The Unchanging Task of the Church
Sermon: Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday and Today and Forever
Scripture
8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Sermon Description
In this sermon on "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" from Hebrews 13:8 titled “The Unchanging Task of the Church,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones encourages listeners that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In this address, Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides an overview of some of the issues the world has faced in the past century. He says he is deeply thankful to be preaching in the 20th century, in which the world is confused and scared, the human soul is searching for a solution, and the church is less characterized by empty religion. Throughout history, and most recently in the last two centuries, humans have become increasingly convinced of their own strength and have delusions of answers to the universe’s problems, whether it be scientific, philosophical, or psychological. He says that these human solutions are all wrong. Rather, the Christian is to look to Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Looking to the unchanging God provides consolation that no worldly solution can offer. Jesus of Nazareth came into this world as the Son of God in order to rescue sinners from their well-deserved eternal damnation. He died, and was raised again, giving eternal security if one chooses to have faith in Him.
Sermon Breakdown
- He expresses gratitude for being asked to preach at the inauguration of the London Theological Seminary.
- He acknowledges the report given by Reverend Andrew Davis on behalf of the faculty and the remarks of the chairman, Mr. Mengard. He thanks God for his blessing on the seminary.
- He introduces Hebrews 13:8 as the focus of his sermon: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever." He notes that verse 7 provides context.
- He explains that the epistle to the Hebrews was written to discouraged Christians facing persecution and difficult circumstances. The author aims to encourage them.
- He says we today face similar circumstances, especially those entering the ministry. Though the conditions seem hopeless, there are grounds for encouragement.
- He says he will focus on the past 100 years to provide historical context, though the church spans 19 centuries. 100 years ago, the church seemed prosperous but faced threats.
- On the surface, 100 years ago the church was popular and churches were full. Religion was customary and respectable. But people lived on past revivals and lacked living faith.
- Beneath the surface, forces threatened the church: science, philosophy, psychology, and biblical criticism. Leaders thought there was no God, supernatural, or infallible Bible.
- Today seems hopeless but is better to preach in. The world provides an introduction to the gospel. Science and philosophy have limits. Scholarship supports the Bible. Criticism has reversed.
- The world is uncertain and fearful. False optimism is gone. People want experience and believe anything offering hope. The task is the same: address mankind's sin and futility of man-made solutions.
- Christ is unchanging. His person, work as savior, and word are the same. He is the only savior, needs no supplement, and provides eternal redemption. His resurrection proves his work is finished.
- Believers can come boldly before God's throne of grace through Christ's sacrifice and intercession. Christ sympathizes with our weaknesses, having been tempted like us yet without sin.
- Christ reigns in power and glory but still lays his hand on us. All enemies will be under his feet. He is coming again to judge the world and share his glory with believers.
- It is a privilege to preach the unchanging Christ as the only certainty in a changing world. He transforms life and gives hope of a new creation.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Jesus Christ's Unchanging Nature
What is the main scripture text that Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones bases his sermon on Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever." He also references verse 7 which speaks about remembering those who have spoken the word of God and following their faith, considering the outcome of their way of life.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones compare preaching in the 20th century to preaching in the 19th century?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones surprisingly states that he is "very glad" to be a preacher in the 20th century rather than the 19th century. While the Victorian era appeared outwardly successful for Christianity with full churches and religious popularity, beneath the surface there was "smugness and respectability" where people attended church out of habit rather than conviction. He explains that the 19th century faced powerful intellectual challenges from science, Darwin's theories, higher criticism of the Bible, and optimistic humanism that were difficult to counter when society seemed prosperous. In contrast, the 20th century's obvious problems (world wars, moral decline, societal uncertainty) make it easier to demonstrate humanity's need for Christ.
What forces does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say were undermining Christianity in the 19th century?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, several forces were "striking at the very roots of the Christian faith" in the 19th century: 1. The rise of scientific thinking and Darwin's theory of evolution 2. A philosophical belief in inevitable progress and development 3. The emergence of psychology that explained away religious experiences 4. Higher criticism of the Bible that questioned its authority 5. The study of anthropology and comparative religion that suggested Christianity was just one of many evolving faiths 6. A growing optimism about human ability to solve problems without God
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the condition of the world in his present day?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes his contemporary world (1970s) as one of fear, uncertainty, and disillusionment. He notes: 1. The "golden century" of optimism has instead produced two world wars 2. Society lives in fear of nuclear war, famine, and environmental collapse 3. Scientific certainty has been replaced by probability and relativity 4. The rational optimism of the 19th century has given way to irrationalism 5. People are seeking meaning through experiences and sensations rather than reason 6. The world provides "a perfect introduction to the gospel" because its failures are obvious
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, what is the unchanging task of the church?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the church's task remains the same throughout all ages: addressing the problem of "man in sin." He argues that while surface appearances change (transportation, technology, terminology), human nature and human problems remain constant. Whether someone "walks to sin" or "flies in a jet airplane to sin," the fundamental issue is unchanged. The church must continue to proclaim Christ as the only solution to humanity's unchanging moral and spiritual condition, regardless of cultural shifts.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the changeless nature of Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes Christ's changeless nature in several ways: 1. His person is unchanging - He is eternally the Son of God 2. His superiority to all creation is unchanging - He laid the foundation of the earth 3. His work of salvation is complete and unchanging - "It is finished" 4. His priesthood is unchanging - He "ever lives to make intercession" 5. His sympathy for human weakness is unchanging - He can be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" 6. His power over all circumstances is unchanging - "All power is given unto me" 7. His promise to return is unchanging - He will "appear the second time without sin unto salvation"
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the completeness of Christ's work of salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ is the only and complete Savior who needs no supplementation. He specifically argues: 1. Christ's work was done "once and forever" and cannot be repeated 2. He has "perfected forever them that believe in him" 3. His resurrection proves the completeness of his work 4. He needs no assistance from Mary, saints, or other mediators 5. To suggest Christ needs to be sacrificed again (as in the Mass) is "an utter denial of this gospel" 6. He has made direct access to God possible through "a new and living way"
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the comfort believers can find in Christ's unchanging nature?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's unchanging nature provides comfort to believers because: 1. In a world of uncertainty, Christ is the "one certainty" 2. Despite being exalted in glory, Christ remains sympathetic to human suffering 3. He "cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities" because He was "tempted in all points like as we are" 4. He gives believers "boldness to enter into the holiest" and approach God directly 5. He "laid his right hand upon" John in Revelation, showing His continuing personal care 6. He is preparing a place for believers and will return for them 7. His power over all enemies (including death) remains unchanged
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones predict about the future?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that "the future is going to be precisely what the history of men has always been." He maintains that while surface appearances change, human nature and human problems remain constant. However, he also affirms the Christian hope that Christ will "come back into this world" as "king of kings, lord of lords" to "judge the whole world in righteousness." He describes a future where believers will share in Christ's glory and there will be "a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones characterize the privilege of preaching the gospel in his time?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes preaching in his era as "a glorious time" and "a privilege" because: 1. The bankruptcy of human solutions is evident in a "hopeless, helpless, tremulous world" 2. The intellectual challenges to Christianity from the previous century have largely been discredited 3. Archaeological discoveries are increasingly confirming biblical historicity 4. The world's condition itself serves as "a perfect introduction to the gospel" 5. Preachers can offer "the only certainty in a changing and a collapsing world" 6. They are "heralds of this blessed person" who remains unchanged despite all the world's changes
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.