Man in a State of Famine (Remastered)

A Sermon on Ezekiel 36.29-30 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/old-testament/man-in-a-state-of-famine/ "It's the sinful life that leads to famine and starvation. It is the christian life that leads to blessing and satisfaction and superabundance." - Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Description In this sermon on Ezekiel 36.29–30 titled “Man in a State of Famine,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones rejoices in the fullness of the Christian life and hope of the gospel. Christianity doesn’t call God’s people to scorn the luxuries and pleasures of life. The “laws of nature” that one discovers are simply rules God has put in place. God’s dealings with humanity and the delivery of His people from sin demonstrate His plan. God always works upon a plan. God will do nothing with His people until their guilt has been dealt with: forgiveness is first in salvation. God’s way is through Christ alone, then continues on in sanctification by the Holy Spirit. Humanity’s real need is to know God and to know how to come to Him. The tragedy of today is that people don’t know the cause of trouble because they are ignorant of God. A life not looking at God invariably leads to famine. God is what people were made for. The most terrible thing to happen to a human is to be abandoned by God. Intellectual and moral activity declines without God. The godless life starves the mind and the heart. The Christian life alone leads to fulfillment. Sermon Breakdown * The prophet Ezekiel speaks of God saving his people from famine and increasing their harvests. This points to spiritual blessings, not just material ones. * Life without God leads to spiritual famine. It starves the mind, morals, emotions, and purpose. * The sinful life leads to famine because we were made for God, and without him we lack what we need most. God also withholds blessings from those who reject him. * The modern world shows signs of spiritual famine like decreasing attention spans, crumbling morals, and emotional instability. People turn to temporary fixes like drugs, alcohol, and casual sex to cope. * In contrast, the Christian life leads to blessing, satisfaction, and abundance. It nourishes the mind, morals, emotions, and purpose. * The Bible provides intellectual satisfaction with its comprehensive worldview and insights into human nature. * The gospel cleanses us from sin and helps our moral development. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome sin. * The Christian life provides emotional satisfaction through joy, peace, and comfort in suffering. Our emotions are anchored in Christ. * Christians can face any circumstance with contentment through prayer and faith in God's sovereignty. * Christians have hope in death through faith in eternity with Christ. * If you lack satisfaction and purpose, you likely don't know God. Come to Christ, confess your sins, and receive new life and his Spirit. * God will abundantly satisfy all who come to him through Christ.