What Does the Day of Pentecost Mean for Christians Today? (Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Analysis)

What is the significance of Pentecost according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Pentecost represents a pivotal historical event in God's purpose for salvation. He explains that the day of Pentecost marked "the coming of the Holy Ghost, the third person in the blessed Holy Trinity upon the infant church." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Pentecost is not merely a symbolic event but a historical fact as significant as Christ's birth, death, and resurrection. It represents God's continuing work to fulfill His eternal purpose of salvation by sending the Holy Spirit to apply Christ's completed work to believers.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the Holy Spirit's work of "calling"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the Holy Spirit's calling as the process of bringing people "out of darkness into God's marvelous light." This calling involves:

1. Opening people's spiritual eyes to see the truth about God
2. Bringing conviction of sin and showing people their true condition
3. Revealing our mortality and the judgment that follows death
4. Exposing our helplessness to save ourselves
5. Revealing Christ as the answer to our spiritual need

Lloyd-Jones states: "The spirit of God is a powerful spirit. He can act upon the mind. He can enlighten it, he can open it, he can give it understanding. He can give it an ability that it formally lacked."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say people are in spiritual darkness?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several characteristics of spiritual darkness:

1. People are "dead in trespasses and sins" and disconnected from God's life
2. They live as if there is no God or purpose beyond this world
3. They are spiritually ignorant, not knowing about the soul or spiritual realm
4. They are focused only on material things: "Sea, sand, pleasures, drink, gambling, sex, money"
5. They consider spiritual truths to be "foolishness" and "nonsense"
6. They are victims of circumstances with no eternal perspective

Lloyd-Jones explains: "Why are men and women defeated by life? Why are men and women unhappy? Why are they afraid of tomorrow? Why are they afraid of death? Why is there all this uncertainty? The answer is that they're in darkness."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the Christian's assurance in the face of death?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the Christian can face death without fear because:

1. They understand God's eternal purpose that was "planned before the foundation of the world"
2. They recognize the historical facts of Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension
3. They have experienced the Holy Spirit's transforming work in their lives
4. They see themselves as "pilgrims of eternity" and "children of God"
5. They have committed their souls to Christ's keeping

This is why Paul could write: "I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." The Christian has confidence not based on philosophy or positive thinking, but on God's revealed purpose in history.

What is the primary question Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks his listeners in this sermon?

The primary question Lloyd-Jones poses is: "Have you been called?" He repeatedly challenges his listeners to examine whether they have experienced the Holy Spirit's calling out of darkness into light. He asks pointed questions like:

• "What's your view of life tonight?"
• "What are you basing your life on?"
• "How do you look at tomorrow?"
• "Have you faced death? Have you faced what lies beyond?"
• "Is your life based on God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit?"

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this calling is not a matter of intellectual agreement but of spiritual transformation: "If these things are not everything to you tonight, and more than everything, well, then I tell you in the name of God, you're still in the darkness."