... We Walk By Faith
A Sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:1-7
Originally preached July 9, 1961
Scripture
1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 …
Sermon Description
The gospel is essentially practical. The Christian life is one where we walk by faith. Listen to this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:1–7 as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that a Christian is strikingly different because they know why the world is as it is, while the nonbeliever cannot understand it. Any human is foolish to think that they could be “God.” Conceit has always been one of humanity’s greatest issue. The Christian knows this is not the only world; it is a brief life that prepares them for the one to come. Does Christianity take a pessimistic view of humanity? Look at the condition of today’s world: should people be concerned about the pleasures of this world? Learn what it means to live “concerned for the glory of God” and be willing to be absent from the physical body to be present with the Lord. The earnest expectation of all creation groans in pain until Christ returns to renew all. Hope cannot be based not on this world and life, but on the one to come. This sermon on walking by faith encourages the listener to see how the world looks under the mighty hand of God and become a citizen of God’s eternal city.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon examines 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 and what it means to walk by faith and not by sight.
- The sermon contrasts the Christian view of life with the non-Christian view of life. The non-Christian view seeks pleasure and escapism in the face of difficulties while the Christian view provides meaning and purpose.
- The Christian view provides an understanding of why there is suffering and evil in the world - it is because of man's sin and rebellion against God. The non-Christian view cannot explain suffering and is bewildered by it.
- The Christian has a new view of himself, Christ, God, salvation, and life. Everything is seen in a new way. This new view comes from being born again by the Spirit.
- The Christian sees life as a preparation for eternity. This life is fleeting and transient. The Christian uses this life to glorify God and prepare for the life to come.
- The Christian has an eternal perspective and hope. He knows that if this earthly body dies, he has an eternal body and home in heaven prepared by Christ. He will be with the Lord.
- The Christian hope is not based on escapism from this world but on the resurrection of the body and eternity with God. The troubles of this world are light and momentary compared to the glory to come.
- The task of the preacher is not to usher in world peace but to preach the truth of the gospel. The gospel provides the only answer to life's deepest questions and man's greatest need.
- The gospel calls people to be reconciled to God through faith in Christ. This means acknowledging our sin, turning from self, and trusting in Christ's finished work. We no longer live for self but for Christ.
Sermon Q&A
Questions About Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Walking by Faith
What does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones mean by "walking by faith, not by sight"?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, walking by faith means living in light of spiritual truths rather than just what we can see around us. He explains: "The Christian in this world walks by faith, not by sight. His whole life is a life of faith. What do you mean by that? It means this. A Christian is a man who lives in the light of all the things we've already been considering. That is his faith. It is his faith that teaches him the truth about himself... about the Lord Jesus Christ... about God... about salvation." Faith gives Christians an eternal perspective that allows them to face life's challenges differently than non-believers.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast the Christian and non-Christian view of world crises?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents a stark contrast between these perspectives. The non-Christian, as exemplified by the letter writer he quotes, responds with escapism: "Who can blame the younger generation, or anyone, for that matter, for letting themselves go and having a damn good time" when facing potential global destruction. The Christian response is fundamentally different: "Let China and Russia and the whole world decide what they like. They make no difference to this. Let the world be blown up in six months. It doesn't matter. The city of God remaineth." The Christian understands the world's problems stem from sin and rebellion against God, and places hope in eternal realities rather than temporary circumstances.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the Christian's view of this world as "pessimistic"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones states: "The Christian is a man who takes a very pessimistic view of life in this world." He explains this is because the Christian understands that the world is fallen and under God's judgment due to sin. Christians recognize "this is a world in which we groan" and are "burdened." The Christian "is not a bit surprised that the world is as it is. He's not disappointed. He expects nothing better from it." This realism about the world's true condition is actually what Lloyd-Jones calls "the realism of the Christian gospel," contrasting with the superficial optimism of non-believers who refuse to recognize the fundamental problems of human nature.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the Christian's eternal future?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christians have "absolute certainty about [their] eternal future." This isn't a vague hope but a confident knowledge: "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." The Christian's destiny includes: (1) moving from a temporary "tent" (body) to a permanent "building" in eternity, (2) being "present with the Lord" immediately after death, and (3) ultimately receiving a glorified body at the resurrection when Christ returns to create "new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." This certain hope enables Christians to face death without fear.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the proper Christian attitude toward life on earth?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians should see life on earth as temporary and preparatory for eternity. He states: "The Christian is a man who uses this life to prepare for the next." Christians recognize they are "strangers and pilgrims" in this world, with their "citizenship in heaven." Unlike non-believers who live for themselves and temporary pleasures, Christians should "not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him that died for them and rose again." This means fulfilling their duty in this world while keeping eternal purposes in view. The Christian isn't paralyzed by world events but continues to "labor that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the root cause of the world's problems?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones clearly identifies sin and rebellion against God as the fundamental cause of all the world's problems: "Everything that is happening in the world tonight is the result of the fall. It's the result of sin. It's the result of men's antagonism to God and men's determination to live life apart from God. It is the sole explanation." He explains that "the world is as it is tonight because God is not blessing it and he is not blessing it because it doesn't believe in him and because it rebels against him." This understanding helps Christians make sense of world events that bewilder non-believers who "don't know why things are as they are."
What evidence does Dr. Lloyd-Jones present for the truth of the Christian faith?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents several lines of evidence for Christian faith: (1) The Bible itself, which "understands life" and "really understands man," (2) God's plan revealed in prophecies and their fulfillment, particularly regarding Christ, (3) The historical facts of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and (4) The internal witness of the Holy Spirit, "the earnest of the Spirit," which provides experiential confirmation. He emphasizes particularly the fulfilled prophecies about Christ: "About 800 years before the time, God gave a message to the prophets telling them that he was going to send a great deliverer... He told one of them that he was to be born in a little place called Bethlehem. He told another that he was to be born of a virgin..." All these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus.
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' final appeal to his listeners?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes with a passionate appeal for reconciliation with God: "I beseech you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." He urges listeners to: (1) acknowledge their sin, (2) recognize that they and the world are in rebellion against God, (3) repent and confess, (4) give up self-defense, (5) cast themselves on God's mercy, (6) believe God's message about Christ, and (7) begin living for Christ rather than themselves. The urgency comes from his conviction that eternal destiny hangs in the balance: "Be reconciled to God and you become immediately a citizen of God's eternal city." This stands in stark contrast to the "fading worldling's pleasure" that offers no lasting hope.
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.