This post contains a Martyn Lloyd-Jones sermon on the sacraments. I should have posted it prior to the last sermon I posted on baptism, because it clearly explains how a sacrament is a sign and a seal. Knowing the meaning of these two terms is extremely important in understanding the various ways baptism and the Lord’s Supper are viewed by the different denominations of Christianity.
Furthermore, knowing what a seal is, via his memorable explanation, will help listeners more value these sacraments.
The sermon of this post is from MLJTrust at YouTube, links below.
A sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Sacraments of the Church https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/grea…
Great Biblical Doctrines playlist: • The Eternal Decrees of God (Remastered)
Sermon Description by MLJTrust:
Is communion a means of receiving grace?
In this sermon on sacraments, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones begins a series on the sacraments and their place in the lives of believers. This topic provokes many different views but as Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, keeping these practices is one of the ways that believers receive God’s grace.
Protestants have held that there are two kinds of sacraments: communion and baptism, and that these two sacraments are outward spiritual signs of inward spiritual grace given by God. However, this is different from the Catholic view, which holds that God’s grace is in the actual water of baptism, and the food and drink of communion.
This difference brings up an interesting question: what is the relationship between the sacrament and the grace that is given through it?
In this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents his argument for the Protestant view holding that the sacraments serve to signify the seal of the Holy Spirit and convey Christ’s love to the recipient.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones likens this to what an engagement ring accomplishes. Though the ring itself is not the love of the man for the woman, it is a token, a symbol and new expression of that love.
Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones guides the listener through this sometimes challenging subject.
Sermon Breakdown by MLJTrust:
- The sermon begins by providing context on how the topic of the sacraments came to be discussed. Dr. Lloyd-Jones walks through how the previous sermons built up to this topic.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones acknowledges that the term “sacrament” is not found in scripture and was introduced later, though its origins are discussed.
- Two definitions of “sacrament” are provided, one from the 39 Articles of the Church of England and one from the Westminster Confession. They emphasize that sacraments were instituted by Christ, signify and seal grace, and strengthen faith.
- Different views on the relationship between the outward signs of the sacraments and the inward grace are discussed. The Catholic view is that grace is contained within the elements. The Zwinglian view is that the sacraments are merely symbols. The traditional Protestant view is that the sacraments not only signify grace but also seal it.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the sacraments provide visual representations to help our understanding, as we are often helped by visual aids. They call to mind spiritual truths.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses the relationship between the outward signs and the inward grace in more detail. The sacraments do not add to the grace we have already received through faith but confirm and seal it, like a ring confirms and seals a promise of marriage. They exhibit and convey grace to us.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the sacraments were instituted by Christ and are a means of grace, but they are not absolutely essential to receiving grace. Grace comes primarily through the Word, and faith is required for the sacraments to have meaning.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that Catholics recognize seven sacraments but Protestants traditionally recognize only two – baptism and the Lord’s Supper – as they were the only ones instituted by Christ.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones expresses thanksgiving to God for providing the sacraments as aids to our faith in His condescension and kindness. They have also ensured the Gospel continues to be proclaimed even when preachers fail in their duty.
Video-page link: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust/videos
Playlist-page link: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust/playlists