Prisoners of Sin
A Sermon on Prisoners of Sin from Psalm 107:10-16
Originally preached Jan. 23, 1955
Scripture
10Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
11Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
12Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was …
Sermon Description
God and God alone is to be praised. Salvation is found only in God. In this sermon on Psalm 107:10–16 titled “Prisoners of Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the God who delivers every type of person, a God worthy of all the praise of humanity. This psalm is a great picture of both sin and salvation. Sin can take many forms, but is still sin. This is the common root to all the varied problems and ills of humanity. Learn that while there are many symptoms, there is just one essential disease. Be warned of the devil’s subtlety in working, along with the ignorance and arrogance of sin. A common idea is that religion is what makes people slaves, and to become a humanist is to liberate yourself, but this is far from the truth. Sin is what binds. This picture of a prison is a message of sin and its consequences. Sin is rebellion against God and against God’s words—sinners are the rebels. “The life of sin is a hard life.” Complications arise in the life of sin, not a freedom unto sin. First, one chooses sin, then in their persistence, they become victim to it. Be delivered from this power of sin today.
Sermon Breakdown
- Sin is rebellion against God and contempt for His counsel.
- Sin arises from arrogance and ignorance of who God is.
- Sin leads to hardship, stumbling, slavery, darkness, and helplessness.
- Deliverance comes by crying out to the Lord, who brings us out of darkness, breaks our chains, and shatters the gates of sin.
- We must praise God for His goodness and wonderful works in delivering us.
Sermon Q&A
What Does the Bible Say About Sin as Slavery According to Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
What is the main theme of Psalm 107 according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Psalm 107 is a great hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God for His salvation. The main theme is that "God is to be praised and that God alone is to be praised" because "he is the God of salvation, because he is the God that delivers men in spite of their sins and folly and transgressions." The psalm illustrates how different types of people in different circumstances all share the common need for God's salvation.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define sin in this sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines sin as rebellion against God and His words. He says, "SiN is rebellion against God and against God's words. And that is the essence of sin." He elaborates that sin is "to put my will instead of God's will. My idea instead of God's idea." Sin can also be defined as "the failure to glorify God with the whole of my being and in everything that I do." It also involves contempt for "God's way and offer of deliverance."
What imagery does Psalm 107:10-16 use to describe sin?
Psalm 107:10-16 uses prison imagery to describe sin. It depicts people "sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron." The psalm describes dungeons, chains, iron fetters, gates of brass, and bars of iron. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this is "a picture of complete helplessness" and "a condition in which men and women are completely and entirely hopeless."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the common misconception about religion and freedom?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that the common misconception is "that religion is something which fetters us and makes slaves of us" while giving up religion supposedly liberates a person. He calls this "the devil's masterpiece" - the idea that "by turning our backs upon God and by listening to him [the devil], we rarely are going to improve our lot and condition, and especially in terms of freedom." In reality, the opposite is true - sin is what enslaves people.
What are the consequences of sin according to this sermon?
According to the sermon, sin leads to: 1. Hard labor - "The way of the transgressor is hard" 2. Stumbling and complications - "You've got a conscience worrying you" 3. Slavery and imprisonment - "Every time you sin. You're commencing a habit" 4. Darkness, gloom and helplessness - "The poor sinner enters a state of darkness and of gloom and of unutterable helplessness" 5. Being forsaken - "They fell down and there was none to help"
How does God deliver people from the prison of sin according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, God delivers people when they cry out to Him in their trouble. The deliverance happens in these steps: 1. He brings light into their darkness - "Into the gloom, there appears a flash of light" in the person of Christ 2. He breaks their bonds - "He sets us free from the condemnation of the law and from the fear of death" 3. He breaks the power of sin - "He also breaks the power of sin. He sets the prisoner free" 4. He shatters the gates and bars of the prison - delivering people from "the power of sin outside me, as it's to be found in the world and the flesh and the devil"
What psychological insight does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the Bible shows about human nature?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the Bible shows profound psychological insight about human nature that predates modern psychology. He says, "I defy you to give me a more profound psychological analysis of human nature and the sources of behavior than you'll find in the scriptures." He points out how accurately the psalm describes the human condition and the consequences of sin, showing "the accuracy of its psychological knowledge."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the arrogance of sin?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes sin as having "unutterable arrogance" because it involves creatures rebelling against their Creator. He calls it "the greatest folly of which men has ever been guilty." He says, "pygmy creatures of time, such as we are, our very life is but as a breath and as a vapor...and yet what do we do? We rebel against the mightiest. Oh, the folly, the ignorance and the arrogance of sin."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the state of a Christian who has been delivered?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes a delivered Christian as one who has been "translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear son." They are: - Free from condemnation - "There is no condemnation now to them that are in Christ Jesus" - Free from the power of sin - "He breaks the power of canceled sin" - Free from Satan's dominion - "I am no longer in the hands and under the dominion of Satan" - A child of God and citizen of Christ's kingdom - One who praises God for His goodness and wonderful works
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the only appropriate response to God's deliverance?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the only appropriate response to God's deliverance is praise and thanksgiving. He says we should "praise him not only with your lips, but with your life. That you'll follow him, that you'll tell everybody about him, and that you'll be anxious that the poor slaves who are still in the prison house may come out." He concludes that this response is "inevitable" if you truly realize what God has done for you.
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.