Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Romans 10:14-17 — In his sermon on Romans 10:14–17 titled “The Preacher’s Message (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tackles an important question: what are preachers supposed to preach? Drawing from Paul’s writing in this passage, he reminds that preaching is God’s primary purpose for delivering the gospel. How is a person supposed to judge if a pastor is exercising good preaching? Dr. Lloyd-Jones devises a test. If the message does not bring “glad tidings,” it should probably be reconsidered. The good news is called the good news for a reason, he says. The incredible salvation believers have through the grace of God is cause for celebration. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives three common examples of people preaching without the gospel’s joy. He says to be wary of people saying Christians are supposed to bring the kingdom; the kingdom is already coming. He says to look out for people who preach strictly on Christ’s morals as morals are not God’s grace. He also says to beware of preachers who tell the congregation to put their faith in the church; the church is not the avenue to salvation. With that, Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes his sermon in stating that the one true faith believers have is in Jesus Christ and the joy that comes with it.

Romans 10:14-17 — In the sermon on Romans 10:14–17 titled “Called to Preach (2),” Dr. Lloyd-Jones elaborates on the qualities that make a good preacher. He dives into an equally important discussion: how does a person know if he’s called to preach? Reading from this passage, he answers this question by reiterating the biblical definition of a preacher. He says that a preacher is one of God’s ordained ways to spread the good news, for how can people believe without first hearing? But how does a person know if he’s being called? Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that person may feel a pressure they cannot shake, an inclination toward a certain notion. Second, he says that the person must feel a burden for the souls of men and women. It is not enough for a man to want to speak in front of the congregation. This person must also care deeply about the spirits of those to whom he ministers. Lastly, in accordance with the person’s burden for the souls of men and women, the man must be willing to preach the gospel. He must live for it, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. He must be willing to preach the facts of the good news: Christ’s redemptive death on the cross and the incredible salvation that comes through faith.

Romans 10:14-17 — In the first part of his sermon on Romans 10:14–17 titled “Called to Preach (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers an important question: what makes a preacher? As he curates a biblical list that describes an ideal pastor, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones declares the first reason for preaching. Quoting from Romans, he reads, “And how can they believe in whom they have not heard?” The primary reason for preaching is to herald the good news to those who have not heard. As Paul wrote, people cannot believe in something unless they’re told of it. The second reason for preaching, he says, is because a person is called. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives a number of New Testament examples of people being called to preach the good news. Chiefly, he cites Christ’s calling of the disciples. Lastly, he reminds the listener how important it is for a preacher to be appointed by the congregation. He again quotes passages from the New Testament where the church selected and prayed over certain people to bring the message locally and abroad. A person cannot appoint himself to preach. He must be given the responsibility by the church body. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by saying that these three points are essential to preaching and the great opportunity to share the promise of Christ.

Romans 10:14-17 — Why does the Christian church gather weekly to hear a message when each person could be at home reading from the Bible? In his sermon on Romans 10:14–17 titled “Why Preaching?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses this question as he delivers a message about the importance of preaching as it is God’s chief way for the gospel to be heard. Reading is right and good for the knowledgeable Christian, but for someone newly touched by the Holy Spirit, the words of a pastor are formative to their acceptance of the good news. Dr. Lloyd-Jones recalls the Ethiopian man who was reading the Old Testament but could not understand the writings. He needed Philip to come into his chariot and explain its meaning. This is the wonderful power of preaching. In addition to this truth, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how important it is for believers to gather in church to hear a message. Believers, he says, need to be present for those who need help. Perhaps it is a person has lost a family member, needs encouragement, or needs help understanding the sermon. Believers are there to also lean on each other. He concludes by saying that preaching can be the powerful spark of revival and that the gathering of Christians has the potential to glorify God in ways that didn’t seem possible.

