A Child of God in Christ
A Sermon on Regeneration
Originally preached Feb. 26, 1954
Scripture
Sermon Description
What is regeneration, and how can one know if it has taken place in their life? In this sermon on regeneration titled “A Child of God in Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tackles these questions as he leads through key passages in 1 John and Galatians. Dr. Lloyd-Jones systematically shows how salvation is proven in the life of a believer. Regeneration occurs when God implants spiritual life into people. Authentic regeneration proves itself in those who are living under the lordship of Jesus Christ as they outwardly demonstrate His holiness. But what does it look like? A genuine believer will show this regeneration in their love of other believers, conviction over sin, and desire for spiritual things. No one can produce this on their own. Regeneration means union with Christ. As Jesus taught in the gospels, a believer’s relationship with Him is similar to the interaction of a vine and its branches—just as a branch cannot thrive or survive without the support from the vine, change in the life of a believer cannot take place apart from that person’s union with Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- Regeneration and union with Christ are inseparable doctrines that must be considered together.
- Logically, union with Christ precedes regeneration. Chronologically, they happen at the same time.
- The Holy Spirit's special work is to unite us with Christ. This is emphasized in John 14-17.
- Terms used to describe union with Christ: "in Christ", vine and branches (John 15), head and body (1 Cor 12, Eph 4-5), husband and wife (Eph 5), stones and cornerstone (1 Pet 2).
- Union with Christ is compared to humanity's union with Adam (Rom 5, 1 Cor 15).
- You cannot experience regeneration without union with Christ. They depend on and imply each other.
- We will consider the nature, establishment, and results of union with Christ.
- Understanding these doctrines strengthens faith and longing for holiness.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers About Regeneration and Union with Christ According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
What is regeneration according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, regeneration is "the implanting within us of a principle of spiritual life." It is a direct, immediate work of the Holy Spirit upon the soul that cannot be lost because it is done by God and is permanent. It's not something connected necessarily with believing and accepting the Word, but rather an operation of the Holy Spirit directly upon the soul.
What are the four main tests of regeneration found in 1 John?
The four main tests Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies in 1 John are: 1. Believing that Jesus is the Christ (true doctrine about Christ as eternal God) 2. Keeping God's commandments (and finding them a delight, not a burden) 3. Having received the Holy Spirit (evidenced by the spirit of adoption) 4. Loving the brethren (recognizing and loving fellow Christians)
How can believers know if they are truly regenerate?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several evidences of regeneration: 1. Passing the four tests from 1 John 2. Consciousness of two natures warring within (the Spirit against the flesh) 3. A desire to know God Himself, not merely to receive blessings from Him 4. Hating sin itself, not just its consequences 5. Hungering and thirsting after righteousness (positive desire for holiness)
What is the relationship between regeneration and union with Christ?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that regeneration and union with Christ are inseparable. While chronologically they happen simultaneously, logically union precedes regeneration. He states, "We cannot receive any blessing whatsoever from the work of the Lord Jesus Christ unless we are joined to him, unless we are in union with him." All the benefits of Christ's redemptive work come to us through this union, and regeneration itself is an outcome of our union with Christ.
What illustrations does the Bible use to describe the believer's union with Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several biblical illustrations of union with Christ: 1. A vine and its branches (John 15) 2. The head and members of a body (1 Corinthians 12) 3. The relationship between husband and wife (Ephesians 5) 4. A building with Christ as the cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4-6) 5. The believer's union with Christ compared to humanity's union with Adam (Romans 5)
Who is primarily responsible for establishing the union between the believer and Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the Holy Spirit is particularly responsible for producing this union. He notes that the doctrine of union with Christ seems to be emphasized especially in John's writings and appears prominently when Jesus begins teaching about the Holy Spirit in John 14-17. Lloyd-Jones suggests that "it does seem to be peculiarly the work of the Spirit to unite us to our Lord."
Is union with Christ only for especially holy or sanctified believers?
No. Dr. Lloyd-Jones strongly refutes this notion, calling it "entirely wrong and utterly false doctrine." He criticizes the mystical tradition that sees union with Christ as something attained after unusual degrees of holiness. Instead, he emphasizes that union with Christ is foundational to being a Christian at all: "You are either in Him now or you're not a Christian. Christians are all in Christ Jesus."
What phrase does Dr. Lloyd-Jones consider the greatest term used for believers in Scripture?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the phrase "in Christ" as "in many ways the greatest term ever used concerning anybody in the scripture." He emphasizes that this phrase "really says everything" about the Christian's identity and relationship with Christ.
Great Biblical Doctrines
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.