Ephesians 4:22-24 That, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (NASB) SERMON DESCRIPTION There are many who say that people are born good, or at least indifferent to evil. They believe people come into the world innocent and able to freely do good. However, as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues in this sermon on Ephesians 4:22–24 titled “Corruption, Lusts, Deceits,” according to God’s word, this is incorrect. The Bible presents people as born guilty and wholly corrupted by sin and all its deceit. Humanity is born into a world that is under the rule of the evil one who is the great deceiver and father of lies. They are born into this miserable state and unable to do anything to save themselves. This life of the unbeliever is one given up to sin, but the life of the redeemed is another story. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, those who have been saved out of this world by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit and adopted into God’s family are declared righteous before His eyes. The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit gives all believers the ability to resist the deceit of sin and the devil. Yet it is because of Christ’s work on the cross in humanity’s place that they are declared righteous. This is the great division between people—there are those that know God and trust in his Son, and there are those that are outside the family of God and under the dominion of sin. SERMON BREAKDOWN The old man is corrupt and decaying, advancing rapidly in the direction of corruption. The old man is becoming more and more polluted and disintegrating. The old man is tending towards destruction. The old man inherits a corrupted nature. We are born in sin and shaped in iniquity. The old man gets worse and worse without God. The world and individuals decay without God. The influences imploring and urging the old man to destruction are lusts. Lust means a strong or mastering desire. Lust has come to mean an evil desire. The lusts that are within us are corrupting and destroying us. The lusts of deceit manipulate the old man and drive him to destruction. Deceit is the real controlling power manipulating the lusts which manipulate the old man. The devil, the ultimate power, is deceitful. His whole nature is deceit. The devil's agents are deceitful. They promise liberty but are servants of corruption. Judas is the epitome of deceitfulness. Sin always involves betrayal. Sin is deceitful. It hardens people through its deceitfulness. Sin takes occasion by the commandment to deceive. It makes the law, which is good, stimulate sin.

Ephesians 4:22-24 That, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (NASB) SERMON DESCRIPTION By the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, sinful men and women are made into new creatures. They are justified before God and made truly righteous. In this sermon on holiness and sanctification from Ephesians 4:22–24, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the old self has been crucified with Christ and now lives according to the Spirit of God that dwells in them. However, there is a sense in which the old self is still with Christians. This old self, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out, refers to the sinful principle in the body called the flesh. This is why, though they are saved, regenerated, and justified, Christians continually struggle with sin. This struggle is something that will go on throughout the entirety of the Christian life as they battle sin and the flesh. But all believers can rest assured knowing that Christ Jesus will return and bring to completion what He has begun in His people. This should encourage all Christians struggling with sin to put off the old self and flee to Christ Jesus knowing that He cares for and loves them. Christians ought to flee all legalistic moralism, run to Christ, and pursue true holiness as they seek to glorify Him in all they do. SERMON BREAKDOWN The apostle Paul reminds the Ephesians of what they learned in Christ - to put off the old self and put on the new self. Putting off the old self and putting on the new self must always be done together. They are two parts of the same action. Putting off the old self and putting on the new self are once and for all actions. But renewing your mind is a continuous process. The "old self" refers to our unregenerate nature - what we are by birth and as descendants of Adam. It is corrupted and sinful. We must put off the old self because it is corrupt and deceitful. The old self belongs to our former way of life before knowing Christ. Putting off the old self means renouncing and forsaking it. It is like taking off old clothes. Even though the old self was crucified with Christ, we still need to put it off in our experience by renouncing old habits and ways of living. We must put off the old self because of what we have become in Christ - new creations. We must live out this new identity. The old self is the same in all of us - it is what we inherit from Adam due to the Fall. The new self is what we become in Christ through faith. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. We must not let sin reign in our bodies. We must yield our members to righteousness and holiness, just as we once yielded them to sin. We must realize the truth of who we are in Christ - no longer in Adam, but new creations in Christ. Our old self has been crucified with Christ. We do not need to crucify it ourselves. We only need to put it off in our experience. Realizing our old self is dead in Christ and we are new creations is strengthening for faith and living the Christian life.

