Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones - podcast cover

Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

MLJ Trustwww.mljtrust.org
The MLJ Trust presents original audio recordings of the sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981). Dr. Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture. Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John.

Episodes

Questions & Answers (2)

In this final moment with his students, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses their questions. The lecture contains a wide variety of topics such as hosting a Q&A after the sermon, Sunday school, multi-denominational meetings and societies, children sermons, professionalism, and announcements during the service. In this lecture titled “Questions & Answers (2),” listen to this dialogue as Dr. Lloyd-Jones interacts with these men in a caring and casual fashion. Primary themes from his “Preaching and Pr...

Apr 13, 2025

Questions & Answers (1)

As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones finishes his lectures on preaching and preachers, he answers student questions. In this first part titled “Questions & Answers (1),” Dr. Lloyd-Jones responds to the following questions: If he is preaching God’s word, why would a preacher ever cease to be gripped by his sermon? Why use illustrations from Scripture as opposed to modern-day situations? Is the preacher synonymous with elder? Reflecting on these questions and more, he warns against the repetition of sermons ...

Apr 12, 2025

The Spirit and The Power

What is the power in preaching? Is it in the preacher’s own preparation and scholarship? If it is, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that they are to be most miserable. In this sermon titled “The Spirit and the Power,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds upon what he believes to be the most important ingredient in preaching: the unction, or power, of the Holy Spirit. Consider the apostles: they had all of the teaching and preparation, but this was not enough. The Holy Spirit must come and give these men power ...

Apr 11, 2025

Pitfalls and Romance of Preaching

Should a preacher repeat his sermon? What are the dangers in doing so? Is it ever appropriate for a preacher to preach another person’s sermon? In this sermon titled “Pitfalls and Romance,” these questions are handled as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones lectures under the topic of preaching and preachers. A sermon takes on a personality of its own. As the preacher comes to know his sermons, there are certain benefits in preaching them again and again. Yet there are pitfalls. The preacher who is no longer ...

Apr 10, 2025

Decisions

In this lecture on church music and altar calls, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses matters facing the church today that threaten the preaching ministry. Regarding music, Dr. Lloyd-Jones is concerned that congregations are opting for more special singing, quartets, and choirs, and focusing less on the preaching ministry. The more a church is focused on her building, ceremony, special singing and music, the less the church experiences a robust and Biblical spirituality. This leads, he believes, to ...

Apr 09, 2025

What to Avoid in Preaching

As the proclamation of God’s word is the task of every preacher, certain things must be avoided. These things creep into the preaching ministry and detract the man from his work. In this sermon titled “What to Avoid,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues his lectures on preaching and preachers and begins with a few observations on radio preaching. As this grew in popularity during his day, the radio posed new problems for the preacher which led to a sense of professionalism in the pulpit. The preach...

Apr 08, 2025

Illustrations, Eloquence, and Humor in Preaching

The preacher must freely preach the word of God in a way that is natural, yet prepared. In this sermon titled “Illustrations, Eloquence, and Humour,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the preacher’s need for freedom in the pulpit. On one hand, some preachers are bound to a manuscript and never make eye contact with his people. On the other, the preacher is unprepared and forgets what he intended to say. He argues for a well-prepared outline. Additionally, as the man prepares his sermon, he must c...

Apr 07, 2025

Shape of the Sermon

The shape of the sermon should reflect the goal of any sermon. The shape is to show the original context, the meaning of a passage, and apply it to life today. In this sermon titled “Shape of the Sermon,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses outlines, the main points of a sermon, the place and importance of headings, and the balance between the written and extemporaneous sermon. First, he warns against professionalism. Too many sermons have been ruined by one’s vain attempt to manipulate ideas to fi...

Apr 06, 2025

Preparation of the Sermon

The charge to stand in front of God’s people and faithfully deliver God’s word is a serious calling. Congregations can understand and sympathize with the sheer weight of this task. Often, however, what is missed by Christian laypeople is the mental labor of sermon preparation from which faithful sermons emerge. The Christian minister is overwhelmed with decisions during this time that he may not be prepared for through theological education alone. And an honest minister might wonder if he is doi...

