Category Archives: Martyn Lloyd-Jones

This is the point the Doctor is making. He uses the metaphor of a patient who is physically sick. The patient’s doctor, instead of treating the illness, calls in a group of others for discussion. Together they casually discuss his condition while making jokes. This seems ridiculous, yet matters that deal with eternity are much more important than physical illness, so we should be even more serious about them. The scriptures should never be made light of.

Here I will say that I find it helpful to debate certain points of theology with other believers. If a brother has a different view than I, it is helpful for me to be forced to examine why I believe what I do and then defend it. I do not, however, find it helpful or edifying to discuss matters with non-believers or professors who approach things from a non-Biblical perspective. In cases where a Biblical view comes against a worldly view there is no question or debate. And as Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, “the man that is not a Christian is incapable of entering into a discussion about these matters.”

“The first thing that has to be done with the man who does not accept the Christian faith,” says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, “is to humble him.” The prideful sinner cannot be humbled by having a debate or open discussion where everyone’s view is accepted. There is no substitute for preaching.

The next objection answered by the Doctor is that people will not come to hear preaching. He says, however, that the Holy Spirit has always granted success to true preaching, and He always will. Therefore, people will come. Dr. Lloyd-Jones proved this himself while at Westminster. He was able to fill his church without any gimmicks or entertainment, but by pure expository preaching. And it had great success in the lives of those who listened.

That leads to the next question addressed. What is preaching? Preaching is when a man delivers a message from God to people. The man is an “ambassador for Christ.” He is not entertaining but influencing. It ought, at times, to make those that hear uncomfortable – they ought to feel pain – and so desire to change. They also ought to hear words that strengthen and encourage in the midst of difficulty. This message ought to affect the life of the recipient. That is what preaching is.

I agree. I don’t care to be entertained. And if I did, there is better entertainment to be found than a preacher telling jokes or sentimental stories. Nor do I want a political discussion. When I hear preaching I want to be brought closer to Christ and further from the world.

So what is a sermon? The content of a sermon must be the Word of God — that which we have received from God. An ambassador is not someone who delivers his own thought or message. A preacher has no original message of his own. He is only to preach the Word. Anything else is not preaching. Also, there is to be a teaching element as well as an evangelistic element in the message. Sinners must be taught about God and pointed toward Christ.

Dr. Lloyd-Jones supports his view thoroughly with scripture. In examining the New Testament, particularly Acts, with this subject in mind, we have to agree with the Doctor. The only message a servant of Christ has is the Word of God. And the main purpose of the church is to declare that message. So let’s get to it.