Ephesians 4:20-21 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus (ESV) SERMON DESCRIPTION Those who try to separate the call of the gospel from the call to be holy make a great error. In this sermon on Ephesians 4:20–21 titled “Hearing and Learning Christ,” Dr Lloyd-Jones argues that the Bible presents the life of faith as a pursuit of holiness and righteousness that comes out of the new person through the Holy Spirit. Christians ought not separate belief in the gospel from living out the call of God in their lives to be imitators of Christ and to obey all that He commands. Preachers who misunderstand the connection between holiness and belief in the gospel often confuse listeners that they seek to evangelize by presenting the Christian life as compartmentalized. However, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out, even the pursuit of holiness in the life of the Christian is ultimately a result of what God has done in and through His Son Jesus Christ. Christians can easily fall into legalism when they disconnect the sovereign act of salvation from everyday Christian life. Christians must avoid dualisms knowing that Christ made them a new people by His death and resurrection. Therefore they respond in love and obedience, not as a way to gain favor with God, but because Christ has already done so for them. SERMON BREAKDOWN The apostle Paul is addressing Christians in Ephesus who were once pagans. He wants them to understand that they cannot continue living as pagans now that they have learned Christ. Christianity is not just an emotional experience. It involves learning and understanding. The Ephesians have learned Christ through hearing and being taught the truth about him. The Ephesians cannot continue living as pagans because everything about Christ leads to holiness. There cannot be a division between believing in Christ and living a holy life. The truth in Jesus is the truth about God, Jesus, and the gospel. It reveals God as the holy Father, Jesus as the holy Son, and the gospel as leading to holiness. Hearing Christ means understanding and believing the message about him, not just listening to it. It means the message has gripped you and become the most important thing. Being taught in Christ means you are united to him and are learning from the inside, not as an outsider. The teaching imparts life, not just knowledge. To hear Christ and be taught in him means understanding that God sent Jesus to live, die, and rise again to deliver us from sin and make us holy. We are now part of Christ and destined for heaven. If you have truly learned Christ in this way, you cannot continue living as a pagan. Everything about him makes that impossible.

Ephesians 4:20-21 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus (ESV) SERMON DESCRIPTION Salvation only happens by repenting of sin and believing in Jesus Christ. In this sermon on Ephesians 4:20–21 titled “Knowledge of the Truth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones warns against those who reduce salvation to a mere intellectual assent. The gospel is not dependent on the wisdom of people and their ability to comprehend it. All are born in sin and blindness, unable to see the truth or know God. But true Christianity and faith are a result of what the Holy Spirit does in bringing dead people to life and making them new creations in the Savior Christ Jesus. Understanding true doctrine and godliness are a result of salvation, not the means of it. All who are truly saved have a growing knowledge of God, as His word is absorbed by hearts freed from the blinding nature of sin. Those who know much about the Bible and about doctrine but who have never been broken by their sin are deceived and lost. They presume intellectual understanding is an acceptable substitute for confession of sin and faith in Christ. The church must always be wary of confusing these two kinds of knowledge. Many are self-deceived and lost because they have no real relationship with God, but instead are puffed up with knowledge. SERMON BREAKDOWN Christianity is primarily a matter of knowledge and understanding, not just feelings or experiences. To become a Christian means to undergo a profound change in understanding. Our eyes have been opened to the truth. The first thing that happens when someone becomes a Christian is that their eyes are opened to their own hopeless condition and need for a savior. Our eyes are then opened to see the truth of the gospel - that Jesus is the Messiah and deliverer. This opening of eyes and gaining of understanding is the work of the Holy Spirit. No one comes to faith through natural ability alone. The "unction" or "anointing" of the Holy Spirit gives insight and understanding, even to the simple and uneducated. To "learn Christ" means to come to a knowledge of the truth about Him - who He is and what He has done. This knowledge of Christ is not just a knowledge of doctrine or theology in an abstract sense. It is a personal knowledge of Christ Himself. The knowledge of Christ is not just that our sins are forgiven, but that Christ delivers us from sin itself. The knowledge of Christ is the "truth as it is in Jesus" - meaning the truth is found only in the historic person of Jesus, not in ideas alone. In Jesus "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." All truth is found in Him. We must never separate knowledge of doctrine from the person of Christ. Knowledge of Christ leads to a new life conformed to Him.

