From the MLJ Archive

Exodus 33:18-23 — Christians long to see the glory of God as Moses did when he approached the Lord and interceded for the Israelites in Exodus 33:18–23. It is essential that Christians know his increasing boldness, and plead with God to “show me your glory”. Sadly, there are many today who cannot truly say they have a longing to know God more deeply. Many either never knew Him in the first place, or have the feeling that they have “arrived,” and look down upon others who have not. The church today must long for personal and direct knowledge of God. In this sermon on Exodus 33:18–23 titled “Revival Sermon: The Glory of God,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out how often the Psalmist expresses this exact longing when he calls upon the Lord. His satisfaction is found solely in the Lord. Christian prayers should be motivated by a concern for the manifestation of the glory of God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also points out an example found in the New Testament in the life of Paul. Paul was never satisfied in his personal relationship with Christ, but longed to know Him more. The more he knew about Christ, the more he loved Him and desired to spend his life for the gospel.

Exodus 33:17 — The Christian can be encouraged by God’s response to Moses’s prayer in Exodus 33:17 and knowing that He gives an answer. He has mercy upon Moses and His people, and sends His blessing. In this sermon on Exodus 33:17 titled “Revival Sermon: The Power of Pentecost,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones assures the listener that the Lord has mercy upon His people, the church today, and sends His blessing. He claims that revival, above everything else, is what is needed today and therefore Christians must pray for it. For the world has always been the same, and people in sin do not change. Every revival, in a sense, has been a repetition of the day of Pentecost. There are certain occurrences that happen in revival today that happened at Pentecost. The church becomes aware of the Spirit and His presence. They are given great assurance when given the truth, and are filled with great joy and a sense of praise. That is how the church is meant to be. It is the same power today that is given in the proclamation of the truth. Another occurrence that can be related to Pentecost today is the response of the people in joining the church. Many continue steadfastly in activities of the church: membership, communion, worship, and prayer. Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages leaving time to pray for revival among God’s people today.

Exodus 33:12-17 — In this sermon on Exodus 33:12–17 titled “Why We Should Pray for Revival,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks about the vital matter of revival among God’s people and how it must be brought to the Lord in prayer. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out the powerful example in the way Moses prayed to God in Exodus 33:12–17. Moses’s motives were clear when he approached the Lord: a concern for the glory of God and His honor, his concern for the children of Israel, and his agony of their sin. All God’s servants pray, and should pray, with these motives. There is no hope for revival until Christians forget themselves and begin to be concerned with the church. How often do Christians pray for the church? Their main concern should be God and His glory. They must stop thinking of the church as a gathering of institutions and organizations, and get back to thinking they are the people of God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also shares the way in which Moses boldly prayed. He prayed with confidence, no hesitation in sight, and was assured of God’s nearness. He was direct and orderly in what He was asking the Lord to do, reasoning and pleading, and reminding Him of His promises. The Christian must be like a child speaking to their Father, pleading with Him because of His own name’s sake.

Exodus 33:12-17 — The church today focuses too much on doing what other religions can do. Other religions can teach a person to be moral and just. Other religions can create a sense of community and friendship. Other religions can do good things in the community. Christians tend to be content with these small things; content with the unexceptional and ordinary condition of the church. They must pray for revival. In this sermon on prayer for revival from Exodus 33:12–17 titled “Revival Sermon: Prayer for Revival,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the prayer of Moses where he prays for more. God had returned to Israel and Moses is grateful for this, but he wants more. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that praying for revival is praying for something extra, something more. Revival is not ordinary. It is a special, unusual, and exceptional move of God. The Christian praying for revival is no longer satisfied with the ordinary condition of the church. They pray for God’s glory to be shown, and cries from the “depths” that God may be known. True revival cannot be manipulated. The moment one believes this can be organized, they are in great danger. Listen in as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that church needs the power of God. The Holy Spirit must fall upon His people, and they must be revived.

Exodus 33:12-17 — Revival is conceived through the prayers of one who is burdened. Continuing the examination of where revival comes from, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that there are intermediate steps that are common before a revival begins. This begins with prayer. In this sermon on Exodus 33:12–17 titled “Revival Sermon: Preparatory Stages of Revival,” he explains three stages of prayer. This prayer toward revival begins with a longing for separation. As God used the intercession of Moses on behalf of rebellious Israel, it is explained that revival is initiated with the prayers of just one person. This one person feels a great burden for the people of God and wants to do something about it. He prays for holiness and separation from the ways of the world. There is a concern to be holy. This leads to an incredible assurance of God. Prayer turns from dread to delight as God promises His presence among the people. The praying church and individual then grow in expectancy, looking for and expecting change that only the Holy Spirit can bring. This change is not managed by people but by the sovereign Spirit of God. If the listener is burdened for the church in this world, Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages that revival begins with the prayers of one.

