December 1961

Is the Christian experience one of rejoicing, love, hope, and assurance of faith? Is that life marked by delight in God’s commands and promises? While God has promised great joy and hope to believers, Christians often follow the way of the Israelites when they doubt, complain, and live in a constant state of uncertainty. In this sermon on Psalm 78:41 titled “Limiting God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches that when the Christian follows this way, they limit God’s power, grace, and glory rather than showcasing His excellencies to the world. Complaining and heavy hearts declare to the world that the way of God is cumbersome and sorrowful. It says the commands of God are difficult and God is not concerned with the Christian’s joy. Follow along with Dr. Lloyd-Jones as he provides the “tests” of assurance, joy, delight, and peace to evaluate hearts in light of the life-giving promises of the Holy God. Listen and be reminded that God provides great joy that cannot be shaken to the believer who earnestly seeks the presence of the Triune God as their source of delight and life. Take comfort in knowing that an assurance of salvation is given as a means of joy and comfort for the believer and be challenged by Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s reminder that the believer who does not hold fast to these promises is limiting the Holy One of Israel.

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.

In this profound address, delivered at one of the Puritan Conferences held at Westminster Chapel 1950-1970, Dr. J.I. Packer explores the heart of Puritan theology through their understanding of communion with God. Drawing primarily from John Owen's classic treatise, Packer demonstrates how the Puritans viewed communion with God as the central purpose toward which all creation and redemption point. He contrasts modern evangelical attitudes—which treat communion with God as something taken for granted—with the Puritan approach, where it was a source of constant wonder and awe. The sermon unfolds Owen's sophisticated analysis of communion as a relationship of mutual interchange with the Triune God, emphasizing friendship with the Almighty and the necessity of disciplined worship and meditation for deepening our walk with Him.

Does Calvinism stifle missionary zeal, or does it fuel it? This charge against Calvinism has persisted for generations, yet a careful examination of church history reveals a very different story. In this Westminster Puritan Conference address, B.R. Easter presents a comprehensive historical survey demonstrating that the great pioneers of Protestant missions—from John Calvin's sending of pastors to Brazil, to John Eliot among the American Indians, to David Brainerd's sacrificial ministry, to William Carey's launch of the modern missionary movement—were men firmly rooted in the doctrines of grace. Far from paralyzing evangelistic effort, the Reformed faith provided the very theological foundation that sustained these missionaries through overwhelming obstacles.</br></br> Easter traces the development of missionary thought and practice from the sixteenth century through the modern era, showing how each new advance in missions sprang not from a weakening but from a revival of Reformed doctrine. The address distinguishes carefully between hyper-Calvinism, which did indeed hinder the free offer of the gospel, and classical Calvinism, which held together both God's sovereign election and the universal call to repent and believe. The discussion that follows, chaired by Dr. Lloyd-Jones, probes the practical implications for contemporary believers: What produces genuine missionary passion? How does one's view of Christ as the only Saviour drive evangelistic urgency? This conference paper stands as a powerful corrective to the notion that Reformed theology chokes missionary concern, demonstrating instead that when rightly understood, the doctrines of grace possess within themselves the dynamic and impetus for worldwide gospel proclamation.

It may come as a surprise that the Puritan pastors were among the greatest advocates of Christian joy. In this address from the 1961 Puritan Conference at Westminster Chapel, Thomas J. Gwyn unfolds the rich Puritan teaching on the nature, duty, and practice of rejoicing in God—drawing extensively from Richard Sibbes, Richard Baxter, and John Howe. Far from the popular caricature of sour-faced moralists, these godly men insisted that joy is the reasonable and commanded state of every believer, grounded not in temperament or circumstance but in the gracious nature and being of God Himself. Gwyn traces the Puritan distinction between carnal mirth and holy joy, the directions they gave for cultivating delight in God, and the intimate connection between joy, faith, conscience, and the ministry of the Word.<br/><br/>The address is followed by a lively discussion chaired by Dr. Lloyd-Jones, in which the conference wrestles with pressing pastoral questions: Can a Christian be both unhappy and joyful at the same time? What is the relationship between the duty of joy and the experience of spiritual desertion? Must we define our doctrine by our experience, or ought our experience to conform to what Scripture commands? Dr. Lloyd-Jones insists that joy is indeed a doctrine and a duty, rooted in the command to "rejoice evermore," and that our whole danger is to approach the matter subjectively rather than heeding the command of God. The discussion brings the Puritan teaching to bear on the realities of the Christian life with both theological precision and warm pastoral concern.

