The Mayflower Pilgrims
A Sermon to Commemorate the 350th Anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers’ Voyage to America
Scripture
Sermon Description
In this powerful sermon commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers' voyage to America on the Mayflower, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws profound lessons from their example for Christians today. He begins by emphasizing the importance of studying church history, particularly this period of transition in the early 17th century which parallels our own age. Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines the historical context of the Separatist movement that led to the Pilgrims' departure, highlighting their desire for a pure church based on Scripture alone. He praises their godly character, doctrinal orthodoxy, and willingness to sacrifice all for their convictions. At the same time, Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes some of their imperfections, such as attempting to establish a theocracy. The heart of his message focuses on the Pilgrims' view of life as a spiritual pilgrimage and their trust in God's providential care, as evidenced by remarkable circumstances surrounding their settlement in Plymouth. Dr. Lloyd-Jones then issues a stirring challenge to his listeners, asking if they hold to the same doctrines and are willing to act on their beliefs as the Pilgrims did. He argues that their example calls modern evangelicals to separate from theological liberalism, sacramentalism, and ecumenical compromise with Rome. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by exhorting his audience not to honor the Pilgrims hypocritically, but to follow in their path by taking a courageous stand for biblical truth and the purity of the church, even at great personal cost.
Sermon Breakdown
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The speaker expresses his privilege and honor to be present at the commemoration event for the Pilgrim Fathers.
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He introduces Dr. Charles Woodbridge, highlighting his distinguished career and his personal stand for the faith alongside Dr. Gresham Machen.
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The speaker explains the reasons for commemorating the Pilgrim Fathers, emphasizing their character, strength, and conviction as an inspiration.
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He provides historical context, explaining the divisions among the Puritans and the emergence of different groups like the Presbyterians, Brownists, and Congregationalists.
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The central issue was the nature of the Christian church and the character of Christian worship – whether all baptized people were automatically members or only those who professed faith.
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The Pilgrim Fathers established congregational churches, holding to Calvinistic doctrines and requiring members to make a confession of faith and covenant.
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The speaker critiques the Pilgrim Fathers' attempt to form a theocracy and their belief that they could establish a church that would never go astray.
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He highlights John Robinson's statement about being open to further truth from Scripture, clarifying its context regarding church government, not doctrine.
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The ultimate explanation for the Pilgrim Fathers was their knowledge of God, their view of life as a pilgrimage, and their trust in God's providence.
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The speaker emphasizes God's providential care in their journey, citing examples like the pestilence among the Indians and the appearance of Squanto.
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He challenges the audience to react not merely as historians but to examine their own beliefs and willingness to act upon them as the Pilgrim Fathers did.
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The speaker questions whether evangelicals hold the same doctrines, views on church government, and stance towards Rome as the Pilgrim Fathers.
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He calls for separation from liberalism, sacramentalism, and the ecumenical movement, as the Pilgrim Fathers separated over issues of rites, ceremonies, and church government.
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The speaker urges the audience to follow the example of the Pilgrim Fathers, who endured hardships for their principles, rather than remaining complacent.
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He concludes by quoting a hymn, exhorting the audience to follow in the train of the Pilgrim Fathers through perilous toil and pain.
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.