Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:1

What is the main verse that Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on in this sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on 2 Corinthians 5:1, which states, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God and house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." This verse serves as the foundation for his entire message about how we should approach the reality of death and what comes after.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones call Christianity a practical faith rather than theoretical?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that Christianity is intensely practical because it directly addresses the most inevitable reality we all face—death. While people may consider Christianity remote or irrelevant, it actually confronts the stark reality that our physical bodies ("earthly house of this tabernacle") will dissolve. Christianity provides concrete answers about what happens after death, making it the most practical of all philosophies since it deals with our ultimate destination.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the difference between Christianity and other world views regarding death?

According to Lloyd-Jones, Christianity stands apart from other worldviews because it offers certainty in the face of death. He notes that other approaches include: refusal to face death at all, bravado based on nothing, fear of death, or fatalistic resignation. Greek philosophy offers only vague, shadowy concepts of the afterlife, while other religions like those teaching reincarnation offer no real certainty. In contrast, Christians can say "we know" with confidence about their eternal destiny because of Christ's work.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the basis for Christian certainty about the afterlife?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christian certainty about the afterlife is based on solid facts, not theories or speculation. Specifically, he mentions three historical facts: (1) the incarnation of the Son of God, (2) the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross, and (3) His resurrection from the dead. Because Christ conquered death and rose again, believers can be confident that when their physical bodies die, they "have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Why does Lloyd-Jones insist that Christianity must be taught and defined, not just felt?

Lloyd-Jones strongly opposes the idea that "Christianity is caught, not taught." He argues that Christianity is fundamentally based on specific doctrines and truths that can and must be defined. He states, "If you, my friend, at this moment don't know what you believe, well, then I tell you, you are not a Christian." This is because Christian comfort and hope is derived from specific doctrinal truths about Christ's person and work, not from vague feelings or a generalized "Christian spirit."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones call the "acid test" of any view of life?

Lloyd-Jones states that the ultimate "acid test" of any philosophy or view of life is what it has to say about death—"If our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, what then?" He calls this the ultimate test because: (1) death is the one absolutely certain fact of life, (2) it's unavoidable, (3) it may happen at any moment, (4) it's the last question we'll face, and (5) our answer to it can never be corrected once we've died. Any worldview that cannot address this question adequately fails the most crucial test.

How does Lloyd-Jones describe Paul's confidence in the face of persecution and death?

Lloyd-Jones points out that Paul faced terrible persecution, was "troubled on every side," perplexed, cast down, and threatened with death daily. Yet Paul remained confident and continued his ministry because he had absolute certainty about what awaited him after death. Paul knew that to be "absent from the body" meant to be "present with the Lord." This certainty came not from speculation but from his personal encounter with the risen Christ and his understanding of Christ's victory over death.

What plea does Dr. Lloyd-Jones make to his listeners at the end of the sermon?

At the end of the sermon, Lloyd-Jones pleads with his listeners to be reconciled to God through Christ. He urges them to believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for their sins and to recognize that only through this reconciliation can they face death without fear. He states, "It's when a man knows how to die that he begins to know how to live," and begs his audience to settle this most important question before considering anything else in life.