From the MLJ Archive

2 Timothy 1:12 — What is the real cause of all failure and unhappiness in life? How can a person live in this world when the world, the flesh, and the devil are against them? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers clearly: “when one is defeated in life, it is always ultimately due from the fact that he has the spirit of fear.” In this sermon on fear, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explores what the causes, consequences, and cure of this fear are? Is it actually possible to walk without fear, confident that all is truly well with one’s soul? Dr. Lloyd-Jones boldly answers, “Yes!” In this faith-building sermon from 2 Timothy 1, he explains that it is the gift of the Holy Spirit – what He does to the Christian, in the Christian, and what He enables the Christian to do---that makes it possible. God has given to every Christian the Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind, empowering them to no longer fear. God’s children can walk confidently, knowing whom they have believed until that final day. The one who is not afraid of the final day never needs to be afraid of the things that can happen in this world.

2 Timothy 1:12 — What is humankind’s greatest need? Many modern thinkers say it is for people to be emotionally well. Others think that it is world peace. But what does the Bible say is humankind’s greatest need? In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12 titled “Abundant Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how the letter points out that the abundant life is not about material things nor emotional needs, but it is about being right with God. Humankind’s greatest need is to be made pure and free from sin in order that they might be reconciled to God almighty. For all are born slaves to sin and inheritors of unrighteousness. It is only in the gospel of Jesus Christ that any can be set free from sin and live according to God’s ways. Freedom is found in being made right with God through Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Jesus are now able to live a life of righteousness and holiness. Listen closely as Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers these vital questions: “Where is your hope? Are you like this passing world, hoping in the temporal and transient? Or do you trust in Jesus who has died for sinners?” This sermon concerns the most important truths anyone can ever know.

2 Timothy 1:12 — In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12 titled “God’s Way of Redemption,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses his sermon on Paul’s letter to Timothy, where the apostle writes from prison and explains his confidence in whom he has believed. Jumping from Paul’s example, Dr. Lloyd-Jones dives into the importance of the gospel. Salvation is more than living morally and making good decisions. It is more than being a “good Christian.” Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that salvation is trusting in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for the payment of sins. This is God’s plan for the redemption of all since the natural person is corrupt. They are under the power of sin and its total pollution. Humanity’s very nature can’t help responding to sin, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says. On their own, they are unable to overcome their disposition. Good works offer no assurance. Even the great Christian figures like Paul, Martin Luther, and Charles Wesley did not rely on their works for salvation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that there is a work that saves, but it is not of humanity. The only work that saves is God’s work of sending His Son for humanity’s redemption so they may live eternally.

2 Timothy 1:12 — In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12 titled “God’s Unchanging Purpose, “ Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that Paul was on the cusp of being executed when he wrote this letter. Yet, as Dr, Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches, Paul wrote confidently because he believed the gospel he had written about. Many today try to extract the blessings of Christianity without committing fully to its doctrine, but Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that in order to know the blessings of the gospel, one must believe its truth. The gospel starts with God and His process of redemption established before the world began. Dr. Lloyd-Jones instructs that the foundational truth, and what has been called the “watershed moment” of Christianity, is rooted in history — the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. By rising again, He fulfilled His promise to His disciples that He would live again, and by sending His Holy Spirit after His ascension, He again kept His promise that they would not be without a helper. This is important because it shows God’s purpose. Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks again, “Is your life controlled by the fact that you believe in the purpose of God? Does the gospel mean anything to you?” Those who don’t are living apart from its promises and on track to die without its hope.

2 Timothy 1:12 — In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12 titled “The Meaning of the Gospel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that many people think they can construct a worldview built from Christianity along with other religions or ways of thought and still experience the same hope as a follower of Christ. But as Dr. Lloyd-Jones illustrates from this Scripture, no one can have the benefits of Christianity without believing and following Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the gospel and its importance for everyone. Jesus, the God-man, entered into time and became God in the flesh. In His living, He showed how one is to live. In His sacrificial death and resurrection, He made a way for people to be made right with God and to have their sins forgiven. All that He claimed to be while alive was proven by His resurrection, showing that He is God and the Lord over all, even death. He established that death is not the end — He has conquered it. One cannot have this hope and confidence unless they trust in Jesus solely as their Savior from sin and following Him as master. He alone can save and give hope.

