Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Romans 1:3-4 — The New Testament claims that Jesus is the incarnate Son of God but the unbelieving world continues to challenge this fact. What’s more recent, however, is the false religion that rejects this doctrine yet believes one can still be considered a “Christian.” Is the person of Christ necessary for Christianity? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that without a Biblical view of Christ, there is no Christianity and no salvation. Islam can exist without Muhammad and Buddhism can exist without Buddha, but Christianity cannot exist without Christ. That faith is built upon the identity, person and work of Jesus Christ. The God who made and sustains the world fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy. Listen to the sermon titled “Concerning His Son: from Romans 1:3–4 where Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the necessity of the incarnation and belief in this central doctrine. Christless Christianity is not Christianity at all; it is damning hypocrisy. Rejecting Jesus as Messiah places one outside of the Christian faith. Rejecting the divinity of Jesus disregards the whole of His work. Rejecting the full humanity of Jesus imagines a savior who cannot save. Christianity is more than a list of rules, a way of life, or a set of principles. Christianity is about Christ.

Romans 1:2 — It is common for the Christian to struggle with waiting on God’s timing and wonder why God seems to take so long to fulfill His promises. Considering all of the suffering in the world, why doesn’t God bring ultimate fulfillment now? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones presses the listener toward the Old Testament where believers in the promise had to wait on the Lord. Many years had passed from the time that God promised a Messiah to the fulfillment of that promise. Listen to “The Holy Scriptures” as Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines Romans 1:2 and asks the questions: why does Paul reference the Old Testament at all? Is the Old Testament disconnected from the New Testament? The Old Testament is part of the authoritative Word of God which shapes the very understanding of the gospel. The writer of Romans wants the reader to understand that the promise given so long ago is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. While God seems to have been silent for so many years, His purposes were being achieved. Humanity has proven that they cannot save themselves and desperately needs a Savior. The sacrifice for sin has come in Christ and the Messiah must die and rise again. While God’s timing may be a mystery, He can be trusted. His promises are fulfilled in Christ.

Romans 1:2 — In what way is the gospel connected with the Old Testament? Is the Old Testament relevant to New Testament believers? In this sermon titled “Promised by His Prophets” on Romans 1:2, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones highlights the role of Old Testament prophets as they proclaimed and prepared God’s people for the Messiah. The gospel is, therefore, only new in one sense. It is new as it is based on events which happened in the New Testament. However, the gospel plan is not new. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the importance of studying the Old Testament and seeing God’s salvation proclaimed by the prophets. He highlights a number of Old Testament texts which announce the Messiah’s work; when He would come; that He would be a light to the gentiles; and would be despised, afflicted, and die vicariously for the sins of others. These prophets were not politicians but servants of God. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, they wrote and spoke inerrant Scripture. All Scripture is given by God and is profitable and these writings are for the listener’s benefit. Listen and see the depths of God’s redemptive plan as it unfolds in the Old Testament and comes to fruition in Christ.

Romans 1:1 — What is the gospel? It is certainly good news. It moved the apostle Paul every time he spoke of it. It is not law and neither is the gospel merely a list of moral commands. It is not simply an announcement that God will forgive sins. The gospel is not an appeal to do something nor a teaching on how to live better. In this sermon titled “The Gospel of God” on Romans 1:1, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains what the gospel is not and explores what the gospel is. The gospel is a proclamation of what God has done. Some emphasize the Father’s work alone in the gospel and ignore the work of the Son. Others focus on Christ, nearly posturing His work of redemption against the Father’s will. Still some focus solely on the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul calls the gospel “the gospel of God.” This is to say, the whole of the Trinity is at work. The good news is a proclamation of what the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have done. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims this good news and puts the gospel of God before the listener.

