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Doctrine and Practice

Romans 10:1-21

Doctrine and practice must not be separated. This seemingly simple truth has a great impact on how Christians live and seek to obey Christ. In this sermon on Romans 10:1–21 titled “Doctrine and Practice,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the apostle Paul’s doctrine of the Christian life in all its glory and weightiness. Out of the great truths of justification by faith, predestination, and perseverance comes a view of the life that is grounded in the person and work of Christ. Christians must seek to trust God and His providence. They must be faithful to the command to evangelize and seek to love their neighbors as themselves. They must also be aware of the danger to intellectualize Christianity at the expense of practice. Some say things such as, “If God is sovereign, why pray?” or “If God elects, why evangelize?” However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns not to try to use vain logic to understand God, but rather read Scripture faithfully and submit to all of God’s teaching. How then does doctrine relate to practice? The answer is that doctrine informs how God desires His people to live as new creatures in Christ Jesus.

New Life

Romans 6:3-4

Does the battle against sin feel hopeless? Will the Christian ever conquer this war against their flesh? As Christians, all have died, been buried, and crucified with Christ. But yet they still sin. Paul explained that all Christians were previously under the wrath, rule, and reign of sin. However, just as they were related and joined with Adam, so now they are related and joined with Christ who died on the cross. In this sermon on Romans 6:3–4 titled “New Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this happened without question. It is the first step in justification. In addition to being joined in Christ’s death, the Christian has been buried with Christ as well. Burial is always the final proof of death. This means that the Christian is truly done with their past way of life and sin and will join Christ in His resurrection. Christ could not be held by the power of death; the glory and power of God raised Him from the dead. That same glory and power also raised the Christian. Because of this, Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges the listener to walk in this newness of life and to rejoice in the fact that they are joined with Christ and walk with Him in the new life.

Evangelical Unity

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.

At peace with God

Romans 8:5-8

There is a restlessness which surrounds the non-Christian. Listen to this sermon from Romans 8:5–8 titled “At Peace with God” where Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, alluding to holy Scripture, says the person whose sins have not been forgiven is like the troubled sea. Picking up on what perhaps might be an unusual placement of “peace” in this passage, he defends the apostle Paul’s emphasis on peace here and throughout the letter. Dr. Lloyd-Jones is able to connect the theme of peace to justification by faith and the righteousness of God in Romans. Furthermore, he elaborates that before God, a natural person’s position is enmity and not peace. The natural person, who is controlled by a life of sin, is living in dissatisfaction. While they are always trying to find peace and joy, they cannot. However, the result of being governed by the Spirit is life and peace. This person, argues Dr. Lloyd-Jones, understands the meaning of life in this world. They also have an inner harmony, as well as an external harmony with others. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages the listener to find true peace by being governed by the Spirit and able to stand blameless and faultless before a holy and righteous God.

The True Christian

Philippians 3:3

What does it mean to be a Christian? People who have been in church for any length of time may believe this question is something that doesn’t need to be addressed. But even Paul writes about this, saying that it is good for Christians to be reminded of the core truths of the gospel. In this sermon on Philippians 3:3 titled “The True Christian,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reviews one of the most central parts of Scripture—what it means to be a follower of Christ. First, to be a Christian, one must believe in God. This, too, can seem like an obvious statement, yet according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, it must be said. One can worship religion without worshipping God. True worship is worship in the Spirit. Second, the true Christian has no confidence in human effort, experience, or heritage in order to find justification before God. In and of themselves, they are hopeless to earn their way to a right relationship with God. All are entirely dependent on God’s free gift of salvation to be made right with God. Third, the true Christian rejoices. Dr. Lloyd-Jones presses the urgency that no one rejoice in Christ unless they believe in the Scriptural account of Jesus and trust His salvation.

Introduction

Romans 9:1-33

The expression “missing the wood through the trees” is particularly appropriate when approaching a new section of sacred Scripture. While it is tempting to focus on individual subsections in Romans 9–11, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones encourages keeping an overall big picture in mind. In this sermon Romans 9:1–33 titled “Introduction,” he provides a helpful overview of these key chapters. Dr. Lloyd-Jones demurs from well-loved interpreters who elevate the doctrine of predestination and election as central to chapters 9–11. He also objects to placing the question of salvation for Jews and conflict with Gentiles at the center of this section. Instead, he argues for a much bigger central theme of this section. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says Paul is harmonizing the ways of God. What is found in this section, in other words, is Paul’s way of harmonizing the Old Testament with the New Testament. There is no contradiction in God’s purposes as Paul talks about the old covenant in relation to the new. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares his justification for this conclusion by drawing attention to Romans 11:33–36 and the apostle’s doxology. Listen as he traces the central theme of Romans 9–11 as well as subsidiary themes of this important section of Scripture.

