Joshua 4:21-24 — Most people have certain ways in which they remember or celebrate markers of significance in their lives. In a similar way, God told the Israelites to set up a pile of stones to mark the day they crossed over the Jordan River and into the land that God had promised to give them. In this sermon from Joshua 4:21–24 titled “What Do These Stones Mean?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows why monuments are important for the Christian walk. First, they point to their history, and this is very important since the Christian faith sets itself apart from false religions because it is based entirely on historical facts. Second, these markers call attention away from human action and towards God’s action, allowing focus on Him. The reason God acted in human history is because humanity was enslaved to sin and was in desperate need of intervention. Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages believers to look at milestones and monuments important to them and the Christian faith as reminders that the Lord is mighty to save.
October 18, 2024
Hebrews 13:8 — In this sermon on "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" from Hebrews 13:8 titled “The Unchanging Task of the Church,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones encourages listeners that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In this address, Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides an overview of some of the issues the world has faced in the past century. He says he is deeply thankful to be preaching in the 20th century, in which the world is confused and scared, the human soul is searching for a solution, and the church is less characterized by empty religion. Throughout history, and most recently in the last two centuries, humans have become increasingly convinced of their own strength and have delusions of answers to the universe’s problems, whether it be scientific, philosophical, or psychological. He says that these human solutions are all wrong. Rather, the Christian is to look to Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Looking to the unchanging God provides consolation that no worldly solution can offer. Jesus of Nazareth came into this world as the Son of God in order to rescue sinners from their well-deserved eternal damnation. He died, and was raised again, giving eternal security if one chooses to have faith in Him.
October 17, 2024
Joshua 4:21-24 — Most people have certain ways in which they remember or celebrate markers of significance in their lives. In a similar way, God told the Israelites to set up a pile of stones to mark the day they crossed over the Jordan River and into the land that God had promised to give them. In this sermon from Joshua 4:21–24 titled “What Do These Stones Mean?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows why monuments are important for the Christian walk. First, they point to their history, and this is very important since the Christian faith sets itself apart from false religions because it is based entirely on historical facts. Second, these markers call attention away from human action and towards God’s action, allowing focus on Him. The reason God acted in human history is because humanity was enslaved to sin and was in desperate need of intervention. Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages believers to look at milestones and monuments important to them and the Christian faith as reminders that the Lord is mighty to save.
October 16, 2024
Hebrews 13:8 — In this sermon on "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" from Hebrews 13:8 titled “The Unchanging Task of the Church,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones encourages listeners that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In this address, Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides an overview of some of the issues the world has faced in the past century. He says he is deeply thankful to be preaching in the 20th century, in which the world is confused and scared, the human soul is searching for a solution, and the church is less characterized by empty religion. Throughout history, and most recently in the last two centuries, humans have become increasingly convinced of their own strength and have delusions of answers to the universe’s problems, whether it be scientific, philosophical, or psychological. He says that these human solutions are all wrong. Rather, the Christian is to look to Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Looking to the unchanging God provides consolation that no worldly solution can offer. Jesus of Nazareth came into this world as the Son of God in order to rescue sinners from their well-deserved eternal damnation. He died, and was raised again, giving eternal security if one chooses to have faith in Him.
October 15, 2024
In this sermon titled “Training for Ministry,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares his vision for the theological training of pastors and preachers at the inaugural address for the London Theological Seminary in 1977. In his day, theological training had veered off course as the curriculum had been shaped by liberal theology. As the scholastic movement produced well-known universities, a heavy emphasis on philosophy and intellectualism had eclipsed the training of pastors for churches. A new institution for theological training was needed. The Christian church has a long history of training ministers for the gospel. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones surveys the Christian history of producing preachers, he laments the poor education that this modern era has produced. There must be a reconsideration of training ministers, a training that produces preachers of the gospel. Preachers, not mere teachers, must be trained. Teachers merely impart knowledge, but preachers seek to bring the whole Bible alive, proclaiming the great message, remembering that people have hearts as well as heads. These men must not be mere professionals but pastors who can lead God’s people. Additionally, training must be church-based. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that churches must have the confidence of these men and remain in contact with them throughout their training. Listen in as Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s vision unfolds in the opening of a new seminary.
