Calvinism; Hyper-Calvinism and Arminianism

What is the responsibility of evangelism? In this sermon titled “Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism, and Arminianism,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones distinguishes between the three from a biblical perspective in regards to evangelism. There is a great confusion today between mere activity and real spiritual work. People are always impressed by activity, but this is often carnal zeal and activism. What is “prayer-backing”? Do Calvinists need to be reminded of the responsibility of evangelism in ministry? What is the right motive for evangelism? Learn of the history of Calvinism and the over-correction that often results. Hyper-Calvinists press logic so far that they do not give the free offer of salvation to others. Hear of election, predestination, and human responsibility, and of the biblical truths that cannot be logically reconciled. God alone is responsible for salvation, while humanity alone is responsible for damnation. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that a person ought to be a great Calvinist who preaches like an Arminian. Evangelism is the result of a great urge, not mere duty; it is an inevitable fruit, not something to be added. How did Christianity spread before the printing press? Look to God for help, rather than oneself; be filled with the glory of God, rather than statistics and organizations. Stand humbled before God.

01:05:38

Addressing a Pagan World

In this sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at Paul's example of how the Christian church ought to address a pagan world. A world sunk in iniquity and on the verge of collapse needs the Christian message. Learn that Paul reasoned with these people. How should this Gospel be listened to? Man ought to tremble in some way under its message! The great theme is righteousness – on the the attributes of God Himself. Learn of this, "essential uprightness" – the opposite of anything perverted or weak. According to biblical teaching, not only is God righteous, but man was originally created to be righteous after God’s image. Learn of the vital relationship between righteousness, temperance, and the judgement to come. Man is a responsible being made in God's image, and God will hold him responsible in the end. No man does good – men love darkness rather than light. The Law damns everyone to Hell, but the Gospel declares faith in Christ can save! God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to lay the iniquity of sinners on Him. Praise God! Why do people reject this message? Stop resisting the Spirit and fighting against God. Receive this new life and nature, and start living as a new creation.

00:58:03

Intercessory Prayer

Man is so tempted to put faith in his own abilities that prayer has often come as an afterthought. Learn about the concept of "prayer-backing" and the perversion of merely thinking man needs God's support. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses this serious departure from what Scripture conveys as prayer. Look at the examples of Abraham, Isaiah, and Moses – all men of action, but moreso all men of great intercession. What is the greatest thing man can do at a time like this in history? Intercede before the throne of God! Are we to have greater zeal for denouncing sin or exalting the glory of God? Consider the example of Christ when He saw the state of the people – He was burdened for them. How ought we pray? Intercessory prayer is not mechanical, nor is it simple. Praying must always start with worshipping God, not presenting one's problem. Hear about Jeremiah's prayer as he reasoned and pleaded with God – even if those he was praying for were against him. Begin to see God’s larger plan of salvation. Pray and not faint; God is your only source of strength. Fall before Him and leave your petition at His throne.

00:59:08

What is the Task of The Church?

1 Timothy 2:3-7 — Why does your church exist? What is the job of it and your pastor? In this sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to teach from Scripture regarding the proper role of the church. Over the last several decades, many churches have taken on the world’s job of entertaining people. Yet, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones rightly points out, this is opposite of the church’s focus to bring people to a knowledge of the truth. Who is God, and who is man? What is wrong with man? These questions serve to quickly diagnose that we are in trouble and in need of a Savior, and this message, says Lloyd-Jones, is the reason churches exist. As Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” People in the world are wandering about, suffering under the effects of sin. They are often seeking to find lasting joy, peace, and forgiveness in created things that cannot satisfy. Yet, Jesus offers a remedy for all who come to Him in faith and accept His sacrifice for sins on their behalf. Why is it so urgently important, Lloyd-Jones asks, that churches exist to preach this? His answer is simple but pointed: people will stand before God and be judged when they die. The message of hope and forgiveness must be preached, and this is the function of the church.

00:50:08

The Nature of the Christian Ministry

2 Corinthians 4:5 — In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:5 titled “The Nature of the Christian Ministry,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones passionately proclaims the real character of the Christian preacher and the true Christian message. Look at the example of Paul. Why did Paul not preach himself? What makes someone or something a fit subject for preaching about? The task of the gospel is not easy, but it is clear. The Christian is preaching to a world that is outside. Learn about earthen vessels and the state of the condition of the natural person. The gospel of Christ is not only preaching on morality and conduct; the natural person is ignorant of the issue of their own soul. People were meant to be companions of God who communed with Him. Why is this not seen? The world is under the control of the devil. Learn how to fight the spiritual forces of evil in this world. Glory in the Trinity, in God through His creation, and in the Son who died and rose again. The Christian preacher ought to be one who is prepared to be nothing so that God can be everything.

00:57:00

Why this Present Suffering?

