Last week, Pastor Mark spent alot of time talking about the deep joy that can be experienced by Christians, even in the midst of great trial and pain. One man that communicated those truths very well was Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981), a Welsh pastor and author.  Below are two of his books on the subject of the unspeakable joy spoken of in 1 Peter 1:8.

Spiritual Depressions: It’s Causes & Cure- This book is deeply significant in my life and I am sure that I will return to it many times.

This enduring collection of twenty-one sermons by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, each originally delivered at Westminster Chapel in London, carefully and compassionately analyzes an undeniable feature of modern society from which Christians have not escaped—spiritual depression.

“Christian people,” writes Lloyd-Jones, “too often seem to be perpetually in the doldrums and too often give this appearance of unhappiness and of lack of freedom and absence of joy. There is no question at all but that this is the main reason why large numbers of people have ceased to be interested in Christianity.”

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Joy Unspeakable- Martyn Lloyd-Jones explores the assertion of John the Baptist that Jeus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. The result is a classic call to submit afresh to the Spirit for power, purity and assurance, while keeping our heads in the face of pitfalls that might distract or ensnare us.

Last night I mentioned a book on John chapter 17 by a pastor named Martyn Lloyd-Jones. The book is called The Assurance of our Salvation: Exploring the Depth of Jesus’ Prayer for His Own. Google Books has almost the entire 672 page book online that you can read for free or you can purchase it from our favorite online bookstore, WTS Books.

Here’s the description from WTS Books:

In John 17, Jesus prays for His disciples and all believers. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws out the timeless truths of this passage by looking at why and what Christ prayed and unfolding the majestic themes of our assurance of salvation, our union with God and other believers, and His loving care for us. This renowned preacher also explores the process of sanctification and living godly lives in the world. Specific and practical, he shows how we can respond to the very personal way in which the Spirit helps us live as new creatures in Christ.