The Lloyd-Jones Legacies: Part 3
June 23rd, 2009 by Todd JohnsonTHE LOCAL CHURCH IS ALWAYS THE PRIMARY MEANS OF EVANGELISM
Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a firm believer in the local church, as am I. He was, of course, sympathetic to every evangelistic endeavor that did not compromise any Biblical truth; but he believed that the gospel preached in a worshipping church, and in a local setting, has an advantage over other situations. Here the preacher is not just one man addressing a crowd; he is part of a community of believers who are not onlookers; they are involved; they too are witnesses in whom the Holy Spirit is present. When this is a reality, the incomer is confronted by something that has no counterpart in the world – - “thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth‘ (1 Corinthians 14:25).
From New Testament times onwards, a vibrant, praying, witnessing church has always been the strongest authentication of the gospel. For ML-J mass evangelism without a recovery within the churches was no solution. The Biblical order is, ‘God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him‘ (Psalm 67:7).
I couldn’t agree more.
From Lloyd-Jones Messenger of Grace by Iain Murray
Very well stated Todd and this congregant and his family are content that we have found fellowship at CrossRoads.
Frank – This emphasis on the local church really resonates with me and is a part of my DNA.
And I am glad you’re a congregant too!
Thanks for lunch.