MLJ Trust Logo Image
Search
Sermon #5229

The Way of the Ungodly

A Sermon on Psalms 1:5-6

Originally preached Jan. 27, 1963

Share Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
Play Sermon
btn-play
Download Sermon Add to Queue Add to Playlist

Scripture

Psalms 1:5-6 ESV KJV
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (ESV)

Sermon Description

In this sermon of Psalm 1:5–6 titled “The Way of the Ungodly,” Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones diagnoses the way of the ungodly and then presents the prescription given by God for the ungodly to be remedied. Listen as he lays out the five aspects of God’s future judgment: the fact, the nature, the terms, the thoroughness, and the consequences. It is a dismal future for the ungodly person. They will not stand amidst the congregation of the righteous. Since God’s law sets the standard for humanity, how can anyone meet that standard? There is only one way and only one secret to happiness and blessedness. Only Christ can remove the fear of death and judgment. As the hymn states, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness… On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” A person can stand on nothing else in this world or on the Day of Judgment but on the rock of Jesus Christ.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The psalmist teaches that true happiness depends on our relationship with God and what we are as a consequence of that relationship.
  2. The ultimate trouble with the ungodly or sinner is that he is a fool who lives only for the present moment and refuses to consider the future or judgment.
  3. The Bible emphasizes the wholeness or unity of life - considering the past, present and future. It proclaims that death is not the end and that there will be a judgment after death.
  4. The judgment is a fact emphasized throughout the Bible. Modern objections to judgment are based on false views of God and His love. We only know about God through His revelation in Scripture.
  5. The nature of the judgment is that everyone will appear before God. The judge is the Lord. The terms of judgment are God's law and commands. The judgment will be extremely thorough - nothing is hidden from God.
  6. The consequences of judgment for the ungodly are that they will have no defense or excuse, will be speechless, and will be condemned to eternal punishment.
  7. The message of judgment is written to warn us and call us to repentance and faith in Christ. Believing in Christ is the only way to stand in the judgment.

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.