Martyn Lloyd-jones Sermon Podcast

2 Timothy 1:12 — In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12 titled “Who Is Man?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tackles deep questions about life from a Scriptural perspective. He shares the good news that one’s existence is not a result of random chance. It has a purpose, and God is in charge. God’s revelation in the Bible shows that humanity is different from animals because they were created with a soul. Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents some common views of humanity today, reminding that people were created to do far more than eat, drink, and fulfill their lusts. Many today chase these activities in hopes that they can be made happy. Yet Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that happiness was never designed to be tied to circumstances — one can find temporary pleasure, but they cannot find lasting happiness. Happiness is dependent upon a relationship with God. Yet, sin separates people from Him. No one can do anything of their own accord — the Bible tells that no one can earn their way to God. Yet, He sent His sinless Son Jesus Christ to die fo

2 Timothy 1:12 — The Gospel is what enables living well in the midst of difficulty. In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones poses these questions: what is the Gospel, and how does it impact the Christian? Paul’s main principle in this passage is that everything must be examined, including our lives, in the context of the whole collection of Scripture. Just as a doctor would want to address the root cause of an issue instead of merely trying to fix the symptom, so too, the Christian must look to Scripture and see the roots of the sin and seek to weed it out instead of attempting to merely fix the outward manifestations of the issue. Our framework for understanding this depends on our view of life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts the biblical view with the unbiblical, which is based on the principle that everything is constantly in flux and that life is a random accident. In contrast, God’s plan has a purpose and is not based on blind chance — it provides hope and rest, and best accounts for the cond

2 Timothy 1:12 — As time has progressed and the world has become more secular, many charge that the gospel is useless, outdated, and has failed despite being given several centuries to flourish and establish itself. In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12 titled “The Age of Reason,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers some of the criticisms of the gospel and helps the listener understand how they can formulate a biblical answer that is intellectually and spiritually satisfying. The first difficulty is the definition of the gospel. While many different people will offer to have their own “version” of the gospel, Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to Scripture and reminds that Paul defined the gospel therein. Second, many feel that the gospel has failed. Yet Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that it has accomplished exactly what it was established to do: to reconcile people to God through faith in Jesus’s atoning sacrifice for their sins. Third, some object that the gospel is of no value because progress has left it far behind. Yet the struggle

2 Timothy 1:12 — In his sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that the gospel will benefit anyone who believes in Jesus Christ— it is good news for all people. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that the Apostle Paul was a natural pessimist, and yet, he found hope through the gospel. He boldly proclaimed “I am not ashamed.” Scripture’s promises are not dependent upon a person’s temperament or tendencies; it has power for all. Many today hold to a stoic view of life and believe that all are born to die, but this view provides no hope for people. Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts this with the Christian view, using the real-life example of songwriter Horatio Spafford who penned the well-known hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.” Spafford wrote this hymn soon after the tragic drowning of his children and losing most of his wealth. Though all here on earth could be going horribly wrong, and though evil and its results seem to prevail, followers of Jesus have hope. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that

2 Timothy 1:12 — In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12 titled “Alive to the Soul,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws encouragement from Paul’s life and resilience in the midst of difficult circumstances and takes the listener through how he or she can be at rest in the midst of difficult times. Paul underwent countless sufferings, and yet he was content and at rest in God. What accounts for Paul’s attitude? First, he had recognized the supreme value of the soul. It is a recognition that the soul will last forever and that there is an eternal reality. Second, he lived his life in view of what he called “that day,” the coming day of judgment. Third, above all, Paul had a personal knowledge of Christ and the love of God. He knew that God loved him and would keep His promises to grow Paul in his Christ-likeness, even if that meant difficult circumstances on earth. Yet Paul was at peace with that because he knew it was for his ultimate good. Christians have this same confidence — they have nothing to fear, not even death.

2 Timothy 1:10 — This sermon calls to those who have a tendency to feel down or discouraged about life. It is for those who look around at the world and wonder what good can possibly come from all the evil that seems to run so rampant today. In this sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from 2 Timothy 1:10, and offers the believer some practical encouragement drawn from Paul’s letter. Timothy, like many believers today, had a tendency for being down, especially with the anticipated death of Paul, his beloved friend and mentor. Knowing this, Paul wrote this encouraging letter to Timothy. His remedy for Timothy’s sadness is to remind him of the gospel. It’s easy to think that things have only been going poorly in the world during this lifetime. However, this evil has been occurring since the beginning of time, and it’s crucial to remember that God has been acting from even before that time. The Christian’s hope and rest is in the gospel because God is in control of it all and through Christ who has cancelled

2 Timothy 2:8 — Does the gospel change from person to person? In this sermon on 2 Timothy 2:8 titled “The Only Gospel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dives deeper into what the gospel is. In 2 Timothy 2:8, Paul instructs believers to follow “my gospel.” Some have interpreted this to mean that each have their own individual gospel that is based on individual experiences. Yet, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows, this cannot be further from the truth — Paul is exhorting Timothy to hold tightly to the unchanging, true gospel that Paul was preaching. What else is he saying in this passage? First, that it is the only gospel. Second, this gospel is to be remembered because it is the meaning of the story of Christ. While some say that claiming to have exclusive truth is “narrow-minded,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides some reasons why Christians can rightly claim that this gospel is true. First, if there was any other gospel, the events that occurred in the life of Jesus would not have happened because they would not have been necessary. Se

