Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones MLJ Trust

2 Corinthians 5:20 — Listen to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones as he preaches this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:20 and the ease with which humanity drifts from the primary principles and why are they here on earth. Look at the picture of an ambassador – someone appointed and called by God to bring the news of the gospel. This is a person who has been given a brief and important message; they are not bringing their own opinion or ideas. What does the gospel say about this great responsibility? Learn of humanity’s exceeding need to be reconciled to God: “If One died for all, then all are dead.” All are in need of this reconciliation because of who humanity is and who God is. Learn that all humanity is spiritually dead under the wrath of God, and unless this is changed, they will not reap the blessings of God. There is hope and God offers this needed reconciliation through His only Son. The Lord’s Supper displays this incomprehensible sacrifice God made to satisfy His own wrath. Today is the day of salvation; nothing else is needed but to believe and accept. Sin is put on Christ and His righteousness imputed to those He calls, giving hope for reconciliation with God.

2 Corinthians 5:1-7 — The gospel is essentially practical. The Christian life is one where we walk by faith. Listen to this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:1–7 as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that a Christian is strikingly different because they know why the world is as it is, while the nonbeliever cannot understand it. Any human is foolish to think that they could be “God.” Conceit has always been one of humanity’s greatest issue. The Christian knows this is not the only world; it is a brief life that prepares them for the one to come. Does Christianity take a pessimistic view of humanity? Look at the condition of today’s world: should people be concerned about the pleasures of this world? Learn what it means to live “concerned for the glory of God” and be willing to be absent from the physical body to be present with the Lord. The earnest expectation of all creation groans in pain until Christ returns to renew all. Hope cannot be based not on this world and life, but on the one to come. This sermon on walking by faith encourages the listener to see how the world looks under the mighty hand of God and become a citizen of God’s eternal city.

2 Corinthians 5:21 — What is salvation? Many see salvation as nothing more than doing good works; others think salvation is merely about being a part of a church. But in this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:21, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the true nature of salvation as found in Scripture. He says that salvation is not about works or anything one does, but it is a matter wholly of God’s grace. People cannot do anything to save themselves apart from God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Humanity’s sin is the ultimate problem in life and is the source of all evil and suffering in this world. This great evil cannot be overcome by social change or good works, but it can only be overcome by the power of God in the gospel. There is no hope apart from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While salvation may be impossible for humans, nothing is impossible with God.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 — How can finite people know the infinite God? As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims in this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:18–19, there is no question more important to answer in this life or the next. Humanity was created to know their creator and to love Him, but because of sin and rebellion, they are alienated from God. Some say that the answer to this dilemma is to use reason to know God, as this has been the answer of the many wise people and philosophers over the ages. Others recommend mysticism where humans commune with God through religious practices and experiences. However, the biblical answer is found in the nature of God’s revelation as God spoke through the prophets and apostles in Scripture. This means that humans cannot rely on themselves to know God, but by looking to what God has said concerning Himself. There is no place for humanity’s autonomous reason or immediate religious experiences once they understand that God has made Himself known in Scripture and in His Son, Jesus Christ. God must be looked to not only for knowledge of Himself, but also to know Him as Savior and Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:6 — Learn of the calmness and assurance that comes with this Christian gospel. There is a confidence that comes with believing. All things are of God and for God. In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:6 titled “Be Reconciled to God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches that the first result of this new creation that Christianity proclaims is a new perspective. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims the necessity of this radical reorientation and looks at the example of Paul. Examine the natural view of humanity versus the biblical view of humanity. No one can face the end of life without first accepting this teaching. No one will ever know the comfort of the Scriptures if they do not accept it from beginning to end. Are people merely animals? The world thinks that there is nothing outside of the concrete and material world, but there is an entirely other reality beyond humanity’s comprehension. The world thinks that people are essentially and fundamentally good. Learn to think of them in terms of their relationship to God, and seen in the context of God. No one is the arbiter of their faith. God alone saves.

2 Corinthians 5:16 — The world cannot be changed, but “The only way Christianity helps is it changes us.” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones takes a different view of oneself and of humanity as a rebel against God. The most important question to ask is, “what do you think of Christ?” Christianity is Christ and Christians are called to be ambassadors for Christ and will be held accountable for their lives. Christians cannot take risks as “your eternal destiny depends on your view of Christ.” In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:16 titled “Flesh or Spirit?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses how the Spirit of God must unveil one’s eyes to their standing before God. No one can come before God justified on their own; they are but a child before Him. Rejoice that God humbled Himself to come to this earth. It is not the mere death of a martyr. Jesus died in our place. Christ alone triumphs in His shame. How can anyone become righteous before God if their best works are but filthy rags and damnation? Be reconciled to God in faith.