The Living Temple
A Sermon on Matthew 24:1-2
Originally preached Feb. 1, 1959
Scripture
1And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone …
Sermon Description
What is the meaning of life? If history is compared with today, it seems that humanity has been going in circles. Wars continue to occur, evil people are in charge of the nations, crime abounds, and it seems that hope is hard to come by. Many put their hope in modern humanity and the achievements they have accomplished in the technological revolution. Bigger strides in medicine and technology have been made in the past hundred years than in all of human history. In this sermon on Matthew 24:1–2 titled “The Living Temple,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines how Jesus shows His disciples that nothing on this earth will last. Jesus correctly prophesied the destruction of the Jewish temple (an architectural feat in itself) to show that the only lasting hope that anyone can have is in Jesus Himself. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that although humanity has had technological innovations, the basic problems still plague humanity. Listeners will learn of the hope that Jesus promises to be, that sins can be forgiven through faith in Him, and people can be granted a life that outlasts this very earth.
Sermon Breakdown
- The gospel surprises us by pronouncing the doom and destruction of all that man regards as great.
- The disciples point to the temple buildings as an example of man's achievement, ingenuity, and durability. They ask Jesus to admire them.
- Jesus says that not one stone will be left upon another - the temple will be utterly destroyed. This astonishes the disciples.
- We must look at the credentials of Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Jesus, to determine if we should believe his pronouncement. Jesus makes astonishing claims about himself, including that he will return in judgment.
- Jesus' prophecy about the temple's destruction was literally fulfilled in AD 70. This shows we should believe his other teachings.
- The principles Jesus teaches here are:
- Anything we worship or trust in will be destroyed. Even the temple of God was destroyed because the Jews worshipped it instead of God.
- Failure to believe in Jesus leads to destruction. Jerusalem was destroyed because she rejected Jesus.
- The only way to escape destruction is to believe in Jesus.
- The temple is destroyed, but Jesus is the true temple. He is the way to God, not the physical temple.
- We must look to Jesus, not any physical building, for security. He alone can save us from the destruction of this world.
Sermon Q&A
Questions About Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Matthew 24:1-2
What is the main theme of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Matthew 24:1-2?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on the meaning and purpose of history as the main theme of his sermon. He points out that this is the most urgent question facing mankind in times of uncertainty and transition. In his words: "This whole question of history, the question of the story, of the human race, the question, if you like, of what exactly is happening in this process of history in which we are all involved, and what exactly is its meaning?" He connects Jesus' prophecy about the temple's destruction with the broader question of what's happening in our world and where history is headed.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe this passage in Matthew is particularly relevant for modern times?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues this passage is relevant because we live in "an age of transition, an age of change, an age of mighty convulsions and violent movements." He states that modern people face unprecedented uncertainty with new threats to humanity's existence, making people ask: "What is coming out of it all? What is the meaning of it all?" The passage addresses these questions by showing how Jesus provides an understanding of history's purpose and direction when everything seems to be "in the melting pot."
What was the disciples' reaction to Jesus' prophecy about the temple, and why?
The disciples were astonished and surprised by Jesus' prophecy about the temple's destruction. They rushed after Jesus to point out the magnificence of the temple buildings, essentially questioning his pronouncement. As Lloyd-Jones explains: "They said, 'Look here, look at the buildings. What are you saying? Did we understand you correctly when you said that this building is going to be a desert, it's going to be made desolate? But, master, just look at them.'" They couldn't believe such magnificent, solid structures could be completely destroyed.
According to Lloyd-Jones, what is the first principle the gospel demonstrates regarding human achievement?
The first principle is that "the gospel pronounces the doom and destruction of all that man regards as great." Lloyd-Jones explains that anything humans put their ultimate trust in apart from God is destined for destruction. He states: "Anything in which men reposes a final confidence and which he makes the special object of his pride and his glory apart from God is doomed to final destruction." This applies to civilizations, empires, achievements, and even religious institutions when they replace God as the object of worship.
Why should we believe Jesus' prophecy about the end of the world, according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones argues we should believe Jesus' prophecy about the end of the world because His prophecy about the temple's destruction was literally fulfilled in 70 AD, approximately 38 years after He made it. As Lloyd-Jones states: "What he said on that occasion, which was probably about AD 32, actually literally happened." He reasons: "If he is right about this, why shouldn't he be right about the other? The impossible happened here, why shouldn't the impossible happen again?"
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the true cause of destruction in God's judgment?
Lloyd-Jones identifies the true cause of destruction in God's judgment as "failure to believe in him." He points to Jesus' lament over Jerusalem: "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wing, and ye would not." Lloyd-Jones explains: "And it's because you wouldn't that the destruction is going to come upon you." The refusal to put faith in Christ and making other things the object of ultimate worship brings about destruction.
How does Lloyd-Jones explain Jesus' lack of concern over the temple's destruction?
Lloyd-Jones explains that Jesus was not concerned about the temple's destruction because "the temple has served its purpose" and "is no longer necessary." He states: "He is announcing in a magnificent manner that he himself is all the burnt offering and all the sacrifice and all that is necessary to appease the wrath of God." Jesus Himself had become the true temple, "the way from men to God," making the physical temple unnecessary.
What does Lloyd-Jones suggest is the only way to escape the coming judgment?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the only way to escape the coming judgment is to believe in Jesus Christ. He states clearly: "There is only one way to save yourself from that destruction and to escape it. It is to believe in him." Near the sermon's conclusion, he urges his listeners: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be eternally safe." This belief involves trusting that Jesus took our sin upon Himself and now represents believers before God.
How does Lloyd-Jones contrast the durability of worldly things with Christ's words?
Lloyd-Jones contrasts the apparent durability of worldly things (like the temple with its massive stones) with the true permanence of Christ's words. He quotes Jesus: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that even the most impressive human achievements and seemingly permanent structures will eventually be destroyed, while Christ and His truth remain eternal and unchanging.
What warning does Lloyd-Jones give about worshipping the wrong things?
Lloyd-Jones warns that anything that becomes the object of our worship instead of God will be destroyed—even religious institutions originally established by God. He explains: "Anything that becomes the object of our worship, our faith, our adoration, will be destroyed. Even though it be the temple of God." He challenges listeners to examine what they're truly living for: "What are you worshipping? What are you trusting to? What are you living for?" He warns that putting ultimate faith in anything other than Christ leads to destruction.
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.