Ephesians 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. SERMON DESCRIPTIONThe greatest hindrance to belief in the gospel does not arise from human intellect, but from the heart that has been darkened by sin. In this sermon on Ephesians 4:17–19 titled “Darkness and Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones highlights the warning of Christ that all people in their natural state are alienated from God and unable to pursue what is good and right. This is because the effects of the fall extend to every aspect of humanity. It corrupts the mind, hardens the heart, and distorts the will. Despite this fallen state, humanity still places great worth and confidence in their ability to reason and know morality. This is evident in the many great philosophers of the ancient world who after all their learning and knowledge were still never able to come to true knowledge of God. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches, this shows that what people need is not simply more knowledge, but a new heart and mind that is freed from the mastery of sin and its domination. However, freedom from sin comes only through the gospel of grace and the sovereign working of the Holy Spirit. This is why it is so important to pray that God would work in the hearts and minds of others to reveal Himself to them and give them a true understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. SERMON BREAKDOWN The apostle Paul describes the vain and empty life of unbelievers in Ephesians 4:17-19. Their lives are aimless and pointless, amounting to nothing in the end. Paul explains why people live this way. He says their understandings are darkened and they are alienated from the life of God due to ignorance and hardness of heart (Ephesians 4:18). The most disastrous effect of the Fall was the darkening of human understanding. The Bible frequently refers to unbelievers as "fools" who lack understanding. Unbelievers live in darkness and cannot see the truth, even though they claim to be wise (1 Corinthians 1-2). The gospel is compared to light overcoming darkness. When people are saved, their eyes are opened and they are turned from darkness to light (Acts 26:18). Even the most intelligent unbelievers have darkened understanding. Their intellects are useless until enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Christians should not be surprised or troubled that unbelievers reject the gospel. Their understanding is darkened so they cannot see the truth. Christians' duty is to pray for revival - for the Holy Spirit to open blind eyes and overcome darkness. No human effort can overcome spiritual darkness. Only the Spirit can do this.

Ephesians 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. SERMON BREAKDOWN There have been many great moral teachers and philosophies throughout the ages, but in the end, they are all insufficient to make people truly moral and transform society. In this sermon on emptiness from Ephesians 4:17–19 titled “The Emptiness of the Christless Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that this is because morality (as it is commonly understood) and godliness are often in conflict with one another. Morality (as found in Scripture) is not simply a list of what one should and should not do, but it is a way of living in light of who God is and who He has revealed Himself to be. It is strictly revelation and not speculative. The modern world presents morality as the path of least resistance, relying wholly on the fallen reason of humanity. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns, this is why the world is unable to provide a meaningful answer to the deepest and most important questions in life. Morality and the nature of human life are only understood in light of God’s revelation as found in His word to humanity. That is where one can see who they are and what they must do to be saved. SERMON DESCRIPTION The apostle Paul addresses the Ephesians in a solemn manner to call attention to an important matter. He says “this I say therefore and testify in the Lord”. By saying “testify in the Lord”, Paul means he is speaking with the authority of an apostle and the matter is divinely authenticated. Paul is testifying that the Ephesians must no longer walk as the Gentiles do. The word “walk” refers to the whole of one’s life, inward and outward. The Ephesians were once Gentiles themselves, so Paul is saying they must no longer live like the other Gentiles who have not become Christians. Paul describes the way the other Gentiles live as “in the vanity of their mind”. This means their life is empty, futile, aimless, and pointless. The “mind” here refers to the whole soul - intellect, affections, conscience, will. It refers to their entire outlook on life and way of living. Paul goes on to describe the cause of this vain life in verse 18 and the consequences in verse 19. But here he makes a general statement about their condition. This description applies not just to the pagan world then but also to the modern world today without Christ. Life without Christ will always be empty and vain. The philosophers and intellects of the ancient world did not lead to any real understanding or satisfaction. Their views on religion, history, death, and morality were utterly futile. The apostle John says the only victory over this vain world is through faith in Christ. Faith opens our eyes to the emptiness of the world. We must be thankful God has shone into our hearts and given us understanding.

