The Gospel and the Modern World

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” Here are some of the most glorious words written and found in the Bible. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones displays the truth behind this marvelous declaration. In this sermon on Revelation 5:9–10 and 12, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the Lamb (Christ) is to receive the same glory as the Father. This begs the question: why is the Lamb worthy to receive this glory? First, Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents Christ as the Lord of redemption. The work of redemption is His alone. Jesus is the one worthy of opening the book of redemption; only He is able to redeem, and He needs no help. Therefore, the glory belongs to Him. Secondly, Christ is worthy because of the work of redemption. The plan for redemption centered around the cross, nails, agony, and suffering. Jesus submits to the Father’s will. The work of redemption displays the highest point of His obedience, and the lowest point of His humiliation. Yet His death purchased the glory which is to come. The death of Jesus purchased for His people the right to become children of God, forgiveness of sins, rebirth, righteousness, and ultimate glorification. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones declares that Christians have nothing to fear, because the Lamb will triumph. Worthy is Lamb!

Jude 1:3 — The Bible is an ancient book with an unchangeable message that is at odds with the modern mindset. With advances in scientific knowledge and a general sense of progress in the world, many people will have nothing to do with what they consider to be a hopelessly outdated book. In this sermon on Jude 1:3 titled “The Unchangeable Message,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones posits that while the Bible is an ancient book, it is perfectly relevant for every age. The message of the Bible seeks to offer solutions to life’s most pressing questions and fundamental issues that transcend time. Moreover, there is no hope apart from the unchangeable message about God found in this book. The problem is people think they know the true nature of the Bible, but they have misunderstood its content and source. They suppose it is merely a book about history and moral maxims and not centered on God and His purposes in the world. Modern people are obsessed with the thoughts and ideas of humanity, but the unchangeable message of the Bible claims to be a revelation from God himself. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones anticipates and answers many objections by modern people in this message on Jude 3. The power of the Bible’s message for the modern age is its finality; the unchangeableness regarding God and what He has done in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to bring humanity into relationship with Himself.

2 Peter 3:1-18 — As the modern world jeers at the church’s declining numbers in the West, it also mocks the pronouncement that the future still belongs to God. Christians today might assume such feelings of alienation are a modern phenomenon. In this sermon on 2 Peter 3:1–18 titled “The Gospel and the Modern Man,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones attests that there is nothing new about the modern world mocking God’s plan. People may think this is only part of the modern world, but it is as old as the fall of humankind. Scoffers have always made grand pronouncements about the Christian message as foolish, wishful thinking. Why should Christians think the future belongs to God? Is the modern world correct? Is there any encouragement for the nervous Christian? Dr. Lloyd-Jones seeks to answer these pressing questions. While taking his beginning point from 2 Peter 3, Dr. Lloyd-Jones surveys the Bible as he argues that the future of every individual, of every nation, in the entire world, is in the hands of God. Interacting with philosophical concepts like God’s permissive will, Satan, the presence of evil in the world, as well as history and prophesy, Dr. Lloyd-Jones maintains that God is still exercising His lordship over the world. The coming Day of the Lord will be like a thief in the night, but for those who hold fast to God’s salvation it will be bright.

2 Peter 1:12-16 — There is a tendency, perhaps even an insistence upon, turning the Christmas message into an entirely different message than its original meaning. The contemporary Western culture is constantly looking for ways to undermine the truth about Jesus of Nazareth. One way is found in the sophisticated attempt to undermine the supernatural incarnation of Christ. In other words, modern humanity cannot believe in miracles like the virgin birth and God taking on human flesh, so the world encourages the dismissal of this and instead focuses on the Christmas holiday as a great principle to humanity. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones takes this tendency head-on in this Christmas sermon on 2 Peter 1:12-16. There is much at stake, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, because it is only in the facts of the incarnation – the literal action of God sending His Son into the world – that humanity begins to see the love of God. Listen to this timely Christmas preaching message on the literal fact that the Son of God came to the world to rescue sinners.

