God's Plan is Certain
A Sermon on Romans 8:28-30
Originally preached Dec. 1, 1961
Scripture
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the …
Sermon Description
The purposes of human beings are often frustrated and thwarted by others. They work out every detail in order to ensure the working out of their plan, only to find out that it was all for nothing. What about God’s plan? What about God’s purpose in salvation and history? Does the triune God shift His plans according to circumstances provoked by sinful people and demonic opposition? In this sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “God’s Plan is Certain,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on Paul’s teaching on the absolute, definite plan of God. His plan of salvation did not originate after the fall of humanity, nor is salvation in Christ a response to Israel’s rejection of salvation through the law, but the Father’s plan to send the Son and obtain salvation for His people was ordained before the foundation of the world. The definite plan of God in salvation, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, must be true or God is no longer God. Furthermore, God’s foreknowledge and predestination is a means of comfort for suffering believers. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches on the glorious truth that justification to glorification is certain because it is in the sovereign control of the triune God.
Sermon Breakdown
- We must approach this topic with reverence and godly fear since we are dealing with God's mind and will.
- This doctrine is only for believers, not unbelievers. It should not be preached evangelistically.
- We should not argue about this doctrine with unbelievers. Tell them they must first become believers.
- Our approach to this doctrine shows whether we understand it properly. We should approach with wonder, not controversy or pride in our understanding.
- The doctrine should drive us to holiness, not antinomianism. If not, we have likely misunderstood the doctrine.
- We must take the doctrine in context, as a whole, and in light of all of Scripture. Do not isolate parts of it.
- Paul added verses 29-30 to show that our final salvation is sure since it is predetermined by God's purpose. Everything that happens is part of that purpose.
- If we are part of God's purpose, nothing can be against us. God will bring us to glorification.
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.