Ephesians 4:17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. (ESV) SERMON DESCRIPTION Can an unbeliever apply the Scripture? Certainly there are general moral principles that someone could attempt, but in this sermon on Ephesians 4:17 titled “Practice Rooted in Doctrine,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that Christians must follow the example of Paul and never present the application of Scripture as mere morality disconnected from the salvation required to implement it. When morality that is not grounded in the doctrine and narrative of Scripture is preached, only abstract laws and regulations have been offered. This leads to legalism and self-righteousness because people reduce Christianity to a mere list of actions. This, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is a broad road that leads to destruction. The proper way to teach the Bible is to ground all application in the doctrine of transformation taught in the Scripture. This is to place morality in the context of who God is and what he has done in Christ Jesus on the cross for salvation. It is to see the Christian life not in terms of what is done first and foremost, but in terms of what God has done. Sanctification flows from this right understanding of the doctrine of salvation by showing the place of works in light of God’s gracious gift of salvation. For all that trust in God and in His Son Christ Jesus have been made a new people that are to seek holiness and a true knowledge of God. SERMON BREAKDOWN The apostle Paul never leaves anything to chance. He carefully applies the teachings he lays out. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in a detached manner. Our lives inside and outside the church should be interrelated. Doctrine and practice are constantly linked. Our conduct should arise from and be dictated by our doctrine. The Christian life is not meant to be a code imposed on us without understanding. We should understand why we do or don't do things. Failure in the Christian life stems from a failure to understand doctrine. It is fatal to ignore doctrine and focus only on being "practical." Conduct is determined by doctrine. We should not make direct appeals to the will without teaching doctrine. We must teach people to understand doctrine. Sanctification teachings that bypass doctrine are false. We must understand doctrine and apply it. Our concern should not just be to be good or get rid of sins. It should be to function as members of the body of Christ. We should live to show God's glory and point people to Christ, not to glorify ourselves. https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-ephesians/practice-rooted-in-doctrine/

Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (ESV) SERMON DESCRIPTION With so much input on how Christians are supposed to live their lives, how can they discern which way is correct? In this sermon on Ephesians 5:1–2 titled “Imitators of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains from Scripture how Christians are supposed to live and why they are to follow these guidelines. Paul says “we are to be imitators of God.” Christianity, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, is more than just a moral code. Believers are never to obey simply because it is the normal “Christian” thing to do. Rather, they are to obey because they know what God has done for them and why God tells them to avoid certain things. In His graciousness, the Lord did not leave His people without reasons for obedience— instead, He tells often in Scripture the reasons why people are better off obeying His instructions. Just as children are representatives of their families, God’s children act as representatives of Him to the world. People should be able to look at them and see the Father because Christians should strive to become like their heavenly Father in the same way that they often attempt to imitate their earthly parents. SERMON BREAKDOWN The sermon text is Ephesians 5:1-2. The first two verses introduce a principle that governs everything - "Be ye therefore imitators of God". This is a staggering and astonishing statement. We are called to mimic and imitate God. Is this possible? We must understand God's attributes to answer this. God's attributes can be divided into communicable (can be imitated) and incommunicable (cannot be imitated) attributes. We are called to imitate the communicable attributes like holiness, righteousness, justice, goodness, love, mercy, compassion, tenderness, long suffering, loving kindness, faithfulness, forgiveness. We are to imitate God because we are God's children ("as dear children") and God's beloved children. As children, we should desire to please our Father and be like Him. We are representatives of God's family so we should be careful how we live. There is no greater privilege than being a child of God. We are to imitate God by "walking in love" - ordering our whole conduct and behavior in the realm of love. This means doing to others what God has done for us in Christ. Matthew 5:43-48 expounds on this - we are to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, pray for those who mistreat us - just as God sends rain on the just and unjust. Our lives are to be extraordinary and special. We can imitate God on earth as Christ loved us and gave Himself as an offering and sacrifice to God. As we imitate God, our lives will be a sweet smelling savor to God. Source: https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-ephesians/imitators-of-god/

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 we are to be most miserable. In this teaching, 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 to preach the Gospel. In one’s own strength, the preacher is filled with only fear and trembling. He is a weak man; an “earthen vessel.” Dr. Lloyd-Jones tells of a minister who went to bed feeling utterly incapable, and awoke the next morning feeling like a lion ready to preach. What happened? This man was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. This power in preaching gives the preacher clarity of thought and speech. It gives assurance and confidence in their proclamation of God’s Word. This power, however, is not something the preacher can conjure up. It is a gift of God. Unction is something that comes upon, and takes hold of, the preacher. Listen as he encourages his students to pray for this power in their preaching.

