The Puritan Idea of Communion with God
J.I. Packer On Communion with God Followed by a Q&A with Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Scripture
Sermon Description
In this profound address, delivered at one of the Puritan Conferences held at Westminster Chapel 1950-1970, Dr. J.I. Packer explores the heart of Puritan theology through their understanding of communion with God. Drawing primarily from John Owen's classic treatise, Packer demonstrates how the Puritans viewed communion with God as the central purpose toward which all creation and redemption point. He contrasts modern evangelical attitudes—which treat communion with God as something taken for granted—with the Puritan approach, where it was a source of constant wonder and awe. The sermon unfolds Owen's sophisticated analysis of communion as a relationship of mutual interchange with the Triune God, emphasizing friendship with the Almighty and the necessity of disciplined worship and meditation for deepening our walk with Him.
Sermon Breakdown
- The Central Place of Communion in Puritan Thought - Communion with God as the answer to fundamental theological questions and the essence of true religion
- Modern Deficiencies vs. Puritan Priorities - How contemporary evangelicals treat communion as a small thing while Puritans saw it as supremely great
- Self-Centered vs. God-Centered Religion - The danger of focusing on religious experience rather than the God who is experienced
- Owen's Definition of Communion - Mutual interchange between God and believers, with divine initiative and power
- Trinitarian Communion - Distinct fellowship with Father (love), Son (grace), and Holy Spirit (comfort)
- Friendship with God - The character of divine communion as personal relationship with the Almighty
- Heaven Begun on Earth - Communion as foretaste of eternal fellowship with God
- Practical Cultivation - The necessity of order and method in worship and meditation
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers
What does Packer mean when he says modern evangelicals treat communion with God as "a small thing"?
Packer observes that contemporary Christians rarely discuss their personal experiences with God, preferring to talk about methods, techniques, and church problems rather than the realities of fellowship with God. This suggests we take this relationship for granted rather than approaching it with proper wonder and careful attention.
How does John Owen define communion with God?
Owen defines communion as "a mutual communication in giving and receiving" between God and believers. It involves God's communication of Himself to us, with our response of what He requires and accepts, flowing from our union with Him in Jesus Christ.
What is distinctive about Owen's teaching on Trinitarian communion?
Owen teaches that Christians receive from and respond to all three persons of the Trinity distinctly: the Father gives love, the Son gives grace, and the Holy Spirit gives comfort. This is not three separate relationships but distinct aspects of fellowship with the one Triune God.
Why do the Puritans emphasize "order and method" in communion with God?
The Puritans believed that cultivating deep communion with God requires disciplined worship and meditation. As Baxter explains, those who give up governance of their thoughts and let them run as "masterless unruly vagrants" cannot maintain constant attendance upon God or readiness for sacred work.
What does it mean that communion with God is "friendship" with Him?
Drawing from Abraham being called God's friend, this means God has taken sinners to be His friends through Christ. We should therefore cultivate His company as friends do—spending time together, expressing love, delighting in His presence, and maintaining intimate fellowship with Him.
Newly Found Sermons
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.