Heirs of God
A Sermon on Romans 8:17
Originally preached March 17, 1961
Scripture
17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Sermon Description
There is a glorious inheritance which awaits the children of God. As heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, the magnanimity of what is theirs in Christ far exceeds their imaginations. But how can they be sure of this inheritance? Christians are used to promises broken by sinful people and hopes dashed by circumstances beyond their control. Why then is the hope of their future inheritance secure? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has an answer to these most important questions. In his sermon on Romans 8:17 titled “Heirs of God,” he follows the apostle Paul in grounding the hope of inheritance in the immutable, or unchanging, plan of God. It is because of God’s power that inheritance is secure. The Christian can have the utmost confidence and assurance that God will work in such a way as to bring His promises to pass. They need not worry about trials or circumstances thwarting God’s purposes. What is more, they do not even fear their own ability to forfeit their future hope. Dr. Lloyd-Jones labors to encourage the Christian in the absolute security of their inheritance because their heavenly Father cares for them. Listen as he calls to consider the One promising the indescribable glory that awaits.
Sermon Breakdown
- We are heirs of God. This means our inheritance is absolutely certain and safe because God cannot lie or change.
- God pays special attention to us as his heirs. He cares for us, disciplines us, and continues this care without ceasing.
- Nothing can rob us of our inheritance - not ourselves, the world, the devil or anything else. We are kept by the power of God.
- As heirs of God, we can enjoy God himself even now. He reveals secrets to us and gives us a foretaste of the inheritance.
- We are joint heirs with Christ. We only become heirs through union with Christ. The promises are made to him and come to us through him.
- Christ has already received the inheritance and conquered every enemy. His name is on the inheritance with us, making it absolutely certain.
- We should not be depressed or uncertain. We can read our title clear. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
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.