The Effect of Christianity
A Sermon on Matthew 9:14-17
Originally preached Feb. 4, 1962
Scripture
14¶ Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, …
Sermon Description
What is it about Christianity that brings about such strong reactions from people? In this sermon on Matthew 9:14–17 titled “The Effect of Christianity,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how believers and unbelievers both have strong opinions on Christianity. Some are hostile to Jesus and His claims, some want to reduce Him to a mere teacher of morality, and others claim that He is the Savior of the world. All these responses were present in the days of Jesus when some believed in Him and became His disciples, while others rejected Him and ultimately put Him to death. Jesus was opposed because He contradicted the false and hypocritical religion of the day. While many were only concerned with the outward appearances and looking good, Jesus taught that true religion was a matter of the heart. No one can make themselves holy or pure before God. That is why Jesus came to die and suffer in the place of sinners. This idea of Jesus dying for sinners is as offensive today as it was in the time of Jesus. People do not want to be told that it is only by believing upon the suffering servant that they can be saved, but it is this message of a crucified King that is the only means of salvation for all who believe.
Sermon Breakdown
- Christianity is always surprising. It shocks and staggers people.
- People think they know what Christianity is, but when they discover the truth, they are surprised.
- If Christianity has not come as a surprise, you have never known it. It is a shocking truth, especially to religious people.
- Christianity is unique. It cannot be added to anything else. It is complete in itself.
- Christianity depends entirely on Christ himself. It is a relationship to a person, not just a set of teachings.
- While Christ is present, his followers cannot mourn. Their state depends entirely on him.
- Christianity does not depend on our own activities or goodness. It is like receiving an invitation to a wedding feast. We simply accept the invitation.
- The chief characteristic of Christianity is joy, because it is a free gift of grace. We can have joy in Christ's presence.
- Christianity offers free pardon, forgiveness, new life, adoption into God's family, and an inheritance. This should lead to rejoicing.
- The test of Christianity is whether we know this joy in Christ. We should praise him for his redemption and sit at his feet.
Sermon Q&A
What Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About the Uniqueness of Christianity?
What makes Christianity unique according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the uniqueness of Christianity lies in its complete difference from all other religions or philosophies. He states: "He and his gospel and his message are entirely new and unique. And utterly unlike everything that the world has ever known before." Christianity is not something that can be added to existing beliefs or mixed with other philosophies. It is complete in itself, exclusive, and centers on the person of Christ rather than merely a set of teachings.
Why were the disciples of John the Baptist confused about Jesus' disciples not fasting?
The disciples of John the Baptist were confused because they had a preconceived notion of what religion should look like. They and the Pharisees fasted regularly as part of their religious observance. When they saw that Jesus' disciples did not fast, they questioned Jesus about this apparent contradiction to their understanding of religious practice. They expected Jesus, as a religious teacher, to make his followers observe the same religious customs they were accustomed to.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain Jesus' parable of the bridegroom?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Jesus used the bridegroom parable to demonstrate that Christianity is fundamentally different from how these religious people understood religion. Jesus portrayed himself as the bridegroom and his disciples as the wedding guests. Jesus said: "Can the children of the bridechamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?" His point was that Christianity isn't about religious observances but about a relationship with him that brings joy. The natural response to being in the presence of the bridegroom is celebration, not mourning or fasting.
What is the common misconception about Christianity that Lloyd-Jones highlights?
Lloyd-Jones highlights that many people misconceive Christianity as merely a set of rules, regulations, or moral teachings that one must follow to be righteous. Many believe it's about "living laborious days," denying oneself, and striving to be good. However, the true Christianity that shocks and surprises people is that it's about receiving a free gift - like receiving an invitation to a wedding feast. It's not about what we do, but about what Christ has done and our relationship to Him.
Why does true Christianity always come as a surprise according to the sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, true Christianity always comes as a surprise because "people are always surprised when they rarely discover what it is for the one and only reason that they thought that they knew what it was." People have preconceived notions about religion being about rules, self-denial, and effort. When they encounter the true message of Christianity - that it's about a relationship with Christ, free grace, and joy - it contradicts everything they thought they knew. This surprising nature of Christianity has been evident throughout church history, from the Day of Pentecost to the Protestant Reformation to every revival.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the joy of Christianity?
Lloyd-Jones describes the joy of Christianity as stemming from several sources: 1) It comes from receiving everything as a free gift of God's grace rather than earning it; 2) It comes from the presence of Christ himself - "You can't possibly be miserable in his presence"; 3) It comes from realizing what Christ has done for us in leaving heaven and dying for our sins; 4) It comes from the gifts He gives freely - forgiveness of sins, a new life, and adoption into God's family. This joy is not occasional but should be constant - "Rejoice in the Lord always...and again I say, rejoice."
How is the relationship with Christ central to Christianity according to the sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the relationship with Christ is absolutely central to Christianity. He emphasizes Jesus' words about being the bridegroom, noting: "What makes a man a Christian? There's only one answer. It is his relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ." He explains that unlike other religions where the teacher isn't essential to the teaching, in Christianity, the person of Christ is everything. Lloyd-Jones states: "You can be good, you can be religious, you can be anything you like. But the vital question is, what is your relationship to this bridegroom?" A Christian's state and condition is entirely determined by their relationship to Christ.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about religion making people unhappy?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones observes that many people think religion makes one unhappy because it's primarily about prohibitions, denial, and strain. He describes how people perceive religion: "Religion is that which tells you not to do various things... to deny yourself... to stop doing things you like. And to start doing things you don't like." He notes that a person trying to make themselves righteous through religious observance is "filled with doubts... vague hopes and then fears." In contrast, Christianity properly understood brings joy because it's about receiving grace freely rather than earning favor through religious effort.
How did Jesus' ministry consistently surprise people according to the sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, Jesus consistently surprised people during His ministry. The common people were amazed by His teaching with authority; the Pharisees and scribes were confused by His unconventional behavior; publicans and sinners were shocked that He welcomed them; women with shameful histories were amazed by His kindness; Roman soldiers sent to arrest Him returned saying "Never man spake like this man"; and even His own disciples were "constantly being amazed by him." Jesus consistently defied expectations and acted in ways that contradicted people's preconceived notions about religion and godliness.
What practical application does Lloyd-Jones give at the end of his sermon?
At the end of his sermon, Lloyd-Jones challenges his listeners to examine whether they truly understand and have embraced the real Christianity. He asks: "Is your religion against the grain? Is it something you have to force yourself to? Is it a task? Is it something that you're engaged in simply because you're afraid of hell? Or do you know the bridegroom? Have you heard his voice? Are you a friend of his?" He urges them to accept Christ's free invitation and to rejoice in Him, ending with: "God forbid that we should stumble and be upset and annoyed at the central, the chiefest glory of this great and glorious salvation."
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.