Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Christmas Message: Questions and Answers

What is the central message of Christmas according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the central message of Christmas is that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). This is the essence of the gospel - not just goodwill among men or moral teaching, but that God sent His Son specifically to address mankind's fundamental problem of sin. As Lloyd-Jones states: "You don't understand Christmas unless you understand sin. It's a time for preaching. There is no meaning to the incarnation, finally, unless we see the problem of man in sin."

How does Lloyd-Jones contrast the true gospel with the false teaching mentioned in Timothy?

Lloyd-Jones contrasts the true gospel with false teaching that reduces Christianity to mere morality, philosophy, or general goodwill. He explains that some were "preaching it as if it were nothing but a kind of morality, as if it were but a message of some vague general goodwill and good cheer." He calls this "an utter travesty of the gospel" and "as useless and as worthless as this vain jangling." The true gospel, in contrast, addresses the deep problem of sin that no moral teaching or philosophy can solve, offering divine intervention through Christ's coming.

What three divine qualities does Paul emphasize in his personal testimony according to the sermon?

In Paul's testimony, Lloyd-Jones highlights three divine qualities that stand out:

1. Mercy - God's pity for people suffering in sin, despite their situation being self-inflicted
2. Grace - God's "unmerited or undeserved favor," which is "exceeding abundant" and covers all sin
3. Long-suffering - God's patience with sinners, His slowness to anger, and His willingness to wait for repentance

As Lloyd-Jones notes: "Those are ever the three greatest characteristics of God's attitude towards sinners and towards a sinful world."

Why does Lloyd-Jones say that the law and morality cannot solve mankind's problem?

Lloyd-Jones explains that law and morality cannot solve mankind's problem because they don't address the root issue of sin. He states: "It's no use going to a man who is a slave of sin and saying, look here, what you're doing is wrong. The man, in a sense knows it before you've told him. The trouble with him is that he can't stop doing it. He's in the grip of it." The problem isn't lack of knowledge but bondage to sin: "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant [slave] of sin." No moral system can break this bondage - only Christ can "deliver it out of it."

How does Lloyd-Jones describe the abounding nature of God's grace?

Lloyd-Jones describes God's grace as "exceeding abundant," borrowing Paul's language. He explains that God's grace doesn't just barely cover our sins but overflows abundantly. He states, "There is enough grace in the Lord Jesus Christ to cover all your sins and infinitely more, your past sins, your present sins, your future sins." Moreover, God's grace doesn't stop at forgiveness but goes further - giving new life, regeneration, making us "partakers of the divine nature," and even transforming Paul from a persecutor to an apostle. As Lloyd-Jones quotes, "Plenty of grace in thee is found, grace to cover all my sin."

What does Lloyd-Jones teach about God's long-suffering toward sinners?

Lloyd-Jones teaches that God's long-suffering is His patient waiting and restraint in judgment to give people time to repent. He cites examples like God warning the world for 120 years before the flood and bearing with Israel despite their repeated failures. About Christ, he notes how He called Judas "friend" even knowing he would betray Him. Lloyd-Jones explains that God continues to be long-suffering today: "God is tolerating the world to go on in sin, not because he's slack or indolent... but is long suffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." This means that "God's gate will be open to you until you die."

How does Paul's personal testimony enhance the Christmas message according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Lloyd-Jones, Paul's personal testimony enhances the Christmas message by providing a concrete example of how Christ saves sinners. Paul describes himself as "a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious," yet received mercy, grace, and experienced God's long-suffering. This testimony shows that no one is beyond redemption. Lloyd-Jones states: "it was the mercy and the grace and the long suffering of the Lord that saved this man and turned him from that to this." By framing the Christmas message within Paul's testimony, Lloyd-Jones shows that Christ's coming isn't just theological doctrine but transformative reality that changes lives, even for "the chief of sinners."