What Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About Our View of Christ?

What is the central message of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that our view of Christ is the most vital question facing every human being. He states, "The most important question before men at this very moment is this: What think ye of Christ?" Our eternal destiny depends not on our knowledge of politics or philosophy, but on our relationship to Jesus Christ. The sermon contrasts two ways of viewing Christ: "after the flesh" (a merely human view) versus "after the Spirit" (recognizing Him as divine Lord and Savior).

What does it mean to know Christ "after the flesh"?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, knowing Christ "after the flesh" means viewing Him merely as a man - perhaps as a great teacher, moral example, or religious genius, but not as God incarnate. This view might admire Jesus but ultimately rejects His deity and misunderstands His purpose. Those who know Christ after the flesh may see His death as a tragedy or noble martyrdom rather than as God's redemptive plan. As Lloyd-Jones says, "They misunderstand him. He was always misunderstood."

What does it mean to know Christ "after the Spirit"?

Knowing Christ "after the Spirit" means recognizing Him as "the Son of God, the Lord of glory, the second person come out of the holy Trinity." It means understanding His death not as a tragedy but as God's plan of redemption: "God making him to be sin for us." Lloyd-Jones explains that this spiritual understanding comes through the Holy Spirit's work: "What changes a man's view of Christ is the activity of the Holy Ghost."

How does our view of Christ affect our ability to face death?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that only those who know Christ "after the Spirit" can face death with confidence. He quotes Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:1: "If our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." When we recognize Christ as God's Son who died for our sins and rose again, we can say with Paul, "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say Christianity is practical?

Lloyd-Jones argues that Christianity is practical because it honestly addresses life's ultimate question - death. He states, "The most practical thing in the world this evening is this very gospel that we are considering together. It's the one thing that's honest enough to make us face the fact of death." While other philosophies try to avoid this reality, Christianity provides a certain answer through Christ.

What is the function of Christ according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ's primary function is to save, not merely to teach or provide an example. He states, "He came to save, not to teach, only, not to give us an example." Christ came "to deliver us out of this evil world and the condemnation which is coming to it. He came to conquer the devil and all his hosts. He came to create a new humanity, a new people of God."

What is the ultimate Christian attitude toward Christ?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the Christian's ultimate attitude toward Christ is total devotion: "He is the all and in all, the alpha, the omega, the first, the last, the beginning, the end, the king of kings, the Lord of Lords." The Christian lives by "the constraint of his holy love," and can say with Paul, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ."

How does one come to know Christ properly?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that we can only know Christ truly through the Holy Spirit's work. He urges his listeners: "You can't know this Christ truly... unless the Spirit of God anoints your eyes and gives you the power of vision." This happens when we come "not as an authority, but as a little child... in your need, in your utter helplessness, in your hopelessness," asking God to open our eyes to see Christ as He truly is.