Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Romans 12:1-2 — In matters of Christian conduct, does one appeal to the mind or to the heart? These are often pitted against one another, but Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones does not believe the Christian should approach the Christian life by making an appeal to merely the intellect or simply the emotions. Instead, he says, one begins with doctrine –– who they are in Christ –– and then the proper conduct is deduced from the doctrinal truth. True doctrine always appeals to the emotions. In this sermon on presenting your bodies as a living sacrifice from Romans 12:1–2 titled “A Living Sacrifice,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that there is no such thing as dry-as-dust theology. Humanism and legalism stand in opposition to the true teaching of Scripture. Humanism can only appeal to the intellect, whereas legalism appeals directly to the will of the person. The great motive of the gospel, which is God’s great mercy in Christ Jesus, lifts the whole problem of conduct to a spiritual level. He then works out the implications of the apostle Paul’s appeal to the mind and the heart in Christian conduct. He labors to demonstrate that Paul is presenting the entire physical body as a sacrifice to God who by His great mercy makes Christians participants in this glorious and wonderful salvation.

Romans 12:1-2 — What do doctrine and practice have to do with each other? Some Christians doubt the relevance of doctrine to the Christian life at all. For them it’s simply a matter of being ethical and moral and there is no need to understand biblical doctrine for good works. Antinomians, on the other hand, hold to doctrine but live however they please. In this sermon on Romans 12:1–2 titled “The Christian Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says “no” to both. One may claim doctrine however they wish but if it does not change their life, they have not understood the doctrine. Likewise, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, doctrine is key to Christian morals because it provides the right motivation and power to live the sanctified life in Christ Jesus. He contends in this sermon that Paul shows that motives are important and the Christian lives in view of God’s mercy. The strength to perform good works is not simply in one’s own effort but the power that comes from the Holy Spirit. If the doctrine proclaimed in evangelism does not match Christian practice, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the doctrine has been understood. If good works are not informed by doctrine, a person is not truly living the Christian life. Listen as he unpacks the key distinctive of a Christian life.

Romans 12:1-21 — The apostle Paul is a master at connecting doctrine and practical matters. He seamlessly weaves both together in his apostolic writings. While there is a change in emphasis in Romans 12 – from doctrine to practice – Paul never leaves doctrine behind. As a pastor he is concerned with helping this congregation in Rome and this always includes doctrinal appeals and arguments. In this transitional sermon on Romans 12:1–21 - his first in a series of thirty-five sermons on Romans 12 - titled “Introduction,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones challenges those in the church who view practical matters as anticlimactic. There is something wrong in the church’s thinking if it only focuses purely on doctrine. Dr. Lloyd-Jones counters this error by expounding five biblical and theological reasons why the church should focus on more than just doctrine. Moreover, he gives a general analysis of the rest of Romans and prepares his listeners with a particular outline of Romans 12. Listen to this unique and compelling sermon on Romans 12 by Dr. Lloyd-Jones as he calls the church to holistic ministry and a Christian faith that is lived out.

Romans 11:33-36 — God’s judgements and actions are something entirely incomprehensible to people. In this sermon on Romans 11:33–36 titled “All of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dissects the tendency for humans to proclaim their independence. Salvation comes in and through God and there is nothing else people can do. Learn how humanity’s essential problem is their ignorance. People are always ready to give advice, but who can advise God? If one considers their state, they will realize that they are in sin and a hopeless debtor. “The whole of the cosmos is going to display... the glory of God.” From justification to glorification, it is all absolutely a work of God, void of any work of humanity. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all; salvation and the whole of life is for the glory of God. Look at creation and see how the world overflows with the glory of God. The listener is encouraged to contemplate their condition, confess that they are nothing, gladly acknowledge that they are what they are “solely by the grace of God,” and rejoice.

Romans 11:33-36 — In this sermon on Romans 11:33–36 titled “His Ways Are Past Finding Out,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones talks about something that no amount of words can adequately explain. God’s ways are so immense that they cannot be traced out. There is a great divide of Christianity; not in regard to particular details, but rather “our whole approach to the gospel.” Is the Christian called to proclamation or to dialogue? When one looks at the apostolic method and message, do the apostles start with modern humanity to make their declarations for the gospel? People must be born again of water and spirit to enter the kingdom of God. The natural person constantly misunderstands the whole of God’s way. God is absolute, infinite, and holy in every respect. The listener is encouraged to look of humanity’s limited nature in a way that may have never been considered. The gospel is hid to those who are lost and in their natural state; all humans are sinners and ignorant of who God truly is. Look upon the grace of God and stand in awe. His ways are far beyond finding out, but it is here that one gains assurance for salvation.