Romans 10:14-17 — In this sermon on salvation from Romans 10:14–17 titled “Preaching and Salvation,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones dives into some of the fundamental questions of Christianity: How does one receive salvation? What is the eternal position of those who have not heard? How should the gospel be preached? These questions are important to faith and occur frequently in the mind of the believer. They may be a prevailing source of uncertainty or perhaps doubt. But Dr. Lloyd-Jones quenches these points of uncertainty by focusing on this passage and the interpretation of Paul’s discourse. He goes back to the basics, proclaiming that salvation comes to those who cry out to the Lord. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the dynamic role of preaching and says that it is important because, as Paul writes, believing comes through hearing the good news. The world today is filled with doubt regarding the path to heaven. Is Christ the only way? Dr. Lloyd Jones answers this by drawing upon Scripture and other Christian theologians and shedding light onto the unbeliever’s path, specifically those who have never heard the gospel. Are they beyond the reach of salvation? Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones returns to the Christian fundamentals. Hear the good news preached again and be reminded of God’s sovereign power and incredible love.

Romans 10:11-13 — People love to make distinctions between themselves and others, between their tribe and other tribes. Fallen hearts tend to make these distinctions so as to elevate themselves above others, especially in religious matters. The apostle Paul has tirelessly labored in Romans to emphasize that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile –– all sin falls short of the glory of God. If one does not follow the apostle here, they will construct different ways of salvation that appeal to the flesh. One may think being moral, good or kind is the way of salvation. But God’s way of salvation has always been the same — those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. There is no distinction between Jew or Gentile in any sense, whether in sin or salvation. In this sermon on Romans 10:11–13 titled “Jew or Gentle, No Difference,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds Paul’s teaching and brings contemporary application. Specifically, he applies Paul’s teaching here to dispensationalism and its teaching that makes a distinction between salvation for Jews and salvation for the church. In an amicable spirit, Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the popular movement by rightly connecting the Old Testament teaching on salvation with the New Testament. He emphasizes that there is only one way with one gospel and no distinctions.

Romans 10:11-13 — In this sermon on “The Riches of His Grace” from Romans 10:11–13 Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues unfolding the apostle Paul’s argument for the inclusion of Gentiles in salvation. Working from this passage, his second point in the series draws from the glorious fact that the same Lord Jesus Christ, who is Lord over all, is rich in grace to all who call upon Him. Since salvation depends entirely upon God and His power to forgive, there is hope for anyone. It’s the great central theme of the Scripture foretold by the prophets, brought about by Jesus in the gospel, and proclaimed by the apostles and the early church. What does this mean for today? It doesn't matter how much one has sinned or how profound their ignorance is, the riches of God’s grace are endless and He is sufficient to give to all. There is no work or effort one can add to their salvation because His riches in salvation are all-sufficient. All worldly distinctions and prejudices are foolish because God is rich to all, without distinction, and there is nothing one can ever need that cannot be found in this endlessly rich savior.

Romans 10:11-13 — How does someone receive salvation? Paul says in Romans 10:11–13 that the first principle of salvation is belief and more specifically, belief in Christ Jesus. Paul just told the church in Rome that they must confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and now he says that they must believe in Him. All who believe will never be put to shame. Although the law and the devil may work against the Christian, the Lord has conquered all these things so that nothing in the whole cosmos could shame His people. In this sermon on Romans 10:11–13 titled “God of Jew and Gentile,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out that this specific passage thoroughly and completely emphasizes that salvation and belief are open to whoever calls on Christ, meaning that it equally applies to the Jews and the Gentiles. All are born under Adam, which means that all people groups are under the same condemnation. Paul is sharing that despite what they previously thought, the Jews have no special standing in regard to salvation. The hope is that all people are saved by believing in Christ. Once that is done, God’s salvation is perfect and secure for all eternity.

Romans 10:11-13 — What is Scripture all about? What makes the writings of the Old and New Testaments unique? In this sermon on salvation from Romans 10:11–13 titled “This Great Salvation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on how Paul appeals to the Old Testament prophet Isaiah to show that salvation is for all who believe, both Jew and Gentile. Scripture reveals the one unified plan of salvation brought to pass in Jesus Christ. It speaks as one voice to humanity and declares that God has acted in Jesus Christ so that sinners can be saved. Those who want to do away with the Old Testament are in great danger of not only disregarding God’s holy Word, but they are also in danger of perverting the message of salvation. The whole Old Testament looks forward to when Jesus would come and die to save Jews and Gentiles. The message of Scripture is not an irrelevant one; it is the only message of salvation and forgiveness of sins.

