A Depraved Nature
A Sermon on Jeremiah 2:7
Originally preached Oct. 23, 1960
Scripture
7And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.
Sermon Description
Is Christianity a joyless religion based on strict law keeping? Sadly, many people think that the teachings of Jesus Christ are just this. But in this sermon on Jeremiah 2:7 titled “A Depraved Nature,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that this is wholly opposed to what the Bible actually teaches. In the Scriptures is found a God in whom people are to take joy. The Christian life is a call to follow Jesus and to love one another; it is a call to find peace in the salvation of Christ. This life is not about keeping commandments first and foremost, but it is about trusting in Jesus. All the sins that the Bible forbids are the sins that alienate people from God and make them slaves. Freedom and joy have the same source: Jesus Christ. Scripture presents a beautiful picture of life in Christ that allows Christians to really enjoy the gifts of God in creation rather than abuse them for fleeting pleasure. The message of this sermon and the Bible is to follow Jesus and find joy in Him. People are not only saved by faith in Jesus, but they also find their rest in this life in Him.
Sermon Breakdown
- God addresses the people of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah.
- The people of Israel were in a desperate and hopeless condition. They were under threat of attack from the Chaldeans.
- God sends Jeremiah to confront the people about their condition and why they are in this position.
- The reason for their condition is that they have turned away from God. They have rebelled against him and turned to idol worship.
- God comes down to their level and reasons with them to show them why their unbelief is wrong at every point.
- The people of Israel had found nothing wrong with God to turn away from him. They had no charge against him.
- The people of Israel had rejected God's salvation by forgetting what he had done in delivering them from Egypt.
- God brought the people of Israel into a plentiful land but they defiled it and made it an abomination.
- The people of Israel failed to realize the benefits of the land God had brought them into. They despised the pleasant land.
- The people of Israel had a false view of the life God had called them to which caused them to despise it.
- People today reject Christianity and the Christian life because they have a false view of what it really is.
- People see the Christian life as something they have to produce themselves by their own effort and works. They see it as a dull, boring, and cramped life.
- The real truth about the Christian life is that you don't have to make yourself a Christian. It is a gift of God by grace through faith.
- God gives new life to those who become Christians. Christianity is not just about forgiveness but a whole new life and nature.
- The Christian life offers fellowship with God, adoption into his family, and being filled with the fullness of God.
- The Christian life offers a new mind, new heart, new will, new freedom, new power, and a life of purpose.
- The Christian life is a good, valuable, joyful, and plentiful life that continues on through all of life's trials and even into eternity.
- Those who reject the Christian life have a depraved taste and nature. They can only look forward to misery if they continue in that state.
- People need to ask God for a new heart, new nature, and new life which he offers as a free gift.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Jeremiah 2:7
What does Jeremiah 2:7 reveal about Israel's relationship with God?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Jeremiah 2:7 reveals that Israel was brought by God into a plentiful country to enjoy its fruit and goodness, but instead, they defiled God's land and made His heritage an abomination. This verse shows how Israel rejected God's blessings and turned to idolatry despite all He had done for them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Israel's situation parallels modern unbelievers who reject God's goodness and provision, demonstrating a pattern of human rebellion that continues throughout history.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the primary reason people reject Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the primary reason people reject Christianity as having a false view of the Christian life. He explains that many people mistakenly think of Christianity as "something that they produce themselves, something that they do and something that they have to do." They see it as primarily a set of moral restrictions rather than a gift from God. People view Christianity as "narrow, cramped, narrow-minded," "dull," "boring," and standing between them and what they want to do. This misunderstanding prevents them from seeing the true richness and freedom of the Christian life.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the true nature of the Christian life?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the Christian life as "a plentiful country" full of abundance and goodness. Rather than being restrictive, it is liberating - "whose service is perfect freedom." He emphasizes that Christianity is not something we produce ourselves but God's gift to us. It offers fellowship with God and His people, joy that is "unspeakable and full of glory," freedom from slavery to sin and passions, power against weakness and temptation, and a life that persists through all circumstances including old age and death. The Christian life ultimately leads to eternal glory that "eye hath not seen nor ear heard."
What comparison does Dr. Lloyd-Jones make between the Israelites in Canaan and modern unbelievers?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones compares the Israelites who "despised the pleasant land" of Canaan with modern unbelievers who reject Christianity. Just as the Israelites failed to appreciate the "plentiful country" God had given them, modern unbelievers fail to recognize the richness and benefits of the Christian life. In both cases, people reject God's provision because they have a "depraved taste" that cannot appreciate what is truly good. He argues that modern unbelievers are in a "much worse case even than these Israelites" because they're rejecting something "infinitely more glorious" in Christ's salvation.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the process of becoming a Christian?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that becoming a Christian is not about self-improvement or moral effort but is entirely God's work. He states, "You're never called upon to make yourself a Christian" and "Nobody can. Nobody ever has done. Who makes Christians? God." He describes salvation as "a pure gift from beginning to end by grace." The process involves acknowledging one's sin and failure, casting oneself upon God's mercy in Christ, and receiving the gift of new life. He explains that God gives believers "a new life, a new nature, a new principle" that revolutionizes their whole existence.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say are the intellectual benefits of Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the notion that Christianity is intellectually narrow or limiting. Instead, he argues that Christianity offers profound intellectual enrichment through Scripture, particularly the epistles of Paul, which contain "infinities and immensities" for the mind to explore. Christianity provides understanding about God, humanity, Christ, redemption, and life's purpose. It helps believers see meaning in history and recognize God's plan unfolding in world events. Unlike secular entertainment that offers little substance, the Bible and Christian teaching provide intellectual content that can "occupy you not only for your life in this world, but for all eternity."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast worldly joy with Christian joy?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts worldly joy, which he describes as "temporary excitement" that "always leaves you with a bitter taste in your mouth the next morning" and "always a hangover...a misery and a shame," with Christian joy that is "unspeakable and full of glory." While worldly pleasure "leaves you exhausted...miserable...ashamed...like a squashed out orange," Christian joy persists through all circumstances, including tribulations. He quotes Paul's instruction to "rejoice in the Lord always" and notes that Christ promised His followers a joy "that neither the world can give you nor ever take away from you."
What consequences does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say will come to those who reject the Christian life?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns that those who reject the Christian life and die with a "depraved nature" cannot go to heaven because they wouldn't enjoy it - "it would be hell to you." Instead, they can expect "nothing but a perpetuation of the kind of life you're living now, except that it'll be very much worse. Misery, wretchedness, remorse and unhappiness never satisfied." He emphasizes the "enormity of rejecting so great a salvation" and urges listeners to ask God for a new heart and nature before it's too late.
What societal contributions does Dr. Lloyd-Jones attribute to Christianity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that many significant societal benefits have come from Christianity. He states that "it was Christian people who started hospitals," "started schools and teaching," and "started the Poor Law relief." He also attributes "abolition of slavery" and "factory acts" to Christianity's influence. This contrasts with the "selfish and self-centered" nature of non-Christian life that doesn't truly contribute to society. He argues that the Christian life is beneficial not only to the individual but produces good for others and society at large.
What invitation does Dr. Lloyd-Jones extend at the end of his sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes his sermon with an invitation for listeners to "fly to God" and acknowledge their need. He encourages them to ask God for "pity and mercy and compassion" and "a new heart," quoting David's prayer, "Create within me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." He urges them to ask God to take away their old nature that "loves the darkness and hates the light" and give them a new birth and divine nature. He assures them that if they sincerely ask, God will not reject them, for "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out."
Old Testament
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.