The Spirits Witness with Our Spirit
A Sermon on John 3:8
Scripture
8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Sermon Description
What is the greatest hope in this life? In this sermon on John 3:8 titled “The Spirit’s Witness with Our Spirit,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches that the Bible tells that the great truth is that Jesus has died to forgive sins and bring about redemption. All believers can and should know with full assurance that they have indeed been saved and are now children of God. This is unlike false religious systems that teach that one can never have true and final assurance that they have been saved. This is in contrast to God’s word that teaches that true joy in this life requires that one knows God. Believers do not have to go through life plagued by doubts of God’s love for them, but all can rest in the peace that God has sent His only Son to die for them and cleanse them from all sin. True religion produces a firm and steadfast knowledge of God that worships God in spirit and truth. Part of the gift of salvation is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of God works to bring all believers to a deeper and fuller knowledge of God, His love, and His plan for their lives. All believers can know that God loves them because God has revealed Himself in Scripture and in His Holy Spirit.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by introducing the passage from John 3:8 which talks about the wind blowing where it wishes. This is a metaphor for how those born of the Spirit act.
- The sermon then introduces Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, who came to Jesus seeking to understand how to advance to Jesus’ position. Jesus tells him he must be born again.
- The sermon emphasizes that no one can save themselves through works or actions. Jesus had to die and be resurrected for anyone to be saved and pardoned from perishing.
- The sermon then focuses on the new life Jesus provides to those who believe in Him. Jesus came not just to forgive sins but to give abundant life.
- The sermon talks about the many tests in Scripture to know if someone is truly a child of God. The current test being discussed is a sense of communion with the Trinity, specifically the Holy Spirit.
- The sermon contrasts the sinner who only knows the convicting power of the Spirit versus the believer who knows the communion and fellowship of the Spirit. Communion means being delivered from a spirit of bondage and fear.
- The sermon emphasizes the importance of having assurance of salvation and a personal knowledge of God as His child. This is the highest gift of the baptism of the Spirit.
- The sermon clarifies that the witness of the Spirit is not a vague feeling but a specific message from God addressing us as His children. It is hard to put into words but more certain than any other experience.
- The sermon then transitions to discussing the results and tests that come from the assurance of the Spirit. The first result is a spirit of rejoicing.
- The sermon quotes several passages showing rejoicing and joy as a mark of a Christian, especially rejoicing in the midst of trials and tribulations. False joy disappears in trials but true joy remains.
- The sermon emphasizes that true joy is in Christ and the cross, not in circumstances. It is a joy too deep for tears.
- The second result is praise and thanksgiving, which is also emphasized throughout the New Testament. This is not just superficial but comes from the depths of the heart.
- The sermon contrasts the praise and thanksgiving of Christians versus the somberness of the religious. Christians know they owe everything to the grace of God.
- The third result is resting in God and His promises. Even when joy is blunted, there is a depth of trust in God's love and care. Christians can be content in any circumstance through Christ.
- The sermon closes by quoting Philippians 4:6-7 and emphasizing the peace of God that passes understanding which keeps our hearts and minds. This is the blessed experience of the child of God.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.