Romans 10:9-10 — What does it mean to confess Jesus as Lord? Talk is cheap and when dealing with matters of life and death, one should think carefully about what it means to profess that Jesus is Lord. In this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 tiled “Confessing the Lord Jesus Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives a practical list of what a true profession of faith will look like. If Jesus is Lord, it means that He is over everything. If He is the Lord of one’s life, then every part of their life should be changed when they encounter Jesus. If one is not sure if they have encountered Christ, they can ask themselves these five questions: “do you have a changed attitude towards sin? Do you love being with other Christians? Are you concerned with God’s glory? Are you able to give a reason for your hope when asked? Are you not ashamed of Christ, regardless of the consequences?” The answer to these questions reveal the truth about one’s heart. These are marks that can only come from God Himself through salvation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones will help the listener see that following Jesus is the greatest thing that they can ever do. It is more than an intellectual commitment; it transforms everything about the Christian.

Romans 10:9-10 — What are the evidences of salvation? Some say that confessing belief in Jesus is what saves but in this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “A Right Confession,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that confession only comes after a heart has been changed. This sermon shows that confessing Jesus as Lord is the confirmation of salvation but it is not what saves the person from their sin. The church in Acts gives an example that true salvation has evidence: one confesses that Jesus is Lord, turns away from their sin, follows the teaching of the Bible, and continues in fellowship with other believers. If one does not have these as marks in their life, confession is pointless because the heart has not been changed. By applying Paul’s letter, one sees that the work of a Christian is to proclaim Jesus as Lord by words and lives, not by parading Him around as a bumper sticker or Christian T-shirt. The work of God is much deeper than just outward signs and He works on the person in their entirety.

Romans 10:9-10 — Can a person be assured that they are saved or is salvation something that only God can know? In his sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “Assurance of Salvation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers these questions by bringing the listener to Scripture. In the Bible, the answer is much more gracious and loving than the answers given commonly by people. Salvation is a work of God, not of humans, and how wonderful this truth is. If salvation was dependent on works, no one should have assurance of salvation. Think about how often people fail on the simplest of tasks and how often they let down those who love them most. Yet saving faith is given by God and because this is the case, they can rest in the assurance that God is the author of their salvation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones will show in this sermon on the assurance of salvation that it is the object of the Christian’s faith that gives assurance and it is God’s desire for every Christian to be assured of their salvation. Thank God He does not leave His children in the dark but has given a way to be bold in their salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 — In this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “Saving Faith,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones gives a roadmap through the Christian life as they experience God. Encountering God means that salvation is not only an intellectual decision or that God can be made known through reasonable thinking. Scripture demands that the Christian have faith in God and a faith that includes all of their being. But how can one possess such faith when they are full of fear and doubt? It is hard enough for a person to keep small commitments to themselves. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that it is precisely through encountering God that the Christian is given this faith by Him. God initiates this relationship that leads to Godly sorrow over sin, turning from them and putting faith in Jesus Christ. These are the very beginning steps in the Christian life and without them, one cannot be called a Christian. If one has been convicted of their sins, repented, changed their thoughts about God, and grieved over their sinfulness, they have shown the true marks of one who has encountered God and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:9-10 — Is salvation merely an intellectual endeavor that begins and ends with the mind or does it include the heart? In this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “A Change of Heart,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines what the apostles preached in their missionary journeys and what true salvation looks like. Throughout the New Testament, the apostles preach that saving faith is not only in the mind, but that it must include a change of heart. In the Old Testament, God promises to change the heart of stone into a heart of flesh. The question now is not whether or not the mind believes, but if the heart believes that Jesus is Lord. In today’s age many believe that one must only make a decision in order to be saved. Yet if this decision does not stem from a heart burdened by sin and seeking repentance from God, then it is not saving faith. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows the hope of salvation that can only be given by God through the Son, a salvation that is so miraculous it changes a wicked heart into one that loves God.

Romans 10:9-10 — Why do some people demand that society must be more tolerant while simultaneously being intolerant of Christianity? Some even say that they believe in Jesus, yet scoff at the doctrine of repentance, saying that modern humanity needs a more intellectual message for today’s world. In this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “The Condition of the Heart,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones confronts the notion that confessing Jesus as Lord is only an intellectual action and shows that true belief in Christ is one that affects the whole personality. By analyzing the book of Romans, one is able to see that the unbelief of a person cannot be broken by intellectual argument because the intellect has been darkened by the condition of the heart. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that one’s condition before salvation hated God and that hatred controlled their thoughts towards God. One’s words reveal the condition of the heart, and out of the mouth is what reveals whether or not one truly believes in Christ. If the listener is struggling to know what true belief is, this sermon will help them analyze Scripture and apply it to their life.

