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Sermon #5287

I Will Plead With You

A Sermon on Jeremiah 2:9

Originally preached Nov. 6, 1960

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Scripture

Jeremiah 2:9 ESV KJV
“Therefore I still contend with you, declares the LORD, and with your children’s children I will contend. (ESV)

Sermon Description

How bad is sin? While many look at sin as something trivial and light, God does not. In this sermon from Jeremiah 2:9, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the great truth of God’s judgement against sin, but also God’s great love for sinners. The great truth of the Gospel is that though man is sinful and abominable before God, God is patient and slow to anger. This is seen in the history of Israel. They continually rebel against Him and spurned His love. Yet He still comes to them and offers grace and forgiveness. Though He has every right to condemn them, He extends grace and mercy. As Dr.Lloyd-Jones proclaims, Jesus Christ gives mercy to all, not only the people of Israel! For God has made a way of salvation for all who believe in Him and repent of their sins. Jesus is God’s ultimate display of mercy towards sinners. Do you know the grace of Jesus Christ? Are you forgiven of all your sins? In this sermon, you will hear the glorious truth of the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. God says he will plead and argue his case against the people through the prophet Jeremiah.
  2. The word "plead" here refers to a legal disputation or controversy, not just an appeal. God will state his case against the people.
  3. The first thing we see in God's pleadings is the utter unreasonableness of sin. There are endless arguments against sin.
  4. Sin cannot be defended intellectually or by looking at its consequences. There is no argument for sin.
  5. We also see the deep-seated and stubborn character of sin in the pleadings. Sin has continued from generation to generation. People do not learn from experience or the past.
  6. Sin is a problem of the heart, not just a surface level issue. It requires a new heart and a right spirit.
  7. God uses both words and actions to plead his case. He reasons through words and also acts by interfering in people's lives.
  8. God's pleadings reveal his character. We see his condescension in pleading with sinful humanity.
  9. We see God's compassion. He does not desire the death of the wicked but that they repent.
  10. We see God's longsuffering. He has pleaded with past generations and continues to plead with current and future generations.
  11. We also see God's righteousness and justice. Though longsuffering, he will eventually bring judgment. His patience is not to be taken for granted.
  12. God pleads to open people's eyes to the truth about themselves and bring them to repentance.
  13. God also pleads to justify himself when he brings judgment. No one will be able to argue against him.
  14. People who end up in hell will be there despite God's love, mercy, grace, compassion, warnings, and offer of salvation in Christ. They have no excuse.
  15. We must consider God's pleadings, see we have no case against him, and submit to him in repentance and faith. Otherwise we will be left speechless before him in judgment.

Sermon Q&A

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Jeremiah 2:9 - Understanding God's Pleading with Sinners

What does it mean when God says "I will yet plead with you" in Jeremiah 2:9?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the word "plead" in Jeremiah 2:9 is not primarily about God making an emotional appeal, but rather has legal connotations. He explains: "The word plead here must be considered more in legal terms... it's a term that's very common in legal circles... What he has to do is to draw up the pleadings so that this man may be enabled to state his case." God is saying He has a controversy with His people and is going to state His case against them. It's about God presenting arguments and reasoning with His people about their sin.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say sin is "utterly unreasonable"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that sin is utterly unreasonable because "there's nothing to be said for it. The arguments against the sinful life are literally endless." He challenges: "What reason is there for the sinful life? I ask again, what reason is there really for not believing in God tonight? What is there as an objection against the Ten Commandments? What's the objection to the Sermon on the Mount?" He demonstrates that sin cannot be defended on intellectual grounds, in terms of productivity, or in terms of the legacy it leaves. Sin provides no real benefit, no real hope, and no aid in facing death or what lies beyond.

What does Jeremiah 2:9 reveal about the deep-seated nature of sin?

In discussing this verse, Lloyd-Jones highlights that sin is deeply rooted and stubborn because God says "I will yet plead with you... and with your children's children." This shows the continuity of sin through generations. He explains: "There's really only one message in the Bible. Here is a history that at a minimum covers 6000 years. And what has been said to the human race during this 6000 years? The answer is the very self-same thing that needs to be said to it tonight." Sin is not merely a surface problem but something "at the very center of the personality... down in the very depths of the being... it's in the heart." This is why mere knowledge, education, or awareness of consequences cannot solve the sin problem.

How does God's character reveal itself in His pleading with sinners?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several attributes of God revealed in His pleading with sinners:

  1. God's condescension - The Almighty Creator stoops to reason with rebellious humans: "Here is a God who doesn't need you... In a flash, he could end us... And yet... He comes to us and says, 'I will plead with thee.'"

  2. God's compassion - "As I live, said the Lord God... I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live."

  3. God's long-suffering - He has pleaded with the fathers, is pleading with the current generation, and will plead with children and children's children, showing incredible patience.

  4. God's righteousness and justice - While God is long-suffering, His patience is not endless. Eventually, what the prophets foretold comes to pass when God's justice must be satisfied.

Why does God plead with sinners according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents three reasons why God pleads with sinners:

  1. "To open our eyes to the truth about ourselves" - God wants people to see their true condition and the danger they're in.

  2. "To bring us to repentance" - God takes trouble to reveal truth so that people will turn to Him and acknowledge their sin.

  3. "To justify himself" - When God eventually executes judgment, no one will have any excuse. Lloyd-Jones references Psalm 51 where David says, "That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest." God's pleading demonstrates His complete fairness in judgment.

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.