Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Eerdmans
You needed to be early if you wanted a seat in London’s Westminster Chapel while Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was the pastor. But it wasn’t a praise team, special effects, or food that drew the crowds. It was the pastor’s expository preaching.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was known for his clear, verse-by-verse preaching through large sections of the Bible. One series was through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). After pressure from those who heard the sermons, Lloyd-Jones agreed to have them published. The sixty sermons were originally published in three volumes. They are now available in one 585 page book.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones covers the fifth chapter of Matthew, with particular emphasis on the beatitudes, in part one of Studies in the Sermon on the Mount. Part two deals with the sixth and seventh chapters of Matthew. The entire sermon, says the doctor, gives a description of what the Christian is meant to be. It is not a code of ethics; nor is it a description of life in a future age. The sermon is not meant for unbelievers. It can’t be applied to nations or governments. But it is for believers in Jesus Christ, and it is as relevant today as it was when it was first delivered.
The chapters in Studies retain the sound of sermons. They are written in short, simple sentences with the key ideas explained, illustrated, applied, and repeated. This style not only benefitted the hearer, but it benefits the reader. When you’ve finished a chapter, you feel like you’ve learned something.
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount is the most thorough commentary on these passages that I have found. And Lloyd-Jones’s explanations of the verses are the most consistent, logical, clear, and helpful that I have read or heard.
I admit that reading a sixty chapter commentary sounds tedious, but this book is really a joy to read. It is theological and practical. It can be used as a reference or devotional. I have read it through twice and have read some chapters several times. It is one of the most valuable books on my shelf, and I suppose that if I had to get rid of all but one (other than the Bible), this would be my pick.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Eerdmans
You needed to be early if you wanted a seat in London’s Westminster Chapel while Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was the pastor. But it wasn’t a praise team, special effects, or food that drew the crowds. It was the pastor’s expository preaching.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was known for his clear, verse-by-verse preaching through large sections of the Bible. One series was through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). After pressure from those who heard the sermons, Lloyd-Jones agreed to have them published. The sixty sermons were originally published in three volumes. They are now available in one 585 page book.
Dr. Lloyd-Jones covers the fifth chapter of Matthew, with particular emphasis on the beatitudes, in part one of Studies in the Sermon on the Mount. Part two deals with the sixth and seventh chapters of Matthew. The entire sermon, says the doctor, gives a description of what the Christian is meant to be. It is not a code of ethics; nor is it a description of life in a future age. The sermon is not meant for unbelievers. It can’t be applied to nations or governments. But it is for believers in Jesus Christ, and it is as relevant today as it was when it was first delivered.
The chapters in Studies retain the sound of sermons. They are written in short, simple sentences with the key ideas explained, illustrated, applied, and repeated. This style not only benefitted the hearer, but it benefits the reader. When you’ve finished a chapter, you feel like you’ve learned something.
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount is the most thorough commentary on these passages that I have found. And Lloyd-Jones’s explanations of the verses are the most consistent, logical, clear, and helpful that I have read or heard.
I admit that reading a sixty chapter commentary sounds tedious, but this book is really a joy to read. It is theological and practical. It can be used as a reference or devotional. I have read it through twice and have read some chapters several times. It is one of the most valuable books on my shelf, and I suppose that if I had to get rid of all but one (other than the Bible), this would be my pick.
3 comments:
One of my all time favorite books. Absolutely wonderful.
Once you start reading Lloyd-Jones it's difficult to stop. The first book I ever read by him was "Preaching and Preachers" and I was hooked for life. I had to honor of sitting under Dr. Pretlove, a professor at Criswell College who was Lloyd-Jones' assistant. Every serious theological student will have at least one volume of his somewhere in their library!
Preaching and Preachers is another of my favorites.
I agree that once you start, it's hard to stop. I'm reading Crossway's newest Lloyd-Jones book now.
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