Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Debt is burdensome and being obligated to another is a constant weight on one’s shoulders. But there is one great exception, according to the apostle Paul. That exception is the debt of love. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones notes in this sermon on Romans 13:8–10 titled “Love Fulfills the Law,” Paul calls the church to be perpetually obligated in their love for one another. Paul himself was likewise indebted to all: to the Greeks and Barbarians and both to the wise and the unwise. He had the medicine in the gospel that they needed and this meant he was under obligation to share it. Paul expects nothing less from the church. The church in Rome, as well as the church today, are in a constant state of debt to one another. But Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns that if one thinks love and law are at odds with one another, then they have misunderstood the Bible. It is an abuse of the law – by the Pharisees, moralists, and in legalism — that is at odds with Paul’s thoughts on law and love. The law begins with the negative, but God’s commandments ultimately have a positive effect. In other words, “love is the fulfilling of the law.” Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides insight into this beautiful synthesis of law and love.

No matter how the topic is framed – church and state, or Christ and culture – it deserves a lot of careful thought. This is one topic in the history of Christianity that intersects with doctrine, theology, church history, and culture. In this sermon on Romans 13:1–7 titled “Church and the State (6),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones completes his six-part series on church and the state by looking at Christ’s lordship, common grace, the mission of the church, and the Christian individual in society. While some advocate transforming all the culture — including the arts, science, and government — in order to “Christianize” it, Dr. Lloyd-Jones cautions listeners to never talk this way. The Christian is unable to “Christianize” anything that is not Christian. Christ’s kingdom does not come gradually, except in the sense that it is in the church. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds there will always be a tension between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of humanity. This doesn’t mean, however, that God does not give His common grace to human society. Christians are engaged in their society and the individual Christian must work out the application of doctrine in business, government, science, and art. Nevertheless, the church must maintain its distinct calling to preach the gospel. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones works from Romans 13:1–7 and engages in what is still today a most relevant topic for evangelical Christians.

How do the church and ruling government interact? Are they co-equals working together for the greater good? Do they share the same end goal? In this sermon on Romans 13:1–7 titled “Church and the State (5),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones first examines the historical context of church and government traditions that attempt to work together. Many church leaders have fallen under the tyranny of traditionalism in various ways. One such way is the acceptance of the Roman Catholic position of the church and state relationship as one of mutual exchange, power, and respect. Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges evaluating this relationship in light of Scripture, not in light of tradition. Scripture, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, shows a negative position regarding the power and authority of the state, not a partnership. Biblical evidence clearly points to an understanding of two distinct kingdoms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of humanity. These two kingdoms are eternally different and the Christian must be wary of trying to join the two, especially when it involves the power of leaders. Heed Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s warning to take seriously Jesus’s words that His return will establish a reign and rule that is entirely different from worldly rule.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught extensively on church history, specifically on the relationship between church and state. In this sermon on Romans 13:1–7 titled “Church and the State (4),” Dr. Lloyd-Jones turns his attention to the underlying foundation of the view proposing an alliance between church and state. How do they biblically defend their position? What biblical evidence do they portray to say this alliance is biblically sound and wise? He enters this controversial topic by looking at two specific confessions of faith, the Belgic Confession and the Westminster Confession. The bulk of these confessions’ defense is taken from the Old Testament, with only one direct passage from the New Testament. Pointing to the position of Israel as a nation and Judaism as a religion, proponents of the alliance position maintain no distinction between Israel and the church in this way. Deviating from this position, Dr. Lloyd-Jones advocates for the separation of the church and state, based on the New Testament’s teaching on the kingdom of God. As he handles this delicate discussion, he reminds his listeners of the importance of this new identity of believers: the reality that Christians are now citizens of the kingdom through rebirth and this kingdom consists of citizens from every nation and tongue.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues his historical review of the relationship between church and state. Building on his previous sermon, he presses the listener to consider church history in this sermon on Romans 13:1–7 titled “Church and the State (3).” It is important, he argues, because there is no neutral ground. It is all relevant to the life of Christ’s followers and how they live out those lives. Claiming disinterest and avoidance is a great sin. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds on the lives of the Puritans and Separatists (both groups had deep-rooted interest in this topic), he reminds that these two were completely different in their approach towards church and state. Though the Puritans went to America to find relief from religious tyranny, they themselves became the religious and ecclesial tyrants who were intolerant. At the same time the Separatists argued for complete freedom between church and state, wanting the religious freedom to worship as they chose. As these groups are considered, Dr. Lloyd-Jones cautions refraining from severe judgment because they were outworking new ideas and beliefs in a difficult political atmosphere. Listen to his compelling review on church history and be encouraged to think anew on one’s own responsibilities regarding religious freedom.