The Great Doxology

Romans 11:33-36

In this sermon on Romans 11:33–36 titled “The Great Doxology,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares his belief that this passage is the best doxology in Scripture. He warns not to take this passage out of context since Paul is praising God after expounding wondrous truths for much of the letter. One cannot fully appreciate Paul’s doxology without understanding the parts that make up the whole. Paul spoke about justification by faith, God’s mercy on the Jews as well as the Gentiles, and other magnificent truths. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that many have sought to explain this passage by claiming that Paul has stopped seeking to understand God’s truths and instead broken out into praise. While this is well-meaning, it does not capture the truth of the passage. Paul is worshipping God indeed, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, but only during His learning of God’s wondrous doctrines. This is not a mindless doxology, but rather is a very mindful one. Along the same lines, it is not just the depth of the riches that Paul is referring to – it is the depth of the riches of God. How wonderfully kind of God to give eternal life to all those who would call upon His name.

Weak in the Faith (1)

Romans 14:1

Some find it hard to know how to regard the differences in spiritual maturity that exists among Christians. Are these differences always good? Are they bad? In this sermon on Romans 14:1 titled “Weak in the Faith (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides some biblical answers to these questions. He starts by asking a foundational question: what does it mean to be weak in faith? The believers Paul was talking about and writing to were true Christians that were falling into legalism. He reminds that all believers are the same as it relates to justification and regeneration and the basic need for being saved from sins. However, some are stronger than others. What causes this? Dr. Lloyd-Jones posits that natural personality often lends itself to different strengths and weaknesses in different people. Additionally, the diligence and application of people as Christians also play a large part in the strength or weakness of someone’s faith. He also suggests that the length of time one has been a Christian will affect this. Thankfully the Christian is given the power to grow by the grace of God so if one’s faith is weak, they should not be anxious but continue to seek the Lord and it will grow.

The Spirit and Sanctification

Romans 8:16

In his sermon on Romans 8:16 titled “The Spirit and Sanctification,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers an important question: what does it mean to be sanctified and how does the process of sanctification come about? Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that sanctification comes after salvation and after the Christian’s spirit has been testified by the Spirit of God. This moment in the believer's life is when they become part of God’s family, just as He set apart the Jews in the Old Testament. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives a sturdy definition of sanctification as the process in which a Christian progressively becomes cleansed of sin. This definition raises another question, he says: When is a believer sanctified? Some parties claim the process is instantaneous, occurring right after a person is saved. No, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. There is a difference between justification and sanctification. For if all believers were sanctified at the moment of faith, what purpose does the instruction of the Bible serve? In closing, he reminds the Christian of when they were justified through Christ, aware of God’s grace and the weight of their sin. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points toward sanctification – a process every believer goes through.

For All Sinned

Romans 5:12-21

The Bible tells that all humans are guilty of sin. In this sermon on Romans 5:12–21 “For All Sinned”, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dives deeper into this truth to discover the magnitude of what this actually means. He begins by showing through Scripture that sin goes all the way back to the first sin of Adam. Death, the punishment of sin, was passed to all generations through the first act of sin by Adam. He points out how this means sin and its consequences were evident even before the law was given. Adam’s sin was imputed to all humanity from the very beginning, causing all to be guilty of sin. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones does not stop there and instead goes on to show the parallel between the relationship with Adam and the relationship with Jesus. The same way that Adam imputed sin to humanity through his actions, Jesus likewise imputed His righteousness to them. Just as one offense brought death to all humanity, so also Jesus’s one act of obedience put all offenses aside in forgiveness. He concludes by showing the beauty of the justification Jesus brought in light of this parallel.