Apr 05, 2025

Preparation of the Preacher

The vocation of a minister is unique. A minister does not leave his work behind, whether late at night or on vacation. A minister is a man who is always preparing; he never frees himself from his calling because everything he does finds relevance to his work. How then does a preacher organize his life in light of this reality? What are some practices that will aid the minster in his preparation for preaching? The key factor, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, is for the minister to know himself. In th...

Apr 04, 2025

Character of the Message

Fallen nature is such that human beings can seek to justify themselves before God by any means. Christian ministers know that faithful attendance on Sunday morning, while essential to Christian spiritual maturity, does not guarantee the eternal destiny of a person’s soul. A person can spend their whole life in a pew and still not have saving faith. Yet, how often do preachers neglect regular preaching of the gospel to their own congregation? In this sermon titled “Character of the Message” from ...

Apr 03, 2025

The Congregation

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones stood at a significant turning point in the history of homiletics. While modern preachers often assume a fluid style of preaching for the sake of modern listeners, Dr. Lloyd-Jones warned against the rising tendency for the congregation to dictate from the pulpit. What is the relationship between the pew and the pulpit? How are preachers to understand their method of preaching in light of their congregation? In this sermon titled “The Congregation” from the “Preaching and P...

Apr 02, 2025

Preacher

Who is to preach? What is the call to ministry? These questions come naturally to any man who rightly feels the weight of delivering the word of God to the people of God. Can any man stand in the pulpit and preach? Are there problems with the increasing number of churches relying on lay preachers? In this lecture on the call to ministry, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones tackles this controversial topic from his series on “Preaching and Preachers”. More than this, he challenges preachers to think deeply ab...

Apr 01, 2025

Preaching

How much value is there in a sermon not delivered? Clearly, the mere research and writing of a manuscript or sermon outline cannot be considered preaching. Preaching is both the sermon and the act of delivering the message, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. In this lecture on preaching, he focuses on the general elements preachers need to be aware of for their calling. While Dr. Lloyd-Jones avoids providing the preacher rules or regulations for preaching, he does propose a number of important traits ...

Mar 31, 2025

Form of the Sermon

In this sermon titled “Form of the Sermon,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that all preaching should be theological. In both evangelistic preaching and general preaching, the preacher must know both biblical theology and systematic theology; without them the preacher risks error. But while content is of utmost importance for preaching, Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, the form of the sermon is equally important. Those who rightly value content in preaching can sometimes misunderstand the value and the art...

Mar 30, 2025

The Sermon and Preaching

What is preaching? In this sermon titled “The Sermon and Preaching,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says the preacher is the man to deliver the message from God to the people. The preacher is an ambassador for Christ. He’s not there to entertain people toward Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that preaching is a transaction where the people are given the mind of God through the written word, explained by a faithful preacher. The danger arrives when preaching is replaced by digital versions, print version...

Mar 29, 2025

No Substitute to Preaching

In this sermon titled “No Substitute,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones opens the word of God and confronts the tendency to depreciate preaching at the expense of other forms of activity. As those who have the good news, Christians must tell the truth. Other agencies, politicians, cults, false religions, and nonprofits can do their work, but they cannot preach the gospel. They can ease the pain of the human condition, but they cannot change the heart. The primary task of the church is not to make a person...

Mar 28, 2025

Primacy of Preaching

After 42 years in ministry, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims the most urgent need in the church today is that of preaching. The world says it is outdated, but to Christians, it is the way God intended His word to be taught through the ages. Without question, there are things in the church that are wrong, such as traditionalism and institutionalism. However, preaching is still its primary task. In this sermon titled “Primacy of Preaching,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the key reasons why preaching ...

Mar 27, 2025

The True Nature of the Christian Church, Part 2

Acts 2:42-47 — In this sermon, the second of two sermons preached at the opening of Zion Evangelical Baptist Church (Rippon, England) on December 8th 1965, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the critical importance of understanding the doctrine and true nature of the Christian church. What does an authentic, Spirit-filled Christian church look like? In this sermon examining the early church in Acts 2:42-47, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that the defining mark is an insatiable desire to gather toge...

Mar 26, 2025

The True Nature of the Christian Church, Part 1

In this sermon, the first of two sermons preached at the opening of Zion Evangelical Baptist Church (Rippon, England) on December 7th 1965, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses the critical importance of understanding the doctrine and true nature of the Christian church. He argues that many of the problems and divisions within the church stem from a lack of clarity about what the church really is and its function in the world. With the rise of the ecumenical movement and the increasing confusion in ...

