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Martyn-Lloyd Jones
David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899–1981). Born on December 20, 1899, in Cardiff, Wales, Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh Protestant minister and physician, renowned as one of the 20th century’s greatest expository preachers. Raised in a Calvinistic Methodist family, he trained at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, earning an MD by 1921 and becoming assistant to royal physician Sir Thomas Horder. Converted in 1926 after wrestling with human nature’s flaws, he left medicine to preach, accepting a call to Bethlehem Forward Movement Mission in Aberavon, Wales, in 1927, where his passionate sermons revitalized the congregation. In 1939, he joined Westminster Chapel, London, serving as co-pastor with G. Campbell Morgan and sole pastor from 1943 until 1968, preaching to thousands through verse-by-verse exposition. A key figure in British evangelicalism, he championed Reformed theology and revival, co-founding the Puritan Conference and Banner of Truth Trust. Lloyd-Jones authored books like Spiritual Depression (1965), Preaching and Preachers (1971), and multi-volume sermon series on Romans and Ephesians. Married to Bethan Phillips in 1927, he had two daughters, Elizabeth and Ann, and died on March 1, 1981, in London. He said, “The business of the preacher is to bring the Bible alive and make it speak to the people of today.”
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Martyn-Lloyd Jones emphasizes the paradox of spiritual strength in the Christian life, where acknowledging our weakness allows God's grace to infuse us with power. He reflects on the moments of feeling feeble yet experiencing divine strength, reminding us that God knows our needs and provides accordingly. The preacher encourages believers to focus on living the Christian life, praying, and meditating on God, trusting that He will supply the strength needed for each day. This relationship with God transforms our weaknesses into strengths, as we rely on His power rather than our own. Ultimately, it is through our connection with Him that we find true vitality and purpose.
Spiritual Strength
"I find I am very feeble," says Paul, "my energy seems to flag and sometimes I feel I have no life blood in me at all. But . . . because of this relationship, I find He infuses it into me. He knows my every state and condition, He knows exactly what I need. Oh, how much He gives me! He says, "My grace is sufficient for thee", and so I can say, "when I am weak then I am strong." Sometimes I am conscious of great power; there are other times when I expect nothing, but He gives everything." That is the romance of the Christian life. Nowhere does one experience it more than in a Christian pulpit. . . . I confess that sometimes for various reasons I come expecting nothing; but suddenly the power is given. . . . Thank God it is like that. I do my utmost, but He controls the supply and the power. . . . He is the heavenly physician and He knows every variation in my condition. . . . Do not agonize in prayer beseeching Him for power. Do what He has told you to do. Live the Christian life. Pray, and meditate upon Him. Spend time with Him and ask Him to manifest Himself to you. And as long as you do that you can leave the rest to Him. He will give you strength--"as thy days so shall thy strength be." For we also are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you (2 Corinthians 13:4b). I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
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David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899–1981). Born on December 20, 1899, in Cardiff, Wales, Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh Protestant minister and physician, renowned as one of the 20th century’s greatest expository preachers. Raised in a Calvinistic Methodist family, he trained at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, earning an MD by 1921 and becoming assistant to royal physician Sir Thomas Horder. Converted in 1926 after wrestling with human nature’s flaws, he left medicine to preach, accepting a call to Bethlehem Forward Movement Mission in Aberavon, Wales, in 1927, where his passionate sermons revitalized the congregation. In 1939, he joined Westminster Chapel, London, serving as co-pastor with G. Campbell Morgan and sole pastor from 1943 until 1968, preaching to thousands through verse-by-verse exposition. A key figure in British evangelicalism, he championed Reformed theology and revival, co-founding the Puritan Conference and Banner of Truth Trust. Lloyd-Jones authored books like Spiritual Depression (1965), Preaching and Preachers (1971), and multi-volume sermon series on Romans and Ephesians. Married to Bethan Phillips in 1927, he had two daughters, Elizabeth and Ann, and died on March 1, 1981, in London. He said, “The business of the preacher is to bring the Bible alive and make it speak to the people of today.”