What is a Church?
Scripture
Sermon Description
In this powerful sermon on the nature of the church, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines what truly constitutes the church according to New Testament teaching. He argues that the church is not merely a confession of faith on paper, but a living gathering of people who have been separated from the world and united together in Christ. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the church is made up of those who have undergone a radical spiritual transformation - experiencing conviction of sin, repentance, and new birth in Christ. This shared spiritual life creates an organic unity among believers that transcends all other earthly distinctions. The renowned preacher warns against dead orthodoxy and urges his listeners to examine whether they truly possess the life of God within. He highlights how the early church was characterized by a love for sound doctrine, genuine fellowship, joyful worship, and Spirit-empowered witness. Lloyd-Jones laments the current state of many churches, which lack the vibrancy and power of the New Testament church. He calls believers to rediscover what it truly means to be the church - a people filled with the life of Christ, united in truth and love, and overflowing with contagious joy that impacts the world. This sermon challenges listeners to move beyond mere religious formalism to experience the transforming reality of life in Christ's body, the church.
Sermon Breakdown
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The importance of considering the doctrine of the nature of the church
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The ecumenical movement and the push for church unity
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Failure to understand the church's nature hinders evangelism
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Confusion caused by contradictory teachings from different churches
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The church is a gathering of people, not just a confession of faith on paper
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The danger of denominationalism and fighting for traditions over truth
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The church consists of people who have undergone conviction of sin, repentance, and spiritual rebirth
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Unity in the church is based on sharing the same spiritual life and experience
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Importance of continuing steadfastly in apostolic doctrine
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Inability to have true fellowship without doctrinal agreement
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Prayer requires access through Christ's blood
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Joy and gladness should characterize the church
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The church is to praise God and have concern for the lost
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The early church was vibrant, lively, and filled with the Spirit's power
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The need to examine if we truly belong to the biblical church
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.