What Does Martin Lloyd-Jones Say About the Grace of God Appearing to All Men?

From this sermon on Titus 2:11-14, Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones explores the profound implications of God's grace appearing through Jesus Christ. Let me address key questions from his message:

What does it mean that "the grace of God has appeared to all men"?

According to Lloyd-Jones, this refers specifically to the incarnation of Jesus Christ. He explains that "Christianity is that the great God, the second person in the blessed holy Trinity, has literally come down on earth to dwell amongst men." This appearing of God's grace refers to the historical fact that Jesus entered human history at a specific point in time that separates BC from AD.

What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the purpose of Christ's appearing?

Lloyd-Jones states clearly: "His coming, his appearing the first time, had but one object, and it was to save men. He said it himself. The son of men, he said, is come to seek and to save that which is lost." Christ appeared because "the whole world lieth guilty before God, that there is none righteous, no, not one. That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

How does Lloyd-Jones contrast Christ's first and second appearing?

In this sermon, Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ came the first time "in humility, how he abased himself, how he was born of a virgin in a stable and put in a manger." However, Christ's second appearing will be dramatically different - "when he will come as the king of kings and the Lord of lords, riding the clouds of heaven, accompanied by the angels and the heavenly hosts, to judgment, winding up the course of history and to the setting up of his eternal and everlasting kingdom."

What does Lloyd-Jones teach about how God's grace changes a person's thinking?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that true reception of the gospel causes two major changes: "The first thing it does is this, that all our views and ideas and our thinking become completely changed. And the second thing it does to us is this, that because our way of looking at everything has become changed, of necessity, our way of living has become changed."

How does Lloyd-Jones describe the proper Christian view of history and time?

Lloyd-Jones presents a radical perspective on history, stating: "According to Paul, it's this. It is nothing but the interval between the two appearings of the Son of God." He argues that the only real significance of history is that it represents "this gap, this interval between the two, and it has no meaning and no value whatsoever apart from that."

What does Lloyd-Jones say is the Christian's view of the future?

The Christian looks to the future not with terror but with hope. As Lloyd-Jones puts it: "He looks eagerly, expectantly, hopefully, confidently. Christian is not afraid of death. He's not afraid of the grave. Death to a Christian just means going out of this world of sin and of shame and of unhappiness, of sorrow, of sighing, of parting, to that land of pure delights where saints immortal reign."

How should Christians live during "this present world" according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that a transformed understanding leads naturally to transformed living: "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. We should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope." He describes this as "inevitable logic" for anyone who truly understands the gospel.