Understanding Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Galatians 1:3-5

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the main problem with people's understanding of Christianity today?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the main problem is that many people have a complete misunderstanding of what Christianity is and what it claims to do. He states: "There is confusion in the minds of so many today as to what Christianity is about, what it means, what it is, what it proposes to do." Many incorrectly believe that Christianity's primary purpose is "to abolish war, to stop making of armaments and to solve these political and social and economic questions," when in fact the gospel has never claimed to do such things. This misunderstanding leads people to reject Christianity as ineffective when it fails to solve the world's problems.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "this present evil world" in Galatians 1:4?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "this present evil world" refers to the fallen, sinful state of the world and humanity. He says that people who don't see the gospel as good news have "never seen its evil character, and they've never seen the evil character of their own nature." This world is under God's judgment and doom because of sin. It's a world where Satan has become "the God of this world, the prince of the power of the air." Lloyd-Jones describes it as a world of "chaos" that Satan has introduced, one that is characterized by "sin and shame and rebellion." People are part of this evil world and therefore under God's judgment unless they are delivered from it.

What are the three main aspects of salvation according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones in this sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines three main aspects of salvation:

1. It is all of God: "The way of salvation that is unfolded in the Bible is God's way. It is all and entirely and utterly from God." God is not passive in salvation but actively planned it "before the foundation of the world."

2. It is all of grace: Salvation is "favor shown to the utterly undeserving. Kindness shown to people who deserve nothing but retribution." It is a "free gift, utterly, absolutely, from beginning to end" and "depends on nothing in us at all."

3. It is all in Christ: Salvation is "not in commandments," "not in religion," and "not even in the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ himself." Rather, "It is in what Christ has done." God sent His Son into this evil world, to live, suffer, die on the cross, and be raised again in order to deliver us.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe God's plan of salvation throughout history?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes God's plan of salvation as a grand, eternal plan that has been unfolding throughout history. It began "before the foundation of the world" when God conceived and planned it. It was first announced in Genesis 3:15 with the promise that the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent's head.

He traces this plan through: - The preservation of Noah's family through the flood - The calling of Abraham and the formation of Israel as God's nation - The giving of the law, sacrifices, and worship to Moses - The promises made to David and through the prophets

All of these were preparing for and pointing to Christ, the Messiah. "When the fullness of the times was come, God sent forth his Son" to accomplish salvation. The entire Bible, according to Lloyd-Jones, is "the history, the account of God's plan, God's way of dealing with the chaos that Satan has introduced into this world."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the gospel doesn't come as "good news" to many people?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the gospel doesn't come as good news to many people because "they have never seen themselves as they rarely are, and they've never seen the world as it rarely is." Specifically:

1. They don't recognize their true sinful condition: "They don't know the truth about their own soul."
2. They don't realize "the truth about the world in which they're living."
3. They haven't "awakened to the truth about God" and His holiness.
4. They've never seen themselves "standing in the presence of that holy being."
5. They don't see themselves as "under the wrath of God" or as "condemned sinners."

Lloyd-Jones states: "Until they do, they cannot possibly see this as good news. Because they don't feel the need of good news." Only those who recognize their desperate condition will receive the gospel as the wonderful news it truly is.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about God's love in relation to salvation?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that God's love is demonstrated most powerfully in the salvation He provides through Christ. He challenges those who say "I believe God is love" by asking, "Do you know anything at all about the love of God?"

He explains that we see God's love in that "God himself, the Father, who sent forth his own son." This was an incredible sacrifice - sending His "only son, His dearly beloved son" from "the bliss and the glory and the majesty" of heaven into this evil world. God sent His Son to be: - "Made of a woman" - born as a helpless baby - "Made under the law" - subject to its requirements - Living in this sinful world which must have been revolting to His pure nature - Subjected to "temptation and to trial" - Condemned to "the death of the cross" as a criminal

Lloyd-Jones summarizes: "This is the heart of this gospel... God so loved us that he has sent his only begotten, beloved son through all that, that we might be rescued and redeemed and saved."