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Sermon #1122

Captain of Our Salvation

A Sermon on John 2:23-25

Originally preached Dec. 26, 1965

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Scripture

John 2:23-25 ESV KJV
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for …

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Sermon Description

What does it mean that Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian’s salvation? The theme of Jesus as God’s appointed Savior is found throughout the Gospel of John. In this sermon from John 2:23–25 titled “Captain of Our Salvation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on this great doctrine and its significance for all. The biblical message of salvation is the proclamation that God has acted in Jesus Christ to redeem His people from sin and bondage. It is wholly a work of grace that cannot be improved on or added to; it cannot be made more perfect than it is. Jesus alone saves. Any desire to add to the work of Christ distorts the gospel and denies Jesus as the sole savior of the world. What does this message mean for humanity? First and foremost, it is a call to repent and believe in Jesus. Sinners should not go another day without trusting in the compassion and love of God. For those that already believe, they must seek to live in the power of Christ and reject all efforts of self-justification. Jesus is the captain of their salvation because He is the only one that can save from sin, death, and the judgment of God.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Jesus examines and inspects people as they come to him. He does not commit himself to everyone. He knows all men and what is in them.
  2. Jesus is the captain of our salvation. He examines us when we enlist and continues to inspect us as we serve. There are special times of inspection like the end of the year.
  3. The important thing is to realize the truth about Jesus as the inspector. He knows all and needs no one to testify about men. He sees and knows everything.
  4. Jesus has a discerning eye that cannot be misled. He did not commit himself to some who believed in him in Jerusalem. He will tell some "I never knew you" though they did works in his name. He saw the rich young ruler lacked one thing.
  5. Jesus has a searching eye. He sees the inward parts, not just the outward. He sees the thoughts and intents of the heart. Nothing can be hidden from him.
  6. Jesus has a chiding eye. He may chide us like he did Peter. He knows us and sees when we fail and deny him. But there is hope in his look like with Peter.
  7. Jesus has a piteous eye. He sees our affliction and has compassion. He sees us as sheep without a shepherd. He is moved by suffering and acts to relieve it. His piteous eye is why he came and went to the cross.
  8. Jesus' inspection can have surprising results. Some who think they will be accepted are not, and some who think they will be rejected are accepted. He will say to some "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you."
  9. We should ask how we feel under Jesus' inspection. If condemned, repent and abide in him. If poor and wretched, buy from him gold and white raiment. Always remember we walk under his eye.
  10. How do we feel anticipating the final inspection? Some will hide in fear. But for believers, we will see him face to face and be like him. We can say "I shall behold his face, I shall his power adore, and sing the wonders of his grace forevermore."

The Book of John

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.