Should a preacher repeat his sermon? What are the dangers in doing so? Is it ever appropriate for a preacher to preach another man’s sermon? 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 moved by his sermon turns the act into a mere performance. The same applies to preaching another man’s sermon. While it may be useful on occasion, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the dangers in this habit. He emphasizes, however, that there is nothing like waking into one’s own pulpit with a fresh sermon. There is an uncertainty to the service and the preacher doesn’t really know what’s going to happen. Referencing this as the “romance” of preaching, he talks of times when his first point became it’s own sermon in the pulpit and the remaining points became a series. While repeating sermons may be useful, what a great privilege for the preacher to remain for many years in the same pulpit preaching fresh sermons to a congregation!

In this teaching, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses matters facing the church today which threaten the preaching ministry. He begins with the topic of music, and moves to a discussion on altar calls. Regarding music, Dr. Lloyd-Jones is concerned that congregations are opting for more special singing, quartets, and choirs; 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 an entertainment style of ministry. All instruments are to accompany congregational singing alone. Additionally, there is the danger of altar calls. He laments the rise of the altar call, rooting it in emotionalism which imposes a wrong pressure on the will. In contrast, Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents a Biblical case for appealing to the mind. Sinners do not have the inherent power of “making a decision” for Christ, rather they must be regenerated. The conversion of a soul is not produced by an emotionally-based, momentary decision––it is the work of God. What the preacher longs for is solely the work of the Holy Spirit and therein one finds power in preaching––not in the techniques of the preacher but in the movement of God.

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. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues his lectures on preaching and preachers, he 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 preacher must not be bound by time, always watching himself, and tremendously interested in techniques. In contrast to this performance, he must forget himself as the the Spirit leads his preaching. Other things to avoid in the pulpit include intellectualism and an affinity for too much polemics in the pulpit––always preaching what one is against as opposed to what one is for. Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns against an imbalance between exposition and exhortation. Some preachers expose the Scriptures with no exhortation to the people. Other preachers burden the people with exhortation with little exposition. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains what preachers must avoid, listen in and be challenged by his primary concern that the people of God receive the Word of God in a manner that is clear.

The preacher must freely preach the Word of God in a way that is natural, yet prepared. In this sermon, 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 consider the use of illustrations. Many preachers focus heavily on stories as their sermon becomes nothing more than an exegesis of their own illustrations. The illustration in a sermon must never be an end to itself. They must be used carefully and minimally, only to illustrate the truth of Scripture. Dr. Lloyd-Jones continues his lecture with thoughts on eloquence and humor. While the Apostle Paul was eloquent, eloquence was never his goal. We should be wary of preachers who are more concerned with how something is said rather than what is said. The same applies to humor. A humorous individual will certainly, and naturally, use humor in the pulpit. But this should never become the goal in preaching.

The shape of the sermon should reflect the goal of any sermon. That is, to show the original context, the meaning of a passage, and apply it to life today. In this lecture, 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 fit a clever sermon outline. Form is important, but it must never become more important than the sermon itself. Each point must inevitably arise out of the text. Dr. Lloyd-Jones then addresses the tradition of writing out a sermon, addressing its benefits and its dangers. Finally, he deals with the topic of using quotations in sermons. His concern lies in the motivation behind such a practice. Never should the preacher’s concern be an appearance of scholarship or intellectualism. The sermon must always be prepared for a mixed group of people, helping everyone in the congregation. Overly academic notions should, therefore, be avoided. Listen in, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones instructs his students on the importance of the sermon’s shape, content, and structure.

The importance of the 'freedom of the Spirit'; the use of special occasions; the need for constant assessment and re-adjustment.

The importance of regular Scripture reading; the importance of reading generally; and some suggested guidelines; know yourself.

Evangelistic preaching and its importance; the restoration of authority to the pulpit; the place and importance of buildings.

The relationship between the pew and the pulpit; modern ideas of preaching based on false thinking.

Who is to preach? The 'call' to preach examined and explained; the marks of a preacher; the training required.

The whole person is involved; the delivery of the sermon; the sermon and the act of preaching.