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Sermon #3176

Paradise Regained

A Sermon on Romans 8:18-23

Originally preached May 19, 1961

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Scripture

Romans 8:18-23 ESV KJV
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because …

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Sermon Description

Unfortunately many evangelical Christians are confused about the hope of the Scriptures. Many songs, hymns, and Christian books appear to anticipate an afterlife that is purely spiritual and disembodied. The apostle Paul could not present a more contrary hope. In his sermon on Romans 8:18–23 titled “Paradise Regained,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones challenges this inadequate perception of the life after death for the believer. The New Testament, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, knows of bodily resurrection of believers and a glorification of the cosmos as the once lost paradise of Adam is regained and perfected. The church anticipates not only the glorification and a spiritual body but also creation restored and an inherited new heaven and new earth. Creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of decay brought by the fall. Whereas suffering constitutes this life, all suffering, strife, fear, and tears will be no more in the future paradise. Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents the biblical teaching on the future hope by bringing the whole counsel of God to bear upon the coming glory that awaits the children of God. Find out why the Christian can have hope while discouragement, defeat, anxiety, and terror loom around them and can set their affections upon paradise regained.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostle Paul's way of comforting Christians who are suffering is by teaching them to reckon, or deduce, their attitude towards trials from Christian doctrine.
  2. The doctrine Paul wants Christians to focus on is the glory that awaits all Christians. It is only by knowing about this glory that we can properly deal with suffering.
  3. The whole creation is looking forward to this glory. Creation will participate in this glory and be delivered from bondage into the freedom of the glory of God's children.
  4. We do not currently know the full details of this glory, but we know we will be like Christ, for we will see him as he is. Our bodies will be perfect and spiritual, like Christ's resurrected body.
  5. We will inherit the kingdom of God, which is incorruptible, undefiled, and will not fade away. We will judge the world and angels.
  6. The whole creation will be freed from bondage and corruption. There will be no more strife, disease, weeds, or anything else that causes harm. Paradise will be regained.
  7. The prophets wrote about this coming paradise. Christ and the apostles also taught about it. The universe will be cleansed by fire and there will be a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells.
  8. Death will be no more. Everything that belongs to evil will be destroyed. God's universe will be perfect.
  9. We will dwell in this perfect world with perfect bodies. Even animals that were once enemies will live in harmony. Psalm 8 will be fulfilled as man will rule over creation again.
  10. Christ's miracles foreshadowed this coming glory that we will share in. We will be more than conquerors and testify to God's grace.
  11. We must believe and understand these truths so we can live as God's children, unconcerned with what the world may do to us. Our focus should be on the eternal kingdom prepared for us.

The Book of Romans

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

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.