Berean Crossroads

Generally, we do not post on Saturday except for our Hearing the Word segments. However, for the next twenty-four Saturdays, we will set apart for an amazing study on Spiritual Depression by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. This has helped a great many people battling depression and we believe it will help others too. You may purchase his book, Spiritual Depression Its Causes and Cures, in ebook or paperback format here. He is considered to be one of the greatest expository preachers of the 20th century. 

In 1954, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preached on a subject that few other preachers cover: sermons on depression. This essential collection of 24 sermons on depression was the result. Delivered in a post-war world of unrest and grief, this extremely helpful collection of sermons on depression by Martyn Lloyd-Jones are both as timeless as its topic and the trust we can place in Jesus to renew our spirits. Included in this collection are the 14 sermons Dr. Lloyd-Jones used to create his book, Spiritual Depression — a book which has become a Christian classic — as well as 10 unique sermons on depression that can only be found here. Listen as Martyn Lloyd-Jones divulges both the true root of depression from the biblical worldview, and the true solution to all ailments of mind, body, and spirit in these 24 sermons on depression.

Here is a link to the sermon on Spiritual Depression. You can listen to the audio there or download the file and listen. 

I would recommend reading the Scripture you see below and meditate or think on it. Listen to the sermon...just listen. Then, if time permits, listen to it again and take notes. It will enrich your life as you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God our Father!

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (ESV) - Luke 8:22-25

When a Christian thinks all things seem against them, and they’re blinded by despair, they are called to have faith in Jesus Christ. Often, the storms of life lead to feelings of hopelessness. A person is scared and believes they are lost, not knowing if they can survive this next storm. They may even be afraid that God does not care. In this sermon, "Where is Your Faith?" from Luke 8:22–25, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues to tackle this issue of spiritual depression through an examination of the disciples’ own fear. As a storm at sea threatens their lives, Jesus rebukes first the storm, and then the disciples––they lack faith. The lesson is simple: Christians should never live in a state of terror. Yet, too often, they do. Today’s Christian’s problem is no different than these disciples’ as they question Jesus’s commitment to them. The call is the same. Christians must not question God’s goodness, but trust Him. They must have full confidence in Jesus. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the nature and character of faith. Faith is not an automatic response in the believer, but something one must exercise. Does Jesus care about His people? Yes, He does. He will always receive them, bless them, and give them peace. Trust the God who calms the storm.

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.