Understanding the High Priesthood of Christ: Questions from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon

What does it mean to "hold fast our profession" according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "hold fast our profession" means to firmly grasp and maintain the defined doctrines of the Christian faith. He explains that you "can't hold on to something unless you know what you're holding on to," meaning that Christianity must be something that can be defined, described, and stated in propositions. He contrasts this with the modern idea that Christianity is merely a feeling or experience that cannot be defined. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christians must know what they believe about Jesus Christ—His person, His incarnation, His resurrection, and His work as High Priest—and hold firmly to these truths.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones argue that orthodoxy and prayer must be taken together?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that orthodoxy (holding fast to sound doctrine) and prayer (coming boldly to the throne of grace) are "indesolubly linked and must always be taken together." He warns against two common extremes: those who emphasize orthodoxy alone to the exclusion of prayer, and those who emphasize prayer alone without sound doctrine. He states, "A church that is orthodox but which doesn't pray is a failure. A church which only prays and doesn't know her doctrine will soon make shipwreck and end in disaster." Both elements are essential for a healthy Christian life.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the work of Christ as our High Priest?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes Christ as "our great high priest that is passed through the heavens." Unlike the Old Testament high priests who offered animal sacrifices, Jesus "has offered himself as a sacrifice" and "has presented his own blood as a sacrifice for our sins unto God, his heavenly Father." Christ's priesthood is superior because He is both God and man, understands our weaknesses, was tempted as we are yet without sin, and "ever liveth to make intercession for us." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ's priesthood is "unchangeable" and permanent, unlike the Old Testament priests who died and had to be replaced.

What enables Christians to "come boldly to the throne of grace" according to the sermon?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Christians can approach God's throne boldly only when they are "holding fast to their profession"—when they understand and believe the doctrines about Jesus Christ. What makes bold prayer possible is knowing that Jesus, who is both God and man, understands our weaknesses, having been "tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin." Additionally, knowing that God demonstrated His love by giving His Son for us while we were enemies provides the logical basis for confidence that He will graciously give us everything else we need. Lloyd-Jones states, "You'll never go boldly to the throne of grace until you know your doctrine and are holding fast to it."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones address the modern trend of minimizing doctrine in favor of unity?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones strongly criticizes the modern trend of minimizing doctrine for the sake of church unity. He says we are living in times when "we are being told increasingly that the christian faith cannot be described" and that "theology divides." He rejects the idea that Christians should "stop arguing about doctrine" and just "pray together...work together...evangelize together" to achieve unity. Instead, he argues that this approach leads to confusion and spiritual weakness. He declares, "I believe the whole future of the christian church depends upon our coming back to this position" of holding firmly to clear doctrinal statements, as the early church did in formulating creeds and as the Reformers did in writing confessions of faith.

What is the relationship between the resurrection of Christ and prayer according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the resurrection of Christ is essential for confident prayer because it provides assurance that God is satisfied with Christ's sacrifice. He explains that "the resurrection proclaims that he's son of God" and "proclaims another thing, that God is satisfied with his offering, that he's paid the penalty." Without the resurrection, we cannot be certain that God's throne is truly a "throne of grace" where we can find mercy and help. The resurrection demonstrates that "the books are cleared" and God is "ready to give free forgiveness," which gives believers confidence to approach God boldly in prayer.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast true Christian prayer with improper approaches to God?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts reverent Christian prayer with what he sees as inappropriate familiarity with God. He criticizes those who "seem to think that the hallmark of spirituality is to be familiar with God" and who use casual language like "dear God" repeatedly in prayer. Instead, he emphasizes that prayer is "entering into the presence of the maker and the creator and the sustainer of the whole cosmos" and should be approached "with reverence and godly fear" because "our God is a consuming fire." The believer doesn't have "an easy familiarity with God" but approaches God's throne with both boldness and appropriate reverence.

What logical argument does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use to assure believers of God's grace?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses the apostle Paul's logical argument from Romans 5:10 and 8:32 to assure believers of God's grace. The argument is: "If while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son, how much more being reconciled shall we be saved in his life?" Similarly, "He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?" The logic is that if God has already done the greater thing (giving His Son to die for us when we were His enemies), He will certainly do the lesser thing (provide grace and mercy when we approach Him as His reconciled children). This provides logical assurance that God's throne is truly a throne of grace for believers.