It may come as a surprise that the Puritan pastors were among the greatest advocates of Christian joy. In this address from the 1961 Puritan Conference at Westminster Chapel, Thomas J. Gwyn unfolds the rich Puritan teaching on the nature, duty, and practice of rejoicing in God—drawing extensively from Richard Sibbes, Richard Baxter, and John Howe. Far from the popular caricature of sour-faced moralists, these godly men insisted that joy is the reasonable and commanded state of every believer, grounded not in temperament or circumstance but in the gracious nature and being of God Himself. Gwyn traces the Puritan distinction between carnal mirth and holy joy, the directions they gave for cultivating delight in God, and the intimate connection between joy, faith, conscience, and the ministry of the Word.<br><br> The address is followed by a lively discussion chaired by Dr. Lloyd-Jones, in which the conference wrestles with pressing pastoral questions: Can a Christian be both unhappy and joyful at the same time? What is the relationship between the duty of joy and the experience of spiritual desertion? Must we define our doctrine by our experience, or ought our experience to conform to what Scripture commands? Dr. Lloyd-Jones insists that joy is indeed a doctrine and a duty, rooted in the command to "rejoice evermore," and that our whole danger is to approach the matter subjectively rather than heeding the command of God. The discussion brings the Puritan teaching to bear on the realities of the Christian life with both theological precision and warm pastoral concern.

What place does preaching hold in the worship of God? In this address from the 1961 Puritan Conference, the Westminster Directory for Public Worship is examined alongside the practices of the Reformers, Puritans, and eighteenth-century Evangelicals to reveal the central, indispensable role of proclamation in the life of the church. Drawing on the Directory's detailed prescriptions for the minister's preparation, doctrinal exposition, and pastoral application, the paper demonstrates that true preaching is not an addendum to worship but its very heart — set within a framework of prayer, Scripture reading, and the singing of psalms, and aimed always at the edification and salvation of the hearers.</br></br> In the discussion that follows, Dr. Lloyd-Jones presses the practical implications for the modern minister: the danger of professionalism in the pulpit, the temptation to follow models rather than to preach to the actual congregation, and the absolute necessity of dependence upon the Holy Spirit. He warns against a preoccupation with the form of the sermon at the expense of genuine contact with the people, insisting that the preacher's chief business is not to satisfy his own standard but to convey the truth of God to the souls before him. With characteristic directness, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds both preachers and laypeople that the remedy for the church's weakness lies not in new methods but in the old power — the outpouring of the Spirit upon the faithful ministry of the Word.

The Old Testament recounts the desire of David, the great king of Israel, to build a house of God befitting His glory and splendor. God redirected David’s desire and Solomon, David’s son, fulfilled this desire at a later time. Solomon built and dedicated a magnificent temple for God’s dwelling place among His people as a place for God’s people to commune with Him. In the sermon on 1 Kings 8:27 titled “Will God Dwell on Earth?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds this theme of God’s dwelling among His people in this special Christmas Day sermon by showing how the Son of God dwelt on earth in the incarnation. Jesus “tabernacled” among His people; He literally came to dwell on earth. This reality is a great paradox: that God could come and take on flesh and be the means of salvation. How can Christians respond in any other way than in great amazement and faith at this momentous occasion. Through the incarnation there is now a way to meet and commune with God that is impossible without the Lamb of God coming to taste death on the sinner’s behalf.

Lists of names or genealogies can seem quite obscure, boring, and irrelevant. In his message on Matthew 1:1 titled “The Promise Fulfilled,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says the essence of the Christmas message is found in Matthew’s genealogy. If Christianity was just a teaching or philosophy then historical events in the Bible would not matter. If Christianity was merely a new outlook on life, then dates would be no concern. Since Christianity is based upon and concerned with the person of Christ, one can recall that there was a given day when Christ was born. Because Christians are concerned with a person and not just a teaching, they remember that this event really did happen. Take away the event and Christ is taken away. Take away Christ and there is no Christianity. Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights the names of David and Abraham in the genealogy in order to connect the coming of the Messiah with the Old Testament promises. The essence of the Christmas message can be summarized in the fulfillment of these two promises, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. In God’s covenant with David, He establishes that it is through His posterity that His universal kingdom will be fulfilled. Through Abraham, God commits Himself to the salvation of the nations. Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls listeners to reflect upon the Christmas season and find comfort in the fulfillment of the promises of God. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones bring the message of comfort and joy in the fulfillment of Old Testament promises.

To open his sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reads the writings of Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:16. Within that passage, Paul reminds the reader to hold fast to teaching and press into Christ, who has given peace. Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks a question: does the Christian know this peace? For peace seems to be the opposite reaction to this world. Many people are restless and fearful. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that this is because people are at war with God and themselves. They cannot have peace because they do not have God, and their conscience will always be full because they cannot reconcile themselves. But the Christian should not feel the same way. He or she is given a relief from the fear of the world through the blood of Christ. Jesus is the mediator between God and man. He speaks on behalf of the Christian, giving and dispensing peace as He pleases, for He is the Prince of Peace. How does Jesus administer this peace? Dr. Lloyd-Jones tells us. Christ never leaves. He is always with us. At our moment of need, we can lean into Him and receive His peace, and this glorious gift is for all those who call on His name.

