That One Sin
A Sermon on 1 Timothy 1:16
Scripture
16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Sermon Description
Sincere Christians face real problems in life. The idea that someone might become a Christian and never deal with doubt, discouragement, depression, and suffering is unbiblical. It’s possible for genuine Christians to be miserable. While Satan cannot rob Christians of their salvation, he can make them miserable Christians. In this sermon on 1 Timothy 1:16, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines one particular strategy which Satan may use in depressing Christians: reminding them of past sin. Something one did, or said – “that one sin” – can haunt them years later. While this Christian certainly believes God saves sinners, they feel that that sin is in a different category; that the gravity or volume of past sin places them outside of God’s grace. Listen in as the Doctor explains that depression caused by looking at past sin stems from a poor understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not die for a certain kind of sinner–He died for the greatest of sinners. The grace required to save the most respectable person in society is the same grace which saves the least. As Satan tempts to despair, God’s chosen must look to the cross of Jesus Christ and see He who died for all of our sin.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon addresses the condition of spiritual depression that afflicts Christians.
- The causes of spiritual depression are:
- Failure to understand the doctrine of justification by faith.
- Having a superficial view of Christianity that believes signing a decision card is enough.
- The existence of problems and difficulties in the Christian life as evidenced by the New Testament epistles.
- The devil attacking Christians and trying to make them miserable.
- Two main explanations for the condition of being unhappy about past sins:
- The devil trying to rob Christians of their joy.
- Ignorance of doctrine and a failure to understand the New Testament doctrine of salvation.
- Christians in this condition should not just pray to be delivered but should think through doctrine.
- They should consider the example of Paul who obtained mercy despite being a blasphemer and persecutor. This shows no sin is beyond forgiveness.
- All sins are the same in being a violation of a relationship with God. There are no gradations of sin.
- The real issue is a person's relationship to God's law and their unbelief, not any particular sin.
- These Christians do not fully believe the Scriptures, e.g. 1 John 1:9, that God will forgive all sins.
- They do not fully realize what Jesus accomplished on the cross in dealing with all sins, past, present and future.
- They need to understand justification means being declared righteous permanently, not just at the moment of belief.
- They need to realize their union with Christ means their old sinful self has died and they have a new identity in Christ.
- Christians should look at their past sins and praise God for his grace rather than become depressed.
Sermon Q&A
Spiritual Depression: How to Overcome the Burden of Past Sins
What causes spiritual depression related to past sins according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, spiritual depression related to past sins is primarily caused by two factors. First, it is the work of the devil who "cannot rob us of our salvation, but can most definitely rob us of our joy." The devil wants to make Christians "miserable or unworthy or dejected" so that he can point to them as poor examples of Christianity. Second, and importantly, this condition is "almost entirely due to an ignorance of doctrine" - specifically, a failure to properly understand the New Testament doctrine of salvation.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe people who are troubled by their past sins?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes these people as Christians who intellectually understand justification by faith and can state the Christian faith perfectly, yet remain unhappy about something in their past. They believe that their particular sin or action somehow puts them in a "special category" beyond God's forgiveness. They continually return to this one thing - whether it's something they did, said, or promised - analyzing and condemning themselves because of it. As he explains, "They say, 'yes, I know, but...' And there they are. They're held down. They are miserable Christians."
What is the significance of Paul's testimony in 1 Timothy 1:16 for those troubled by past sins?
Paul's testimony in 1 Timothy 1:16 serves as a model for those troubled by past sins. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Paul presents himself as "a pattern" or model specifically for those who feel their particular sin puts limits on God's grace. Paul, who was "a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious" against Christ and His followers, received mercy. Lloyd-Jones explains: "Whatever you may have been, whatever you may have done, whatever your particular sin is, think of me. Think of what I was... Now, says the apostle, I'm a sort of model... and whatever you are, put yourself up against me, and then see where you stand."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say we should not differentiate between sins?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that we should not differentiate between sins because all sin fundamentally represents a wrong relationship with God. He points to James 2:10, which states that whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of breaking all of it. Lloyd-Jones explains: "We're all on the same level. And if ever you begin to think, or the devil gets you to think that your sin is different, reply to him... If a man breaks in one point, he is guilty of all." He emphasizes that the issue is not the particular sin but our relationship to God and His law.
According to Lloyd-Jones, what is the real problem for Christians who can't get over their past sins?
The real problem for these Christians is not their past sin but their present unbelief. Lloyd-Jones states, "Your trouble is that you're guilty of the sin of unbelief. You don't believe the word of God." He points to 1 John 1:9, which promises that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Lloyd-Jones asserts that when someone continues to dwell on past sins that have been confessed, they are essentially calling what "God hath cleansed" as common or unclean, refusing to accept God's word of forgiveness.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest we should view Christ's work on the cross in relation to our past sins?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christ's work on the cross completely dealt with all sins - past, present, and future. He emphasizes that when Jesus said "It is finished," it meant that "not only all the sins committed in the past were dealt with there, all the sins that would ever be committed were also dealt with there." He stresses that Christ's sacrifice was "once and forever" with "nothing left undone." There is "no query or qualification about particular sins" - every sin of those who believe in Him has been dealt with completely, and "God has blotted them out as a thick cloud."
What does justification really mean according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, justification means not only that our sins are forgiven but that "we have been declared to be righteous by God himself." It means that we are "given by God the positive righteousness of his own son, the Lord Jesus Christ." God doesn't merely say "your sins are forgiven" but clothes us with Christ's righteousness: "I see you not as a sinner, but as a righteous child of mine own. I see you in Christ covered by his holiness and righteousness." This declaration is permanent - "once and forever."
How should Christians properly view their past sins according to the sermon?
Lloyd-Jones insists that Christians should view their past sins only in a way that leads "to praise God and to magnify his grace, as Paul did." He challenges his listeners: "If you look at your past or anything in your past and are depressed by it, you're failing miserably as a Christian." Instead, like Paul, Christians should acknowledge their past sins but then immediately turn to praising God for His abundant grace that has saved them. The proper response is to say, "Yes, unfortunately, it was true... But thank God, his grace was more abundant... It's all forgiven and I'm a new man."
What practical steps does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest for overcoming depression caused by past sins?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests several practical steps: 1. Stop merely praying about the problem and start thinking about correct doctrine 2. Consider Paul's example as a model case of God's mercy toward great sinners 3. Recognize that all sins stem from unbelief and a wrong relationship with God 4. Believe God's word that promises complete forgiveness (1 John 1:9) 5. Understand what Christ truly accomplished on the cross - a complete payment for all sins 6. Grasp the full meaning of justification - being clothed in Christ's righteousness 7. Realize your union with Christ - "crucified with Christ," "risen with Christ" 8. Use remembrance of past sins only as an occasion to praise God for His grace
Spiritual Depression
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.