The Way, the Truth, and the Life
A Sermon on Psalm 107:4-9
Originally preached Jan. 16, 1955
Scripture
4They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7And he led them forth …
Sermon Description
What is sin? In this sermon on sin from Psalm 107:4–9 titled “The Way, the Truth, and the Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses sin and its power but rejoices that hope exists. Sin manifests itself in almost an endless variety of ways, and because sinners fail to recognize this, they often fail to recognize sin when it is right in front of them. Does the Christian recognize sin when it manifests itself in rags but not in an evening dress? This disease has endless symptoms. Sin causes people to lose their way and miss the mark. There is a constant search for the philosophy of life and a need for an outlook that will finally satisfy the question of existence. The city of intellectual satisfaction is immense as is the search for truth and rules for living. Humanity desires security, and in such, provokes law. Listen to the views of modern and classical humanists and discover that there is no hope for the intellect alone. The listener is encouraged to read the autobiographies and biographies of Christians and be convinced that there is no hope of satisfaction apart from Christ. God’s way is simple and humble and it makes all things new.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon examines Psalm 107:4-9 which describes people wandering in a wilderness unable to find purpose or meaning. This represents humanity's search for truth and purpose.
- People start out confident they can find the answers but end up disillusioned and hopeless. Philosophers and leaders don't have the answers.
- There is no truth or purpose apart from Jesus Christ. All other ways end in despair. Christ is the only way, truth and life.
- The way of Christ is simple and direct. Anyone can understand and follow it. It's not just for the intellectual or educated.
- The way of Christ leads to God. Christ's death provides the way. His blood and body provide the path to God.
- The way of Christ provides complete satisfaction. It provides intellectual, moral and spiritual satisfaction. It gives purpose and meaning.
- The sermon appeals to people still searching in the wilderness. Whether young or old, they should turn to Christ. He will deliver them and give them purpose and meaning.
- Though people have wasted years and committed terrible sins, Christ will still accept them if they turn to him. He will forgive them and make them his children.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Finding the City of Habitation Mean in Psalm 107 According to Lloyd-Jones?
What is the main theme of Psalm 107 according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the main theme of Psalm 107 is the praise offered to God for His goodness and the manifestation of that goodness in our salvation. He explains that the psalm emphasizes "that it is God alone who really can save us. That salvation comes only from the Lord." The psalm shows that God is to be praised because there is no salvation apart from Him, but in Him there is "abundant and plentiful salvation" available to everyone who recognizes their need, regardless of background, temperament, or abilities.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones interpret the wandering in the wilderness in Psalm 107:4-9?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones interprets the wandering in the wilderness as a metaphorical picture of the intellectual quest for truth and meaning. He describes it as a picture of "people who are out in the great search and quest for truth... seeking for intellectual understanding and intellectual satisfaction." This represents those who are trying to find answers to life's biggest questions about existence, purpose, and meaning but keep going around in circles without finding true satisfaction. The wandering represents humanity's attempt to find the "city of habitation" (representing intellectual rest and satisfaction) apart from God.
What does the "city of habitation" symbolize in Lloyd-Jones' interpretation?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the "city of habitation" symbolizes several things: 1. Intellectual rest and satisfaction 2. A complete philosophy of life and understanding of existence 3. Rules for living and human relationships 4. Understanding of life's problems and difficulties 5. Security and protection
It represents what humanity is seeking - a place of rest, understanding, and security where they can dwell with satisfaction and peace. The city represents the ultimate answers to life's questions and challenges.
Why does Lloyd-Jones claim that intellectual pursuits alone fail to bring satisfaction?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that intellectual pursuits alone fail because:
- They lead to endless wandering "in the wilderness in a solitary way"
- The guides (philosophers, teachers, intellectuals) "don't know where they are themselves"
- After years of seeking, people end up "exactly where we were at the beginning"
- The quest ultimately leads to exhaustion - "hungry and thirsty, their souls fainted in them"
- Even great intellectuals like Julian Huxley, Gilbert Murray, H.G. Wells, and Bertrand Russell ended in despair
He cites examples of prominent intellectuals who admitted their failure to find meaning and purpose through intellectual pursuits alone, noting how they concluded life has no design, meaning, or purpose apart from God.
How does Jesus Christ fulfill the need for "the way" according to Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ fulfills the need for "the way" by providing:
- A direct and simple path to God: "The way to truth that Christ has opened is a way of which it can be said that the way faring men, though a fool, need not err therein"
- A way that doesn't require academic credentials: "I don't need to be a philosopher. I don't need to have been through the universities"
- A way accessible to everyone: "It's a way for fools, it's a way for ignoramuses, it's a way for people who failed"
- A way that addresses the central problem of humanity: "There's only one problem and that is men's relationship to God"
- A way made through His sacrifice: "He laid down his life, his body, it was broken, his blood was shed... we walk over his broken body and his shed blood"
Lloyd-Jones quotes John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the father but by me," showing how Christ is the answer to humanity's search.
What does Lloyd-Jones say about God satisfying the longing soul?
Lloyd-Jones explains that God "satisfyeth the longing soul and filleth the hungry soul with goodness" by providing:
- Complete intellectual satisfaction: "I know of no problem tonight but that the Bible gives me an answer to it"
- A new view of life and outlook
- An explanation of human origins and purpose
- Understanding of sin and forgiveness
- Moral guidance and strength
- The Holy Spirit's operation within believers
- A new perspective on all of life's circumstances: "I understand illness in a new way. I understand disappointment in a new way. I understand death in a new way."
He emphasizes that this satisfaction is only found in a relationship with God through Christ, not in human philosophy or intellectual pursuit.
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.