Enemies of the Cross

Colossians 1:13 — In this sermon on Colossians 1:13 titled “The Power of Darkness Conquered,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines some common views of humanity and what the Bible declares. The lack of gratefulness in a person is due to a lack of understanding of who God is and what He’s done. The real issue is ignorance of one’s own current state and condition. The evil in this world is not founded in just a handful of people; everyone is gripped by the power of the devil. All need deliverance from this power of darkness because they are blind to it. Satan’s rule is one of confusion, tyranny, and slavery; it is not a real kingdom. The world is ignorant of God and the devil schemes to prevent people from learning about God, but Christ has conquered Satan in every respect. Christ is the master over the devil and the only one who can free people from Satan’s grip. Once in Christ, no one can ever be separated from God again—they may fall, but they will never remain separated.

Colossians 1:12 — In this sermon on Colossians 1:12 titled “His Workmanship Alone,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the necessity of praise in the life of all Christians. There is no other response they could give after receiving this great salvation that made them a Christian. In His grace, God brings His people out of the world and its sinful ways and offers forgiveness and adoption through His Son. One must never think that they can be saved by their own works or merits, for all are in sin and saved only by grace. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that no one can contribute anything to their salvation. This is why Christians are to worship out of a heart of thankfulness and praise. The greatest tragedy is that there are those who do not praise God because they do not know Him. This sermon calls all to forsake themselves, trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and rest in His mercy. There is no other way of salvation but through Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:2-11 — In this sermon on Colossians 1:2–11 titled “No Longer Slaves,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to convey the true gospel by asking the listener to test their faith by asking some basic questions. Has this gospel brought forth fruit? Hear how faith shows a person who they are and learn the freedom of living triumphantly in this present and evil world. Regeneration gives the ability to find joy in tribulation, not merely survive. This Gospel is not one of escapism, wishful thinking, stoicism, fatalism, or realism, but instead enables believers to face facts exactly as they are. Regeneration gives someone an entirely new relationship to this world. No longer are they “of the world.” Without this gospel, all are slaves in this world and bound by culture. This life is only vanity and evil, and at its very best, it is still only temporary. Christians are pilgrims in this world who must be concerned for their soul and what is beyond this world, rather than for mere worldly prospects. Christ will come to put this world right. Join Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in saying, “I am what I am by the grace of God.” Find peace with God and the peace of God; nothing can separate His children from His love.

Colossians 1:3-8 — In this sermon on Colossians 1:3–8 titled “Changed by the Gospel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reads the encouraging words of Paul where he describes a summary of the gospel for the church in Colossae. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out what the good news has done to this early church. The gospel has changed them. Paul praises their faith in Jesus Christ, but he also celebrates their love for their Christian brothers and sisters. This new spiritual fruit is no doubt from the power of the gospel, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. Once the believer has placed his or her faith in Christ, they are a new creation. God opens their eyes to the sin in their life, and moreover, gives them the power to change. Of course, that person is not perfect and will still stumble. But the believer no longer loves old habits. That person loves Christ instead. He or she would much rather be with believers than the highest company. This, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, is one of the marks of a saved person. That person’s life is different than it was before Christ. The old life is dead, and God has made a new creation within, a new life that reflects the mercy and grace of the Lord.

Colossians 1:3-7 — In this sermon on Colossians 1:3–7 titled “The Heavenly Hope,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on where Paul addresses the Colossae church, encouraging the congregation on their acceptance of the good news. This good news is the gospel, the core of Christianity. It is not a feeling or emotional state, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. It is a truth passed down from Christ and the disciples. In short, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, the good news is a selection of doctrine, a body of truth that Christ came to redeem the world from the punishment of sin. In light of this revelation, the believer should take joy in the hope that is laid up for him or her in heaven. It is this hope that declares Christianity as different. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that Christianity is not here to solve the problems of the world or to give people practical ways to improve their life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that Christianity is concerned with a person’s soul, their eternal destination. The world will remain evil until Christ’s return, but until He comes, this hour is the time for people to accept God’s incredible grace and seize His profound love.