This great appeal comes to Christian people: “Stand therefore.” In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Stand Therefore,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains about the power God gives His people to remain faithful. First of all, he says that Christians must not feel disappointed or unhappy because this causes a conflict. Christians should never feel sorry for themselves. The moment they do, they’ve already lost the battle. Secondly, they must recognize the power of what they are up against but not be frightened. Because of the power of God in them, they can resist the devil. Thirdly, they are not to be half-hearted. When they doubt, they are already defeated. Fourthly, do not consider retreat. Thinking or talking too much about personal weaknesses (or those of others) is depressing and an enemy tactic to sap the Christian of strength. Fifthly, always be ready. Spiritually, Christians are to be well balanced and not carried about by every wind of doctrine. Sixthly, realize the privilege of being in this great battle. Consider the captain and leader — Jesus Christ Himself. Lastly, think of the glory that is coming. Paul said, “There is henceforth a crown of righteousness laid up for me [.…] And not to me only, but to all who have loved his appearing."

Why do some people never seem to find fulfillment when they come to Jesus? Why do they never find rest, peace, and satisfaction in Him? In this sermon on John 12:21 titled “The Right Approach,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones demonstrates from the account of the Greeks and their discourse with Jesus that many seek Him with the wrong approach. Jesus regularly and willingly granted access to Himself to all types of people. But in the account of the Greeks, Jesus denies their request. This denial falls outside of the boundaries of Jesus’s normal response because the approach and the request of the Greeks illustrates many worldly people who seek Jesus only when everything in their world falls apart. They do not want forgiveness of sin; they want a more serene life in sin. They come for wrong reasons and with wrong motives and when Jesus does not pluck them from the floodwaters of their broken life, they find nothing in Him and leave. In this account from John’s Gospel, Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates how the Greeks come with the wrong approach and challenges the listener to take the right approach in coming to Christ. The right approach takes the road of humility and repentance, believing in the saving work of His death, burial, and resurrection.

Why does Christianity claim to be the only way of salvation? As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches this sermon from Romans 8:28-30 titled “Confirmed to Christ,” the gospel is a message of exclusivity that tells of salvation through Christ by His life, death, and resurrection. The teaching that all those who do not believe in the gospel in this life will be judged and condemned in the next is found throughout the Bible. Nevertheless, many fight and resist this teaching on the basis that it is narrow and unloving of God to condemn sinners to an eternity in hell. But, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener, all are in sin and under the condemnation and judgment of God on account of their unrighteousness and rebellion against Him. All have fallen in Adam who was the head of the whole human race. As the head of the new humanity, Christ died and conquered the grave so that all creation would be redeemed and made new. What was lost in Adam will be regained in Christ and more. It is only in Christ that people can become partakers of His blessings and become children of God. There is no salvation outside of Christ. This ought to compel all believers to proclaim the gospel to all who are lost and live in darkness.

Faith means believing the word, and therefore, acting. In this sermon on Ephesians 6:10–13 titled “Things to Avoid,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives this strong call to action and urges Christians to rid themselves of passivity. Spiritual health includes positive and negative aspects, including taking in what is beneficial and avoiding what is not; avoiding dissipation of energy such as zeal without knowledge, talking too much, or vain arguments; and acknowledging that activities must be thoughtful, disciplined, governed, and directed. A person must sit down to determine what can be done and what can’t. Through too much talk, people find themselves in spiritual trouble. However much one argues about truth, if one is not growing by it, do it less. The test of everything must be: is it profitable to one’s own soul and to other people? He calls the listener to avoid enervating atmospheres, including spending too much time in worldly, unspiritual company will dull one’s spiritual edge and waste vitality. He also encourages avoiding foolish talk and jesting, bad company, and polluted reading; making no provision for the flesh to satisfy its lusts; keeping watch over thoughts and imaginations that can be evil; and avoiding Christians who don’t believe that the Bible is the authoritative word of God. A life will go wrong if the doctrine is wrong and this is a main cause of decay in the church today.

