The Scripture of Truth (Remastered)
The sermon of this post is from the YouTube site, MLJTrust, linked below:
My intro:
During the initial 20 minutes of the sermon, MLJ provided an example of how people can easily err regarding decisions they must make in their daily lives. His example unfolded during a train ride to a preaching event. He briefly examined the elements of that event in terms of how a group of people arrived at a rationale for accepting his authority even though they did not know he was a medical doctor.
In applying his points to the spiritual realm, he spoke of the Protestant Reformation, noting that Martin Luther got his certainty, resolve, conviction from his trust in God’s word via His Spirit. [This is my summary of the initial 20 minutes, not his words.]
The balance of his sermon was spent explaining what divine revelation is and that no other source of knowledge about God can be accurate; because it is comparing the words of man to those of God: 1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
[Per MLJ, 3:18 indicates: admit he knows nothing, then it is possible that he can be filled with understanding by God’s Spirit.]
If you have previously just accepted the words of pastors or priests, then this sermon may stir in you a sense of urgency and curiosity such that you commit to reading through a study Bible.
A sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Ephesians 6.14 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book…
“Armor of God” playlist: • Introduction ― A Sermon on Ephesians …
“If we are to have any knowledge of truth at all, well, then God has got to give it us. It’s got to be revealed to us. We can’t get there. We can’t climb that mountain and reach the top where God is… impossible.” ―Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Ephesians 6.14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…
Sermon Description [by MLJTrust]:
The question of the age is that of true authority.
In this sermon on Ephesians 6.14 titled “The Scripture of Truth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains how people are desperate for any note of authority. But even the Christian church is confused about what is truth.
Cults are successful because they speak with an authoritative voice. All the troubles of the church and the world today are due to a departure from the authority of the Bible. The Christian church has often not helped this by putting philosophy in the place of revelation.
The Protestant and apostolic church’s position is that the Bible is the word of God, uniquely inspired and inerrant. The Protestant Reformers judged the Roman Church and its traditions by what they found in the Bible. No one can ever arrive on their own at a knowledge of God. They either submit completely to the authority of the Bible or have no authority at all.
God’s revelation can be received and attained only as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit upon and in the believer. Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks: “how do we face the future, temptation, the devil, and the uncertainty of life?” It is by having “loins girt about with the truth” of the word of God, as revealed in the Bible.
Sermon Breakdown [by MLJTrust]; [some words underscored by me]:
- The sermon examines Ephesians 6.14 which exhorts believers to “stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.”
- The sermon emphasizes the importance of truth and authority for the Christian life. Without truth, we have no way to stand against the devil and his schemes.
- The sermon argues that truth and authority cannot come from human reason, feelings, experiences, or church tradition. These are subjective and prone to error.
- The sermon asserts that the Bible alone should be the Christian’s authority. It claims to be the very word of God, not just containing the word of God.
- The sermon outlines why the Bible should be the Christian’s authority: God is infinite and incomprehensible. Finite human reason cannot know Him apart from revelation.
- Humans are sinful and twisted. Our minds are blinded to spiritual truth apart from God’s grace.
- The Bible claims to be the word of God. The prophets and apostles claimed to speak God’s words, not their own.
- Jesus Himself submitted to the authority of the Old Testament and claimed His words carried God’s authority.
- The Holy Spirit illuminates our minds to understand the Bible. We must come to it with humility, not relying on human wisdom.
- The sermon concludes by exhorting Christians to submit to the Bible’s authority if they want to stand against the devil. We must come to it with humility, acknowledging our dependence on God’s Spirit to understand His truth.
MLJTrust video-page link: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust/videos
MLJTrust playlist-page link: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust/playlists