From the MLJ Archive

1 Corinthians 15:8-10 — Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones believes that meditating upon past failures is a waste of time. “If you can't do anything about a thing,” he argues, “stop thinking about it.” The Apostle Paul was a man whose past was filled with sin and his energies were devoted to harm and destroy the Christian message. Yet, with all of his past sin, Paul does not find misery in the present. His past does not affect his new identity in Jesus Christ. In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:8–10, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wants Christians to know that they certainly were what they once were, but now they are what they are now. The Christian must study Scripture, know who they are, and be prepared for these spiritual attacks, knowing that bemoaning the past can cripple in the present. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages Christians to ruthlessly fight against this condition so that they do not behave like a fool. The fool focuses on self and seeks to change what he cannot control. The Godly man, on the other hand, is more interested in Christ, and less interested in the self.

1 Timothy 1:16 — 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.

Romans 6:17 — Christians can become spiritually depressed, perhaps not experiencing the joy of their salvation. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that they often do not realize the greatness of the gospel. In this sermon on Romans 6:17 titled “Mind, Heart, and Will,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that the Christian message involves the whole person, and the whole person is to be affected by it. Christians cannot rejoice in the gospel if their doctrine is unbalanced or lopsided. Some Christians emphasize merely the morality of the Christian message. Others believe Christianity is only about forgiveness of sins. This is due to the fact that many preachers embrace doctrine that lacks balance. Converts often look like the people God used in their conversion, picking up their characteristics. Thus, for many, their understanding of the Christian message is lacking. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the gospel transforms the whole person, not simply part of them. A Christian is one who knows why they are what they are. A Christian must be ready to give a reason for the hope within. As a Christian battles spiritual depression, it is imperative that they know the whole gospel and have been affected by it. In this way, one may, once again, experience the joy of their salvation.

Psalms 42:5 — This sermon is for the Christian who is unhappy, feels heavy burdens weighing them down, and cannot escape feelings of despair. In this sermon on Psalm 42:5 titled “General Consideration,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how God’s word addresses depression. A depressed Christian is not a contradiction of terms; it is a reality the church must learn to address with the hope-filled truth of Scripture. Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses the extrovert and introvert, both with their tendency to overanalyze one’s self which leads to weariness and dejection. His challenge is to “get to know yourself” and understand personal triggers. Physical conditions also play a part in spiritual depression, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. The Christian must be aware of this so as to readily push back against the devil. The enemy cannot control the Christian, but he can and will use exaggerated circumstances to further discourage. The psalmist in turn encourages two things: first, speak the word to oneself instead of allowing the mind as it wander into despair. Second, remind oneself of God and His love. He encourages the Christian to defy themselves and the world by putting hope in God.

Isaiah 64:1 — What ought to be the prayer of God’s people in all times? It is the prayer that God would come down and save His people. It is the prayer that God would deliver His people from suffering and persecution. It is the prayer that God would save sinners and make them spotless children of God. In this sermon on Isaiah 64:1 titled “Revival Sermon: O Wouldst Thou Rend the Heavens,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the need for God’s people to always pray for God to show mercy and compassion to His people. The church should pray this prayer in faith and belief that God is as loving and good as He has told them He is. It is a prayer that relies on the absolute greatness of God to be what He has said He will. The church can know that in the midst of a world that is hostile to God and His people, God is always for them in His Son, Jesus Christ. This sermon encourages both believers and unbelievers to turn away from doubt and unbelief, and to trust in God who is always faithful. This sermon tells of human sin, but most of all, it speaks of God who is gracious and who has sent His Son to redeem all things.

Isaiah 63:15-19 — Has God turned His back on the church? Why does it seem that the people of God are powerless today? In this sermon on Isaiah 63:15–19 titled “Revival Sermon: Wrestling for the Power,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds upon a prayer of Isaiah in which the prophet recognizes the character of God and reviews the history of His people. In the prayer is found hope for the people of Israel, but more importantly, the Christian finds hope for themselves. Dr. Lloyd-Jones covers the characteristics of Isaiah’s prayer to show what prayers should contain. He notes the prayer’s urgency, importunity, emotion, and pleading. Isaiah is wrestling with God in his prayer—pleading for the nation of Israel, deeply aware of their sins and yet boldly petitioning God to have mercy. Isaiah begins by worshiping God, and then he notes his subsisting relationship with God. He asks where God’s strength and mercy are to be found. Finally, he pleads with God to look again upon His people and have mercy on them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones takes time to carefully explain some difficult words of the prayer in which Isaiah asks why God has hardened their hearts.

