The Essence of True Religion
A Sermon on 1 Samuel 4:22
Originally preached Sept. 18, 1966
Scripture
22And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.
Sermon Description
Why is the church in such a dire situation? In this sermon on 1 Samuel 4:22 titled “The Essence of True Religion,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tells that it is because the church in modern times has lost a sense of God’s presence. Just as in ancient Israel, the glory of the Lord departed when they turned away from God and sinned against Him, so in modern times something similar has taken place in the church. The people of God are no longer aware or sensitive to His presence. What is the answer to this great dilemma? Only by returning to God and by seeking His face can the church become faithful and able to fulfill its mission of preaching the gospel. Christians must reject all forms of materialistic religion that is devoid of true love for God and His word. The church should not try to attract unbelievers by appealing to their fleshly desires and unregenerate minds, but they must pursue true spiritual religion that is focused on God’s word and His glory. What does this sermon mean for the lives of ordinary believers? It is a call for all Christians to seek God according to true religion. It is a call for Christians to seek the presence of God anew in every generation.
Sermon Breakdown
- The passage being discussed is 1 Samuel 4:21-22 which describes the glory of God departing from Israel.
- The sermon topic is the essence of true religion which is the presence and realization of the glory of God.
- The state of the world and church is terrible and serious. Despite efforts, the church is ineffective.
- The condition of the church today is one of deadness, discouragement and failure like in 1 Samuel 4.
- The trouble is neglecting the vital and most important thing - the glory of God. Everything else is useless without it.
- The glory of God means His presence, power and manifestation of interest in His people.
- You can have religion without the glory of God but it is useless. The glory is what makes true religion.
- The tabernacle was set up according to God's instructions but nothing happened until God's glory filled it. Our efforts are useless without God's glory.
- An illustration of a tram car - it needs power to move. The church needs God's power and glory.
- The vital importance of being sensitive to God's glory. Phineas' wife was sensitive to it. Many like Eli and his sons are not.
- Examples of longing for God's glory - Psalm 42, Psalm 80. God's people knew the glory and longed for its return.
- When the glory departs, God's people do not realize it and continue with religion. This is tragic.
- The glory of God is known through a sense of awe, wonder, holiness, purity, and God's majesty. It leads to a sense of unworthiness.
- An example of experiencing the glory of God - the revival at Princeton University.
- The glory of God departs gradually through failing to be sensitive, being content with mechanical religion, sin, and disobedience.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on the Glory of God: Key Questions and Answers
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the essence of true religion?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "The Essence of true Religion is the presence and the realization of the presence of the glory of God." He emphasizes that this is the vital element that makes Christianity effective. Without the glory and presence of God, all religious activities, organizations, and even correct doctrines become useless. He describes this as the difference between merely practicing religion and engaging in true worship.
What biblical story does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use to illustrate the departure of God's glory?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses the story from 1 Samuel 4 about Eli's daughter-in-law who named her child "Ichabod," meaning "the glory has departed from Israel." This happened when the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant in battle. The woman, even while giving birth, was more concerned about the loss of God's glory than her own child. He contrasts this with Exodus 40, where the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle after Moses had completed building it.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the Christian church is ineffective today?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the church is ineffective because it has neglected "the most important thing of all" - the presence of God's glory. He observes that despite all the church's activities, organizations, and schemes, "the position deteriorates from year to year, and the church seems to become more and more dead and useless and almost irrelevant in this modern world." He believes the church has become content with a mechanical, formal religion rather than seeking God's actual presence.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the relationship between human effort and divine presence?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that both human obedience and God's sovereign presence are necessary. Using the example of Moses building the tabernacle, he explains that Moses had to do his part meticulously according to God's instructions. Yet after Moses "finished the work," then "a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." He illustrates this with the example of electric tram cars that need both proper construction and electrical power to function.
How can someone tell if the glory of God is present, according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the presence of God's glory produces: - A sense of awe, wonder, and amazement - A sense of God's holiness and majesty - A sense of one's own unworthiness and uncleanness - Humility and worship - Reverence and adoration - A sense of utter dependence upon God
He cites examples like Isaiah who cried "woe is unto me, for I am undone" when he encountered God's glory, and Jacob who suddenly realized "this is none other than the house of God."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones recommend for those who sense God's glory has departed?
For those who sense God's glory has departed, Dr. Lloyd-Jones recommends: 1. Repent - "Realize the position and acknowledge it and confess it not only to yourself, but also to God." 2. Obey God in doctrine - "We must have the true doctrine based upon this book." 3. Obey God in living - "We must also obey him in our living and in our daily lives and conduct and practice." 4. Look up and wait upon God - "Express your longing to him... Open your heart to him."
He encourages believers to "Give yourselves no rest until you will know that the glory that has departed has come back."
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.