From the MLJ Archive

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

A Vain and Empty Life

August 26, 2024

1 Peter 1:14 — Why is Salvation necessary for the non-Christian man? What is the purpose of life for the non-Christian? In this Sermon on 1 Peter 1:4 titled “A Vain and Empty Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers these questions and addresses the fact that the non Christian life is hopeless, vain, and has no purpose until they are born again and delivered out of darkness. Dr. Lloyd-Jones firstly explains the origin of the non Christian life and says that these men and women simply do what they think needs to be done because of tradition; they are following what other people have done in the past. Although they might think that they are living their own life, they are getting their ideas from someone in the past or around them who has done the same. Secondly, he explains that the life without God is a life of lust always controlled by the passions and desires of the flesh and mind. Everything the non-Christian does in this life is controlled by their mind and flesh, including anger and ambition. Lastly Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that although the non Christian life seems attractive and wonderful at first, it is empty inside and there is no meaning to it. In the ungodly life, there is no hope and it is merely hopeless. He concludes by saying that salvation is necessary to deliver you from this empty life, and so that God can give you light, joy, and hope in this world. It is necessary for the Christian to realize that he is just a journeymen in this world and one day will be in glory with the Father.

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FREE Bible Study & Sermons: The Second Coming
The Second Coming of Christ is a dominant theme in the New Testament. In this study, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the doctrine of the Second Coming is one of the most important for the Church to understand, since it is used by the Apostles to encourage Christians to persevere in the face of persecution.