1 Timothy 1:15 — In this sermon on 1 Timothy 1:15 titled “Salvation for Sinners,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks that at the heart of the Bible is God’s saving message to sinners that promises salvation for all who come and trust in Christ Jesus. Who then are the sinners? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that in one sense, anyone who sins is a sinner, and the Bible gives many lists of sins. Adultery, lying, stealing, murder, and many other sins are mentioned in Scripture. While all sin is a violation of God’s law and will be punished, the sin that ultimately condemns to eternal punishment is rejection of Jesus Christ. Apart from Christ, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims, there is no way to be forgiven. Listen as he explains the nature of sin, and more importantly, shares the good news of salvation from all sin and forgiveness in Christ.

1 Timothy 1:13 — In this sermon on 1 Timothy 1:13 titled “Mercy: Immense and Free,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on Paul reminding Timothy of the mercy Christ showed him, even while Paul was persecuting the early church. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to what Paul says earlier in the passage: people will try to distort the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds Christians to be weary of false teachers who often attempt to add to what Christ has already done. Christ’s death is enough for the payment of sin. No additional laws, rituals, or beliefs are necessary. This is the gospel: that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. But what of the law? Dr. Lloyd-Jones answers as Paul answered: the law could never save anyone. The law only reveals the sin in a person’s life and shows that he or she is in need of a savior. Paul also gives three facts about God’s salvation that tells about Him: that God is merciful, full of grace, and abundant in long-suffering. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that God’s grace and mercy is available to everyone. Go

1 Timothy 1:13 — In this sermon on the ignorance of man, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reads the powerful words of Paul in 1 Timothy 1:13 where Paul confesses that he used to be the vilest of men. He was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an incredibly violent man. Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws attention to something else the apostle mentions: his ignorance. Paul did all that evil because he acted in ignorance, and yet Paul was a learned man, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. He was among the best educated, but with all his knowledge, Paul was bankrupt without Christ. Paul had placed his own life in the power of his intellect and the Jewish laws. However, when confronted on the road to Damascus, the apostle saw his wrong. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that Paul represents many people today. They place their trust in mortal knowledge, and they call Christians ignorant for believing in something so old. But Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds us that no human knowledge since Christ has solved spiritual problems. What happens after death? How should a person liv

1 Timothy 1:12-16 — In this sermon on 1 Timothy 1:12–16 titled “The Resistance of Unbelief,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares about the danger of unbelief. The resistant unbelieving person is one who has made the decision not to believe, not merely one who has not heard the good news of Jesus Christ. Unbelief is not purely intellectual, Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches. A popular assumption among non-Christians is that secularism is an intellectual pursuit and that Christianity is the opposite. This is not helped by Christians who are amazed that other Christians could be intellectuals. When looking to the Scriptures, one sees that many Christians throughout history have proved the intellectualism of Christianity. One must merely look at the letters of Paul to see the greatness and grandeur of Christian doctrine. This doctrine is meant to feed the mind and soul of the believer who humbles themselves and puts their faith in Jesus Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also exhorts his listeners that the reason so many people have not c

1 Timothy 1:1 — Who has the answers, God or humanity? In this sermon on 1 Timothy 1:1, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows the error of putting human thinking above the wisdom of God. He shows that all sin stems from Adam and Eve putting their reason above God when they ate of the forbidden fruit. Modern humanity is no different; they look to themselves to solve the problems of the world. This is hopeless because salvation comes not through humanity’s own deeds, but it is a free gift from God. This is how God has shown the wisdom of the world to be utter foolishness. He sent His only Son to die upon a cross in the place of the very people who murdered Him. Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims that it is Jesus who came to die and rise from the grave in order to break the bonds of sin, and to free all from sin’s dominion and condemnation. This sermon will encourage all who are trusting in their own wisdom to turn to Jesus as the only true source of happiness, peace, and true communion with God. The message of the glorious gospel

2 Thessalonians 2:16 — To open his sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reads the writings of Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:16. Within that passage, Paul reminds the reader to hold fast to teaching and press into Christ, who has given peace. Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks a question: does the Christian know this peace? For peace seems to be the opposite reaction to this world. Many people are restless and fearful. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that this is because people are at war with God and themselves. They cannot have peace because they do not have God, and their conscience will always be full because they cannot reconcile themselves. But the Christian should not feel the same way. He or she is given a relief from the fear of the world through the blood of Christ. Jesus is the mediator between God and man. He speaks on behalf of the Christian, giving and dispensing peace as He pleases, for He is the Prince of Peace. How does Jesus administer this peace? Dr. Lloyd-Jones tells us. Christ never leaves. He is always with us. At our mome

