An Honest Audit
A Sermon on Philippians 3:7
Originally preached May 20, 1962
Scripture
7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Sermon Description
What lessons can finance teach about salvation? In this sermon on Philippians 3:7 titled “An Honest Audit,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tackles this question and provides helpful insight into the steps that one must take in order to analyze the standing of their relationship to God. Paul writes that what he had previously counted as gain, he now counts as loss. Someone who receives Christ realizes that in the past they had deceived themselves, refusing to face the facts about how they were separated from God. Scriptures calls all to think carefully about eternal matters, and to adjust their lives accordingly. Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws a comparison between this and a financial audit. Just as companies are to take extreme measures to examine the state of their financial health, so Christians are called by God to take stock of where they are spiritually. All believers must take a spiritual audit. There are many reasons why people are hesitant to audit themselves, but Dr. Lloyd-Jones helps them understand why they must not let this fear keep them from the truth of such an important matter. Listen as he teaches from Philippians about the importance of a spiritual audit and how Christians can conduct one for their lives.
Sermon Breakdown
- The unbeliever makes a false audit and produces a false balance sheet. He does not truly count or face the facts.
- The unbeliever has the wrong standards and methods for conducting an audit. His standards are his own opinions and pleasure. His method is to rationalize his sins.
- To make a true audit, you need the right standards and methods. The Bible and Jesus Christ are the standards. The methods are honesty, thoroughness, considering all factors, and examining your balance.
- The result of a true audit is discovering you have nothing and are lost. Your supposed gains are loss. You must start over with Christ.
- Circumcision, being an Israelite, knowledge of the law, zeal, and blamelessness according to the law are useless for salvation. They do not meet God's standard.
- When you meet the heavenly auditor, Jesus, He first shows you have nothing. Then He offers you a new start, forgiveness, and eternal life by faith in Him.
- There will be a final judgment where the books recording your life are opened. Only faith in Christ can ensure your name is in the Book of Life.
Other Sermons
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.