2 Peter 1:4 — All of Scripture is about the promises of God. What does this mean? In this sermon on 2 Peter 1:4 titled “The Promises of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the great truth of God’s promises given to His people. It is these divine promises from Genesis to Revelation wherein God tells that He will grant peace and blessings. How does God give Christians all these things? The answer is in the person of Christ Jesus. It is Jesus that gives all peace and happiness because it is He who saves from all sin. Sadly, many have mistaken the law of God for the promise itself, for the law looks forward to Jesus, but it is not the promise. The law brings condemnation on all because they are sinners. Jesus, however, delivers His people from sin and fulfills the entire law for them. The only question to ask is, “do you hope in the promise of God, namely Jesus Christ?” Those who die apart from Christ will never know the peace of God. There is no more pressing matter than belief in the great Savior, Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:1 — In this sermon on 2 Peter 1:1 titled “Faith: The Gift of Grace,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones encourages his people with what they already know—what they are in Christ, what they have, and what awaits them in the future. What is it that makes Christians separate from the world? It is their precious faith. If this concept seems foreign to the listener, perhaps they need to be reminded of the old, old story and realize how they obtained this precious faith: it wasn’t won or achieved, but given as a gift of grace by God through the righteousness and blood of Jesus Christ the Son. Listeners are encouraged to realize the rarity of this gift of faith and that they are among a specific people, a great company—including the apostles, the martyrs, the fathers of the faith, the confessors, the reformers. They have the same faith as these people. Lastly, realize what this precious faith does for the Christian—the wealth of the universe cannot get rid of sins, but faith does. With this precious faith, the Christian is free from the fear of death, able to pass from death to eternal life.

1 Peter 4:1-5 — They are only two kinds of people in this world: those that live according to Christ and those that live according to the principle of sin. In this sermon on 1 Peter 4:1–5, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds the teachings of the Apostle Peter on the divide between the way of the world and the way of Christ. Because all are born in sin and depravity, they are, by nature, slaves to darkness and sin. They live a life that is for the passing pleasures of this world, not for what is eternal and godly. Those who have been saved by Jesus have been saved out of this world and are no longer slaves to immorality and sin. They live for Christ and not for themselves. These two ways of living correspond to two eternal destinies and for those who do not believe in the Gospel, there is only wrath and judgment. But for those that repent and believe upon Jesus, there is salvation and true peace. In this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones speaks not only of humanity’s wretched condition, but also of God who gives grace freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:11-12 — This world is filled with hostility and confusion. The Scriptures, however, present the people of God as ones who live in this world, yet are not confounded by disaster. When things go wrong, the people of God have a quiet trust in the Lord. In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:11–12 titled “A Chosen Generation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones highlights the importance of belonging to this people of God. Belonging begins with being born again. The Christian is aware of being called out of darkness; indeed, they want to come out of it. It is clear to others. The people of God are recognized as being different, because they are born of the same spirit as Jesus. The interests of the soul then become supreme for this new person. While the Christian settles down into this world, they are not of it. Their entire desire is to please and glorify God. This makes them distinct in the world as they live, not according to darkness, but in marvelous light. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges his listener to know they are part of this people of God as their eyes have been opened to Jesus Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones finally calls Christians to do good works in this world, as they await the world that is to come.

1 Peter 2:9 — What is the greatest problem in the world? In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:9 titled “Who Is This God?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that it is not how to stop war, or end famine, but it is how a holy God can forgive sinners. This is the great enigma of human existence, for all are born in sin and in a fallen state wholly opposed to God and His righteous law. God must punish sin because he is holy and just. How can this be resolved? Dr. Lloyd-Jones brings forth the great hope because God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die a sinner’s death so that the law might be fulfilled. Sinners can be saved because of what God has done in Christ Jesus by repenting of their sins and believing in Christ. All who believe are given a new nature that seeks God and desires holiness. Christ is the head of a new humanity that is being perfected and brought to completion as the Holy Spirit enlightens their minds and grants them eyes of faith to see God’s truth. This is the result of God pouring out His love and grace on undeserving sinners, making them new creatures in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 2:9-25 — In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:9­–25 titled “The Call of the Gospel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on Peter explaining to his fellow Christians the importance of their position with God. They are not just anybody, but they are chosen and called by God to be His people forever. Dr. Lloyd-Jones expands upon what it means to be called by the gospel. How does a person know if God is calling him or her? Dr. Lloyd-Jones breaks down the differences in callings. There is the “general” call, which pastors do when they preach the word. But there is also the personal call of the gospel. This personal call, he says, occurs when the listener understands that the message is meant for him or her in particular. The listener might feel disturbed or uncomfortable with their present way of living. They might now feel as if they do not know what to do. They feel the burden and weight of their sin and are humbled by it. They realize that they are in need of a savior. Dr. Lloyd-Jones closes by offering to all who hear this great gift of peace, forgiveness, and everlasting life.