2 Thessalonians 1:8-10 — In this sermon on 2 Thessalonians 1:8–10 titled “Believer or Unbeliever?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes the coming judgement of Christ and the separation between believers and unbelievers. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this separation of saved and unsaved is fundamental to Christianity since Christianity involves absolutes. The Christian is someone who hears the way of God and decides to follow it, but the unbeliever has done the opposite. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that the unbeliever will try and apply his or her own logic and intellect to the Scriptures, when really he or she is in no position to debate them. But the believer has faith in the message of God. The believer does not try to correct the Scriptures, but rather reiterates what has already been written. A person cannot have both God and the world, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. That is clear all across Scripture. A person must decide which choice to make. The day of judgment is coming and all will stand before the Lord. For the unbeli

1 Thessalonians 5:16 — What should the Christian’s immediate and continual response be to the gospel and salvation? The response should be one of joy! “Rejoice evermore” is more than an emotion; it is a settled reality of all who are saved. In this sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones challenges his listeners with the direct command to rejoice evermore. A Christian is to rejoice evermore for this is the will of God. The command to rejoice is given through the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians. He states that a clear and defining characteristic of the Christian is that of joy. Having experienced the joy that came with his own conversion, the Apostle Paul now instructs all believers that this is the mark of their Christian lives. However, rejoicing evermore is a tall order. Dr Lloyd-Jones recognizes this and asks: “How are we to do this? How can we rejoice in all things? Should we wait on or work up some type of feeling?” He reminds the listener that the Christian maintains a constant attitude

1 Thessalonians 1:5 — “The test of anything that claims to be Christian is the test of power.” In this sermon on 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches that whether we are speaking of the church or of the individual Christian, the test of authenticity is the test of results produced by divine power. The gospel had been delivered to the Thessalonians in word, but it did not come in word only. The gospel came with divine power to bring about results. The results included repentance of sin and pagan idol worship to the service of a living and true God. Furthermore, this gospel power was accompanied by the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit took the words of the gospel and made them effectual in the lives of the Thessalonians and all true believers. Dr Lloyd-Jones identifies that the apostle himself brought personal conviction and assurance that was so authentic, the power of God in his message was unmistakable and effectual. What is the test of authenticity for the church and the Christian? It is t

Colossians 1:28 — What makes false teachers dangerous? It is the fact that they turn people away from Christ Jesus. In this sermon from Colossians 1:28 titled “The Warning,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones warns about the dangers of false teachers and the need for the true gospel. There were those in the early church who taught dangerous things, such as the need for other beings to stand as mediators between people and God. The apostle Paul denounces them, and proclaims the truth that Christ alone can save from sin. The gospel is found in Christ’s ability to save sinners, and He is able to save to the fullest. Those who have trusted in Jesus do not need any other Savior, nor do they need another priest to lead them to God. What is the gospel message that false teachers deny? It is the message that all are fallen and in sin. Because of this, they are under the judgement of God. But Christ died for sinners in order that all who believe in Him are saved from the righteous judgement of God. There is no other message of sa

Colossians 2:1-3 — In this sermon on Colossians 2:1–3 titled “A Full Assurance of Understanding,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focused on Paul encouraging and advising the church in Colossae. He explains that the church in Colossae was early in its development, and many of the members had not even met the apostle. And like many new believers, they were susceptible to corruption. Paul writes to the church that they may have the full riches of understanding Christ. Part of the reason new believers are so corruptible is because they don’t understand the full power of Christ. A common cult at the time was Gnosticism. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the cult’s teaching required multiple intermediaries between individuals and God. A fully-grown Christian knows this to be false, for Christ is the sole high priest who speaks on their behalf. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also points out that understanding Christ means to also understand His purpose for the world. Christ came to redeem the world and to bring His church to Himself. Without

Colossians 1:21-22 — Why is God’s love amazing? It is not only because it is redemptive and transforming, but according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, God’s love is amazing because of what it cost Him. God only forgives through His Son, Jesus Christ. It was by Jesus dying upon the cross of Calvary that God brought about redemption and forgiveness for His people. Salvation comes to all freely, but it cost God His Son upon the cross. Now all who believe in Jesus are freed from sin’s power, wrath, and the condemnation of God. It is only the gospel of a crucified King that can overcome a sinful person’s natural hatred of God. It is only Jesus’s death on the cross that brings true peace and reconciliation with God. In this sermon on Colossians 1:21-22 titled “Love So Amazing,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that by sending Jesus to the cross, God not only saves individuals but brings about the redemption of the whole world. Jesus’s death reverses all the effects of the fall and transforms this current evil world to the new heav

Colossians 1:20 — Is salvation about individuals or the world? Many criticize Christianity for focusing only on the individual and ignoring the rest of the world. In this sermon on Colossians 1:20 titled “The Only Message of Hope,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says Christianity is about both the redemption of the individual and the whole world through Jesus Christ. Jesus died not only to save sinners, but also in order to reverse all the effects of sin and evil in the world. The apostle Paul tells that all of creation groans, awaiting the time of final redemption. This final redemption is when Christ returns physically and bodily to bring the new heavens and the new earth. This means that redemption, while starting in individuals, changes the whole world. Salvation is always a matter of personal redemption, but it is the beginning of universal redemption. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, those who have put their faith in Christ are the first fruits of this new world.