
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.