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Sermon #1040

In the Likeness of Christ

A Sermon on John 1:16

Originally preached Dec. 29, 1963

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Scripture

John 1:16 ESV KJV
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (ESV)

Sermon Description

How does the Christian know they have been forgiven and given new life? In this sermon on John 1:16 titled “In the Likeness of Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones elaborates on the traits of the Christian who has received salvation. He explains that no one has received the fullness of Christ if they do not also acknowledge their own sinfulness. The person who thinks they are healthy has no mind to receive the counsel of a doctor. Similarly, the person who thinks they are good and moral has no interest in forgiveness. The person who has received forgiveness and life from Christ has been enlightened by the Holy Spirit to see that the heart is wicked and deceitful, and in need of forgiveness. Furthermore, this Christian realizes their dependence upon God for this new heart and new life. They see that, in themselves, they can do nothing to save or make themselves holy, but that by God’s Word and Spirit may have a life marked by the fullness of Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers numerous Biblical tests that can bring clarity and hope in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Man is sinful by nature with an evil heart, not just in actions. Sin is a matter of the heart's motives and desires, not just external actions.
  2. Man does not know himself or God apart from Christ's wisdom. We can only know ourselves by looking at Christ, the perfect man.
  3. All religion and man's efforts are useless to justify himself before God. Man is spiritually dead and unable to do any good before God.
  4. Man is a slave to the devil and sin by nature. Man is in bondage and needs to be set free.
  5. Man is helpless, hopeless, and condemned apart from Christ. Man deserves condemnation and hell.
  6. No one receives Christ's fullness who has not realized their own emptiness. We must realize we have no righteousness or goodness of our own.
  7. We must realize our utter dependence on Christ and owe everything to His grace. We should be amazed at ourselves and what Christ has done in us.
  8. There should be evidence of Christ's likeness in us, especially humility, obedience to God, and dependence on the Spirit.
  9. We should have a love for and knowledge of God's Word like Christ. The Word should be our wisdom and guide.
  10. If we react positively to these tests, we have received of Christ's fullness. We know Him, have His peace and joy. Christ is in us.

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.