2 Timothy 1:12 — In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12 titled “Who Is Man?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tackles deep questions about life from a Scriptural perspective. He shares the good news that one’s existence is not a result of random chance. It has a purpose, and God is in charge. God’s revelation in the Bible shows that humanity is different from animals because they were created with a soul. Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents some common views of humanity today, reminding that people were created to do far more than eat, drink, and fulfill their lusts. Many today chase these activities in hopes that they can be made happy. Yet Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that happiness was never designed to be tied to circumstances — one can find temporary pleasure, but they cannot find lasting happiness. Happiness is dependent upon a relationship with God. Yet, sin separates people from Him. No one can do anything of their own accord — the Bible tells that no one can earn their way to God. Yet, He sent His sinless Son Jesus Christ to die for sins and rise from the dead so that all who put their faith in His sacrifice can be saved.

2 Timothy 1:12 — The Gospel is what enables living well in the midst of difficulty. In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones poses these questions: what is the Gospel, and how does it impact the Christian? Paul’s main principle in this passage is that everything must be examined, including our lives, in the context of the whole collection of Scripture. Just as a doctor would want to address the root cause of an issue instead of merely trying to fix the symptom, so too, the Christian must look to Scripture and see the roots of the sin and seek to weed it out instead of attempting to merely fix the outward manifestations of the issue. Our framework for understanding this depends on our view of life. Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts the biblical view with the unbiblical, which is based on the principle that everything is constantly in flux and that life is a random accident. In contrast, God’s plan has a purpose and is not based on blind chance — it provides hope and rest, and best accounts for the condition of the world today. For Christians, this provides the hope and foundation needed to face difficult times.

2 Timothy 1:12 — As time has progressed and the world has become more secular, many charge that the gospel is useless, outdated, and has failed despite being given several centuries to flourish and establish itself. In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12 titled “The Age of Reason,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers some of the criticisms of the gospel and helps the listener understand how they can formulate a biblical answer that is intellectually and spiritually satisfying. The first difficulty is the definition of the gospel. While many different people will offer to have their own “version” of the gospel, Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to Scripture and reminds that Paul defined the gospel therein. Second, many feel that the gospel has failed. Yet Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that it has accomplished exactly what it was established to do: to reconcile people to God through faith in Jesus’s atoning sacrifice for their sins. Third, some object that the gospel is of no value because progress has left it far behind. Yet the struggles of people today are no different than they were in the first century — Scripture is still incredibly relevant. So what is the gospel? What is human authority? Does reason have limits? Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones answers these questions and points to why humans need divine revelation and why Scripture is the best answer to problems today.

2 Timothy 1:12 — In his sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that the gospel will benefit anyone who believes in Jesus Christ— it is good news for all people. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that the Apostle Paul was a natural pessimist, and yet, he found hope through the gospel. He boldly proclaimed “I am not ashamed.” Scripture’s promises are not dependent upon a person’s temperament or tendencies; it has power for all. Many today hold to a stoic view of life and believe that all are born to die, but this view provides no hope for people. Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts this with the Christian view, using the real-life example of songwriter Horatio Spafford who penned the well-known hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.” Spafford wrote this hymn soon after the tragic drowning of his children and losing most of his wealth. Though all here on earth could be going horribly wrong, and though evil and its results seem to prevail, followers of Jesus have hope. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that this is not automatic — though salvation is received through faith alone, the Christian journey is one in which its followers must play an active part in living out the gospel. He closes by stating that Christianity has no comfort or consolation if one does not believe its truth. Paul’s comfort was deduced from his faith — repent from sins and believe the gospel today in faith.

2 Timothy 1:12 — In this sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12 titled “Alive to the Soul,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws encouragement from Paul’s life and resilience in the midst of difficult circumstances and takes the listener through how he or she can be at rest in the midst of difficult times. Paul underwent countless sufferings, and yet he was content and at rest in God. What accounts for Paul’s attitude? First, he had recognized the supreme value of the soul. It is a recognition that the soul will last forever and that there is an eternal reality. Second, he lived his life in view of what he called “that day,” the coming day of judgment. Third, above all, Paul had a personal knowledge of Christ and the love of God. He knew that God loved him and would keep His promises to grow Paul in his Christ-likeness, even if that meant difficult circumstances on earth. Yet Paul was at peace with that because he knew it was for his ultimate good. Christians have this same confidence — they have nothing to fear, not even death.