The Obedience of Christ

Romans 5:18-19

In this sermon on Romans 5:18–19 titled “The Obedience of Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues speaking on the topic of humanity’s relationship with Adam and its relationship with Christ. He focuses again on the striking contrast between these two relationships and the different ways humanity has been affected by each one. He begins by pointing out the whole reason for looking into this topic: to show the completeness of justification by faith. Christians are not saved by their own doing because from the moment they are born, they are sinners. He then dives in deeper to how the one sin of Adam has affected all of humanity. It was through Adam’s disobedience that all were made sinners. On the other hand, it was through Christ’s one act of obedience that all can have salvation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones takes the time to point out in this exposition of Romans 5:18-19 that Christ was obedient in both an active and passive manner. It was because of His full obedience that sinners have been justified and God has pronounced the Christian righteous. However, this gift is nothing that was earned. It has been given freely because of the obedience of Christ. Praise the Lord for His goodness.

Baptism

What is the purpose of baptism? Why did Jesus teach baptism after someone is saved? In this sermon on the sacrament of baptism (the second sermon in his series on the sacraments of the church), Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones walks through a topic sometimes debated even amongst believers. Baptism’s meaning, he says, is an outward illustration of the inward cleansing from the pollution of sin. Its purpose is not to cleanse from sin and regenerate because that would mean that people are saved through the work of baptism, something that Scripture clearly denies. So, what does it accomplish? Baptism serves as a sign and seal of one’s justification and remission of sins. And yet, he says, not everyone is eligible to be baptized. This teaching runs counter to the Catholic teaching on baptism. What about infant baptism? Should babies be baptized? Running through a list of arguments for and against infant baptism, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows from Scripture that this practice is not biblical since the Bible encourages only believers to be baptized. He also touches on another oft-controversial topic: should baptism only be full-immersion, or is sprinkling acceptable? He provides the historical and scriptural background for immersion and sprinkling, and aids the listener in coming to a biblically-supported position on the issue.

The Nature of Faith

Romans 4:18

How does faith impact one’s entire life? In the sermon “The Nature of Faith” on Romans 4:18, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones outlines five ways that Abraham’s faith affected his whole world, not just his justification. It is important to note that faith is much different from merely belief. Faith is an unwavering, concrete certainty. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen. Because of Abraham’s strong faith, it allowed him to truly believe God’s promises for him and his life. It enabled him to rest on God’s word alone without any other evidence. His faith also helped him believe the promises of God even though they seemed completely impossible. Lastly, his faith enabled him to act upon the promises that the Lord set before him. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also outlines how Abraham’s faith enabled him in these five ways. When one examines their own life, it can be easy to trade faith for merely belief. True faith faces the facts and makes a person strong, never staggering at the Lord’s promises. May the listener hear this sermon and be encouraged to have faith like Abraham.

By Free Grace Alone

Romans 3:24

Just as a prisoner needs to pay a price to obtain freedom, sinners also need to pay a ransom for freedom. However, the Lord in His kindness has paid the price and given freedom to the Christian. In this sermon titled “By Free Grace Alone,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from Romans 3:24 and breaks the verse into three parts: the reminder of what salvation really is, how salvation becomes the Christian’s, and how it is possible for God to do this for His people. In this verse, Paul explains free justification by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Because of that work, the Christian has been declared righteous. This does not mean that they are currently righteous, but that the Lord has deemed them so. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the present tense of the word “justifying” means that Christians are currently being justified. The listener is reminded that this salvation is a free gift to all, both Jew and Gentile. While the law reveals sin, God’s grace gives a free pardon. This is only possible because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The term used here is the same term as a prisoner being set free and Christ has set His people free from the slavery of sin.

God's Plan is Certain

Romans 8:28-30

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.

Righteousness by Law

Romans 10:5

The Jews have continued to believe that their actions, mainly their dedication to keeping the law, is what justifies them. The Jews have misunderstood the law and its purpose. Because of this, Paul is laying to rest this foolish thinking once again. In this sermon on Romans 10:5 titled “Righteousness by Law,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares how Paul is essentially saying that even Moses said that those who attempt to live by their actions will also be judged by their actions. He points out that the Jews were ignorant of God’s righteousness, ignorant of their own abilities, and thus have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. Paul continues to emphasize the doctrine of justification by faith only. There is not one thing in the process of salvation that has to do with a person; it is entirely a matter of God’s free sovereign choice. If the Jews want to live by their actions to the law, then Paul says they must keep the whole law. One is not able to only keep certain laws. If even one law is broken, they have failed completely. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that no one wants to live under that kind of rule and reign and Christians should be thankful of the Lord’s work in them, breaking them free from the law.

