Salvation Guaranteed by Grace
A Sermon on Romans 4:13-17
Originally preached May 31, 1957
Scripture
13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of …
Sermon Description
What is the difference between the promise of God and the law of God? In the sermon “Salvation Guaranteed by Grace,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the teaching of the apostle Paul in Romans 4:13–17. Here is the promise that Christ’s salvation given by God to Abraham and his descendants is a gift of grace. The law, on the other hand, says, “Do this and live!” These are two different things that are both explained in Jesus Christ. He died and fulfilled the law wholly, and it is by grace that all who believe become inheritors of His salvation. Does this mean that the law is evil? Paul gives an emphatic no to this question. The law's purpose was to point toward a gift of salvation, not provide salvation. What does the law and the promise have to do with today’s Christian? This is not an abstract theological question but it concerns the central question of salvation. It asks all to examine themselves to find out if they are truly resting in the promise of Jesus Christ or in themselves. This sermon on salvation by grace calls all to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation.
Sermon Breakdown
- The promise to Abraham was not through the law but through faith. This is a historical fact according to Genesis.
- If the promise was through the law, faith would be made void and the promise would be of no effect. The law brings wrath, not promise.
- Where there is no law, there is no transgression. The law defines and establishes sin.
- Therefore, the promise is by faith so that it may be by grace. Grace and faith go together, as do works and law.
- The promise is by faith so that it may be sure to all the seed, not just those under the law. Faith includes Jews and Gentiles.
- Abraham is the father of all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile. Faith makes us children of Abraham.
- God gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. This is how God could promise Abraham many descendants when he and Sarah were old.
- God sees the end from the beginning. He has already glorified us, though we are still on earth. He calls us as though we already have our glorified bodies.
- Nothing but God's omnipotence and omniscience could have saved us or kept us or brought us to glory. Our salvation is sure because it depends on God, not us.
- There is hope for even the vilest sinner because salvation is by the omnipotence of grace, not by our works or worthiness.
- God will complete the work He began. His promise will not fail. Our salvation is as sure as Christ's righteousness and God's faithfulness.
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.