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Sermon #5713

The Call to Liberty

A Sermon on Deuteronomy 6:23

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Scripture

Deuteronomy 6:23 ESV KJV
And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. (ESV)

Sermon Description

Listen to the good news of God delivering His people from bondage to abundance. In this sermon on Deuteronomy 6:23 titled “The Call to Liberty,” Dr, Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached at the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) Annual Assembly in 1972, tracing the history of God’s deliverance. He recounts the Exodus from Egypt, the Protestant Reformation, the evangelical Great Awakenings, and many other events. It is always God who frees His people from bondage. Why are God’s children found in bondage? This bondage is never sudden and listeners learn what happens when things that were meant to be temporary become permanent. They also will hear of the consequences of the hatred and persecution of those opposed to God. Religions of authority versus religions of the Spirit are examined. There is need for form and substance in Christianity, but there is danger in this becoming exaggerated. Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses denominationalism, intellectualism, and traditionalism. There is conflict between the institution and the Spirit. What is the call of the gospel? God declares liberty for His children. Listeners are warned to keep watch so that they do not fail to remember that it was God’s hand, not humanity’s, that delivered them. They should not go back into bondage from where they came as this is the fatal tendency of people.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Dr. Lloyd-Jones is privileged to deliver the Jubilee sermon for the 50th anniversary of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches.
  2. He knew the founder, Rev. E.J. Poole-Connor, and has always been glad to be associated with him.
  3. There have been some last minute changes to the schedule of services that were out of their control. But God is in control of all things.
  4. The sermon is based on Deuteronomy 6:23 - "And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers."
  5. God's dealings with mankind have always involved bringing people out of bondage. This is the story of salvation.
  6. God's people also frequently get into bondage, like Israel in Egypt. God has to deliver them.
  7. The causes of God's people getting into bondage:
    1. The abuse of something good - like Israel going to Egypt during famine. Temporary becomes permanent.
    2. They are God's people, so the world hates them. The ultimate cause is spiritual opposition.
  8. The types of bondage:
    1. Roman Catholic tyranny - for centuries. Priesthood, papalism, darkness, civic and spiritual power.
    2. Ecclesiasticism or denominationalism - forms of government become more important than spirit. Always a battle between authority and spirit.
    3. Intellectualism - confessions of faith and defining truth are good, but can become legalistic bondage.
    4. Worldliness in the church - persecutes true Christians.
    5. Traditionalism - governed by what has always been done, not understanding or experience. Powerful but irrational.
  9. God intervenes to deliver his people in various ways:
    1. Raising up a leader, like Moses. But leaders suffer, like Moses convincing grumbling Israel.
    2. Disturbing the people and opening their eyes, so they follow a leader.
  10. Why does God bring people out of bondage?
    1. Egypt (bondage) is no place for God's people. They must be free to worship properly.
    2. Mere separation is not enough. He brought them out to bring them in - to Canaan. God's work is positive.
  11. What is Canaan? Spiritually, it represents:
    1. Assurance of salvation. Certainty the world needs.
    2. Full satisfaction - wells we didn't dig (from Jesus), land flowing with milk and honey. Joy, praise, singing.
    3. The purpose of separation is to enter Canaan - enjoyment of the gospel, life abundant.
  12. Warnings are given to the people to be careful, since the tendency is to go back into bondage.
    1. Never look back to Egypt with longing. Many free churches have done this, seeking respectability and losing liberty.
    2. Keep the commandments - live by the Bible, truth, fellowship, prayer. Simple, spirit-led.
    3. Eternal vigilance - always reforming and examining self in light of Scripture. Depend on God's Word and Spirit.

Sermon Q&A

What Was Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' View on God's Purpose in Bringing His People Out of Bondage?

In his Jubilee Sermon for the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones presented a powerful message about God's pattern of delivering His people from bondage. Here are key insights from his sermon:

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the pattern of God's deliverance in history?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "The whole history of God's dealing with the human race is nothing but a series of happenings comparable to what we read of in this chapter [Deuteronomy 6] - God bringing us out always from some bondage." He explains that this pattern repeats throughout Scripture and church history, from:

  • The Exodus from Egypt
  • Various deliverances in the time of the Judges
  • The return from Babylonian captivity
  • The Protestant Reformation (which he called "a repetition of this, God setting his people free")
  • The Puritan movement
  • The evangelical awakenings of the 18th century

What forms of bondage does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify in church history?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identified several types of bondage God's people have experienced:

  1. "The tyranny of Roman Catholicism" - which he described as keeping people "in a condition of gross darkness"
  2. "Ecclesiasticism or denominationalism" - where church structures dominate over spiritual freedom
  3. "Intellectualism" - where theological precision goes beyond Scripture and creates legalism
  4. "Worldliness in the church" - which "always persecutes the true Christians"
  5. "Traditionalism" - perhaps "the most powerful form of tyranny," where people are governed by "what has always been done"

What is God's dual purpose in bringing His people out of bondage?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that God has both a negative and positive purpose in deliverance, based on Deuteronomy 6:23: "He brought us out from thence that he might bring us in..."

  1. Negative purpose: Separation from bondage - "Egypt is no place for God's people. God's people are meant to be free people."

  2. Positive purpose: Entrance into blessing - "Mere separation from wrong is not sufficient for the people of God... God doesn't bring us out merely to bring us out. He doesn't bring us out to leave us in a wilderness."

What does the "Promised Land" represent for believers according to Lloyd-Jones?

The Promised Land represents the full enjoyment of gospel blessings:

  • Assurance of salvation: "We are meant to have assurance of salvation. Cities to dwell in, houses to sit down in and enjoy ourselves."
  • Spiritual satisfaction: "We are meant to drink of these wells. We are meant to have full satisfaction."
  • Joy and freedom: "The whole place is flowing with milk and honey... Full enjoyment."

What warning does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give about maintaining freedom?

Lloyd-Jones warns that "the whole tendency of men in sin is to go back into bondage." He cautions:

  • "Never look back to Egypt" - Don't long for what you left behind
  • "Keep the commandments" - Stay faithful to Scripture
  • "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" - The church must be "always reforming herself"
  • Maintain "the word and the demonstration of the spirit" - Balance truth and spiritual power

As he concludes: "It's God who's given us everything, and it's God alone who can keep us going as he gave us life."

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.