Mar 25, 2025

State of the Nation

In this sobering assessment of the moral and spiritual state of the nation, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones diagnoses the root causes of societal decay in Britain and the West. In this sermon, preached in 1971 to the British Evangelical Council, he argues that the problems go far deeper than mere disobedience or "sleeping sickness," as in the 18th century. Rather, he asserts that a moral "poison" has entered the very bloodstream of society, leading to a denial of God, moral law, and the supernatural. Tra...

Mar 24, 2025

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Luke 12:13-21 — In this sermon on the parable of the rich fool from Luke 12:13-21, preached on a Sunday evening to the Seventh Reformed Church in Grand Rapids (Michigan), Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exposes the danger and tragedy of self-deception. The parable arose from a man interrupting Jesus' teaching to ask him to intervene in a family inheritance dispute. Jesus, shocked by the request, warns the man and the crowd to "beware of covetousness". He then tells the parable of a rich man who treasured...

Mar 23, 2025

Hearts Aflame

Luke 24:13-35 — In this sermon preached at the Sunday morning service on August 27, 1967 to Seventh Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the encounter between the risen Christ and two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He highlights their initial state of sadness and dejection, despite the resurrection having already occurred. This, he argues, mirrors the condition of many Christians and churches today who, though possessing the truth, live as though defeat...

Mar 22, 2025

Prayer; Drawing Near to God

Hebrews 10:19-22 — In this sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explores the topic of prayer and its challenges, focusing on Hebrews 10:19-22. The preacher begins by addressing the context of the epistle to the Hebrews, written to Jewish Christians who were becoming discouraged in their faith. He emphasizes the importance of prayer in the Christian life and highlights the difficulties that can arise when attempting to pray. Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines three main obstacles to prayer: entering into God's h...

Mar 21, 2025

God and Dagon

1 Samuel 5:1-4 — In this sermon on 1 Samuel 5:1-4, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the story of the Philistines capturing the Ark of the Covenant, drawing profound parallels to the modern world's relationship with God. He begins by recounting how the Israelites, at a low point spiritually and militarily, were defeated by the Philistines who then captured the Ark. The Philistines placed the Ark in their temple next to their god Dagon, thinking they could use the Israelite God when needed. Howe...

Mar 20, 2025

But God... Part 3

Ephesians 2:4 — In this powerful sermon, preached at Columbia Bible College's Ben Lippen Conference Center near Asheville (North Carolina), Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the profound significance of two simple words found in Ephesians 2:4 - "But God." He argues that these words encapsulate the very essence of the Christian gospel and should be the most frequent words on the lips of believers today. Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts the hopeless state of mankind apart from God, dead in sin and under...

Mar 19, 2025

What is a Church?

In this powerful sermon on the nature of the church, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines what truly constitutes the church according to New Testament teaching. He argues that the church is not merely a confession of faith on paper, but a living gathering of people who have been separated from the world and united together in Christ. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the church is made up of those who have undergone a radical spiritual transformation - experiencing conviction of sin, repentance, and new bi...

Mar 18, 2025

The Sword and the Song

Psalms 149:5-6 — In this sermon from 1977, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reflects on the state of evangelicalism in Britain over the previous decade since he issues his call for evangelicals to leave their mixed congregations. Focusing particularly on shifts he has observed among Anglican evangelicals, Dr Lloyd-Jones argues that the past ten years has seen a dramatic drift away from historic evangelical positions on Scripture, salvation, and ecclesiology among many who still claim the evangelical label...

Mar 17, 2025

The Mayflower Pilgrims

In this powerful sermon commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers' voyage to America on the Mayflower, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws profound lessons from their example for Christians today. He begins by emphasizing the importance of studying church history, particularly this period of transition in the early 17th century which parallels our own age. Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines the historical context of the Separatist movement that led to the Pilgrims' departure, highlighting their ...

Mar 16, 2025

Render Unto Caesar…

Matthew 22:15-22 — This sermon by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones, one of his last to be recorded prior to his death in 1981, was delivered at the final rally of the British Evangelical Council to take place Westminster Chapel in 1979. In it, Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds on Jesus's famous teaching to "render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things which are God's" from Matthew 22:15-22. Dr Lloyd-Jones uses this passage to address what he sees as the great tragedy of mankin...

Mar 15, 2025