Questions about Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Prayer and Access to God

What are the three main difficulties of prayer according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the three main difficulties of prayer are: first, entering into the holiest (coming into God's holy presence); second, dealing with an evil conscience that accuses us of our sins; and third, overcoming our sense of uncleanness and pollution. He states that "prayer is extremely difficult, perhaps the most difficult thing of all in the Christian life" and that "the man who's never realized the difficulties is a man who's probably never prayed."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "the new and living way" for prayer?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "the new and living way" refers to the access to God provided through Jesus Christ. Unlike the old covenant with its temporary priesthood and repeated sacrifices, this new way is built upon Christ's incarnation, perfect life, sacrificial death, resurrection, and heavenly session. It's "new" because it was only recently put into operation through Christ, and it's "living" because Christ "ever liveth to make intercession for them." Unlike the old priesthood where priests died and were replaced, Christ's priesthood is eternal and unchangeable.

How does one enter the presence of God with boldness according to the sermon?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, we can enter God's presence with boldness only through Christ's work. We need: (1) a true heart of sincerity and honesty before God; (2) faith in "the blood of Jesus" that has dealt with our sins; (3) recognition of Christ as our High Priest who has "consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh" a way to God. This way gives us confidence because it is God's own appointed way of access, it satisfies the law and our conscience, and it deals with our pollution through Christ's cleansing work.

What argument does Dr. Lloyd-Jones make about the relationship between doctrine and prayer?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that sound doctrine is essential for true prayer. He states, "You can't pray without having doctrine" and mentions specifically that prayer requires "the doctrine of the incarnation, the life of perfect obedience, the atoning, substitutionary, sacrificial death, the literal resurrection, the ascension, the heavenly session." He challenges those who say, "Don't talk about doctrine. Doctrine divides us. But there's one thing we can always do and always pray together." His point is that without right doctrine about Christ's person and work, one cannot truly approach God in prayer.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest believers should respond to Satan's accusations?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that when Satan accuses believers, the only effective response is "Jesus Christ and him crucified." He quotes Revelation, noting that believers "overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony." He warns, "If you try to argue with the devil, he'll beat you. There's only one thing that he can never answer. It is Jesus Christ and him crucified." He also quotes John Newton's hymn about facing "my fierce accuser" by taking refuge in Christ's death, which leaves Satan "speechless."

What concerns did Dr. Lloyd-Jones have about the Hebrew Christians he was addressing?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that he was addressing Hebrew Christians (Jewish converts to Christianity) who had become "discouraged," "doubtful," "uncertain," and "hesitant" about their faith due to persecution. He states they were "in this very dangerous condition" and were "beginning to look back to the old Jewish religion and to the temple in its ceremonial," possibly thinking they had been "precipitate in taking up this new teaching." His concern was that they were in danger of apostasy—turning away from the Christian faith and returning to Judaism.

What warning does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give to modern Christians regarding ritual?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns modern Christians against returning to ritualistic forms of worship, saying: "There are people today, Christian people, Protestant people, who seem to want to go back to an old way that we turned our backs on four centuries ago, to an earthly human priesthood, to a ceremonial and a ritual that has been finished because it was inadequate and are turning their backs on the new and the living and the eternal way which is in Christ Jesus." He sees this as comparable to the Hebrew Christians' temptation to return to temple worship.