From the MLJ Archive

Hebrews 11:13 — Today, all are confronted with a choice: Will they go with the world or will they go with God? In this sermon on Hebrews 11:13 titled “The Choice that Faces Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines people of faith in this passage. He displays that each of them were, first, confronted with this choice, and second, believed God. The world is under the judgment of God. When this is realized, the Christian runs out of the city of destruction as fast as they can. They see the world for what it is. They see themselves for who they are. This person can no longer remain in this old life of sin. They leave the world and go with God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this person runs out of the doomed world by faith, believing the promises of God. For the believer today, this means trusting God with complete assurance that Jesus Christ died on the cross for one’s sin, and that He was raised to give new life. The Christian now despises their former life of sin and wants nothing to do with it. They no longer live for the wicked world, but live for God. This is what it means to become a Christian—to be justified by faith.

Hebrews 11:8 — When the future is unknown, how should one live in the present? Anxiety about the future leads to time wasted, frantically attempting to discover the answer to “what will happen?” It also leads to impatience. In this sermon on Hebrews 11:8 titled “By Faith Abraham,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exclaims that all of one’s thinking about the future will not affect the future. He examines the faith of Abraham who lived his life not knowing what would happen. He wasn’t preoccupied with questions on the future. In contrast, Abraham went out only with the promises of God. The early Christians were depressed and discouraged. They had reason for worry. The writer of Hebrews gives them this great picture of faith to remind them: Abraham believed God. He was a man of great faith, and needed not worry about the future. It does not matter how one will spend the next few years of their life, but how one will spend eternity. Whatever may happen in the future will not affect God and His promises to His people. If God is truly with them, they can face anything in this life.

Hebrews 10:19-22 — Genuine Christians may lack joy in Christ if they lack certainty of their relationship with God. In this sermon on Hebrews 10:19–22 titled “A New and Living Way,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches of how the writer encourages the reader to have full assurance and draw near to Christ. He addresses the chief problem: the conscience condemns. In one’s own nature, no one is able to come before the throne of God in prayer because of sin. Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights the Old Testament temple practices of entering the Holiest of Holies and the work of the priest. This was the old way, one that required blood and priests. It was a kind of communion with God few would enter. This practice, however, paved the way to a new and better way. Through the blood of Christ, the vilest of sinners can enter the holiest of all. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Jesus washes and sanctifies the believer, clothing them in righteousness, and fitting them for the presence of God. As the High Priest, Jesus has gone before them and has prepared a way for believers to commune with God. Therefore, draw near to God with a true heart having full assurance of faith. Listen and experience the joy of the Christian life.

Hebrews 8:5 — In this sermon on Hebrews 8:5 titled “Hear Ye Him,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims the great commission that was given to Moses, and ultimately to all preachers of the gospel. Where did Moses’s authority and message come from? Look at how God commissioned Moses with a detailed plan; He has done the same for all His people. The quest for truth cannot start with modern humanity; Christianity must have a different starting point. All are invited to come back to the revelation of God Himself. Moses has no authority apart from God, and neither does anyone else. Take a closer look at God’s pattern and plan for humanity. God alone can tell people about themselves, life, and death. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones walks through the Sermon on the Mount and then brings the listener to the mount of Calvary to hear its message. This is a message of the holiness and love of God. Sin will be punished, and Christ did not offer the blood of bulls and goats, but He offered His own blood. Salvation is through the shed blood of God’s only Son.

Hebrews 6:16 — In this sermon on Hebrews 6:16 titled “In the Refuge of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides counsel for the troubled soul. He exhorts his listeners that the author of Hebrews focuses on believers having peace in spite of their bad circumstances. Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims how wonderful a truth this is in a world that has so much calamity and uncertainty. A Christian’s hope is not in their circumstances, but rather in the Lord who has redeemed the soul. Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that the Bible teaches believers how to live in this world; it is a manual that has passed the test of time. With this manual in hand, Christians can enjoy peace even if there was another world war, Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches. The reason Christians may have such peace is that the Gospel provides a refuge for the soul. He is quick to clarify that there is no promised refuge for the body found in the pages of Scripture; many have been martyred for their faith. Rather, the Christian may be comforted in that God has secured their soul. All must consider the truth about their eternal soul before given this refuge, and they must repent to the Lord for God to rescue them. In Christ, Christians may have an anchor within the veil.