Romans 8:18-23 — Is Scripture completely irrelevant? Listen to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the contemporary answers found in Romans 8:18-23. The sufferings of this present time are the unchanging problems of mankind. Human suffering is always a result of sin. Science and philosophy cannot give man such hope in the face of humanity, but the Gospel of Christ can. Look at nature from the Bible's standpoint and find comfort on its terms. The greatest consolation in this present affliction is that this is God’s world. The ground was cursed for man’s sin and the world is under the wrath of God, but there is good news. The Christian Gospel is the only explanation and solution to the sufferings of the present time. Learn that every human's greatest need is to be reconciled to God and the only promised deliverer is Christ. A Christian is still subject to all the sufferings of this present world; but man has a new view of time, and sufferings, which are incomparable to the glory to come. Are you groaning with creation? Find out that you should be! Nothing can frustrate the plans of God. Cast yourself on His compassion and love; your sins have already been dealt with.

00:59:01

The Power of Prayer

Hebrews 10:19-22 — Why is prayer difficult? Why do we need instruction to pray? In this sermon on prayer from Hebrews 10:19-22 titled, “The Power of Prayer,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers these questions and explains how to pray to God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that the uncertainty of the basis of Christian faith affects prayer and that Christian prayer is difficult because of three reasons: prayer is going into the presence of God, we have an accusing conscience, and our bodies are polluted with sin. Regarding the basis of the Christian faith, he says that without true doctrine you cannot pray. One must know the only way to pray is through the new and living way provided at the cross. Regarding the three reasons why prayer is difficult, we must pray with boldness by realizing that it was God himself who died on the cross for us. We must deal with an accusing conscience by realizing that we are sinners but those sins have already received punishment and were laid against the lamb of God. We must deal with pollutions by fighting sin through the new nature that is received through Christ. Finally, we must deal with the devil by remembering that Christ died for our sins. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by saying “go to him in full assurance of faith and he will hear you.”

00:50:07

The Dedication of the Temple

1 Samuel 4:19-22 — In this sermon on 1 Samuel 4:19-22, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws parallels between the state of the church today with the spiritual condition following the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines that is recorded in the Old Testament. As with the tabernacle, the Doctor says, the vital factor in the life of the church is the presence of the glory of the Lord. The greatest danger to the church today could very well be that it is content with nice buildings that are missing God’s glory. But as in the Old Testament, both humanity’s contribution and God’s glory are vital in working together to bring a church to a state of flourishing. How can churches guard against this separation? Lloyd-Jones proposes that it all begins with a church being sensitive to the glory of the Lord, and then asks some haunting questions: is the church aware of the glory of the Lord? Where does it start? The answers to these questions, and the fervor with which the answers are applied, will play a large part in the shape the church takes over the next several decades. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on why the glory of the Lord is vital for a church to succeed.

00:43:41

A Christian Looks at the Moon

The only hope for this world is that it is God’s world. In this sermon titled “A Christian Looks at the Moon,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the claim that Christians forsake thinking and reasoning. It is the Christian alone who thinks and Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks if one’s thoughts are controlled and governed by the teaching of the Bible, or the news and the media? Learn how to think deeply, examine truth, and draw conclusions that are not superficial. The Christian considers things, reasons, and then comes to profound conclusions concerning such. Stand amazed at God’s marvelous creation and understand the uniqueness of humanity. Learn of the problem and tragedy of humanity; in this marvelous universe, humanity is the greatest contradiction. How can people be such a brilliant success, yet the greatest failure? Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the modern person as a technological success and moral failure. This modern person is governed more by lust and passion than truth and understanding. Come to the only hope that there is for the world today—a spiritual understanding of God’s great plan of redemption and salvation. Recount the one launching that came from heaven to earth by God Himself. The wise person is encapsulated in Christ. Christ alone will present His people holy and faultless before God.

00:59:27

By This Shall All Men Know ...

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached this sermon titled “By This Shall All Men Know…” at the Evangelical Alliance Ministers’ Conference in 1969, stressing the importance of supplementing the reading of theology with that of history. He encouraged avoiding being abstractly academic without applying theological truths to daily life and to look at the “generals” in history to keep the “particulars” of theology realistic. Listen to what the Roman Catholics said about Protestantism. Who do the facts support? Learn about the denominational divisions of Christianity. If many are based merely on comprehension, are they justified or sinful? Learn of the factors that caused such divisions. Hear of the national churches that hindered the Protestant union and how spiritual elements were overwritten by political ones. Hear of the history of Calvin, Luther, Anabaptists, Presbyterians, and many others. Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses episcopacy and tradition, essentials and non-essentials, and striving for Protestant union. He shares the significance of the Westminster Confession and other confessions of faith. Avoid the extremes of unrestrained laxity and egotistical rigor, define the differences between error and heresy, and heed the call to be charitable.

01:18:40