Exodus 33:1-11 — Revival begins when one realizes that they may gain the whole world and lose their soul. Every good thing of this earth is nothing if God is not with them. In this sermon on Exodus 33:1–11 titled “Revival Sermon: Toward Revival,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines the steps toward revival. How does revival come? What sparks it? Whether revival is individual and personal or corporate, Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that it begins the same way. First, one faces the facts and becomes deeply aware of sin and idolatry. Second, one repents. As he presents the story of Israel’s revival upon the building of a golden calf, he highlights a number of issues involved: the need for separation, a mediator, realizing they are poor and wretched, and God’s displeasure upon the church. Why is the church so ineffective? Why is it going from bad to worse? The need is not met with better events, campaigns, or programs; the presence of God must be in the midst. God must be with them. This is the thing that so horrified the people of Israel and it must haunt Christians today. Revival begins as men and women realize nothing is so serious as being without the presence of God.

Acts 2:12-13 — Great awakenings by God are often accompanied by great physical and mental phenomena. During revivals, men and women are described as being “struck”—falling to the ground and fainting. Supernatural knowledge about the future is given to ordinary people. What is to be made of these revival testimonies about prophesy and physical phenomena? Should such things as hysteria or brain washing be dismissed? In this sermon on Acts 2:12–13 titled “Revival Sermon: The Phenomena of Revival,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones pushes back against the Western tendency to describe these kinds of things in naturalistic terms. While acknowledging there can be mixture of false phenomena with the true, he cautions Christians not to merely dismiss these physical phenomena based upon a dry intellectualism. Such reasoning could result in Christians quenching the Holy Spirit. Instead, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that these kinds of phenomena are always accompanied by a response from bystanders. It is either a response of doubt, amazement, or mockery. This was the experience of the early Christians in Acts 2:12–13 and it has held true throughout the history of revivals as well. The Christian response, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, must test such things. Nevertheless the whole person can be impacted by a great movement from the sovereign Spirit. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones seeks a balanced approach in this controversial topic.

Joshua 4:21-24 — Why does the church need revival? Is it merely for the experiences it brings or perhaps for evangelistic purposes? It seems that the reason for revivals has been forgotten by many today, and the desire for them to happen has gone with it. In this sermon on the power of God in revival from Joshua 4:21–24, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out the “meaning of these stones” in regards to revival. Like the stones that were placed by the Lord along the Jordan to serve as a reminder of His mighty hand, so revivals are an act of God placed among His people to display His glory, and that all peoples and nations may know Him. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reveals the supreme need of the church today, and that is a reminder that the living God is present and active among them. He explains that revival does this. It also encourages the church to pray for their preachers, delivering them from self-reliance, and causing them to rely on the Holy Spirit. In conclusion, Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that God allows revival in order to lead His people into the “land of blessing.” Men and women affected by it overflow with praise, adoration, and full enjoyment in knowing the living God. Christians must remember to pray and plead with God for revival so that He may be truly glorified.

Joshua 4:21-24 — What are the characteristics of a revival? How do they start and what are the results? In this sermon on Joshua 4:21–24 titled “Revival Sermon: Variations Between Revivals,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unpacks the powerful ways revival has affected the church and why the church must plead and pray for revival today. He relates revivals to the stones that were questioned by the children of the Israelites. The stones were a memorial there to remind the people and all the nations that the hand of the Lord is mighty. God has done great things and is still doing great things. A revival causes the people to be humbled by the glory and majesty of the Lord. It always results in praise and worship to God. Men and women who are converted during a revival become members of a church and abide in the faith. They become concerned for the lives of others who do not know God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that there are many ways a revival starts, but only after first recognizing that it is an act of God, not a production of humanity. It may start suddenly or gradually, or it may start in a small group or a great crowd. There are many ways it can start and there are variations in the ways it can end. But the reason for revival never changes. It is so that the people will know the mighty hand of the Lord.

Joshua 4:21-24 — It’s disheartening how easily human minds forget important events, even the most important events or happenings in history. With human nature comes human forgetfulness. In this sermon on the question “What is Revival?” from Joshua 4:21–24, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones doesn’t allow that fact to excuse the Christian from reconsidering revivals of the past so that the church may discover how to seek the Lord and pray for revival to happen again. He explains that revival is the greatest need among the body of Christ today, and that the thoughts and prayers of Christians should go toward revival. The problem today is that people are so busy that they do not even think of it. Human absorption with oneself, their own generation, and their own activities dangerously occupy them and cause them to forget this great need. Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents the definition of revival and states the difference between it and an evangelistic campaign. Revival happens to the church; an evangelistic campaign is done by the church and happens to those outside it. When it happens to the church, it is almost like a repetition of the day of Pentecost. People become aware of spiritual things as they never were before. Men and women realize the glory and holiness of God. They feel a terrible sense of sin and guilt and their conviction drives them to repentance.