Understanding Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Teaching on Christ's Sacrifice

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "this present evil world" in his sermon?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "this present evil world" refers to the world in which we live that is full of sin and evil. He explains: "This world in which you and I live is called this present evil world... A man who doesn't recognize that this world in which we live is an evil world and a passing world is indeed totally blind. The world is full of evil and of sin." He further describes it as a "doomed world" that is "under the wrath and under the condemnation of God" and "going to be destroyed." This is the biblical view of the world that Lloyd-Jones presents.

How does Christ deliver believers from "this present evil world" according to the sermon?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ delivers believers not through His teaching, example, or even His incarnation alone, but specifically through His death. He states: "Who gave himself, gave himself to what? Gave himself to the death of the cross. He gave himself for our sins. That's the answer." Christ's voluntary sacrificial death delivers us by taking our sins upon Himself and bearing the curse that should have fallen on us. Lloyd-Jones explains: "He took my sins upon himself. That the curse that should come upon me came upon him. He was made a curse forest. He took my place, he stood in my stead, he took my trial, he received my sentence."

What is the significance of Christ's death being voluntary according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ's death was not an accident or something that took Him by surprise. He states: "That death of his on the cross wasn't an accident. It wasn't something that surprised him... He knew it was coming. He said so." Lloyd-Jones points out that "He gave himself" means "it was voluntary. He wasn't taken unawares, and by surprise, he came to do it." He quotes Jesus saying, "No man taketh my life from me. I lay it down of myself." This voluntary nature shows that Christ's sacrifice was intentional and purposeful—He came specifically to die for our sins, which underscores both His love and the necessity of His sacrifice.

How does Lloyd-Jones explain the concept of Christ being "made a curse for us"?

Lloyd-Jones explains that "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." He clarifies that God in His holiness is offended by sin and has pronounced a curse upon it. This curse is death and everlasting banishment from God's presence. Christ took this curse upon Himself in our place: "He came into the world in order that the curse that should have come upon us should come upon him... He was made a curse for us. He took my place, he stood in my stead, he took my trial, he received my sentence." This substitution allows believers to be delivered from the punishment their sins deserve.

What does Lloyd-Jones identify as inappropriate ways to observe Remembrance Sunday?

Lloyd-Jones identifies three inappropriate ways to observe Remembrance Sunday: 1. Spending time "merely in a kind of riot of sentiment and of emotion" - He states that while it's right to remember those who have died, we must do so "in a true way and in a Christian way," not just being sentimental or emotional. 2. Using the occasion merely to "talk about the worth and the value of patriotism" - He notes this approach is "not specifically Christian" as the world can do that through its own morality. 3. Simply "talking about what an abomination of war is" and discussing how to stop the manufacture of armaments - He calls this a "waste of time" because Christianity's primary business is preparing people for eternity, regardless of whether war comes.

What does Lloyd-Jones see as the true business of the gospel?

Lloyd-Jones states that "the business of the gospel primarily is this - to enable us all to face something that is inevitably and certainly going to happen to us, whether there be another war or whether there be not another war." That inevitable thing is death and facing God in eternity. He explains: "My business is this. Whether there is a war or not, whether these bombs are used or not, every one of us has got to die, every one of us, and to go on into eternity." The gospel's true business is "to enable us all to face God, to face our own death" and to be delivered from this present evil world into God's eternal kingdom.

How central is the cross to the New Testament message according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the centrality of the cross by pointing out that "one third of the gospels is devoted to the death of Jesus Christ." He notes that despite Christ's "wonderful life and teaching and all the miracles and extraordinary deeds," the gospel writers dedicated substantial space to His death. He cites Paul who said, "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified," and points to similar emphases in Peter's and John's writings. Lloyd-Jones calls the death of Christ "the heart of the gospel" and "the essence of the Christian message," showing that across the New Testament, Christ's sacrificial death is consistently presented as the core of Christianity.

What invitation does Lloyd-Jones offer at the end of his sermon?

At the end of his sermon, Lloyd-Jones offers an invitation to salvation through faith in Christ's sacrifice. He states: "If you realize your sinfulness, if you realize that your sin deserves the curse and the wrath of God, if you confess and acknowledge that to God, and if you believe this record which tells you that Christ has so loved you... If you believe that now, this minute, I tell you from this minute, you are forgiven." He invites listeners to "Repent, believe on him, give yourself to him, and be eternally safe." The invitation emphasizes immediate salvation through faith in Christ's substitutionary death, regardless of one's past sins.