October 14, 2024
Evangelical unity is not simply a matter of associations and coalitions, but it is a based on the central doctrines of the faith. In this sermon titled “Evangelical Unity,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that unity is centered on doctrine; the doctrines of the natures of Christ, the sufficient atoning work of Christ, the doctrine of justification by faith, and the doctrine of God’s word. This is a Spirit-empowered supernatural work in the life of believers that unites them to God and to one another. The church cannot sacrifice the truth of the Christian faith and God’s word for the appearance of union, for true evangelical union is found in the non-negotiable doctrines of Christianity. Evangelicals should seek to build up the church around God’s truth as found in His word. To substitute unity in the gospel for worldly unity based on nothing more than human institutions is to compromise the truth of the Christian faith. The pursuit of evangelical union will often cause controversy and division, but this is the inevitable effect of seeking to follow God above people. Evangelicals are not to compromise the glorious truths of God’s word for the fading recognition of sinful people and the world. God commands His church to follow Him no matter the cost.
October 13, 2024
Deuteronomy 6:23 — Listen to the good news of God delivering His people from bondage to abundance. In this sermon on Deuteronomy 6:23 titled “The Call to Liberty,” Dr, Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached at the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) Annual Assembly in 1972, tracing the history of God’s deliverance. He recounts the Exodus from Egypt, the Protestant Reformation, the evangelical Great Awakenings, and many other events. It is always God who frees His people from bondage. Why are God’s children found in bondage? This bondage is never sudden and listeners learn what happens when things that were meant to be temporary become permanent. They also will hear of the consequences of the hatred and persecution of those opposed to God. Religions of authority versus religions of the Spirit are examined. There is need for form and substance in Christianity, but there is danger in this becoming exaggerated. Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses denominationalism, intellectualism, and traditionalism. There is conflict between the institution and the Spirit. What is the call of the gospel? God declares liberty for His children. Listeners are warned to keep watch so that they do not fail to remember that it was God’s hand, not humanity’s, that delivered them. They should not go back into bondage from where they came as this is the fatal tendency of people.
October 12, 2024
Every human society is filled with sin, but not every society has necessarily given themselves over to permissiveness. In this sermon titled “The Permissive Society,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones confesses his own weariness while preaching on the subject of permissiveness as the world around him has devolved into a permissive society. Given the human condition, sin is natural. The person who sins feels wrong and apologetic about it, but he still does it. On the contrary, permissiveness is unnatural. The permissive society delights in what is contrary to nature, and exalts in doing what is wrong. The preacher laments the modern view of humanity: it is nothing but an animal controlled by impulses and desires. People are concerned about problems in the world, but oblivious to the problems in their own heart. Dr. Lloyd-Jones delivers a brief history of permissiveness in society and demonstrates that today’s culture is nothing new. The great tragedy, he explains, is not learning from the past. The Christian is not one who has given themselves to sin, but is a new creation. Desires and impulses do not govern them, but they govern their desires. Be encouraged, as Christ is put on display and a changed life is manifested in the believer.
October 11, 2024
Matthew 7:13-14 — Did Jesus shape the gospel to fit humanity, or did He shape humanity to fit His gospel? In this sermon on Matthew 7:13–14 titled “The Strait Gate…” that Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached to an American audience in 1969, he addressed the great charge often brought against Christians for being narrow. He preaches of the importance of guarding against becoming too “wide.” The church has been so anxious to please modern humanity that the gospel message has been lost. Dr. Lloyd-Jones declares that Christians must boldly stand their ground as being narrow Christians. Christ delighted and exalted in this idea of being narrow. Why did Christ choose to call His way of living “narrow”? The Bible deliberately specializes in one subject—the human soul. The gospel is intensely personal. The world resents narrowness, but it is this very narrowness that would lead to paradise. Salvation is “narrow” through the death of one man. No one can meet God without the cross of Christ. Turn to Him and He will receive His people unto Himself. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life.
October 10, 2024
Every human society is filled with sin, but not every society has necessarily given themselves over to permissiveness. In this sermon titled “The Permissive Society,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones confesses his own weariness while preaching on the subject of permissiveness as the world around him has devolved into a permissive society. Given the human condition, sin is natural. The person who sins feels wrong and apologetic about it, but he still does it. On the contrary, permissiveness is unnatural. The permissive society delights in what is contrary to nature, and exalts in doing what is wrong. The preacher laments the modern view of humanity: it is nothing but an animal controlled by impulses and desires. People are concerned about problems in the world, but oblivious to the problems in their own heart. Dr. Lloyd-Jones delivers a brief history of permissiveness in society and demonstrates that today’s culture is nothing new. The great tragedy, he explains, is not learning from the past. The Christian is not one who has given themselves to sin, but is a new creation. Desires and impulses do not govern them, but they govern their desires. Be encouraged, as Christ is put on display and a changed life is manifested in the believer.
October 9, 2024