Ignorant of the Truth of God
A Sermon on Jeremiah 2:18
Originally preached Nov. 27, 1960
Scripture
18And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?
Sermon Description
What is the world’s greatest problem? Many would say war; others would say it is poverty. Some say that regardless of what the problem is, it can be solved by education alone. In this sermon on Jeremiah 2:18 titled “Ignorant of the Truth of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones goes on to show how all of these answers provide an unbiblical response to this most important question. According to Scripture, all the trouble in the world is only a result of humanity’s sinful and rebellious nature. Though people were created good and holy, they rejected God, and as a result of this fell into sin and condemnation. This fall brought the whole created order into a state of sin and despair. What was once created good by God has now become distorted and corrupted. Humanity now does not know God and does not seek to love or serve Him as they were created to do. If all the world’s problems stem from people not knowing God, what is the answer? God has made a way of salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus died for all who believe in order that those who repent of their sins and believe upon His name are forgiven of their sins and made children of God. This is the world’s only hope.
Sermon Breakdown
- The prophet Jeremiah addresses the Israelites who are in distress and threatened by invasion.
- Jeremiah's message is that the Israelites have turned from God and brought trouble upon themselves.
- The Israelites are seeking help from Egypt and Assyria instead of turning to God.
- Seeking help from Egypt and Assyria will not save the Israelites.
- The world today is like the Israelites, seeking solutions to problems everywhere except from God.
- Many are seeking pleasure, economic security, education, and social reform to solve problems.
- These expedients have failed and will continue to fail. They do not satisfy or provide peace.
- The problem is that God and the soul are being ignored. Sin is being ignored.
- Crime is being redefined as disease instead of sin. There is a refusal to believe in punishment or discipline.
- History shows that turning from God and His law leads to failure. Egypt and Assyria cannot save.
- Though the world has more wealth, education, institutions, and pleasures than ever before, problems are increasing.
- True satisfaction and peace can only be found in God.
- Man will continue to be restless until he finds rest in God.
- The only solution is to turn to God in repentance and faith, not expedients.
- Belief in Christ provides peace with God, within oneself, and with others. It casts out fear and provides new power and life.
Old Testament
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.