Colossians 1:3-7 — In this sermon on Colossians 1:3–7 titled “A Body of Truth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on a fundamental question: What is Christianity? Paul writes to the early church in Colossae, congratulating them on their love for God’s people. He also affirms the gospel they heard from Epaphras, a fellow servant of God and a friend of Paul’s. The church in Colossae, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, was not so different from the other early churches in the New Testament. It was most likely a collection of new believers, united by the gospel, meeting in a home to discuss and study the Old Testament. This, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, is what Christianity is about. It is not about catching a feeling, as if Christianity were a disease. He says the core of Christianity is the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says it is about understanding and explains that Christ came for the redemption of sin, and whoever believes in Him has eternal life. Although Christians may argue among themselves, this incredible doctrine should remain central. In closing, he invites those who have yet to receive this salvation to accept God’s grace.

Colossians 1:3-7 — In his sermon on Colossians 1:3–7 titled “The Only Gospel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones begins by asking a fundamental question: What is Christianity? In Paul’s introduction to his letter, he writes of the great news of the gospel the church received from one of the apostle’s friends. Paul affirms that this gospel is the true gospel. This central belief, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, is precisely opposite of why so many are outside of the church. Today, there is confusion regarding Christianity’s core, a confusion that often persists within churches themselves. False teachers abound, and the truth is not preached. The truth of Christianity rests in the gospel, the good news given from Christ to His disciples. This is the truth that changes a person, causing them to see life differently. No longer is he or she living for the world, but living for God. And unlike worldly authority, he says, this gospel rests on the authority of the Lord. Salvation did not come through humanity; it came through God’s Son Jesus Christ. In closing, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds Christians to worship God for His loving grace and mercy.

Philippians 3:21 — In this passage from Philippians, Paul reminds the congregation that their citizenship is within heaven and that they no longer belong to this world. In this sermon on Philippians 3:21 titled “The Christian Message,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones declares that this message is just as important for Christians today as it was for Christians back then. When a person is saved, that individual does not undergo merely a slight change. That person is a new creation, bought by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. Being a Christian is more than adding church or Bible reading to one’s life. After a person is saved, he or she enters the kingdom of God. They no longer need to be concerned with the things of this world, as so many people are. Money, power, and property only matter in this life. While these things may provide security within their time, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that they do not provide the eternal safety like the gospel. Only the good news can save and satisfy. However, unlike the citizenship of the world, entering the kingdom of God is free. Dr. Lloyd-Jones invites those who have yet to trust in God to do so, for Christ will not refuse anyone.

Philippians 3:20-21 — Many people believe that through education and government the world will become progressively better. War will cease, and poverty will have ended according to these optimists. However, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues from Philippians 3:20-21 that this misplaced confidence in human goodness and progress is misguided and contradicted by God’s Word. For in Scripture we see that men are perpetually sinful. This is because all men are in the flesh and under sin and the judgment of God. Sadly, many Christians have fallen into a similar error when they say that the goal of Christianity is to make the world a better place by moralism and social programs. They say that by working to make society a better place we will bring the Kingdom of God to earth. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that this is a distortion of the purpose of the church, for the church is not just another institution of social reform, but it has been entrusted to take the Gospel to all the nations. This Gospel is the only means of true transformations because it alone has the power to renew the hearts of men and give them new natures. It alone has the power to overcome sin, the flesh, and the devil.

Philippians 3:18-19 — In this sermon on Philippians 3:18–19 titled “Enemies of the Cross,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses two common lies: works are all that matter or that works don’t matter at all. Furthermore, he discusses the traits that an enemy of the cross possesses. These are excellent tests to apply while listening to this sermon and examining the soul: “is my mind set on earthly things? Am I interested in spiritual realities? Does my appetite for food, sex, or material goods rule what I do? Am I proud of things that Scripture says are shameful?” Paul describes enemies of the cross in these ways and says that their end is destruction. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that the enemies of Christ are short sighted; they think about temporary things. They are given to temporary and fleeting desires, and don't have enough foresight to see that these things will come to an end in wrath and destruction. In contrast, the Christian is concerned with eternal realities and pleasing God rather than their fleshly desires. Moreover, their end is not destruction but vindication and fulfillment from Almighty God.