Faith Only – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

The sermon in this post is from the YouTube site, MLJTrust, linked below:

This sermon is concerned with one of the most basic requirements of actually being a Christian. Many who profess to be Christian do not understand this basic criterion. That is, many believe they can say the ‘sinner’s prayer;’ or sign a card; or read the Bible; attend a church; be baptized…. Born-again believers do such things, but that is not what has made them a Christian.

Born-again believers have faith ‘like Abraham.’ MLJ explains what that means. He also explains some typical mistakes professed Christians make.

There are many wrong ideas about Christianity, and what makes one a Christian… in society; even in the church (among those who do not read the Bible). This sermon will help the hearer better understand what God has stated as the foundation of being a Christian.

[Late note: I listened to this sermon a couple more times while I was doing some chores and a few of things occurred to me that ought to be stated:

MLJ is probably in the top 5 preachers of the 20th century so his insights and teaching ought to be considered in light of that
He speaks of Paul as explaining that salvation was by faith since Abraham, Genesis 15:6…
In other words, there was never any other way of salvation except by faith; yet dispensationalists hold something different and their belief that Israel and the church are saved differently is entrenched in the western church, even though it is not biblical – R C Sproul and others who hold to ‘covenant theology’ see it that way: the covenant God made with Abraham was the foundation of the church; Moses covenant modified that covenant of God made with Abraham; the covenant ratified in the blood of Christ is founded in that covenant God made with Abraham…. Galatians and Romans confirm the above
There are many, many other erroneous ways of interpreting the Bible regarding faith, justification and salvation. Lloyd-Jones, Sproul and others I have posted are preaching the biblical path. But even if you know that path and believe it, walking it is something else. I guess that is why Jesus talked about a gate and a WAY in chapter 7 of Matthew. Finding the truth is the gate, walking via faith and the Holy Spirit is the way]

A Sermon on Romans 4.9-16 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book…

“It is our being united to Christ that makes us Abraham’s seed. ‘If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.’ We were once as Gentiles, aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise. But no more.” ―Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Sermon Description [by MLJTrust] [underscoring is mine, Michael A]:

Was Abraham, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, justified by works?

Paul says no; he was justified by faith alone.

Just as a teacher lectures and then makes time for possible questions, Paul presents his case on the true gospel and a message on salvation and then answers potential questions that might arise.

The Jews may have suggested that since Abraham was not justified by works, it was because he was circumcised. Paul again says no. Abraham was the father to all, both circumcised and uncircumcised, because Scripture shows that he was justified before he was circumcised.

In the sermon “Faith Alone” on Romans 4.9–16, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that Paul warns against those who merely held to their own circumcision as a means of salvation.

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how the Jews had not properly understood why the Lord gave them the sign of circumcision and how Paul refutes their wrong beliefs.

When Abraham was credited as righteous, it is the first time in Scripture that salvation by faith alone was defined. The Lord promised that because of Abraham’s faithfulness, his seed would produce the Son of God.

Sermon Breakdown [by MLJTrust]:

The apostle Paul is dealing with possible objections and difficulties to the doctrine of justification by faith, specifically from Jews.
The first objection addressed is whether Abraham was justified by works. Paul shows from Scripture that Abraham was justified by faith, not works.
The second objection is whether circumcision is required for justification. Paul shows that Abraham was justified by faith 14 years before he was circumcised. Therefore, circumcision is not required for justification.

Circumcision was given to Abraham as an outward sign to seal the righteousness he already had by faith. It did not produce justification, but confirmed it.

There were two purposes for circumcision: 1) To confirm to Abraham the righteousness he already had by faith; 2) To show that Abraham is the father of all who believe, whether circumcised or not.
Abraham is the father of all believers, whether circumcised or not. He is the pattern and example of justification by faith.
Merely being circumcised does not make one a child of Abraham. One must have the faith of Abraham. Circumcision alone avails nothing.
The promise to Abraham was not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. The law came 430 years after the promise.
The promise to Abraham was that he would inherit the world. This refers to the universal reign of Christ in the age to come, which believers will share in.
The seed of Abraham refers to Christ and all who are in Christ. Believers are heirs of the promise because they are in Christ, the seed.
The promise to Abraham applies not just to Jews, but to all believers, Jew and Gentile alike. All who are of faith are Abraham’s children.