The True Wisdom
A Sermon on Jeremiah 9:23-24
Originally preached Oct. 15, 1961
Scripture
23¶ Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that …
Sermon Description
In Dr. Martyn-Lloyd Jones sermon on Jeremiah 9:23-24, he explores the consistent nature of man throughout time. Our inherent nature, both in biblical times and now, is to live life for ourselves and enjoy ourselves however we see fit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, “man doesn’t change at all; human nature is consistent.” And just as human nature never changes the Bible never loses relevance. It is as relevant today as it was centuries ago. The verse at hand, Jeremiah 9:23- 24, provides a clear description of the ego of men. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that man glories and puts his final confidence in himself. Man is inherently confident and believes he needs no help and is self-sufficient. Man certainly possesses good things such as wisdom, riches, and strength; however, once a man puts his final confidence in any things such as these, he is lost. Dr. Lloyd- Jones gives the example of fire. Fire can be a wonderful thing that provides warmth; however, if left unattended it can consume your house. Similarly anything a man possesses must be tempered, for there is only one person that we can place our faith and final confidence in and that is Jesus Christ. Many turn to philosophy for their final confidence and others turn to knowledge. But neither of these can truly supply an answer to mans purpose or real need. No, the only thing we can put our trust in is God. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones puts it, “many attack God but none succeed in ceasing his plans.” Why should we trust ourselves and our own abilities when everything is in the control of God? Instead, we should put our faith in him and we should glory in God’s might and ability to lift us up. If we do so, we will be given the infinite wealth and power of God. If God is for us who can be against us?
Sermon Breakdown
- The prophet Jeremiah warns against trusting in human wisdom, might, and riches.
- Men tend to glory in and rely upon these things, but they are inadequate and insufficient.
- The cause of the world's troubles is that men glory in themselves and rely upon themselves rather than God.
- Human wisdom cannot enable a man to know himself, God, the meaning of life, or how to live morally. It cannot explain why the world is as it is or help in facing death.
- Human might and power fade, are limited, and cannot overcome spiritual forces of evil or stand before God's power.
- Riches cannot buy happiness, health, wisdom, love, or life. They do not help in facing death or judgment.
- Men fails to realize his inadequacy and the insufficiency of the things he relies upon. He does not see his need for God.
- The solution is to know and glory in God, who exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness.
- We must not only understand God intellectually but know him personally through faith in Christ.
- Those who know God gain true wisdom, power, and riches in him. They have eternal security and hope despite earthly circumstances.
Sermon Q&A
What Did Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About the Danger of Glorying in Human Wisdom?
What is the main scripture passage that Lloyd-Jones preaches from in this sermon?
Lloyd-Jones preaches from Jeremiah 9:23-24, which states: "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord."
According to Lloyd-Jones, what is the fundamental cause of human trouble in the world?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the fundamental cause of human trouble is that "man glories in and places his ultimate confidence in himself" rather than in God. He explains that mankind, since the fall, has believed he could deal with life's problems through his own wisdom, might, and riches, thinking he is autonomous and self-sufficient. This self-confidence is what leads to the world's problems.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the limitations of human wisdom?
Lloyd-Jones describes human wisdom as having several critical limitations: - It cannot enable a man to truly know himself - It cannot reveal man's true purpose in the world - It cannot identify man's real need - It cannot explain why the world is in its current troubled state - It cannot help us solve moral problems or resist temptation - It cannot teach us how to know God ("the world by wisdom knew not God") - It cannot teach us how to face death
What does Lloyd-Jones mean by "turning servants into masters"?
Lloyd-Jones explains that wisdom, might, and riches are good in themselves as servants to humanity, but become destructive when turned into masters. He says the problem is that "man doesn't use them properly" and "turns into absolutes what are really only relative." When people worship these things, glory in them, and put their ultimate trust in them rather than using them as tools given by God, they become destructive forces. He illustrates this by comparing it to fire, which is "a good servant, but a bad master."
What does Lloyd-Jones teach about "glorying in God" instead of human abilities?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that instead of glorying in our own wisdom, might, or riches, we should glory in understanding and knowing God. This includes recognizing: - That God is the sovereign Lord over all creation - That God exercises righteousness and judgment in the earth - That God extends lovingkindness through Christ's sacrifice - That this knowledge must be personal and intimate, not merely intellectual
He concludes that those who glory in God receive true wisdom, power, and riches that cannot be destroyed—they become "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ," possessing spiritual treasures that no bomb, death, or destruction can take away.
How does Lloyd-Jones connect this message to the reality of atomic warfare in his day?
Lloyd-Jones points out that despite the threat of atomic warfare (a real fear during his time), people were still trusting in human wisdom, might, and riches, which he calls "almost incredible." He argues that in the face of nuclear bombs, wealth makes no difference: "Is there any difference between the wealthiest man in the world and the poorest man in the world when that button is pressed and that bomb goes off? There's none at all." By contrast, he teaches that those who trust in God have treasures that "no bombs can touch" and security that "no inferno can make any difference to."
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the only true hope for humanity?
Lloyd-Jones identifies God's lovingkindness expressed through Christ as humanity's only hope. He explains: "It's because of his lovingkindness... that he sent his only son from heaven into this world, not only to live and to teach and to give an example, but especially to die on the death of the cross... taking the burden of your sins and mine upon himself... that we might be forgiven, that we might live, that we might become the children of God." He emphasizes that this is the only solution to humanity's fundamental problem.
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.