Thus Saith the Lord
A Sermon on Jeremiah 17:5-8
Originally preached April 24, 1955
Scripture
5¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the …
Sermon Description
Why is it that in the modern day, with all the technological achievements, humanity still faces the same problems it did three thousand years ago? It is apparent that humankind is sick with a disease, with every generation promising a utopian future. All are still in a cycle of death, injustice, and social ills. In order to treat this disease, one must have a proper diagnosis of what it is. In this sermon on Isaiah 1:5–6 titled “Thus Saith the Lord,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones reveals through Scripture that the sickness is much worse than one thought. It is one that affects every capacity of every man, woman, and child. As a good doctor would, Dr. Lloyd-Jones does not leave the listener without hope and nor does the Bible. The listener will hear of this disease, but also will also hear of the great news that there is a cure, and it will remedy humanity’s greatest need.
Sermon Breakdown
- Life must be viewed as a whole rather than in segments. We must consider the overall direction and meaning.
- There are two fundamental attitudes in life: trusting in God or trusting in men. These shape our experiences and end.
- The difference between these attitudes is vital and essential. It is not vague or indefinite.
- We must determine which direction our life is moving: toward blessing or cursing. This is happening now, though we often do not realize it.
- There are two authorities in life: God or men. We must choose which one we will listen to.
- The message of the Bible is "thus says the Lord." It is God's revelation of truth to mankind.
- The Bible reveals God's view of himself, the world, mankind, history, and eternity. We must accept or reject this.
- The Bible explains why the world is as it is: because of man's sin and rebellion against God.
- God will punish sin. His wrath is upon it. But he has also provided salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Christ came to deal with the problem of sin and provide reconciliation to God. He died to ransom us from sin.
- There is still time to repent, believe the gospel, and find refuge in Christ. But the world is moving toward disaster.
- We must acknowledge our sin, repent, and believe in Christ. Then we will have new life and see things rightly.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Jeremiah 17:5-8
What are the two fundamental attitudes toward life according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, there are two fundamental attitudes toward life presented in Jeremiah 17:5-8. The first attitude is trusting in men and making flesh one's strength, where "the heart departeth from the Lord." The second attitude is trusting in the Lord and making Him one's hope. These two attitudes represent the essential difference between the Christian and non-Christian approach to life.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the contrast between those who trust in man versus those who trust in God?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that these two groups have completely different experiences described in vivid imagery. Those who trust in man are "like the heath in the desert" who "shall not see when good cometh, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land, and not inhabited." In contrast, those who trust in God are "like a tree planted by the waters" with roots spreading by the river, remaining green even during heat and drought, and continuing to yield fruit. The ultimate contrast is that one is cursed while the other is blessed.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe it's important to view life as a whole rather than in fragments?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christians must view life as a whole entity rather than in compartments or segments. He argues that one of the greatest dangers is getting lost in the details of life and failing to see the bigger picture. Using the analogy of a business needing to take stock and create a balance sheet, he explains that while we may be busy with daily activities, we need to step back and consider the fundamental trend and direction of our lives. This holistic view helps us recognize that we are determining our eternal destiny through our present choices.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the ultimate authority for Christians?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies "Thus saith the Lord" - the Word of God in Scripture - as the ultimate authority for Christians. He contrasts this with the authority of man and human opinion. He states that his only reason for preaching is that he believes the Bible is God's Word, and the only valid reason for becoming a Christian is recognizing and submitting to this divine authority. He describes the Bible as a unique revelation of God's mind and truth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, that reveals God's character, his view of creation, mankind, history, and eternity.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the clear distinction between Christians and non-Christians?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues against the blurring of essential distinctions between Christians and non-Christians, which he calls "the supreme achievement of the devil." He rejects the idea that someone can be a Christian without knowing it or that Christianity cannot be clearly defined. He states that "if there is one message that is clearer than any other in this book, from beginning to end, it is this, that God's people and the others stand out as absolutely distinct and separate." He emphasizes that the Christian, according to the Bible, "stands out apart" and is "discreet" and "distinct," with clear differences in attitude, experience, and ultimate destination.
What is the central message about sin and salvation that Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents the message that the world's problems stem from sin and rebellion against God. He explains that God hates sin and will punish it, but in His love, He provided a way of salvation through Jesus Christ. He traces God's plan of redemption through Scripture, culminating in Christ who came "to seek and to save that which is lost" and "to give his life a ransom for many." The message concludes with a call to repentance - acknowledging sin, especially the sin of "listening to men" instead of God - and faith in the gospel, through which God forgives sins, reconciles people to Himself, and gives them new life.
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.