Heard. Believed. Trusted. (Remastered)

A Sermon on Ephesians 1.11-14 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermon/heard... "There are many agencies in the world which can give us experiences and make us feel good and make us feel happy and make us feel better and lead us to do a lot of good... It's no use denying that they can. And the argument against the cults is not that they don't lead to certain results, but that they are not true." - Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Description Does the sovereignty of God minimize the responsibility of humanity? Reformed theology is often caricaturized by insisting it promotes a world where people lack true humanity. God's work in salvation is said to be in contradiction to human responsibility of proclaiming the gospel and the sinner believing the gospel. But that is not Reformed theology, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. A fundamental truth is lacking in this common objection. While it is absolutely God's work, He uses means to accomplish His work. In this sermon on Ephesians 1.11–14 titled "Heard. Believed. Trusted," Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener of these means that are always constant as God is working. If these means are not present, then a person cannot become a Christian. They are necessary for the sinner to move from being under the wrath of God to being in Christ. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones carefully works through God's Word and teaches on this extremely important subject. Whether the listener is a faithful Christian who desires to better understand the relationship between evangelism and the work of God or a skeptic of Reformed theology, Dr. Lloyd-Jones will assist in explaining this important truth of Scripture. Sermon Breakdown There is going to be a restoration and reforming of the cosmos through Jesus Christ. The church consists of Jews and Gentiles brought together in Christ. We become fellow heirs and obtain an inheritance in Christ. We become Christians through God's action and work, not our own merit. God uses means, specifically the preaching of the word of truth, the gospel, to make us Christians. The word of truth is the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ and what he has done. We do not become Christians through experiences or feelings but through believing the word of truth. The gospel includes deliverance from the wrath to come through Christ bearing our sins. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself by not counting their trespasses against them. Preachers are ambassadors for Christ, imploring people to be reconciled to God through Christ. God made Christ sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. The gospel must be believed to become a Christian, not just living a moral life or worshipping God. The gospel is preached but only believed through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings the word with power and assurance, quickening us from spiritual death to belief. No one can believe in Christ without the Holy Spirit. The natural person cannot receive spiritual things. God reveals the gospel to some but hides it from others according to his will and purpose. Lydia's heart was opened by God to believe the gospel preached by Paul. The word itself does not convert without the Spirit. Faith is a gift of God, not something we generate ourselves. The Spirit enables belief. God does not force belief against our will but persuades our will to find the gospel attractive. Upon hearing the gospel, we are called to believe in Christ and place our hope and trust in him. The Christian hopes in Christ alone for salvation and confidence in life, death, and eternity.