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Sermon #5337

What is Christianity?

A Sermon on Matthew 9:10-13

Originally preached Jan. 28, 1962

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Scripture

Matthew 9:10-13 ESV KJV
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, …

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Sermon Description

In this sermon on Matthew 9:10–13 titled “What is Christianity?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers questions that will determine a person’s eternal destiny. Learn about the wrong idea of Christianity and what living a “good life” really means. A Christian should not assume that they are a Christian as this is dangerous. The Pharisees were among those who were farthest from understanding the truth, yet they thought they were the wisest. God demands the spirit not merely sacrifices. The Christian must consider both the spirit of the law and the letter of the law. Religion must require sacrifice, but it is not merely about external observances. Listeners are encouraged to consider their view of themselves, religion, and others. Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses the doctrine of repentance and the necessity to understand the weight of one’s own sin and acknowledge the need for mercy. Christ has come for the sinner to make them an heir and child of God. There is hope in the midst of utter hopelessness and helplessness. Jesus left the courts of glory for His people. No one is too far gone, and all can be received.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. There are certain people to whom the Lord does not call - the self-righteous who believe they have no need of a savior.
  2. The self-righteous have an incorrect view of themselves - they believe they are morally upright and without sin.
  3. The self-righteous have an incorrect view of religion - they believe external observances and good works make one righteous before God.
  4. The self-righteous have an incorrect view of others - they look down upon and condemn "sinners" and see no hope for them.
  5. The Lord calls those who recognize they are spiritually sick and in need of a physician.
  6. The Lord calls sinners - those who recognize they have transgressed God's law and offended Him.
  7. The Lord calls sinners to repentance - to turn from sin and turn to God.
  8. The Lord calls those who recognize their only hope is the mercy of God.
  9. The Lord came to call and save sinners, not the self-righteous.
  10. No one is too sinful to come to Christ for salvation.

Sermon Q&A

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on "Who Jesus Came to Call" - Matthew 9:10-13 Sermon Analysis

What is the main message Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is conveying in this sermon about Jesus eating with sinners?

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Jesus came specifically to call sinners to repentance, not the self-righteous. The central message is that Christianity is for those who recognize their spiritual sickness and sinfulness, not for those who believe they are already righteous through their own efforts. Lloyd-Jones states: "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Christ doesn't call you to do anything positive first. He calls you first to something negative, and he calls it repentance."

What were the characteristics of the Pharisees that made them unable to receive Christ's message?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the Pharisees had three fundamental problems:

  1. A wrong view of themselves - They saw themselves as "whole" and not sick, believing they were righteous through their own efforts.

  2. A wrong view of religion - They reduced religion to external observances and sacrifices: "This externalized, mechanized religion. As long as you go to a place of worship Sunday morning, you're all right... nothing more is demanded."

  3. A wrong view of others - They despised sinners and had no hope or compassion for moral failures: "Religion is for good people. Religion is for moral people. Religion is for religious people. It's got nothing to do with publicans and sinners."

Who are the people Jesus came to call according to this sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Jesus came to call:

  1. Those who know they are spiritually sick - "The people that he's come to call and in whom he's really interested are those who know that there's a running sore in their souls."

  2. Those who acknowledge they are sinners - People who recognize they've not just failed as humans but have offended God: "Against thee, thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight."

  3. Those who repent - People who feel genuine sorrow for sin and condemn themselves: "To repent means this. That you not only recognize that you are a sinner, that you condemn yourself for it."

  4. Those who rely entirely on God's mercy - "He relies upon nothing in himself and nothing that he can do. He simply cries out and says, 'Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.'"

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the relationship between church membership and true Christianity?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes a sobering statement: "There are many people in the world tonight who are not Christians. Very largely because they think they are Christians. We are living in desperate days, my friends. I therefore mustn't mince my words. There are many people who think that they're members of the Christian church who are not Christians."

He distinguishes between formal religious participation and true Christianity. Someone may attend church regularly but still have the Pharisaical attitude of self-righteousness rather than the repentant heart of a sinner who needs mercy. True Christianity requires repentance and reliance on God's mercy, not merely religious observance.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the meaning of repentance in this sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes repentance as:

  1. Sorrow for sin - "Repentance just means sorrow for sin. A realization that you're an evil person. That there's no good in you at all."

  2. Self-condemnation - "That you not only recognize that you are a sinner, that you condemn yourself for it. That you admit it to yourself. You admit it to God."

  3. Accepting deserved punishment - "You say that you deserve punishment."

  4. A broken heart - "Repentance means that you've got a broken heart because of your sinfulness, your unworthiness, your wrong attitude towards God."

He emphasizes that repentance is essential to salvation: "If you have not repented at some time or another, you are not only not a Christian, but you're a pharisee."

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.