Practical Christianity (2)
A Sermon on Romans 12:15-16
Originally preached Oct. 14, 1966
Scripture
15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Sermon Description
Is it harder to rejoice with those who rejoice or weep with those who weep? In this sermon on Romans 12:15–16 titled “Practical Christianity (2),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at how Christians are called to respond to one another. The problem of every human being, without exception, is the problem of pride and self. All struggle with envy and jealousy. The Christian is called to not settle for being able to hide this sin but learn to replace it by rejoicing with another over their success. No one can do this for themselves. The gospel of salvation in Christ is the only thing that can deliver one from the self and unify them with the body of believers. Christians cannot divide doctrine and practice and should look at the story of the Christian church, being called to have a common mind and think like one another. Christians are encouraged to know what it means to be knit together in love. They are to look at the example of Christ washing the feet of men and preach the gospel to the poorest. Nothing is more incongruent to the Christian faith as social disjunctions. Christians should associate with the humble, forsaking pride and ambition, and come humbly before the Lord.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul addresses rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep in Romans 12:15-16.
- Rejoicing with others is more difficult than weeping with others because of pride, jealousy, and envy. It requires the Holy Spirit's work in us.
- We are to share in others' joy and sorrow because we are one body in Christ. What happens to others happens to us.
- We are to have the same mind toward one another, being united in our interests and objects. This means agreeing in the truth, not discord.
- We are not to be proud or haughty in mind but associate with humble things and people. We are not to patronize but genuinely care for others.
- Intellectual and social pride have done much harm to the church. The church should not reflect worldly divisions and distinctions.
- The church has often failed to reach the poor and working classes because it seems like a snobbish, upper-class institution. We must focus on people's spiritual state, not worldly status.
- We must test our faith by whether we can rejoice and weep with others, not by how orthodox we are in belief. True faith produces right practice.
- No one can do this in their own strength. Only the Holy Spirit's work in regeneration can enable us to die to self and care for others.
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.