Man’s Greatest Problem – Self (Remastered)
The sermon of this post is from the YouTube site, MLJTrust, linked below:
A sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Ephesians 6.10-13 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book…
“Armor of God” playlist: • Introduction ― A Sermon on Ephesians …
“It is the universal testimony of all the greatest saints that have ever adorned the life of the church, that the greatest enemy they have had to face, and the last enemy as far as they themselves are concerned, is always self.” ―Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Ephesians 6.10-13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against …
Sermon Description [by MLJTrust]:
“The greatest battle a man faces,” says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “is against himself.”
Why is this the case, and how is this known to be true from Scripture?
In this sermon on Ephesians 6.10–13 titled “Man’s Greatest Problem – Self,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones works through how Satan tries to bring havoc into the lives of people, especially believers.
How does he accomplish this?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that the devil primarily uses pride to refocus people off the things of the Lord. One of his main methods in this is to take a person’s gift— whether it is singing, speech, knowledge, intellect or even conversion experience — and use it to make its possessor feel self-reliant and that they are above the spiritual state of other believers.
How can Christians counter this threat?
Scripture says Christians must face their fallenness and who they are with honesty, realizing that all are equal sinners in the sight of God.
Additionally, one must see everything they have as coming from the Lord and not themselves, remembering that their gifts are to be used for the encouragement of other believers and the glory of the Lord.
This proper view of themselves and what the Lord has given them will allow them to be humble in whatever level of life they occupy, knowing that their sole purpose is to please God.
Sermon Breakdown [by MLJTrust]:
- The sermon focuses on Ephesians 6:10-13 which talks about spiritual warfare and the wiles of the devil.
- The devil attacks Christians in the realm of experience by targeting their assurance and enjoyment of the Christian life.
- The devil puffs up pride in gifts, experiences, desires for importance and preeminence which leads to self-satisfaction, feeling invulnerable to falling, selfishness, jealousy and envy.
- The solution is to honestly examine ourselves, realize we have nothing to boast about and are what we are by God’s grace.
- We should see ourselves as members of the body of Christ where every part is important.
- We should care about what God thinks of us, not what people think.
- Self in all its manifestations dishonors God, his grace and the gospel.
- We should look to Jesus as our example who humbled himself and made himself of no reputation.
- We should have the mind of Christ – to do the Father’s will no matter the cost.
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