Romans 10:9-10 — What are the essential truths that must be made known for a person to be saved? Many say that the Bible teaches that one must only believe on the name of Jesus Christ to be saved. Others preach that one must believe in the person of Mary or that they must have extraordinary knowledge in order to be saved. In this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “Essential for Salvation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows the fallacy of both extremes. One temptation is to take away essential doctrines of the gospel in order to make it less offensive and more inclusive. The other temptation is to add more to the gospel than what is necessary, making it impossible for anyone to come to God and creating a works-based salvation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows through Scripture that the gospel message must include an explanation of who Jesus is, why He is needed, and why He is sufficient. This sermon will remind the listener of the biblical truth that a true evangelistic message must include repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. In light of the truths presented in this sermon, the listener will be challenged to analyze their own beliefs and practices to see if they line up with the message of the apostles. Listeners will be encouraged to be bold in the proclamation of the gospel because it is the only true hope for the world.

Romans 10:9-10 — What is at the center of history? In this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “Results of the Resurrection,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that it is Jesus Christ, the crucified Messiah. His sacrificial death on the cross of Calvary is the means by which God conquered sin, Satan, and the power of death. All the blessings that Christ gives are procured by His suffering and rising from the grave. He then ascended into heaven, where He lives and intercedes for His people. After ascending into heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit just as He promised, to empower and comfort believers and the church. Jesus will return to bring His Kingdom to completion by finally destroying death and evil once and for all. These glorious truths should lead all believers to trust and hope in God that He is faithful to bring the work of redemption to completion. Christians ought to live in light of this hope and never look to themselves for wisdom and strength, but rely wholly on Him who has conquered the grave and defeated death.

Romans 10:9-10 — What is the content of saving faith? Why is the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ significant? In this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “Why Christ Died,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses these vital questions. The belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. It is these beliefs that form the heart of the Christian faith because only through Jesus becoming a man and dying for the sins of fallen people can God forgive sinners. Jesus came to this earth in the form of a servant in order to die and the resurrection declared not only that Christ had died for sinners, but it declared His victory over death, sin, and Satan. Christians have a living Savior who, after atoning for sin, ascended into heaven where He now rules over the whole earth and from where He will come to judge the living and the dead. The resurrection, explains Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is God’s public proclamation to the whole universe that he is satisfied with His son who has honored the law completely. God is proclaiming that He and His law are completely satisfied.

Romans 10:9-10 — In this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “Jesus is Lord (2),” the question is asked: who is Jesus? The answer in Scripture is that Jesus is Lord. The writers of holy Scripture tell that Jesus is far more than a human teacher; He is God’s anointed and the long-awaited Messiah that has been promised in the Old Testament. What does it mean that Jesus is Lord? As Lord, Jesus is worthy of all praise and trust. Jesus has come to fulfill all that God promised and He is God’s Son. The Christian must believe that Jesus is who He says He is, not simply who they want Him to be. This is important today because many say that Jesus is nothing more than a mere man who teaches people how to live and others say that Jesus is simply a man of faith. But Scripture is clear that Jesus was a real man, God in the flesh, who had come to die for the sins of the world. What does it matter if one says that Jesus is Lord or not? According to God’s Word, everything depends on who one says that Jesus is. If one confesses that Jesus is Lord they will be saved, but if they reject Him, they reject the only way of salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 — Paul has finally laid to rest the theory of salvation through the law. Salvation is through faith alone and Paul tells the church in Rome that they must first declare “Jesus is Lord” in order to be saved. This is one of the great statements of the Christian gospel. The only way to be righteous before God is to believe God and his word by faith. In this sermon on Romans 10:9–10 titled “Jesus is Lord (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the Christian must first consider the content of this saving faith. Salvation is all about Jesus and the fact that He is Lord. Christ is the firstborn of all creation and it is through Him that all was created. It is also through God that all of the cosmos will be restored once again. The second point is that God raised Christ from the dead. Without being completely clear of those two points, there is no salvation.