It is a great error to think that the Bible is just another ancient book. In this sermon on Romans 15:4 titled “The Message of the Bible,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares about the unique nature of Scripture as the very word and revelation of God. God’s revealed will to His people is found in the pages of the Old and New Testaments. This should cause all to read Scripture as one divinely gifted message that has been given for the edification and building up of all believers. All must believe Scripture because it is the very word of God and carries the fullest authority possible. What does God reveal to His people in Scripture? The one overarching theme in Scripture is the salvation of God’s people by His Son, Jesus Christ. Scripture must be read as one whole work by one author with one message. This message is one of victory and salvation wherein Jesus Christ dies upon the cross for the salvation of all who believe and the redemption of the whole world. Jesus is making all things new by His death, resurrection, and rule. When one comes to Scripture, they should come to learn about God and what He has accomplished through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The great doctrines of election, predestination, calling, and the final perseverance of the saints are offered in Scripture as comfort for the believer in times of trials and suffering. The apostle Paul is primarily interested in believers seeing how they are in God’s purpose of salvation. The Christian can fall from the pastoral function of these truths when they discuss the doctrines in an argumentative or philosophical manner. In this sermon on Romans 8:26–30 titled “The Believer’s Security,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones pauses from expounding the content of the doctrine of the wondrous, mysterious mind of God in salvation and instead is concerned with the Christian’s posture. It is not enough to be “right” on these doctrines. The attitude towards God and others in pondering these Calvinistic truths matters a great deal. If this topic produces anything except humility and reverence, warns Dr. Lloyd-Jones, then these doctrines have not been understood as they ought. As one approaches the foot of this holy mountain – predestination, election, calling, and final assurance – the outcome should be holiness. If one’s interest in these doctrines is purely philosophical, they will not be turned toward holiness, but rather antinomianism will surely follow. Beware how one approaches these great doctrines of grace as posture changes everything.

In Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ sermon on Ephesians 6:10-13, he visits the topic of sanctification. Specifically, how our relationship is to God in our lifelong journey of sanctification. To begin, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how justification is unrelated to sanctification. We can do nothing to be justified. Our justification is completely up to God. However, in the case of sanctification, we have a job to do. It is our activity. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that unlike justification, sanctification is a continual process in which we must realize our need for salvation, listen to God’s commandments, and follow them. The first process of realizing our need for salvation happens only once; however, we must strive for the rest of our lives to live faithfully, according to God’s commandments. But, how can we live such a life? Well, Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides key tips on how we can stay strong in obedience to God. He first states that to do so, we must practice it. Often, a Christian will be to intimidated to act on their faith and will simply back away from opportunities to obey God’s commandments, but the truth is that if we simply attempt to take action, God will grant us the strength to do it. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives the example of Peter walking on water or Moses making water flow from a rock. Neither of these men had the power to do such things, but they took action regardless, and because they took action, God granted them the power to accomplish their tasks. As Christians in the process of sanctification, we cannot stand by and think that God will do everything for us. No, we must do things. God’s work on earth is done by works and enabled by the spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, “Use the means that are available, but put your confidence in God.” The great puritan leader, Oliver Cromwell, knew this when he told his men, “Trust in God and keep your [gun]powder dry.” Whenever doubt crowds our minds and threatens to quench the holy fire inside of us, we must go ahead with action, all the while remembering that we can do all things through Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes his sermon saying, “Whatever we may be facing, we must remember that Christ is with us and that nothing can separate us from the love of God.”

Opening his sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reads from Galatians 1:8. Within, the apostle ridicules the early church for believing another gospel, a gospel from man. But Paul makes himself clear: whoever teaches a different gospel from what Christ revealed, be it an angel or man, let that person be accursed. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that even today, false gospels are preached by men all over the contemporary world. The Bible is put on a shelf, and people forget its sound doctrine. The Christian message is adapted to fit man’s view of the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the perilous problem with this practice. When man changes the Christian Gospel, or creates his own, he removes God from the picture. With God gone, man must rely on himself for his salvation and redemption. But, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, the truth of the Bible has revealed that man will never be enough. It is not man who can save his soul but the blood of Jesus Christ. That is the true Gospel. The beauty of the Christian Gospel is that Christ comes to us in our sin, and He offers whoever believes upon Him unmeasurable grace and eternal life.

The purposes of human beings are often frustrated and thwarted by others. They work out every detail in order to ensure the working out of their plan, only to find out that it was all for nothing. What about God’s plan? What about God’s purpose in salvation and history? Does the triune God shift His plans according to circumstances provoked by sinful people and demonic opposition? In this sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “God’s Plan is Certain,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on Paul’s teaching on the absolute, definite plan of God. His plan of salvation did not originate after the fall of humanity, nor is salvation in Christ a response to Israel’s rejection of salvation through the law, but the Father’s plan to send the Son and obtain salvation for His people was ordained before the foundation of the world. The definite plan of God in salvation, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, must be true or God is no longer God. Furthermore, God’s foreknowledge and predestination is a means of comfort for suffering believers. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches on the glorious truth that justification to glorification is certain because it is in the sovereign control of the triune God.