Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: A Call to Biblical Vigilance
A sermon on 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Originally preached Nov. 2, 1974
Scripture
Sermon Description
In this memorial service for W.T.H. Richards, preached at Westminster Chapel on November 2, 1974 Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones delivers a powerful exposition of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, calling believers to spiritual vigilance in increasingly perilous times. Drawing from Paul's exhortation to "watch, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong," Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns of subtle dangers threatening the evangelical faith, particularly changes in the preceding decade. He cautions against false unity with Roman Catholicism, the "new evangelicalism" promoting territorial churches, and compromises with modernist theology. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that true biblical watchfulness must be balanced with standing firm in essential doctrines while demonstrating genuine Christian love. He challenges believers not to fear intellectual scorn or the desire for respectability, but instead to follow the example of biblical figures and historic Christians who stood boldly for truth. The sermon concludes with a stirring call for both doctrinal orthodoxy and the power of the Holy Spirit, arguing that the greatest need of the hour is spiritual revival. This message serves as both a tribute to W.T.H. Richards' steadfast ministry and a clarion call for believers to maintain biblical fidelity in times of theological confusion.
Sermon Breakdown
- The Christian's duty to watch for spiritual dangers (1 Corinthians 16:13)
- Watchfulness is a characteristic command throughout the New Testament
- Today's climate of tolerance opposes biblical watchfulness
- New dangers threatening evangelicalism in recent decades
- False claims of change within Roman Catholicism
- The charismatic movement's tendency to elevate experience over doctrine
- The "new evangelicalism" promoting territorial churches and ecumenism
- Campaigns uniting evangelicals with non-evangelical groups
- Compromised views on Scripture's authority
- Standing fast in the faith requires knowing essential doctrines
- Historical creeds and confessions defined orthodox faith
- Essential doctrines cannot be compromised for unity
- The church must maintain clear boundaries with false teaching
- The courage to be strong in the face of opposition
- Rejecting the fear of intellectual scorn and desire for respectability
- Following examples of biblical figures who stood alone
- Learning from church history's courageous defenders of truth
- Remaining true to evangelical origins without shame
- All things must be done with Christian love (1 Corinthians 16:14)
- Love follows watchfulness, not precedes it
- Love characterizes how we maintain doctrinal purity
- Unity in essentials while showing patience with weaker brethren
- The dual need for doctrinal orthodoxy and the Holy Spirit's power
- Knowledge without spiritual power leads to deadness
- The greatest need is for spiritual revival
- Only the demonstration of God's power will impact the world
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers Based on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on 1 Corinthians 16:13
What are the main dangers facing the evangelical church today?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones in this sermon, the church faces several subtle dangers that have emerged particularly in recent decades. He identifies supposed changes in the Roman Catholic Church that make it appear more evangelical, the charismatic movement's tendency to elevate experience over doctrine, and what he calls "neo-evangelicalism" that promotes territorial or national churches with episcopal governance. He warns that these movements undermine the foundations of biblical faith by prioritizing unity over truth.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasize "watching" as essential for Christians?
The call to "watch" appears throughout the New Testament, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates with multiple biblical references. He argues that spiritual vigilance is particularly crucial in an age of tolerance where examining and testing teachings has become unpopular. Without careful watching, he contends, the church becomes vulnerable to false teachings that appear attractive but contain "rank lethal poison" that destroys faith. This watching must be done in love, but it must be done nonetheless.
What does it mean to "stand fast in the faith"?
Standing fast in the faith means holding firmly to essential Christian doctrines without compromise. Dr. Lloyd-Jones insists this includes the deity of Christ, justification by faith alone, the new birth, the work of the Holy Spirit, the physical resurrection, and the second coming of Christ. He warns against standing fast in denominationalism, experiences, or entertainment, but rather in these core truths that define authentic Christianity. This stance requires both positive affirmation of truth and negative rejection of error.
How should evangelicals respond to calls for church unity?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones strongly opposes unity movements that compromise essential doctrine. He specifically criticizes joint evangelistic campaigns involving Roman Catholics and liberals, arguing that participating with those who deny fundamental gospel truths gives the impression of agreement. While individual Catholics might be Christians, he maintains the Roman Catholic Church as an institution teaches a false gospel through doctrines like transubstantiation and baptismal regeneration. True unity, he argues, can only exist among those who share the same essential faith.
What is the danger of seeking intellectual respectability?
The desire for intellectual respectability, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, leads evangelicals astray from their calling. He compares it to David trying to fight Goliath in Saul's armor - abandoning proven spiritual weapons for worldly approval. He points to Paul's example of becoming "a fool for Christ's sake" and warns that when liberals and modernists praise evangelical leaders, it should be cause for serious self-examination rather than satisfaction.
How can Christians balance truth and love?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that love must characterize how Christians defend truth, not replace the defense itself. Using 1 Corinthians 13:14 ("Let all your things be done with charity"), he shows that love comes after, not instead of, watching, standing fast, and being strong. The Holy Spirit alone enables this balance - providing both discernment for truth and the fruit of love. Christians must oppose error while treating those in error as brothers for whom Christ died.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in defending the faith?
The Holy Spirit is essential for both understanding truth and manifesting it with power. Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns against "orthodox but dead" Christianity that has correct doctrine without spiritual power. He calls for both truth and the demonstration of the Spirit, arguing that apologetics alone cannot save the nation. Only a genuine revival - a sudden manifestation of God's power like Pentecost - will make the world take notice of the church's message.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones warn against "neo" movements?
The prefix "neo" arouses Dr. Lloyd-Jones's suspicion because it often indicates departure from original biblical Christianity while maintaining its appearance. He specifically mentions neo-Pentecostalism, neo-Calvinism, and neo-evangelicalism as movements that claim continuity with their predecessors but actually compromise essential elements. These movements, he argues, are "wolves in sheep's clothing" that require careful examination.
What is the significance of maintaining negative as well as positive theology?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones insists that defining what we don't believe is as important as stating what we do believe. He argues against the modern tendency to emphasize only points of agreement while ignoring disagreements. The church's historic creeds and confessions, he notes, clearly stated both truth and error. Without negative theology - clearly rejecting false doctrine - the church cannot protect the faith from corruption.
How should churches respond to declining numbers or cultural irrelevance?
Rather than compromising doctrine or turning to entertainment to attract people, Dr. Lloyd-Jones advocates returning to foundational principles. He warns against being ashamed of humble origins or seeking respectability. Drawing from biblical examples of remnants and individuals used by God, he argues that faithfulness to truth matters more than numbers. The solution is not better advertising or cultural accommodation but waiting for God to send revival through His Spirit.
Newly Found Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.