Romans 1:1 — Just who was the apostle Paul and what right did he have to speak for God? In this sermon on Paul the apostle from Romans 1:1, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to answer these questions. While many question the credibility and authority of God’s chosen author of Romans, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows Paul as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, and be separated unto the gospel of God. In order to be categorized as an apostle, one had to have been explicitly called and empowered by the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Paul received this calling while travelling on the Damascus Road. As an apostle, he had the same knowledge, truth, and authority as all of Christ’s twelve apostles. Paul was explicitly called to share this knowledge and truth of the gospel with the Gentiles. Seeing now the impact of Paul’s ministry, one can question why God did not convert Paul at an earlier time. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the timing of God is one of the most fascinating things seen in Scripture. In time, the true fullness of God will come and as God has planned. In the same manner, God knew each of His children before the foundation of this world was formed, and His fullness will be revealed in His followers in His timing.

Romans 1:1 — Salvation cannot be divided; it is an all or nothing equation. No one can receive the gift of salvation without submitting their life to Christ any more than they can both skydive from an airplane and resist the laws of gravity. In the sermon “Paul: A Servant of Jesus Christ” on Romans 1:1, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones powerfully shows how the apostle Paul submitted to the Lordship of Christ and was redeemed by our Master's love. Anyone claiming to be saved yet rejects Jesus’s authority over their life has no basis for assurance of salvation. The Christian’s assurance is built on God keeping His promise to fully and forever forgive their sin. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how Paul’s confidence in ministry flowed from this transforming truth.

Explore the foundations of faith with a deep dive into the letter to the Romans. Discover the significance of solid doctrine in safeguarding lives against false teachings. Unravel the complexities of justification and the assurance of salvation that believers can find in Christ. Delve into God’s sovereign role in salvation and the call to glorify Him in all aspects of life. This insightful discussion emphasizes the rich historical context and theological depths that shape Christian belief and practice.

The discussion delves into whether natural abilities and good deeds can lead to salvation, revealing the centrality of Jesus in this quest. Key figures like Augustine and Luther demonstrate the transformative power of the Epistle to the Romans throughout history. The podcast also highlights Paul's dramatic shift from a fierce opponent to a devoted apostle, showcasing his unique preparation and intellect. It underscores the importance of prayer and divine guidance in pursuing one’s mission, encouraging listeners to reflect on how their lives can advance God's kingdom.

In this tribute to her father, delivered at the Evangelical Library in London, Lady Elizabeth Catherwood fondly recounts Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones's strong affinity to books and reading. She begins by recalling some of her memories of her father, who always had a book in his hand. She recalls a beach holiday, where all her family was playing and enjoying the sun, sand and water in beach attire, but her father was fully clothed in a suit, sitting quietly by a rock reading “The Divine Imperative”. “Everyone took reading as a part of him” she states. Lady Elizabeth then goes on to list some books and aspects of reading that Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones disliked: paperbacks, digest and encyclopedias, over-concentration on “style” in books, agonizing over words, novels, and wrong intention for reading. Next, she lists the positive aspects of Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s reading such as his phenomenal memory, the amazing breadth and depth of his reading, his ability to point out dangers in books, and the variety in his reading (both basic and elaborate). She then expands on Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s favorite genres to read, that being Welsh hymns (as he was "a true Welshman"), church history, biographies, and of course, the Bible. To end her tribute, she speaks on how her father had confidence in his faith on his death bed. He had fought a good fight. He had finished his race.

In this moving tribute, Sir Fred Catherwood shares personal memories and insights from his 28-year relationship with Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, first as a member of his congregation, then as his son-in-law. With warmth and reverence, Catherwood reveals the lesser-known dimensions of the renowned preacher's character—his intellectual brilliance as a theological teacher, his warm family relationships, his generosity of time and resources, and his vision for Christian ministry. Beyond the austere pulpit presence that many knew, Catherwood paints a portrait of a man whose theological depth was matched by genuine human warmth, whose reformed convictions were inseparable from passionate spirituality, and whose diagnostic precision in medicine transferred seamlessly to spiritual matters. This intimate glimpse into Dr. Lloyd-Jones' life and ministry demonstrates how his influence extended far beyond Westminster Chapel into international student movements, personal mentorship relationships, and family life—always characterized by a remarkable gentleness that belied his powerful public persona.