What Did Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About Finding Refuge in Christ?

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the primary concern of Christianity?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Christianity is primarily concerned with the soul, not the body. He emphasizes: "The refuge that is offered in the Bible is not a refuge for the body. No, we must be careful...that we differentiate between that which looks like Christianity and that which is Christianity. The christian message is not primarily concerned about the body." He explains that what matters most is "the soul...which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, not anchor for the body, but an anchor for the soul." Lloyd-Jones says this is Christianity's greatest distinctiveness in our age when "everybody's interested in the body" while "the one thing that is being forgotten is the most important thing of all, and that is the soul in men."

What does Lloyd-Jones mean by "fleeing for refuge" in his sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "fleeing for refuge" refers to realizing your spiritual danger and escaping to Christ for salvation. He references cities of refuge from the Old Testament where someone could escape to safety when in danger. Lloyd-Jones states: "Realize the danger of your soul. Get out of the city of destruction. Acknowledge your sin to God. Realize that your soul is lost." He continues, "And as you realize it, go to him and confess it and acknowledge it. And then, when he shows you his son, bleeding and dying to save you, flee to Christ." The phrase describes the urgent action of turning to Christ as the only safe place from spiritual danger.

What are the "two immutable things" that Dr. Lloyd-Jones references in his sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones references the "two immutable things" from Hebrews 6:18 as God's promise and His oath. He explains that our hope is built upon "the immutability of God and his oath, his promise, his word." The strength of these immutable things is that, as Lloyd-Jones emphasizes, "God cannot lie. You and I can lie, and we do lie. And that's why our promises are worthless...but God cannot lie." Our strong consolation is based on these two unchangeable aspects of God's character - His promise and the oath by which He confirmed it - which give believers complete assurance that what God has promised will absolutely come to pass.

How does Lloyd-Jones contrast worldly solutions with the Christian hope?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts temporary worldly solutions like "world reform," "world improvement," and international conferences with the eternal Christian hope. He states bluntly: "If you are pinning your faith to men and nations and to these statesmen and to conferences, you're a fool. They've never worked. They never will work while there is evil in the heart of men." Instead, the Christian hope rests on "God himself and his purpose," not on "our individual action" or "our conferences and all our proposals." Lloyd-Jones says the Christian hope is "that God is concerned and it's God's world, and he's going to send his son back into it" to establish "a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as proof that God will fulfill His promises?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several proofs that God will fulfill His promises:

1. God's character: "God cannot lie" and His word is immutable (unchangeable)
2. Historical evidence: God kept His promise to Abraham and Sarah by giving them Isaac though they were aged 99 and 90+
3. The preservation of Israel throughout history despite numerous attacks and near destruction
4. Most importantly, Jesus Christ Himself: "The Lord Jesus Christ...running through this old Testament are promises of someone who was going to come...When the fullness of the times was come, he came." Lloyd-Jones especially points to Christ's resurrection as proof: "He's risen. He's gone through death. He's come out the other side...He's ascended into heaven...He's my anchor within the veil. He gives me certainty and assurance."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the Christian's anchor for the soul?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies Jesus Christ as the Christian's anchor for the soul. He explains: "He's gone through. He's the other side. He's in the glory. He's my anchor within the veil. He gives me certainty and assurance. He's penetrated. He's in the new realm. And the fact that he has gone is the guarantee that all who believe in him shall also go." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ is the anchor because He has conquered everything: "Jesus of Nazareth, son of God, has conquered the world, the flesh, the devil, the grave, hell, everything. There's nothing that's unconquered." This makes Him the "anchor, sure and steadfast" that holds believers secure regardless of life's circumstances.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the condition of the world and humanity in his sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the world as an "evil world, a sinful world, a world that can never be improved, can never be reformed." He states that Christ Himself said "there will be wars and rumors of wars." Lloyd-Jones portrays humanity as inherently flawed, saying, "There is pride, there is envy, there is jealousy. There is merely spite in the human heart." He points to international relations as evidence: "Look at them, big nations, behaving like spoiled children, refusing to speak to one another, standing on their dignity." This fallen condition of both world and humanity leads Lloyd-Jones to conclude that human efforts alone cannot bring lasting peace or reform.

What practical steps does Dr. Lloyd-Jones urge Christians to take?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges Christians to take two main practical steps:

1. "Flee for refuge" - Realize your spiritual danger, acknowledge your sin to God, and turn to Christ for salvation: "Say to him simply, this evening again, rock of ages, cleft for me let me hide myself in thee."

2. "Lay hold upon this blessed hope" - Focus on eternity rather than temporal concerns: "Read your Bible more than your newspapers. Don't think so much of your body, but think of your soul. Don't think of death, but think of what lies beyond it. Don't think of this world. Think of the next world."

He also encourages believers to "purify themselves" in light of Christ's return and to hold fast to this hope regardless of the world's mockery or persecution.