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Sermon #5806

Scottish Reformation

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Sermon Description

In Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ sermon on the Scottish Reformation, delivered at Usher Hall in Edinburgh in April 1960to mark the 400th anniversary of the Scottish Reformation, he emphasizes the importance of looking to our past for answers in the present. Many Christians today lobby against using past precedents to teach us, either saying that the past has nothing to teach us in this different time or that the history of the church should not be brought up, lest it cause acrimony. In response to these claims, Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that first, we are not different in nature or being to the men and women of the Reformation and therefore, cannot dismiss their accomplishments, and second, that the past should be explored and understood rather than suppressed. With this said, Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates the two ways that one can view the Scottish Reformation. The first way is to simply explore the events that took place in the Scottish Reformation. The second is by using the actions and events that took place to further our walk with God today. So, what exactly can we learn from the Scottish reformation? Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that the best way to do so is by looking at the men who led such a movement. But who were these men? Well, these were godly men who believed in the sovereignty of God and the need to worship him. These were men who realized Christ’s sacrifice and dedicated their lives to him because of it. For example one of the key figures in the Scottish reformation, John Knox, demonstrated fearless resistance towards the mighty Catholic Church. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Knox did not stand up against the Church by his own power, but by the power of God. John Knox realized the absolute greatness of God and consequently preached with power. So, we must ask ourselves, Where is the God of John Knox? Where is this God that can give us such power? To this, Dr. Lloyd-Jones replies, he is here and present, just as he was in the time of John Knox. And if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have the same God, we must only realize his greatness and react accordingly.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Dr. Lloyd-Jones considers it a great privilege to address the audience on the 400th anniversary of the Scottish Reformation.
  2. There are two main objections to commemorating the Reformation: 1) We live in the modern age, so why look to the past. 2) The Reformation caused disunity in the church, so it should not be celebrated.
  3. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues we must study the Reformation to understand Scottish history and politics. The Reformation shaped Scotland's national character and education system.
  4. The Reformation was a work of God's sovereignty, not just a religious movement. It influenced politics and society across Europe.
  5. Key leaders of the Scottish Reformation included Patrick Hamilton, George Wishart, John Knox, and Andrew Melville. They were heroic, principled men.
  6. The reformers believed in the authority of Scripture, not church tradition or philosophy. The Bible is the word of God.
  7. The reformers believed in God's sovereignty, not man's free will as primary. They feared God.
  8. The reformers believed in Christ's atoning work on the cross, not good works, as the basis for salvation. They preached justification by faith alone.
  9. The reformers believed Christians could have assurance of salvation, not uncertainty.
  10. The reformers believed in the priesthood of all believers and simplicity of worship. They wanted a pure church.
  11. The reformers were men of prayer who depended on God, not themselves. God gave them power and authority.
  12. The reformers preached boldly and prophetically, not to please people. Their preaching brought conviction and change.
  13. The secret of the Reformation's success was God, not the reformers themselves. God raised up the right men at the right time.
  14. We need to ask, "Where is the God of John Knox?" We need to return to the old confessions of faith and pray boldly for God's help in our time of need.
  15. Christ remains the same, yesterday, today and forever. We must know the God of John Knox.

Sermon Q&A

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Scottish Reformation: Key Questions and Answers

What was the main significance of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the Protestant Reformation was one of the most remarkable historical phenomena that changed the entire course of history. It transformed Scotland from "being a dissolute and a drunken and an illiterate country" into one "famous throughout the world as a sober, righteous, and able, intelligent, living people." The Reformation laid the foundation for the democratic view of government and had profound social and moral consequences.

Why should we study the Scottish Reformation 400 years later?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives several reasons:

  1. To understand Scottish history - "You simply cannot understand the history of Scotland unless you know something about the Protestant Reformation."
  2. Because current conditions are "increasingly approximating to the state of affairs that obtained before the Protestant Reformation" - with moral decline, social problems, and doctrinal confusion in the church.
  3. We are "fighting for a heritage, for the very things that were gained by that tremendous movement of 400 years ago."

What were the key convictions of the Scottish Reformers?

The Reformers were characterized by:

  1. Their belief in the authority of the Bible as the Word of God
  2. Their commitment to the doctrine of the sovereignty of God
  3. Their focus on "the great central doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ and his perfect, finished work"
  4. Their emphasis on justification by faith alone
  5. Their belief in the assurance of salvation
  6. Their commitment to the universal priesthood of all believers
  7. Their preference for simplicity of worship
  8. Their desire for a pure church with discipline

What distinguished the Scottish Reformation from other reformations?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that "the one excellence which you had in Scotland at that time was this: that your reformation was a pure reformation. There was no question of a king trying to get out of his matrimonial difficulties and entanglements... It was a pure reformation. And the result was, I believe, that you had a purer church."

What was distinctive about the Reformers' approach to preaching?

Their preaching was characterized by: - Prophetic authority rather than "priestly preaching" - Proclamation and declaration, not "friendly discussion" - Power that came from God, not just words - Sermons that were alarming, convicting, humbling, and converting - Preaching that "didn't respect persons" or try to please the audience

What does Lloyd-Jones consider the greatest challenge to the church today?

He identifies "the battle for justification by faith only" as perhaps the greatest current battle. He warns against the modern tendency to define Christianity by works and good deeds rather than faith, stating: "We are confronted again by a generation that no longer believes in justification by faith only."

What is the relationship between godliness and righteousness according to the sermon?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes: "You cannot have morality without godliness." He quotes Romans 1:18 to show that ungodliness comes before unrighteousness in Paul's order. "If you haven't got a godly people, you'll never have a righteous people." The Reformation proved this - "Once you had godliness coming in, righteousness and morality followed."

How can we find "the God of John Knox" today?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by pointing to Hebrews 4:14-16, encouraging believers to: 1. "Hold fast the confession" - maintaining the truths of scripture 2. "Come boldly unto the throne of grace" through Jesus our high priest 3. "Obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need"

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.