Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Isaiah 40:12-17

What is the central difficulty people have in believing the Gospel according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the central difficulty people have in believing the Gospel is that "the very character and nature of the proclamation and its contents makes the whole thing seem to us to be quite incredible." People think it sounds "too good to be true." The average person approaches Christianity with skepticism, thinking it belongs to "the realm of fantasy and of fancy folklore, fairy tales." They struggle to accept the supernatural elements of the Gospel because they approach it with a worldly, materialistic mindset.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the root cause of unbelief?

The root cause of unbelief, according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is our failure to appreciate the truth concerning the being and character of God. He states, "It is our failure to realize the truth about God that accounts ultimately for all our other troubles." People persist in thinking of God as if He were merely human, applying human measurements and judgments to Him. This misconception about God's nature leads to rejection of the Gospel and its doctrines because they don't fit into our human categories.

What three attributes of God does Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlight in this sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones highlights three key attributes of God from Isaiah 40:12-17: 1. The greatness, might, and power of God as Creator - who "measured the waters in the hollow of his hand" and before whom nations are "as a drop of a bucket" 2. The transcendent glory of God - so magnificent that "Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering" 3. The inscrutability of the ways of God - whose thoughts and ways are higher than ours "as the heavens are higher than the earth"

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain why people struggle with the doctrine of sin?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that people struggle with the doctrine of sin because they lack understanding of God's glory and holiness. He says, "If you want to understand the problem of sin, you start with God." People typically think of sin in terms of specific actions (like drunkenness or theft), and if they haven't committed those particular acts, they don't see themselves as sinful. But Lloyd-Jones argues that sin must be understood in relation to God's perfect holiness - when Isaiah had a vision of God, he immediately recognized himself as "a man of unclean lips" because he glimpsed God's glory.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the death of Christ was necessary?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's death was necessary because of "the glory of God" and God's holiness. He states that "God is hemmed in by his own holiness" and "must deal with the problem of sin." God cannot pretend sin doesn't exist or simply ignore it. Because of His glory, justice, and righteousness, God must be "eternally ever always consistent with himself." Only Christ's sacrifice was sufficient - not "the blood of bulls and of goats" or even "all the beasts of the world" - because Christ is "his own son, the express image of his person, the brightness of his own glory."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest is the proper approach to understanding the Gospel?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggests we must approach the Gospel like little children, with humility and openness to the supernatural. He quotes Jesus saying, "except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of God." We should be "prepared for surprises" and "expect the miraculous, expect the inexplicable." Rather than trying to fully comprehend God's ways with our limited human understanding, we should stand "with your mouth open and your hands up" in wonder, putting "our hands upon our mouth" and falling "prostrate before him." The proper approach is one of humble worship and readiness to listen.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones claim that the Bible always starts with God?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that "the Bible starts with God" because this is the correct starting point for all understanding. He points out that the Bible begins with "In the beginning, God" before discussing human problems or needs. He warns against the tendency to start with ourselves, our problems, or our needs, calling this approach "introspective" and "self-centered." Starting with God provides the proper foundation and perspective for understanding everything else, including ourselves, sin, salvation, and life's purpose. He suggests that many sermons fail to focus enough on God Himself, taking Him for granted rather than making Him central.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is astonishing about the world's response to the Gospel?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that "the most astonishing thing in the world tonight is this, that with such a message, with such a gospel, that mankind does not believe it." He finds it remarkable that everyone isn't a Christian since the Gospel offers everything people claim to want - happiness, peace, joy, and security. He observes, "if only every person in this world tonight believed this gospel and were a Christian, all our major problems will be solved at once." Despite offering freely what humanity craves, Christianity remains a minority position, which Lloyd-Jones finds truly astonishing.