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Sermon #3089

An Introduction

A Sermon on Romans 6:1-2

Originally preached Oct. 3, 1958

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Scripture

Romans 6:1-2 ESV KJV
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (ESV)

Sermon Description

In this sermon on Romans 6:1–2 titled “An Introduction,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains why this passage is so important. Here is found the great truth of justification by faith alone through the work of Christ alone. He explains why justification by faith alone rightly understood does not lead to a life of sin and immorality. This is because the gospel not only makes the Christian righteous before God, but also gives them the Holy Spirit and the desire to live a life of purity. It is only by abusing the doctrine of justification by faith alone that people are encouraged to sin and to break the law of God. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how this is a deeply practical doctrine that has profound and lasting impact for how the Christian lives as a follower of Jesus Christ. All who come to Jesus as repentant sinners and believe upon His name will be saved, and justified by faith in Christ alone.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostle is not starting an entirely new section or theme in chapter 6. He is continuing and elaborating on what he has been discussing in chapter 5.
  2. Chapter 6 deals with the question of whether the doctrine of salvation by grace alone leads to antinomianism or lawlessness. The apostle shows that is not the case.
  3. Verses 1-2 raise the question of whether we should continue in sin so that grace may abound. The apostle answers with a strong "God forbid!" or "May it never be!"
  4. True preaching of salvation by grace alone will often be misunderstood as leading to lawlessness. But properly understood, it does not lead to that.
  5. The apostle will deal with this question in two ways: doctrinally (verses 3-14) and practically/experimentally (verses 15-23).
  6. In verses 3-11, the apostle elaborates on our union with Christ, showing how it is incompatible with continuing in sin.
  7. In verses 12-14, the apostle makes a general appeal based on what he has said.
  8. The key phrase in verse 2 is "died to sin" (not "are dead to sin"). This refers to something that happened definitively in the past.
  9. "Died to sin" refers to when we ceased to be in Adam and came to be in Christ. The apostle will expound on what this means.

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.