Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on 2 Corinthians 3

What does it mean for Christians to be "epistles of Christ" according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, being an "epistle of Christ" means that Christians are living letters of recommendation for Christ. They should be clearly legible, with their lives proclaiming Christ so plainly that they are "known and read of all men" and "manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ." Their transformed lives should stand as obvious evidence of the truth of the gospel, making it clear to everyone around them that they are Christians through their changed character, values, and behavior.

How does Lloyd-Jones distinguish between the role of preachers and the role of Christ in creating Christian converts?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that while preachers like Paul have a role, they are merely "ministered by us" - not the true authors of conversion. He offers two interpretations: either the preacher is like someone whose hand is guided by Christ (like an adult guiding a child's hand when writing), or the preacher is simply the "postman" delivering the message. The actual transformation is performed by Christ through the Holy Spirit, not by human effort. As he states, "No man can ever make a Christian. No man can ever produce a saint. It's impossible."

What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the primary problem with non-believers?

Lloyd-Jones identifies that the primary problem with non-believers is not intellectual capacity but spiritual blindness - they have a "veil" over their hearts and minds. He states: "The trouble with that great thinker of yours is not that he's got too great a brain to allow him to be a Christian, but that he's just blind. He can't see." This veil prevents them from seeing spiritual truths that are plainly visible to believers, comparing it to a mist that prevents seeing Scotland from Northern Ireland despite good eyesight.

How does Lloyd-Jones describe the transformation that occurs in a true Christian?

Lloyd-Jones describes a true Christian transformation as involving three major changes: 1. A profound intellectual change - the "veil" is removed and they can see spiritual truths they were previously blind to 2. A profound moral revolution - they are set free from bondage to sin, experiencing "the glorious liberty of the children of God" 3. A change into Christ's image - as Christians behold Christ "with open face," they are "changed into the same image, from glory to glory," gradually reflecting His character

What criticism does Lloyd-Jones make of Christians in his day?

Lloyd-Jones criticizes that Christians in his day are often indistinguishable from non-Christians. He laments that "it has become very difficult in our day and generation to tell whether people are Christian or not" and that "the world has come into the church, and the difference between the Christian and the non-Christian is no longer as evident as it once was." He illustrates this with a story of a woman on a cruise ship whose Christian identity came as a surprise because nothing about her appearance or behavior suggested she was a Christian.

How does Lloyd-Jones contrast the Old Testament law with the New Testament gospel?

Lloyd-Jones contrasts the Old Testament law with the New Testament gospel by describing the law as something that "never set anybody free" but was rather "a bondage," "a yoke," and "a tyranny" that "killed us." It demanded "do this and you shall live" but no one could fulfill it. In contrast, the gospel brings liberty through the Spirit: "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." The law showed what men couldn't do, while Christ fulfilled "what the law could not do" and brings transformation through the Spirit.

What historical examples does Lloyd-Jones provide of distinctive Christian communities?

Lloyd-Jones provides several historical examples of distinctive Christian communities: 1. Early Christians in the first century who were "obvious" as Christians 2. Waldensian people in northern Italy who met in caves 3. Brethren of the Common Life in Bavaria, Moravia, and the Netherlands 4. Protestant Reformers who were distinct from Roman Catholics 5. Puritans (including the Pilgrim Fathers) who lived simple, pure lives 6. Quakers who dressed and spoke differently from others 7. Methodists who lived methodical, disciplined Christian lives

What does Lloyd-Jones mean when he says a Christian is "written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God"?

When Lloyd-Jones says a Christian is "written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God," he means that becoming a Christian is not merely an external change or moral improvement, but a deep internal transformation performed by the Holy Spirit. This work happens "in the fleshy tables of the heart, down in the depths of the personality." He emphasizes it's "nothing less than a new birth" and "a new creation" - not merely an improvement but "a radical performance by the Spirit of God in which a new being is brought into being."

What is the significance of the "veil" metaphor in Lloyd-Jones' sermon?

The "veil" metaphor refers to the spiritual blindness that prevents non-believers from understanding spiritual truth. Lloyd-Jones draws this from Paul's reference to Moses' veiled face in Exodus. Just as a veil would obscure vision, unbelievers have a spiritual veil that prevents them from seeing the truth about God, their souls, and salvation. When someone becomes a Christian, "the veil has been taken away" and they can see spiritual realities clearly. This explains why intelligent people might reject Christianity - not because of superior intellect but because of spiritual blindness.

How does Lloyd-Jones describe the process by which Christians become more like Christ?

Lloyd-Jones describes the process of becoming like Christ through the metaphor of Moses' face shining after being in God's presence. Christians, "with open face, beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory." As believers spend time with Christ and contemplate Him, they gradually reflect His character - similar to how people who live together for years begin to resemble one another. This transformation happens "by the Spirit of the Lord" and often happens unconsciously, as "the Christian never does know" that their face is shining with this reflected glory.