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Sermon #5366

Are You a Christian?

A Sermon on Luke 2:44

Originally preached Sept. 24, 1961

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Scripture

Luke 2:44 ESV KJV
but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, (ESV)

Sermon Description

In this sermon on Luke 2:44 titled “Are You a Christian?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives listeners a sober reminder. Just as Joseph and Mary supposed Jesus was in the crowd when He wasn't, many people assume they are Christians when they are not. Joseph and Mary went on their travels without examining whether or not they had Jesus by their side. This, Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues, is what people do when they convince themselves of their salvation without examining themselves. Christianity is not attaining a high ethical standard for living, but rather an inward transformation by the Holy Spirit upon receiving Jesus Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks, “What do you have when everything else is taken?” If one does not think of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is likely that they do not have new life in Him. In times of turbulence and war, the Christian can be assured that Christ will walk with them. To meet Jesus, Dr. Lloyd-Jones adds, is to be humbled by Him. Listen in as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones encourages about the only true hope in the universe.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The passage under consideration is Luke 2:44 which describes Jesus being left behind in Jerusalem at the age of 12. This passage is both historical and serves as a parable.
  2. The main message of the passage is the danger of assuming or supposing that Christ is with us when he may not be. This is a tragic mistake to make.
  3. It is sad for people to delude themselves or be self-deceived. This is especially tragic in the realm of Christianity where our eternal destiny depends on our relationship with Christ.
  4. There are times, like the present, where the importance of not being self-deceived is particularly urgent and important. We must know exactly where we stand with Christ.
  5. The way to know if Christ is with us is if he makes all the difference in times of crisis and trial. Do we know we are not alone? Do we have a comfort the world does not know? Are we not afraid?
  6. Christ himself taught that those with him would have rest, an easy yoke and light burden, never hunger or thirst, and have living water. The test is if this proves true in our experience.
  7. Examples of those who proved Christ's presence in times of trial were the Apostle Paul, early Christian martyrs, and saints. They knew comfort, peace, and courage through Christ.
  8. The first reason people mistakenly assume Christ is with them is because they expect him to do their will rather than submitting to his. They want a Christianity they can control.
  9. The second reason is a failure to understand who Christ truly is. They see him as merely a good teacher or example rather than the Son of God and God himself. Only in encountering Christ is one humbled.
  10. The third reason is a failure to understand why Christ came into the world. It was not primarily to improve the world or end wars but to reconcile man to God through his atoning sacrifice. He came to seek and save the lost.
  11. Joseph and Mary did not understand who Christ was or why he came. The doctors of the law argued with the 12-year-old Christ, showing their lack of understanding. Christ's mission was his Father's business.
  12. Christ came to restore the world to God, reunite heaven and earth, reconcile man to God, justify by faith, and complete the final judgment and renewal of creation. This is the Father's business.
  13. We must know if Christ is with us and examine ourselves. We must seek him with all our heart, finding in him a refuge and savior. He is with those who come to him in their failure, despair, and helplessness.

Sermon Q&A

How Did Lloyd-Jones Interpret the Story of Jesus in the Temple?

What is the main message of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon about Jesus being left behind at the temple?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the story of Jesus being left behind in the temple (Luke 2:44) functions as both historical fact and a powerful parable. The main message is about "the terrible danger of taking it for granted that Christ is with us." Just as Mary and Joseph "supposed" Jesus was with them in their traveling company when He wasn't, many people today assume they are Christians when they have no genuine relationship with Christ. This false assumption can lead to a devastating discovery when life's crises come and they find Christ is not actually with them.

Why does Lloyd-Jones say it's particularly dangerous to assume Christ is with us in the current era?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that in his time (and ours), the world situation makes this assumption particularly dangerous because:

  1. We live in uncertain times where "who knows what a day will bring forth"
  2. The urgency of world events demands we know exactly where we stand spiritually
  3. Christ alone offers comfort and deliverance in troubling times
  4. If we are not right in our relationship with Him, we have nothing to sustain us in crisis

As he states, "With the world as it is tonight... Is there anything that is more foolish than to be living on assumptions?"

What reasons do people give for assuming they are Christians according to the sermon?

Lloyd-Jones identifies several common but insufficient reasons people assume they are Christians:

  1. "They've always been Christians" - born in a Christian country or family
  2. They were christened or baptized as children
  3. They belong to a church or attend worship services
  4. They've "always lived a good life" and tried not to harm others
  5. They hold certain idealistic or ethical views that seem "Christian"
  6. They've tried to maintain high moral standards

He argues these are all inadequate grounds for assuming one is a Christian, as they don't involve a genuine personal relationship with Christ.

How does Lloyd-Jones say we can know if Christ is truly with us?

Lloyd-Jones offers several tests to determine if Christ is truly with us:

  1. When life's crises come, does Christ make "all the difference" to you?
  2. Do you know you're not alone when everything else has fallen away?
  3. Do you have a "comfort and consolation that the world knows nothing about"?
  4. Despite your weakness, do you know Christ will sustain you?
  5. Are you "not afraid" of the present or future because He is with you?
  6. Have you experienced the "rest" Christ promised to those who come to Him?
  7. Have you found that Christ satisfies your spiritual hunger and thirst?

If Christ is truly with you, these experiences will be your reality, not just theoretical concepts.

Why does Lloyd-Jones say people fail to truly know Christ?

Lloyd-Jones identifies three key reasons people fail to truly know Christ:

  1. They expect Him to do their will rather than submitting to His - "They think that Christianity is something that they can handle" rather than something that handles them

  2. They fail to understand who He truly is - They see Him merely as a teacher or great man rather than as God incarnate, "in a category on His own"

  3. They misunderstand why He came into the world - They think He came to improve the world or promote certain social causes, when His "Father's business" was actually salvation, reconciliation with God, and ultimately the restoration of all things

What does Lloyd-Jones say is the Father's true business that Jesus came to accomplish?

Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's true mission (the "Father's business") was:

  1. Not to "improve this old world" or "banish wars" as many suppose
  2. To address "man in sin under the wrath of God"
  3. To reconcile the world to God ("God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself")
  4. To "gather together in one all things in Christ"
  5. To "give his life a ransom for many"
  6. To "seek and to save that which is lost"
  7. To provide forgiveness and make people children of God
  8. To eventually return, judge the world, and create "a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness"

The Father's business is primarily about salvation of souls and restoration of all things to God, not social or political reform.

Other Sermons

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.