Archives

1 Peter 1:10-12 — What changes when someone is saved? Is Christianity just a political movement that lobbies for a better world, or imposes a strict code of conduct? In this sermon on 1 Peter 1:10–12 titled “The Christian Gospel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks about how there are many who may hold these views, but they are mistaken. Christianity is not about morality or politics, but it is about hope in Christ and salvation in the gospel found in God’s word. God has chosen to reveal Himself to sinful people through the prophets, apostles, and Scripture. The whole message of salvation is contained in this truth and given to God’s people so that they may proclaim it to the world. This gospel is the message that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, for He alone has died so that all would be saved. This gift of salvation is given through faith as a result of God’s grace. No one can ever work to obtain it. All are born blind in sin until the grace of God opens their eyes to see the glory of Jesus Christ.
August 25, 2024
1 Peter 1:13 — Why does the Bible encourage sober-mindedness? Many are surprised that the Christian faith involves the mind at all, because they think that religion is inherently irrational. But in this sermon on the battle for the mind from 1 Peter 1:13, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how God calls Christians to use their minds to know Him. Christians are called to purposely think about God and the world as they are in a battle for the mind. This is a different message than what the world often tells people in an irrational age of celebrity worship and cults of personality. The world can give no account for the human mind, because Scripture tells that all are slaves to sin and their minds are wholly darkened. The Christian can only think about and understand the world when they receive the grace of God and come to new life in Christ. This sermon issues the call to leave behind sin and turn to Jesus who alone can save and renew a relationship with God.
August 24, 2024
1 Peter 1:3-5 — In Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s sermon on 1 Peter 1:3-5, he describes, “the great characteristic of the New Testament.” This being our response the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out how Peter “burst forth in Praise to Christ” when he relayed the gospel to his audience. But we must ask ourselves, do we have a similar response? Is there the same spirit within us that was in Peter? Well, to answer this question, Dr. Lloyd-Jones first defines what the gospel is. It is, simply put, the resurrection of Jesus Christ who, by rising from the dead, takes away the sins of the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that by rising from the dead, Christ becomes our living hope who enables us to endure hardships that we go through in life. But how is the resurrection of Christ a living hope, and why should we celebrate it with such joy? Dr. Lloyd-Jones establishes that the resurrection of Christ is, in fact, a living hope because Christ died and rose again. He defeated sin and death and now is a living hope to all who believe in him. Our sinful selves were buried with Christ so that we can live as new people. However, this is not the final step to unification with Christ. No, we are only truly unified with Christ when we enter heaven. When we pass from this world into eternity, our physical body will be renewed as well so that the entire man will be renewed. Dr. Lloyd-Jones then finishes his sermon by asking the question, “Have we got this living hope?”
August 23, 2024
James 4:13-16 — What does the Bible say about the world’s problems? The world gives many diagnostics to explain its many ills. The rationalist says that humanity’s biggest problem is that people do not use reason. Others say that people have yet to overcome their base desires. But what does the Bible say? According to God’s word, why do people kill one another and oppress each other? In this sermon on James 4:13–16 titled “The Condition of Modern Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on the passage to find answers to these questions. Here it is seen that humanity’s problem is that people are greedy and love themselves. It is out of this self-love that they fight and kill their fellow humans. But this is only symptomatic of the deeper problem of the fundamentally fallen nature. People not only sin, but they are sinful. What is the answer to this great dilemma? How can sinful people overcome this hatred of God and the word, and be saved? The answer is Jesus Christ. In spite of fallen humanity’s hatred towards God, God sent His only Son to die in the place of sinners. This sermon confronts all with the biblical command to repent and believe upon the name of Jesus.
August 22, 2024
1 Peter 1:3-5 — In Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s sermon on 1 Peter 1:3-5, he describes, “the great characteristic of the New Testament.” This being our response the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out how Peter “burst forth in Praise to Christ” when he relayed the gospel to his audience. But we must ask ourselves, do we have a similar response? Is there the same spirit within us that was in Peter? Well, to answer this question, Dr. Lloyd-Jones first defines what the gospel is. It is, simply put, the resurrection of Jesus Christ who, by rising from the dead, takes away the sins of the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that by rising from the dead, Christ becomes our living hope who enables us to endure hardships that we go through in life. But how is the resurrection of Christ a living hope, and why should we celebrate it with such joy? Dr. Lloyd-Jones establishes that the resurrection of Christ is, in fact, a living hope because Christ died and rose again. He defeated sin and death and now is a living hope to all who believe in him. Our sinful selves were buried with Christ so that we can live as new people. However, this is not the final step to unification with Christ. No, we are only truly unified with Christ when we enter heaven. When we pass from this world into eternity, our physical body will be renewed as well so that the entire man will be renewed. Dr. Lloyd-Jones then finishes his sermon by asking the question, “Have we got this living hope?”
August 21, 2024
James 4:13-16 — What does the Bible say about the world’s problems? The world gives many diagnostics to explain its many ills. The rationalist says that humanity’s biggest problem is that people do not use reason. Others say that people have yet to overcome their base desires. But what does the Bible say? According to God’s word, why do people kill one another and oppress each other? In this sermon on James 4:13–16 titled “The Condition of Modern Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on the passage to find answers to these questions. Here it is seen that humanity’s problem is that people are greedy and love themselves. It is out of this self-love that they fight and kill their fellow humans. But this is only symptomatic of the deeper problem of the fundamentally fallen nature. People not only sin, but they are sinful. What is the answer to this great dilemma? How can sinful people overcome this hatred of God and the word, and be saved? The answer is Jesus Christ. In spite of fallen humanity’s hatred towards God, God sent His only Son to die in the place of sinners. This sermon confronts all with the biblical command to repent and believe upon the name of Jesus.
August 20, 2024
James 4:1 — Does Christianity work? Many claim that Christianity is outdated and has no message for the modern world. They argue that if people would simply use their reason, then all the wars and conflicts would end, and there would be true peace. What is wrong with this solution to suffering? In this sermon on James 4:1 titled “From Whence Come Wars,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that only the message of Christianity can bring peace, because only the message of Christianity deals with humanity’s most fundamental problem: sin. No one can save themselves through reason because they place reason as king, and yet it is often irrational. The best secular thinkers are unable to use their reason to live rightly; how then can all of humankind use reason to fix the world? The message of Christianity is hopeful because it calls for trust in Christ and not reason. Jesus died, not because all are irrational, but because all are sinners. They are irrational because all humans are born in sin, and it is this sin that blinds them all. This sermon offers the only message of hope, that Jesus has died for all who believe. God is gracious and forgiving to all who seek Him and repent of their sins.
August 19, 2024
Hebrews 13:11-12 — In this sermon on Hebrews 13:11–12 titled “Therefore Jesus…Suffered,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on the meaning of the cross. The world believes that the cross was not historical or possible. Dr. Lloyd-Jones directs the listener’s attention to this epistle and the entire Bible, reminding listeners that Calvary was not an accident or tragedy but it was a decisive act of God and the means to save and bring His people back to His presence. The cross also fulfills all the Old Testament prophecies and promises.
August 18, 2024
Hebrews 12:28-29 — In this sermon on Hebrews 12:28–29 titled “A Kingdom Which Cannot Be Removed,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the importance of heeding the call to repentance by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, should not be refused. While the misconceptions and vain philosophies of this age will soon fade, Jesus’s gospel and kingdom is eternal and unshakeable throughout all ages. More importantly, all people will pass, along with this world, and they will have to give account to every thought and deed. The judgement of God will be inescapable, but those who believe in God’s way of salvation through God’s Son will join Him in His everlasting kingdom. Since Jesus sits on the throne and rules His Kingdom forever, Christians will be in His kingdom forever. Christians will be considered as heirs and firstborns in His family. In contrast, those who refuse He who speaks, and instead trusts in their own abilities, will be judged eternally. They will be cast away with the worldly kingdoms and its ruler, the devil. All should consider which kingdom they would like to be in for eternity.
August 17, 2024
Hebrews 12:25-29 — In this sermon on Hebrews 12:25–29 titled “I Shake Not Only the Earth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones starts by addressing a common objection of the Bible. Many contemporary people do not believe the Bible and its value simply because it’s old, and they believe it is irrelevant because it is obsolete. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the Bible is ever relevant, ever contemporary, and ever true because it is the everlasting God who speaks about His Son, Jesus Christ. Human history, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, tells that people refuse to listen to God and His word. In turn, they become confused and unstable as they seek to find stability, security, and certainty in the things that aren’t meant to be. Only in the realm of God, the kingdom of God, can humans find a place of spiritual rest. One can only enter into this kingdom by the gospel, having faith in Jesus Christ and trust that He has taken away sins. Listen to this sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones as he clearly teaches about the everlasting kingdom of God and its implication for Christians of the 21st century.
August 16, 2024
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Featured Offer

FREE Bible Study & Sermons: The Second Coming
The Second Coming of Christ is a dominant theme in the New Testament. In this study, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the doctrine of the Second Coming is one of the most important for the Church to understand, since it is used by the Apostles to encourage Christians to persevere in the face of persecution.

About From the MLJ Archive

From the MLJ Archive is the Oneplace.com hosted ministry of the MLJ Trust.  Our mission is to promulgate the audio ministry of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

About Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899–1981) has been described as "a great pillar of the 20th century Evangelical Church". Born in Wales, and educated in London, he was a brilliant student who embarked upon a short, but successful, career as a medical doctor at the famous St Bartholemew's Hospital. However, the call of Gospel ministry was so strong that he left medicine in order to become minister of a mission hall in Port Talbot, South Wales. Eventually he was called to Westminster Chapel in London, where thousands flocked to hear his "full-blooded" Gospel preaching, described by one hearer as "logic on fire". With some 1600 of his sermons recorded and digitally restored, this has left a legacy which is now available for the blessing of another generation of Christians around the world — "Though being dead he still speaks".

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Middleburg, VA 20118