Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Revival: Understanding and Addressing Spiritual Needs

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the key text for his sermon on revival?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies Mark 9:28-29 as his key text, particularly focusing on verse 29: "And he said unto them, this kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting." He uses this text to examine why the disciples failed to cast out a particular demon and what this teaches us about spiritual power.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe discussing revival is urgent in 1959?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones cites two main reasons for urgently discussing revival: first, the "appalling need" in the present spiritual condition of the church and society; and second, 1959 marks the centenary of the great revival of 1859, which saw significant spiritual awakenings in America, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and parts of England. He believes commemorating this historical revival is appropriate given the current spiritual climate.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use the story from Mark 9 as an analogy for the modern church?

In this story, Dr. Lloyd-Jones sees a perfect picture of the present situation - the boy represents the modern world, and the disciples represent the church. Just as the disciples tried but failed to cast out a particularly stubborn demon, the modern church is very active but failing to impact society. He points out that the church "does not count as she counted even in the memory of many of us" and is "obviously failing to deal with the situation" despite being perhaps "more active than she has ever been."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "this kind" in relation to the spiritual problems of his time?

By "this kind," Dr. Lloyd-Jones means we face a different type of spiritual problem than in previous generations. While earlier times struggled with apathy among people who generally accepted Christian truth but didn't practice it, the modern problem is "altogether deeper, more profound, more desperate." He describes it as "a complete unawareness and denial even of the spiritual altogether," where belief in God has virtually disappeared, the Bible is no longer recognized as authoritative, Christ is reduced to merely a human teacher, and society has become not just immoral but amoral.

What methods does Dr. Lloyd-Jones critique as insufficient for bringing revival?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones critiques several approaches that the church relies on but finds insufficient: 1. Apologetics - trying to make Christianity philosophically acceptable 2. Reconciling science and religion 3. New Bible translations in modern language 4. Mass media (radio and television) 5. Advertising and publicity 6. New magazines, literature, and tracts 7. Popular evangelism with modern techniques

He states that while these methods may lead to individual conversions, they are not addressing the deeper spiritual condition of society.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones prescribe as the only solution for bringing revival?

The only solution, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is "prayer and fasting." By this, he means the church must recognize its powerlessness to address the deep spiritual problems of the age through human methods alone and instead seek God's power through concentrated, urgent prayer. He explains that fasting represents not just literal physical abstinence but concentration in prayer. He states: "I shall see no hope until individual members of the church are praying daily for revival, are meeting in one another's homes, meeting in groups amongst friends, meeting together in churches, meeting anywhere you like, and praying with urgency and concentration for a shedding forth of the power of God."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the condition of modern society in 1959?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes modern society as having abandoned belief in the spiritual realm altogether. He states that "the whole notion of the spiritual is gone" and "very belief in God is virtually gone." He notes that people dismiss religion as an "incubus" that has hindered human progress. He adds that society has become not merely immoral but amoral or non-moral, where "the very category of morality is not recognized at all" and people are "virtually in the position of saying, evil be thou, my good." He describes a society focused on material plenty, with "no interest in the soul, no interest in the higher things of life, just eating and drinking and enjoying themselves."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the entire church must be involved in seeking revival?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that revival is "a matter for the whole church" and not merely for leaders because "every member matters and matters in a very vital sense." He expresses concern that modern Christians have developed a tendency to "sit back in crowds" and expect others to do the spiritual work, similar to how people now watch sports rather than participate. He refers to the New Testament doctrine of the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12), where every member has responsibility and function, including the "less comely parts." He insists that all Christians should feel "grave concern about the state of the church and the world today."

What historical perspective does Dr. Lloyd-Jones offer on revivals of the past?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones references the great revivals of 100 years ago (1859) and 200 years ago, noting that these came through extraordinary outpourings of God's Spirit. He mentions that revivals often occur in "a most unusual manner" and God frequently works not through ministers but through people "who may have regarded themselves as very humble and unimportant members of the christian church." He notes that historically, when God manifests His power in revival, spiritual transformation happens with "apparent ease" and "in an effortless manner," just as Jesus cast out the demon from the boy in the biblical account.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the difference between the spiritual needs of his time versus previous centuries?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes a crucial distinction between the spiritual needs of different eras. He explains that 100-200 years prior, the difficulty was that "men and women were in a state of apathy" - they generally accepted Christian truth but didn't practice it. In those cases, what was needed was primarily to "awaken them and to rouse them and to disturb them out of their lethargy." In contrast, the modern problem is not mere apathy but a fundamental rejection of spiritual reality altogether - people now deny God's existence, reject the Bible's authority, and have abandoned the very concept of morality. This deeper problem requires a different and more powerful spiritual solution.