The Judgement of God
A Sermon on Jeremiah 17:10
Originally preached June 5, 1955
Scripture
10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Sermon Description
Sin darkens and deceives the mind, leading to all kinds of horrors that are found in this life. It causes distance and estrangement from God. People forget that God is holy, but all of creation proclaims God and His majesty. The heavens declare the glory of God. In this sermon on Jeremiah 17:10 titled “The Judgement of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes in wonder that humanity does not constantly live in light of the fact that God sits in the heavens and does whatever He pleases. Meanwhile humankind cannot even understand their own heart, but God discerns the hearts of people. This God who knows the heart and secret sins, as well as secret generosity and quiet prayers, will judge every person. Jesus said that each person would have to give account for every idle word that they speak. This is a sobering reality, namely, that everyone will have to stand before a just God and account for not only their actions, but also their idle words. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also elaborates on repentance and says that not all weeping is a sign of repentance. At times a person who has no intention of giving up their sin will weep because of the consequences of a wicked lifestyle.
Sermon Breakdown
- Sin darkens our minds and cuts us off from God. This was the central tragedy of Israel.
- We forget God, that He is our judge, and that we cannot deceive Him.
- We forget God's existence and greatness, though creation proclaims Him.
- We forget we must stand before God in judgment, though Christ warned of this.
- We think we can deceive God as we deceive ourselves, but He knows our every thought.
- We think ritual and remorse appease God, but only repentance and faith in Christ do.
- God will judge us by our hearts and deeds, not by appearances or intentions.
- God's judgment will be perfectly just, convicting us by our own records.
- We all sin and deserve damnation, but Christ bore our sins so we can be saved by faith.
- We must realize our state, flee to Christ, and rely on Him to renew and change us.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding God's Heart-Searching Judgment: Lessons from Jeremiah 17:10
What is the main text being discussed in Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on Jeremiah 17:10: "I, the Lord, search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings." He also includes the preceding verse, Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?" as essential context to understand the full message.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as mankind's central problem?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, mankind's central problem is "his failure to realize the truth about God and about his relationship to God." The most devastating effect of sin is that it has cut mankind off from God. Sin causes people to forget God, to go hours, days, weeks, and even years without thinking of Him - despite all the evidence of His existence in creation and throughout history.
What three things does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say mankind forgets about God?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies three critical things mankind forgets: 1. We forget the Lord Himself - His existence, power, and presence 2. We forget that God is our judge and that we will have to appear before Him 3. We forget (or don't realize) that we cannot deceive God
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain God's judgment according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that God's judgment will be: 1. Based on what we actually are in our hearts, not what we appear to be among men 2. Absolutely just - "according to our ways and according to the fruit of our doings" 3. Comprehensive - God judges not just actions but thoughts, intents, and desires 4. Inescapable - we cannot hide from it or deceive God about our true nature
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about human attempts to deceive God?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that humans try to deceive God in multiple ways: 1. By persuading themselves God doesn't see everything 2. By thinking God will be satisfied with lip service or religious rituals 3. By substituting remorse (sorrow for consequences) for true repentance 4. By believing good intentions or emotional responses (like tears) can compensate for sin 5. By balancing "good deeds" against hidden sins
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish between remorse and repentance?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "Remorse is simply a man suffering from the consequences of his sin and anxious to be delivered from the consequences. He rarely hasn't faced the sin." A person feeling remorse "hates the consequences of the sin" but "doesn't hate the sin." In contrast, repentance involves truly facing and hating the sin itself, not just its consequences. God demands genuine repentance, not mere remorse.
What hope does Dr. Lloyd-Jones offer to those facing God's judgment?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by pointing to Christ as the only hope for sinners. He explains that while we all deserve condemnation, Jesus came to "bear these horrible, vile, foul sins of ours" and their punishment. God forgives those who realize they are sinners without any plea of their own, but who believe Christ has stood in their place. Those who "fly to him and cling to him and rely upon him, who forsake their sin, who hate their sin" can be forgiven, cleansed, and ultimately "presented faultless before the presence of God's glory."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say this message is so important?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states: "I'm going to speak to you tonight about something that you'll remember in eternity... there is no one speaking on a more vital subject than this tonight. This is, of all questions, the greatest and the most important." He emphasizes this because the message concerns our eternal destiny, our relationship with God, and the only way of salvation. It addresses the fundamental human condition and need that affects every person.
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.