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Sermon #3351

Strangers and Pilgrims (2)

A Sermon on Romans 13:11-14

Originally preached May 5, 1967

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Scripture

Romans 13:11-14 ESV KJV
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and …

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Sermon Description

What is the relationship between thoughts and actions? In this sermon on Christians and how they are to live in the world, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones presents a reminder that doctrine and practice are always tied — doctrine especially plays a large influence over the other. What can one deduce from the doctrines that Paul has been presenting in this passage? First, Christians are children of the day. This is how they are to live in the world today— they are to remember where they were, but only by calling to remembrance where Christ has currently brought them. A major purpose of redemption was to deliver the Christian from slavery to sin. Thus, they are doing a great dishonor to the cross of Christ if they are still living in the sinful ways that characterized them before they were saved by Christ. Preaching from Romans 13:11–14 in a sermon titled “Strangers and Pilgrims (2),” Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener that if they start to compromise on their actions, they will also compromise their beliefs so that they line up with what they want to do. He warns that instead of getting as close to the line as possible, flee sin at all costs. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones helps one think through what it means to be a Christian in today’s world and how they can navigate it well.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Paul reminds us of what we know as Christians - we know the time, our salvation is nearer, night is far spent, day is at hand.
  2. We must have the right view of life in this world - to us the world is night, to others it's day. We have a different view of the future - we look forward to Christ's return.
  3. We know we have been changed - our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
  4. We must cast off works of darkness and put on armor of light. We must walk honestly as in the day.
  5. We belong to the day though day is yet to come. We are no longer of the night.
  6. We were under God's wrath and facing hell but God delivered us by Christ's death.
  7. Christ came not just to save us from hell but to make us good. He came to redeem us from all iniquity and purify us.
  8. We must realize we are no longer what we were. We must live positively as children of light showing God's excellence.
  9. It is inconsistent and incompatible to claim to know these truths yet live like we did before. We have not so learned Christ.
  10. Living in the old way is dangerous to our souls. Sin wars against the soul. Demas fell away by loving the world.
  11. We must flee these dangerous things and follow after righteousness. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
  12. We must beware of presumption - a false assurance based on intellect alone. We must have a living faith.
  13. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We must approach God with reverence and godly fear.
  14. The coming of the Lord is near so we must be patient and establish our hearts. The judge is at the door.
  15. We must think of the glory that awaits us and purify ourselves as Christ is pure. We must be ready for Christ's coming.

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.