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Sermon #3050

More than Forgiveness

A Sermon on Romans 3:21-31

Originally preached March 1, 1957

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Scripture

Romans 3:21-31 ESV KJV
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory …

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Sermon Description

How can the righteousness of God become ours? Is it given to believers through works or by faith? In this sermon on Romans 3:21-31 titled “More than Forgiveness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the righteousness of God is not obtained by works of the law or merely an acceptance in the mind of truth. Righteousness is given when there is a true trust in Christ’s work in salvation. This trust results not only in forgiveness of sins but by the believer being clothed in the very righteousness of God. It is important to understand that forgiveness of sins by itself is not enough for salvation. This belief misconstrues the holy and just nature of God that requires satisfaction of the law’s demands. Therefore, the believer must have a righteousness that satisfies God and so the clothing of the believer in righteousness not his own is essential. May this truth move our hearts to rejoice in this great act of God done on our behalf through Christ’s work.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon focuses on Romans 3:24 which states "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

  2. This verse summarizes the Christian gospel and message of salvation. Understanding this verse is crucial to understanding Christianity.

  3. The sermon breaks down this verse into three main points:

  4. What the salvation is: Being justified, declared righteous by God. This is a legal declaration, not an actual change in us. It happens in the present, not just in the future.

  5. How the salvation becomes ours: Freely by grace. Freely means we do nothing to deserve it. Grace means it is an unmerited gift from God to the undeserving.

  6. How God made this possible: Through the redemption in Christ Jesus. Redemption means the payment of a ransom to free us from slavery and captivity to sin. Christ paid the price through his death on the cross.

  7. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is entirely through Christ and his work, not through our own efforts or goodness. We can do nothing, but God has done everything through Christ.

  8. We should have no confidence in ourselves or our own works, but rejoice in Christ Jesus alone. Our salvation and righteousness are found in him.

  9. We should praise God for this wonderful gift of grace and the redemption we have in 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.