Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions: The Nature of Christian Life

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the source of Christian conversion?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones clearly teaches that becoming a Christian is "the result of a great creative act on the part of God." He states firmly that "no man can ever make himself a Christian" and "no man can ever make any other men a Christian." He references 2 Corinthians 4:6, "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts," showing that conversion is entirely God's divine activity, comparable to His original creative act in Genesis. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes it's "not at all the activity of man. It is God's activity, God's creative activity."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the difference between morality and true Christianity?

Lloyd-Jones makes a sharp distinction between morality and Christianity. He states that being moral, "trying to do good, always trying not to do certain things" is "almost the exact opposite of Christianity." Morality is something people do themselves, while Christianity is what God does to a person. He explains that many people are "highly moral" and "doing tremendous good in every direction, but it's they who are doing it all." True Christianity, by contrast, is God's miraculous work in the soul, creating something entirely new that wasn't there before.

What biblical image does Lloyd-Jones use to illustrate conversion?

Lloyd-Jones uses the creation account from Genesis as his primary image for conversion. He repeatedly returns to Genesis 1:2-3, where "the earth was without form and void" until "God said, 'Let there be light.'" He compares the human soul before conversion to this primordial chaos, and conversion itself to God's creative act bringing order, design, and light. Just as God transformed chaos into paradise in creation, He transforms the chaotic sinful soul into a new creation through conversion.

According to the sermon, what is the fundamental mistake people make about becoming a Christian?

The fundamental mistake people make is thinking they can become Christians through their own efforts or decisions. Lloyd-Jones condemns the notion that "by living a good life, they make themselves Christians" calling it "the lie of the devil." He critiques those who think Christianity is merely "going to church, doing good and so on," or who believe they're Christians because they were "brought up to go to chapel" or "taken to Sunday school." He insists becoming a Christian is not a human choice but God's supernatural intervention.

What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the evidence of true conversion?

Lloyd-Jones states that true conversion produces a profound change that leaves a person amazed at themselves. He offers this definition: "A Christian is a man who doesn't understand himself. A Christian is a man who's amazed at himself... who says, 'Is it possible that I am this man? I can scarcely believe it.'" Other evidences include: a restored balance in life (mind and spirit regaining control over bodily desires), a new understanding of God's glory and one's own sinfulness, repentance, hunger for righteousness, and ongoing transformation "from glory to glory."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the relationship between understanding and conversion?

Lloyd-Jones teaches that conversion brings new spiritual understanding that was impossible before. He says when God works in a person, "He gives a man an understanding," particularly "of the glory of God." The converted person begins to see themselves as they truly are ("I'm utterly vile before God"), understands the gospel clearly, and comprehends "the whole purpose of life" and "God's great plan of salvation." This spiritual understanding isn't reached through human reasoning but is divinely given, as Paul wrote, "we have the mind of Christ."

What warning does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give to church members at the end of his sermon?

Lloyd-Jones delivers a sobering warning to church members: "I don't care how prominent in your church you are. I don't care how much good you do in your church, how much you work in your church. If you cannot say that the Almighty God has worked in you and put new life into you and made a new creature of you, you are not a Christian. And if you die in that condition, you'll go to hell." He urges such people to confess to God they've never truly been Christians and to cry out for His saving mercy.