The Covenant of Grace in the Old Testament

What is a covenant? Generally it can be defined as an agreement or a pact that two parties enter into on the basis of prearranged conditions. What must it mean that God has entered into a covenant with humanity? In this sermon titled “The Covenant of Grace in the Old Testament,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives a brief survey of God’s covenants with humanity throughout history, highlighting God’s covenant of grace as revealed in the Old Testament. God has promised to be a God to people, and this is significant because all have sinned against God, yet He has made a way for them to declare that He is “my God.” God can be known through Jesus Christ, their mediator who is seen in the New Testament. Thus, the covenant of grace has been administered in two parts, the old and the new. Here, Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on the covenant of grace administered in the Old Testament. God’s covenant of works with Adam, God’s covenant of common grace with Noah, God’s covenant of justification by faith with Abraham, and God’s covenant of law with His people at Sinai are different yet intertwined. Ultimately, they all culminate in the person and work of Jesus Christ. If one looks for the gospel in the Old Testament, they will most certainly find it in what is known to be the covenant of grace.

Salvation - of God; through Christ

Romans 8:3-4

What is the purpose of God's law and why was it given? From the pulpit of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in this sermon on Romans 8:3–4 titled “Salvation of God through Christ,” listen as the words of Paul are explained showing what the law could not do, why the law could not do it, how the Lord has done what the law could not, and the result that is produced in Christians. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones walks through these four points in his sermon. The law cannot enable the sinner to fill its own demands, which is righteousness. A believing Christian is no longer under the law or the under the reign of sin, but rather living a life under grace in a new life with Christ. The law fails because it depends on the person and their efforts and they are weak. However, it does show the great need to be delivered from sin. Finally, at the heart of the gospel, God has provided salvation through His own actions. God gave the law, but not in order to save. Christ alone produces the only way of salvation and justification. Dr. Lloyd-Jones continually emphasizes Paul’s point that the law cannot save and that it only allows the Christian to see the sin in their lives.

Seeking Baptism in the Spirit (3)

John 1:26-33

What does it mean to seek baptism of the Spirit? In this sermon titled “Seeking Baptism in the Spirit (3),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from John 1:26–33 to encourage Christians that they must seek baptism of the Spirit. By this, he means to seek the salvation of God both in justification and sanctification. God justifies completely upon conversion but His wondrous and purging sanctification will last a lifetime until being made perfect before His throne upon death. Dr. Lloyd-Jones exhorts that many Christians seek growth and baptism of the Spirit spasmodically, in that they pray only seasonally. God often grows His people only after driving them to the point of despair so that they may see their inadequacy in comparison to His glorious completeness. What Dr. Lloyd-Jones instructs is that the Christian ought to seek the Lord constantly in their prayers and be consistent and patient with the way in which God brings about growth – after all, God’s ways are not their ways. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also has a word on reading biographies as they are meant to stimulate the reader to seek God, not motivate them to seek the same experience as others. The saints of old can teach what it means to love the Lord.

The Unbreakable Chain

Romans 8:28-30

By denying the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints, there will be inevitable negative implications for everything else that is true about Christian salvation. Perhaps even more problematic, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “The Unbreakable Chain,” is the confusion and chaos that is introduced about God by those affirming the apostasy of genuine believers. He examines the harmony of each link in the apostle Paul’s unbreakable chain, noting how each inevitably hangs together. By considering the negative implications for the doctrine of predestination and foreknowledge, Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates the absurd conclusions that must be affirmed about God when one holds to the possibility of a true believer falling from grace. Continuing through the chain of redemption, he argues that those who affirm the apostasy position make God’s “call” pointless and the doctrine of justification an error-filled action on God’s part. However, the doctrine of rebirth and union with Christ should settle the matter altogether, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. It is scandalous to suggest that God’s creative work in giving new life and His seating of His people in the heavenly places with Christ can be suddenly undone. Listen to Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s argument for an unbreakable chain in salvation and find encouragement in the blessed doctrine of assurance from beginning to end.