How One Becomes a Christian

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.

Philippians 3:12-17 — What sets the Christian apart from everyone else? In this sermon on Philippians 3:12–17 titled “Apprehended by Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that it is the Christian’s knowledge and pursuit of Christ that separates them from all others. Christianity is not about external actions, nor is it about passionless religiosity, but Christianity is about Christ Jesus. It was the Apostle Paul who came to know Christ when Jesus appeared to him and transformed him. This was an immediate interaction with the risen Christ who called Paul to a life of service and suffering as a Christian. Jesus calls all believers to forsake their pride and arrogance, and to trust in Him. This sermon asks: “do you have a knowledge of Christ that transforms you? Are you trusting in Jesus or yourself?” In its fallen state, the world trusts in itself to solve all its problems, but the Christian is totally different. The Christian flees all vain worldly wisdom and trusts in God. Only Christianity shows all how they ought to live; only Christianity can provide true answers to life’s deepest questions. This is because only Christianity offers the true hope of the gospel and salvation from all sin and evil.

Philippians 3:12-17 — In this sermon on Philippians 3:12–17 titled “A Man in Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the biblical view of Christianity—one that fills people with joy. More than just knowing facts about Jesus, Christianity is about personally knowing Jesus Himself. Part of the way this is seen is through the Holy Spirit, the helper God sent to live inside of believers to help them as they live in a world hostile to Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps to live and handle everything life throws, spiritually and otherwise. What does it mean to follow Christ in the midst of these struggles? Dr. Lloyd-Jones elaborates on the riches of the blessings that come along with pursuing Christ and choosing to follow Him instead of the fleeting pleasures of the world. Echoing the words of the Apostle Paul, he reminds that Christians are to count everything else as rubbish when compared to the glory of Christ. This, however, is not the joyless walk that some imagine it to be—rather, those who follow Christ like this are filled with the utmost joy because they are satisfied in Christ, the only one who can truly satisfy their longings.

Philippians 3:8-9 — How does being a Christian change one’s life? In his sermon on Philippians 3:8–9 titled “Living in the Light of Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that it changes everything about the Christian as it totally reorients and directs them to Christ. Before one sees Christ, they are lost in darkness and alienated from God and His love. They live according to the principle of sin and evil. But when the Holy Spirit gives the gift of salvation, the person is moved out of this kingdom of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God. Christians now are to leave the world and its sinful desires behind and pursue Christ and His kingdom. How does one know that they are a Christian? They are to test themselves and see if they are in the faith and truly believers. All Christians ought to know that they are truly saved and live knowing that they are loved by God because Christ has made Himself known. God gave His word in the Old and New Testaments and in these Scriptures is found God’s will for His people and the way that Christians are to live. But most importantly they find the gospel of grace that frees them from sin and reveals the God of all love and peace.

Philippians 3:8 — Christianity is to be central to one’s life and completely captivate thoughts, actions, and the way one lives. Unlike many other worldviews and religions, it is very experiential. Christians are called not only to know more about Christ, but they are called to experience the fullness of life that He provides. The gospel was intended to be woven into every aspect of the Christian’s being. In this sermon on Philippians 3:8 titled “An Experience of Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points to the Apostle Paul, reminding of what this looks like when played out in reality. He gave up everything and suffered persecution because of the gospel. When one becomes a Christian, the whole person is involved. Christ takes over all of one’s being when they submit to Him. Another way that salvation changes the Christian is that it is always increasing in value. How is this seen in Scripture? Paul was very honest in saying that Christ had made everything else in the world seem like trash in comparison. When the treasures of this world are compared to the excellencies of Christ, they are shown to be ultimately worthless. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by providing examples of these excellencies of Christ and what they mean for the life of believers.

Philippians 3:7 — What lessons can finance teach about salvation? In this sermon on Philippians 3:7 titled “An Honest Audit,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tackles this question and provides helpful insight into the steps that one must take in order to analyze the standing of their relationship to God. Paul writes that what he had previously counted as gain, he now counts as loss. Someone who receives Christ realizes that in the past they had deceived themselves, refusing to face the facts about how they were separated from God. Scriptures calls all to think carefully about eternal matters, and to adjust their lives accordingly. Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws a comparison between this and a financial audit. Just as companies are to take extreme measures to examine the state of their financial health, so Christians are called by God to take stock of where they are spiritually. All believers must take a spiritual audit. There are many reasons why people are hesitant to audit themselves, but Dr. Lloyd-Jones helps them understand why they must not let this fear keep them from the truth of such an important matter. Listen as he teaches from Philippians about the importance of a spiritual audit and how Christians can conduct one for their lives.