Christians: Living Epistles Written by Christ
A Sermon on 2 Corinthians 3:2-3
Scripture
2Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in …
Sermon Description
Christians are letters of recommendation – living epistles - for the Lord Jesus. To truly impact those outside the church, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches that the Christian must start within the church. Listen to this sermon on 2 Corinthians 3:2–3 and learn that the people of Christ are to be a letter so plainly written that anyone could read its message and understand the gospel of Christ. Each person is either in Christ or out – there has always been a great division. The hand holding the pen and writing such words is not the one holding the power; the power is the hand of God. Salvation happens in the fleshly parts of the heart, and morality is not merely the outside. This gospel is not merely an improvement, but a radical transformation; a profound intellectual change occurs in the believer. A great distinction between the unbeliever and the believer is their understanding of the primacy of the human soul. Unbelievers are blinded by a veil of sin, but the Christian can see truly through Christ’s sacrifice. The Son sets humanity free. The more one looks at Christ, the more they will look like Him – people will be able to look at a Christian’s face and see the difference.
Sermon Breakdown
- The Christian is meant to be a living epistle, a letter of recommendation for Christ, known and read of all men.
- The first thing to consider about a letter is whether it can be read at all. The Christian life should be clear and legible to all.
- The second thing to consider is who wrote the letter. The author of the Christian life is Christ, not any man. Ministers like Paul simply deliver the letter.
- The letter is written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God on the fleshy tables of the heart, not on tables of stone. True Christianity is a work of the Spirit in the heart, not outward morality or good works.
- The letter proclaims an intellectual change in the Christian. The veil has been removed so they can see the truth. Unbelievers are blinded, not lacking intelligence.
- The letter proclaims a moral change in the Christian. They have been set free from sin and walk in newness of life by the Spirit.
- The secret of the change in the Christian is beholding the glory of Christ. As we behold Him, we are changed into His image by the Spirit.
- Moses' face shone after being in God's presence, reflecting His glory, though Moses was unaware of it. In the same way, as Christians behold Christ, His glory is reflected in them.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on 2 Corinthians 3
What does it mean for Christians to be "epistles of Christ" according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, being an "epistle of Christ" means that Christians are living letters of recommendation for Christ. They should be clearly legible, with their lives proclaiming Christ so plainly that they are "known and read of all men" and "manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ." Their transformed lives should stand as obvious evidence of the truth of the gospel, making it clear to everyone around them that they are Christians through their changed character, values, and behavior.
How does Lloyd-Jones distinguish between the role of preachers and the role of Christ in creating Christian converts?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that while preachers like Paul have a role, they are merely "ministered by us" - not the true authors of conversion. He offers two interpretations: either the preacher is like someone whose hand is guided by Christ (like an adult guiding a child's hand when writing), or the preacher is simply the "postman" delivering the message. The actual transformation is performed by Christ through the Holy Spirit, not by human effort. As he states, "No man can ever make a Christian. No man can ever produce a saint. It's impossible."
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the primary problem with non-believers?
Lloyd-Jones identifies that the primary problem with non-believers is not intellectual capacity but spiritual blindness - they have a "veil" over their hearts and minds. He states: "The trouble with that great thinker of yours is not that he's got too great a brain to allow him to be a Christian, but that he's just blind. He can't see." This veil prevents them from seeing spiritual truths that are plainly visible to believers, comparing it to a mist that prevents seeing Scotland from Northern Ireland despite good eyesight.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the transformation that occurs in a true Christian?
Lloyd-Jones describes a true Christian transformation as involving three major changes: 1. A profound intellectual change - the "veil" is removed and they can see spiritual truths they were previously blind to 2. A profound moral revolution - they are set free from bondage to sin, experiencing "the glorious liberty of the children of God" 3. A change into Christ's image - as Christians behold Christ "with open face," they are "changed into the same image, from glory to glory," gradually reflecting His character
What criticism does Lloyd-Jones make of Christians in his day?
Lloyd-Jones criticizes that Christians in his day are often indistinguishable from non-Christians. He laments that "it has become very difficult in our day and generation to tell whether people are Christian or not" and that "the world has come into the church, and the difference between the Christian and the non-Christian is no longer as evident as it once was." He illustrates this with a story of a woman on a cruise ship whose Christian identity came as a surprise because nothing about her appearance or behavior suggested she was a Christian.
How does Lloyd-Jones contrast the Old Testament law with the New Testament gospel?
Lloyd-Jones contrasts the Old Testament law with the New Testament gospel by describing the law as something that "never set anybody free" but was rather "a bondage," "a yoke," and "a tyranny" that "killed us." It demanded "do this and you shall live" but no one could fulfill it. In contrast, the gospel brings liberty through the Spirit: "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." The law showed what men couldn't do, while Christ fulfilled "what the law could not do" and brings transformation through the Spirit.
What historical examples does Lloyd-Jones provide of distinctive Christian communities?
Lloyd-Jones provides several historical examples of distinctive Christian communities: 1. Early Christians in the first century who were "obvious" as Christians 2. Waldensian people in northern Italy who met in caves 3. Brethren of the Common Life in Bavaria, Moravia, and the Netherlands 4. Protestant Reformers who were distinct from Roman Catholics 5. Puritans (including the Pilgrim Fathers) who lived simple, pure lives 6. Quakers who dressed and spoke differently from others 7. Methodists who lived methodical, disciplined Christian lives
What does Lloyd-Jones mean when he says a Christian is "written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God"?
When Lloyd-Jones says a Christian is "written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God," he means that becoming a Christian is not merely an external change or moral improvement, but a deep internal transformation performed by the Holy Spirit. This work happens "in the fleshy tables of the heart, down in the depths of the personality." He emphasizes it's "nothing less than a new birth" and "a new creation" - not merely an improvement but "a radical performance by the Spirit of God in which a new being is brought into being."
What is the significance of the "veil" metaphor in Lloyd-Jones' sermon?
The "veil" metaphor refers to the spiritual blindness that prevents non-believers from understanding spiritual truth. Lloyd-Jones draws this from Paul's reference to Moses' veiled face in Exodus. Just as a veil would obscure vision, unbelievers have a spiritual veil that prevents them from seeing the truth about God, their souls, and salvation. When someone becomes a Christian, "the veil has been taken away" and they can see spiritual realities clearly. This explains why intelligent people might reject Christianity - not because of superior intellect but because of spiritual blindness.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the process by which Christians become more like Christ?
Lloyd-Jones describes the process of becoming like Christ through the metaphor of Moses' face shining after being in God's presence. Christians, "with open face, beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory." As believers spend time with Christ and contemplate Him, they gradually reflect His character - similar to how people who live together for years begin to resemble one another. This transformation happens "by the Spirit of the Lord" and often happens unconsciously, as "the Christian never does know" that their face is shining with this reflected glory.
Itinerant Preaching
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.