Written that Ye Might Believe
A Sermon on John 20:30-31
Originally preached Oct. 7, 1962
Scripture
30¶ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Sermon Description
When Christ saves a person, will all of their troubles end? In this sermon on John 20:30–31 titled “Written that Ye May Believe,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers this question through the eyes and experience of first-century believers. Who was the book of John written to? Many believe that John’s Gospel was written for evangelistic purposes and while it is, the purpose to believe in Jesus was also directed to Christians. The Christian life, while filled with eternal purpose and joy, does not end one’s troubles on earth; in fact it will increase them. To face these new difficulties, Christians must believe in the truth about Jesus with firm purpose and unwavering resolve. The first-century believers endured ongoing persecution, suffered great personal loss, and faced mounting attacks of false doctrine. These believers, and all believers of all times, needed their resolve fastened to sound biblical doctrine of the person and work of Jesus. Therefore, while acknowledging the clear purpose of John’s Gospel, Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls Christians to believe in the vital doctrines concerning Jesus and to live in accordance with them. If they do, while their troubles may increase, they find resolve and strength to live for the glory of God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon transcript focuses on John 20:30-31 and John 1:12 which emphasize believing in Jesus as the Christ and Son of God in order to have eternal life.
- The sermon was written to encourage and strengthen early Christians who were facing persecution, false teachings about Jesus, disappointment that Jesus had not yet returned, and a lack of assurance in their faith.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that Christians today have the same needs as the early Christians. Many Christians today lack knowledge about core Christian doctrines, need comfort and encouragement, and lack a vibrant Christian life and witness.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that the solution to these needs is not comfort, exhortation, or appeals but instruction in Christian doctrine and the person of Jesus Christ. Knowledge of Christ leads to life and experience.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on who Jesus is according to John 1:1-14 to show why doctrine and theology matter. Jesus is eternal God, the Word of God, the Creator, the source of spiritual life, and the Light of the world. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us as a man.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that truly believing in who Jesus is should lead to a life of wonder, praise, and testimony. Lack of these shows a lack of true belief and knowledge.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones's main point is that Christians need to turn from themselves and their problems to focus on Jesus Christ through understanding Christian doctrine. This will lead to comfort, help, and a vibrant Christian life.
Sermon Q&A
What Questions Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Address in John 20:30-31?
Based on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on John 20:30-31, here are key questions and answers that reflect his teaching:
Why Did John Write His Gospel?
Answer: Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that John wrote his gospel to strengthen, establish, and encourage first-century Christians who had become discouraged, depressed, uncertain, and confused. These believers faced persecution, were troubled by false teachings about Christ's person, and were confused by apocryphal gospels. John wrote to give them certainty about Christ and to help them experience the fullness of Christian life.
What Does Lloyd-Jones Identify as the Main Problem with Modern Christianity?
Answer: According to Lloyd-Jones, the main problem is that many Christians are seeking mere comfort rather than truth. He states, "I'm beginning to think, my dear friends, that the modern christian church is dying of comfort." He criticizes the tendency to reduce Christianity to psychological treatment, "nice soothing syrup to make life a little bit easier and more bearable," rather than embracing the transformative power of knowing Christ.
Why Does Lloyd-Jones Emphasize Doctrine as Essential?
Answer: Lloyd-Jones insists that doctrine is essential because our entire salvation depends on knowing who Christ truly is. He explains, "Christian salvation is not to read the teaching of Christ and then to go out and try and practice it." Rather, salvation comes from Christ himself - who He is and what He has done. If we don't understand Christ's nature (fully God and fully man), we cannot understand how He saves us or receive the life He offers.
What's the Relationship Between Doctrine and Christian Experience?
Answer: Lloyd-Jones teaches that doctrine and experience must never be separated. He explains that John wrote "that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name." Correct understanding leads to vibrant Christian living. Without sound doctrine, our experience becomes shallow; without experience, doctrine remains theoretical. Both are essential - knowing Christ (doctrine) leads to experiencing His life.
How Should Christians Respond to False Teachings About Christ?
Answer: Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that we must reject false teachings by grounding ourselves in biblical truth about Christ's person. He discusses early heresies that either denied Christ's deity or humanity and shows how John's Gospel refutes them. Christians should recognize that there is "nothing new" about modern skepticism toward Christ's divinity - these ideas have been around since the first century and have always been contrary to apostolic teaching.
What Is Lloyd-Jones' Main Message to Struggling Christians?
Answer: Lloyd-Jones urges struggling Christians to turn their attention away from themselves to Christ. His powerful conclusion states: "Turn your eyes away from yourself. Look to him. Look at him and stay there until you've seen him...and you'll find that you'll be filled with life. Life anew. Life which is life, indeed." The solution to spiritual depression is not direct comfort but deeper knowledge of who Christ is.
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.