Isaiah 63:7-9 — What does the prayer of Isaiah teach about God and the church? Isaiah prays to God in a time of dire need and crisis. In this sermon from Isaiah 63:7–9 titled “Revival Sermon: Where Is He?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks to this prayer as an example that the church ought to follow. The church must recognize that they pray to a just and holy God who hears their every prayer. God is not a God who is far off. God calls His people to trust in His holy name and to believe that He will uphold them through the midst of the greatest trials and temptations. But when the church does not trust in God and His power, they turn to worldly and vain philosophies. This is the greatest danger to the church in every age: reliance on everything other than God. The history of the church shows how destructive this is. The answer is always to trust that God will do what He has promised to do through Jesus Christ in the gospel. This sermon convicts and encourages the church in its God-given mission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth for the glory of Christ.

Isaiah 63:1-6 — What does it mean that the Lord has conquered Edom? In this sermon from Isaiah 63:1–6 titled “Revival Sermon: The Crowning Day is Coming,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the prophecy of Isaiah where God has conquered Edom, the enemy of Israel. This prophecy looks forward to the day when God will destroy all the enemies of His people and those that persecute the church. He does this by dying upon the cross for sinners. Jesus Christ is the means of overcoming sin, evil, and the devil. Jesus has come to make sinners righteous by granting them His righteousness and adopting them into God’s family. All this is seen in God overcoming Edom. What does this mean for the Christian’s everyday life? This declaration of what God has done in Jesus Christ is the great and only hope. The truth that God has saved His people by His own hand is at the heart of the gospel because Jesus alone saves. It also tells that all who reject the gospel are enemies of God and under His judgment. The only escape from the wrath of God is through faith in Christ. This sermon is a call for all to believe in Jesus.

Isaiah 62:6-7 — In his book, the prophet Isaiah demonstrates deep concern for the City of God. In this sermon on Isaiah 62:6–7 titled “Revival Sermon: Praying for the Power,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones stresses that today Christians should be just as concerned for the church and God’s people. The church is the bride of Christ, the City of God, and His dwelling place. He suggests that if Christians don’t have the same concern Isaiah had, perhaps it is because they don’t possess the right conception of the church. And if they don’t, they cannot love it the way Christ does. Isaiah has a burdened heart; a heart broken over the state of the remnant of God’s people. He prays to the Lord and pleads with the people to remember His goodness and mercy. When the church seems to be only a remnant, weak and small, Christians must remember that she is a holy people; the place where God dwells. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out a few areas where Christians must act upon their concern for the church such as doctrine, prayer, and evangelism. He reminds to pray for revival and encourage others to do the same. In doing so, Christians are to remind God of His own promises and what He has said about Zion, the City of David, and His church.

Exodus 33:18-23 — In this sermon on Exodus 33:18–23 titled “Revival Sermon: Glory Concealed,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener of what the ultimate motivation should be for revival as Christians. It should never be for the sake of a large number of converts, or fame and glory, but for the glory of God. Moses asked the Lord to reveal His glory to him and in response, God revealed Himself in His own way. As Moses is hid within the cleft of the rock, God both reveals and conceals, blesses and protects. He is always doing these four things when He reveals Himself to His people. In Christianity, God reveals His glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Therefore, a Christian is someone who grasps the fact that God has revealed His glory in the face of Jesus Christ and all those who are called by God have beheld His glory. When Christ came to earth, He was concealed in the flesh, and yet He did not leave any of His glory behind. He was not any less God. Believers can be encouraged and filled with great hope in remembering that like Moses, they are in the cleft of the rock, which is in Christ Jesus.