Morale (Remastered)
The sermon of this post is from the YouTube site, MLJTrust. It is sermon 38 of 45 sermons presently posted in the playlist, Armor of God. I have posted many sermons from this playlist.
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 …
“The first and the greatest thing we have to realize is as to who we are and what we are. That’s the way to defeat the enemy. In other words, we must realize that we are the children of God. And the mere realization of the fact that we are the children of God is one of the greatest sources of strength and of power a man can ever have.” ―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]:
Continuing his series through on Ephesians 6.10–13 with this sermon titled “Morale,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on the believer and their role in the spiritual conflict which they are called to play a part in.
Although many New Testament writers including Paul wrote that Christians are to actively fight sin and engage in spiritual warfare, he also says that they are to stand strong in the Lord.
This seems to imply that they are to let go and trust God’s strength, but is that compatible with the rest of the instructions in the New Testament?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides a helpful analysis of this. The resolution, he says, is that Christians are called to fight but also to rely on God for the power to fight.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides multiple Scriptural examples of how the Lord aids His followers. Instead of “letting go and letting God,” as many say to do, Scripture says to hold tightly. The Lord will pick up the other side, like a parent assisting their child with a load that is too heavy for the child alone.
This, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is how the Christian is to fight the enemy successfully.
Sermon Breakdown [by MLJTrust]:
- We must realize and understand actively all that we have said hitherto on this subject.
- The first essential is assurance of salvation.
- Assurance of salvation enables us to overcome the devil.
- The key to the conquest of the devil is assurance of salvation.
- If we are in any kind of doubt or uncertainty with regard to our salvation, the devil has already defeated us.
- We all ought to be assured of our salvation. The scripture is full of it.
- If there is anybody listening who is not certain and sure of his or her salvation, there is only one reason for it. That is, the devil, somehow or another, has defeated you.
- If the devil has already got you down and has already defeated you at the crucial point, he’s cutting off the source of supply, the source of energy and of power and of money.
- If he’s already done that, well, obviously he’s going to defeat you everywhere else.
- You’re in a miserable state, you’re unhappy. And when the devil comes and tempts you in the flesh or in the spirit or any other way, well, he’s got you very easily.
- You’re already down, and he kicks you on the ground and spits upon you, and you’re AbsoluTely hopeless and helpless.
- My dear friend, there’s only one way. You got to get up, and you’ve got to get this ASsuRaNCe, this absolute certainty with regard to your salvation.
- That’s the thing that will give backbone to you and strength and power and certainty and assurance, and you’ll be ready for the devil in whatever form or guise he happens to come to you.
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Playlist-page link: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust/playlists