Not Ashamed to Call Them Brethren
A Sermon on Hebrews 2:11
Originally preached Sept. 17, 1961
Scripture
11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Hebrews 2:11 titled “Not Ashamed to Call Them Brethren,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the wonders of Christ and His shared inheritance with the redeemed. The theme of the book of Hebrews is the preeminence of Jesus Christ. The wonder of the gospel is that Jesus is not ashamed to call His people brethren. Though they are but humans, the Lord God calls them brethren because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims that humans are the sanctified, and Jesus is the sanctifier. Yet He became a little lower than the angels in order to redeem them back to Himself. He became man while not ridding Himself of His Godhood. Because of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial condescension to humanity, His people can share in His wonderful, eternal, and glorifying inheritance. Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that although God has made Himself one with His redeemed, He is also entirely separate. Jesus Christ is the bridge of the expansive gap between God and humanity. Jesus made a way for people to come to Him; He made a way for them to be brethren. And Jesus Christ is not ashamed to call them brethren. Dr. Lloyd-Jones wonderfully articulates that when Jesus came, the lawgiver came unto the law. He took upon the form of a servant. Because of this, He can be called Jesus the brother.
Sermon Breakdown
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The sermon text is from Hebrews 2:11 which states "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren."
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The book of Hebrews was written to comfort and encourage persecuted Christians.
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Though the epistle addresses many issues, its central message is the preeminence of Jesus Christ.
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Verse 11 conveys that Jesus and believers share a common humanity ("all of one") but Jesus is the sanctifier and believers are the sanctified. There is a distinction.
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Jesus is fully God and fully man. He shares in human nature but is sinless. This is the mystery of the incarnation.
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Not all people are Jesus's brethren, only those who are sanctified - set apart for God. This refers to Christians.
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For Jesus to call believers brethren, he had to humble himself by becoming man and dying on the cross. He endured temptation, suffering, and death for his brethren.
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Jesus died and rose again in order to sanctify believers - to justify them, make them holy, and glorify them. This means reconciling them to God and making them God's children and heirs.
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Believers can take comfort knowing Jesus cares for them, sympathizes with them, and intercedes for them as their high priest. He is always able to help them.
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Jesus is not ashamed to call imperfect believers his brethren. This shows his humility, grace, and eternal love for them.
Sermon Q&A
What Does it Mean that Jesus is Not Ashamed to Call Us Brethren According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines the profound statement from Hebrews 2:11 where it says of Jesus, "For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." This sermon unpacks the rich theological meaning and comfort behind this declaration.
What does Hebrews 2:11 fully say?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the full verse reads: "For both he that sanctifyeth and they who are sanctified are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." This verse establishes both a connection and a distinction between Christ and believers.
Why was the book of Hebrews written?
The epistle to the Hebrews was written as a letter of comfort to Hebrew Christians who were: - Experiencing persecution and threats - Feeling disappointed that Christ had not yet returned - Growing uncertain in their faith - Struggling with prayer and various trials
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the main theme of Hebrews?
Lloyd-Jones explains that rather than addressing specific problems individually, the entire epistle focuses on one central theme: the preeminence of Jesus Christ. The writer's approach is to hold up the truth about Christ, believing that when believers see Him clearly, their other problems will "vanish into thin air."
What does it mean that Christ is "not ashamed to call us brethren"?
This phrase reveals that: - Christ shares human nature with us ("all of one") - Yet there remains an eternal distinction (He is "the sanctifier" while we are "being sanctified") - Despite His divine status, He willingly associates Himself with us - It's an astonishing condescension from one who is "the brightness of God's glory"
Who specifically are Christ's "brethren"?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this designation doesn't apply to all humanity universally, but only to: - "Those who are being sanctified" - Those who "do the will of my Father" (referencing Matthew 12:49) - Believers who follow Christ - Those who have been set apart for God
What did Christ endure to become our brother?
Lloyd-Jones details what it cost Christ to call us brethren: - He who was "above all" was "made a little lower than the angels" - He took on flesh and blood like us - He lived as if He were only a man, not using His divine powers - He became subject to the law - He experienced temptation and suffering - He ultimately tasted death for His people
How should this truth impact believers today?
According to Lloyd-Jones, understanding that Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren means: - We should never feel lonely, forsaken or forlorn - We have His deep sympathy since He experienced human suffering - We receive His help and intercession ("ever living to make intercession for us") - We share in His inheritance as "heirs of all things" - Our problems and difficulties fade when we grasp this relationship
Why is this such an astonishing statement?
Lloyd-Jones concludes by highlighting the remarkable contrast: while humans often become ashamed of their humble relatives when they rise in status, Christ—the eternal Son of God, the brightness of God's glory, worshipped by all heaven—"is still not ashamed to call us His brethren." This truth should fill believers with comfort and joy.
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.