The Need for Repentance
A Sermon on John 4:27-30
Originally preached Oct. 15, 1967
Scripture
27¶ And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? 28The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29Come, …
Sermon Description
What sets Christianity apart from all other religions in the world? What one characteristic marks the beginning of every great revival? What was the purpose of the Old Testament law, and what do these questions have to do with each other? The answer, as presented in this sermon on John 4:27–30 titled “The Need for Repentance,” is the conviction of sin. Using the woman at the well as an example, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that the beginning of Jesus’s message is to convict of sin and for all to agree with the woman who said, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.” Throughout the Bible, people who are brought into the presence of God are first convicted of their sin. Jacob feared and Isaiah confessed in their encounters with the most Holy God. This conviction is not hopeless, but is the mode in which the Christian is brought to the necessary hatred and repentance of sin. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that if one has not been brought to a place of repentance, then they are in a religion without Christ and one that ends in hellfire. For those who have repented, their conviction of sin is an assurance that they are God’s people.
Sermon Breakdown
- The woman of Samaria's first statement to the people of her city was "Come see a man who told me all things that ever I did. Is not this the Christ?" This shows that conviction of sin is essential to truly receiving Christ.
- Many today lack conviction of sin and true knowledge of Christ. They know little of the "well of water springing up into everlasting life" that Christ offers.
- Conviction of sin shows the difference between cults/mere religion and true Christianity. Cults never produce conviction of sin.
- Conviction of sin is emphasized throughout the Bible, from John the Baptist to Paul. The law shows our need for Christ by convicting us of sin.
- Christ's teaching and presence often convicted people of sin, even without words. Examples include Jacob, Isaiah, and Peter.
- The Holy Spirit's primary work is to convict the world of sin, as Jesus said. Examples include Pentecost, Paul, and the Philippian jailer.
- Conviction of sin has been key in church history, from Augustine to Luther to Wesley. Revivals are always marked by conviction of sin.
- There is no meaning in the word "salvation" apart from conviction of sin. Jesus saves us from our sin, as the angel told Joseph. The law shows our need for Christ.
- We must feel conviction of sin to truly know Christ. We must know we are saved from the guilt and condemnation of sin. "Come see a man who told me all things that ever I did. Is not this the Christ?" shows the proper order.
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.