Hebrews 6:11-12 — The Christian was always meant to have full assurance and happiness. In this sermon on the assurance of hope from Hebrews 6:11–12 titled “A Full Assurance of Hope,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dives into the epistles and discovers how they were written for the assurance of believers. He also focuses on the circumstances of uncertainty that surrounded these believers and what hope they received. Dr. Lloyd-Jones touches on the three assurances of faith, understanding, and hope, with special focus on the full assurance of hope. He encourages the preaching of sanctification by preaching the hope and the glory of Christ. This is not a message that is subjective to human feelings. Christianity is primarily and essentially other-worldly and the Christian should put aside earthly prospects to follow Him. The Christian is encouraged to know of the “first fruits” and meditate on the Scriptures. “Endure by seeing Him who is invisible.” Faith is the substance, and hope is the outcome of this faith. What is meant by the “state of hope”? When all else gives way, Christ is the solid rock that can be stood upon. God provides the diligence and faith that is necessary. Look to Him and have full assurance unto the end.

Hebrews 6:7-8 — Attending church is not sufficient for salvation. The greatest sin of the modern person is that they live as if they own themselves, but they do not. In this sermon on Hebrews 6:7–8 titled “A True Belief,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones declares that no one is their own and He focuses on the illustration of two fields. The whole world was created by God and made for Him. Every life will go on to judgment in relation to their response to this gospel. The value of one soul is such that no one can put too much emphasis on listening. Those who reject this word are utterly hopeless. It is the reaction to the treatment of the gospel that distinguishes Christians from the rest of the world. Listeners are encouraged to contrast the dramatic difference between the two products that are produced and examine that which pleases the creator of this world. The natural life alone is useless before God. The marks of a true believer are repentance and belief in this message of God’s salvation in Christ. It is not enough to simply know the gospel. Everyone must deny themselves and take up their cross, following Him and leaving everything else.

Hebrews 2:14 — Listen to this Christmas message on Hebrews 2:14 as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones remembers He who is our Savior and salvation. Do not think of the Christian life in any general way apart from Christ. Through death, Christ destroyed him who had the power of death. Death lost its sting! Man's greatest temptation is to leave out the “wonderful works of God.” Salvation is the result of God’s activity. There is great trouble when we become doubtful of the person of Christ. Look at the two heresies of Christ. The mystery of godliness is Jesus' being truly man and truly God. We are all sharers of human nature, but Christ's manhood was entirely different. God voluntarily added to what He already was – adding flesh and blood to the Divine. Two natures in the One. He who made all things now knew what it was like to be weak, misunderstood, and even to die. Christ became the captain, author, and composer of our salvation. God had to become man. Christ had to die to save us from the condemnation of the Law. He robbed the devil of the power of death and is our representative at the right hand of God. He can sympathize with you, blessed be His name.

Hebrews 2:11 — In this sermon on Hebrews 2:11 titled “Not Ashamed to Call Them Brethren,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the wonders of Christ and His shared inheritance with the redeemed. The theme of the book of Hebrews is the preeminence of Jesus Christ. The wonder of the gospel is that Jesus is not ashamed to call His people brethren. Though they are but humans, the Lord God calls them brethren because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims that humans are the sanctified, and Jesus is the sanctifier. Yet He became a little lower than the angels in order to redeem them back to Himself. He became man while not ridding Himself of His Godhood. Because of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial condescension to humanity, His people can share in His wonderful, eternal, and glorifying inheritance. Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that although God has made Himself one with His redeemed, He is also entirely separate. Jesus Christ is the bridge of the expansive gap between God and humanity. Jesus made a way for people to come to Him; He made a way for them to be brethren. And Jesus Christ is not ashamed to call them brethren. Dr. Lloyd-Jones wonderfully articulates that when Jesus came, the lawgiver came unto the law. He took upon the form of a servant. Because of this, He can be called Jesus the brother.

Hebrews 2:9 — There is no lack of content in Scripture about the cross of Christ. In this sermon given on Good Friday on Hebrews 2:9 titled “The Cross of Christ,” Dr, Martyn Lloyd-Jones presents various questions about this subject and answers them from the Scripture. Who is this person dying upon a cross? Jesus Christ, the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person, humbling Himself by coming in the likeness of a man, sojourning among humanity, and suffering and dying that He might taste death for everyone. What does it mean that He tasted death? On the cross He experienced – in body and soul – everything that is involved in death as the punishment for sin. Nothing was withheld. Why did He suffer such a death? The answer is given in one word: “for everyone.” He took the place of all, bearing the wrath of God for their sins upon Himself. What’s the result of His coming? The glorious result is two-fold: because Jesus suffered and died, He has been exalted, crowned with all glory and honor and power, and He has taken out the sting of death for all believers. He did it because God’s very nature is one of grace, compassion, and love.