No Longer Slaves
A Sermon on Colossians 1:2-11
Originally preached Nov. 11, 1962
Scripture
2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4Since we heard …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Colossians 1:2–11 titled “No Longer Slaves,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to convey the true gospel by asking the listener to test their faith by asking some basic questions. Has this gospel brought forth fruit? Hear how faith shows a person who they are and learn the freedom of living triumphantly in this present and evil world. Regeneration gives the ability to find joy in tribulation, not merely survive. This Gospel is not one of escapism, wishful thinking, stoicism, fatalism, or realism, but instead enables believers to face facts exactly as they are. Regeneration gives someone an entirely new relationship to this world. No longer are they “of the world.” Without this gospel, all are slaves in this world and bound by culture. This life is only vanity and evil, and at its very best, it is still only temporary. Christians are pilgrims in this world who must be concerned for their soul and what is beyond this world, rather than for mere worldly prospects. Christ will come to put this world right. Join Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in saying, “I am what I am by the grace of God.” Find peace with God and the peace of God; nothing can separate His children from His love.
Sermon Breakdown
- The gospel opens our eyes to the vanity and temporariness of the world. Before becoming a Christian, Colosse controlled and determined everything in a person's life.
- The gospel separates us from the world though we still live in it. We realize we no longer belong to the world. We become strangers and pilgrims.
- The gospel joins us to Christ. We have a new address and link to Christ. We see everything through Christ and our relationship to him.
- In Christ, we become concerned for our souls and eternal destiny, not the world. The gospel shows us the truth about life and prepares us for difficulties.
- Though the world is sinful and under God's wrath, Christ will return to judge it and establish his kingdom.
- Faith in Christ overcomes the world. It enables us to see through the world and beyond it to Christ. We know nothing can separate us from Christ's love.
- Grace from God means we have his favor, forgiveness, and he cares for our needs. It gives comfort in the world.
- Peace from God is peace with him and the peace of God which passes understanding. It guards our hearts and minds in Christ despite circumstances.
- Power from God strengthens us to do all things through Christ. If God is for us, who can be against us? Nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ.
- Christians can say their citizenship is in heaven. The world can't touch their souls which are in Christ's keeping. Physical death isn't the end.
- Christians have an eternal home in the new Jerusalem. They are Zion's children who know joys the world can't give.
Sermon Q&A
How Does Lloyd-Jones Explain the Gospel's Power for Daily Living?
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the ultimate test of any teaching?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the ultimate test that must be applied to any teaching is whether it helps us live life in this world effectively - to conquer and master life. He states: "The ultimate test, which should be applied to any and every teaching, is this test. Does it really help me to live life in this world, to conquer life, to master life?" He emphasizes that the gospel meets this test by enabling believers to face life with "patience and long suffering with joyfulness" even amid difficulties and tribulations.
How does Lloyd-Jones differentiate the gospel from escapism?
Lloyd-Jones strongly rejects the notion that Christianity is a form of escapism. He explains that escapism is what we see in people who "can only keep going on drugs," "can't live without whiskey," "can't live without the television," or "can't stay at home any night of the week." Instead, he describes the gospel as "realism" - a perspective that faces facts exactly as they are without manipulation. Christianity, unlike escapism, encourages people to think deeply about reality rather than avoiding it, and it confronts the true condition of humanity and the world without sugar-coating.
What does Lloyd-Jones mean by being "at Colosse" rather than "of Colosse"?
Lloyd-Jones uses the phrase "at Colosse" (from Paul's letter addressing the Christians in Colossae) to illustrate a profound spiritual reality. When Paul addresses his letter "to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ, which are at Colosse," he's highlighting that Christians:
- Are physically present in the world (at Colosse) but no longer belong to it spiritually
- Have a temporary rather than permanent residence in this world
- Have been detached from the world's value system and control
Before conversion, people are not just "at" the world but "of" the world - completely controlled and defined by it. After conversion, they remain "at" the world (physically present) but are now "in Christ" (spiritually belonging to Him).
What are the key sources of strength that enable Christians to face difficulties according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones identifies several key sources of strength that enable Christians to face difficulties:
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Grace from God - "All the reserves of the endless, illimitable treasury of God are at your disposal" - providing God's favor, forgiveness, and personal interest in believers
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Peace from God - Both peace with God and the peace of God that "passeth all understanding" - an inner tranquility that persists regardless of external circumstances
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Divine power - "Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power" - the same power that created the universe working on behalf of believers
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New perspective - Seeing beyond temporary troubles to eternal security in Christ, understanding that nothing can separate believers from God's love
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Being "in Christ" - The believer's new position and identity that provides security regardless of what happens in the world
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the Christian's relationship to the world?
Lloyd-Jones describes the Christian's relationship to the world as being dramatically transformed. Christians:
- Are "at" the world but no longer "of" the world
- Have had their eyes opened to see the world's vanity and temporary nature
- Recognize themselves as "strangers and pilgrims" with only a temporary residence here
- Have their citizenship in heaven rather than in this world
- See beyond this world to eternal realities
- Are detached from the world's value system and control
- Understand that while the world can harm their bodies, it cannot touch their souls
- Have a new permanent address: "in Christ" (with their temporary address being "at" their earthly location)
Lloyd-Jones uses the metaphor of an envelope address to illustrate this: Christians should be addressed as "[Name] in Christ, at [earthly location]" rather than just belonging to their earthly location.
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.