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Sermon #3175

Creation Delivered

A Sermon on Romans 8:18-23

Originally preached May 12, 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

Questions of humanity’s ultimate goal and how they will arrive at that goal are fundamental to every belief system or worldview. Perhaps no worldview stands in contrast to Christianity like the evolutionary worldview. It not only must reject the historical Adam and therefore the historical fall, but the evolutionary worldview understands the human race to be progressing. It has an inherent optimistic view of human nature – humanity is getting better. They are progressing and in the end all will be okay. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones comments on Romans 8:18–23 in this sermon titled “Creation Delivered,” this view of humanity could not be more opposed to the biblical view. Rather than progressing, humanity has plunged, not only itself, but all of creation into a cursed state. The creation, says the apostle Paul, waits for the final redemption of the children of God. Humanity and the rest of creation have no hope apart from God’s redemption in Christ. While fallen humanity places its optimism in itself, the Christian places their optimism in the second coming, when the glory of Christ and the redemption of God’s people is final. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds of the culture’s misplaced hope in Adam’s fallen race in contrast to the Christian’s final hope in Christ.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The state of the world cannot be explained by evolution. The Bible teaches that the world is in its present state due to the fall and sin of man, not evolution.
  2. The early chapters of Genesis are essential to understand the Christian faith. You cannot separate the doctrines of salvation from the historicity of events like the fall of Adam.
  3. There is no hope for creation or man in evolution. The Bible does not teach that things will progressively get better over time through evolution.
  4. The only hope is in the character of God. God's glory and honor mean He cannot leave the world in its present state of vanity and groaning.
  5. The whole creation is looking forward to the glory that is to come. This is seen in the metaphor of creation groaning in childbirth pains. Creation feels it is meant for something better though it cannot produce it.
  6. The hope for creation comes from God's promise of deliverance, not anything creation can produce. God promised hope and deliverance for creation at the same time He cursed it due to man's sin.
  7. The groaning and travailing of creation refers to its longing for liberation and glory, not the suffering within nature. It is personified as longing for freedom from the bondage of corruption.
  8. The glory to come will first be revealed in Christ. This is seen in glimpses like the transfiguration and descriptions of His second coming. He will come in power and great glory.
  9. The glory to come will also be revealed in us. We will be glorified together with Christ. The whole creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God in glory.
  10. We will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father. The righteous will shine like the sun just as Christ's face shines like the sun. We will radiate His glory and righteousness.

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.