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Sermon #3069

The Holy Spirit and Assurance

A Sermon on Romans 5:5

Originally preached Dec. 13, 1957

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Scripture

Romans 5:5 ESV KJV
and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (ESV)

Sermon Description

Once saved, always saved. But what happens when one doubts their salvation and how do they regain assurance? The greatest assurance of all is that the love of God has been spread into the hearts of His people. This act is done by the work of the Holy Spirit. In the sermon “The Holy Spirit and Assurance” from Romans 5:5, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out that this is the first time the Holy Spirit is referenced in terms of salvation and he makes a few points concerning what this means. The Holy Spirit is given to all Christians without exception and He dwells in their bodies. Some might ask how this is a guarantee of salvation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that any good work that Christ has begun will not go unfinished. The seal of the Holy Spirit is a guarantee that Christians are finally fit to enter the glory He has prepared for them. The second part of the sermon explains how someone would know that the Holy Spirit has been given to them.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon begins by introducing Romans 5:5 which states "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

  2. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this verse is connected to the previous verses where Paul establishes the certainty of salvation.

  3. Paul makes several statements about salvation and assurance in Romans 5:1-5 and then elaborates on them in the following verses. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that this is Paul's common method.

  4. In this verse, Paul introduces the doctrine of the Holy Spirit for the first time in Romans. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that the Holy Spirit is mentioned here but not fully explained until Romans 8.

  5. The Holy Spirit is given to all Christians without exception according to Romans 8:9. The Holy Spirit dwells within all believers.

  6. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit guarantees the finality of salvation. It shows that God has begun a work in us that He will complete (Philippians 1:6). It proves we have been born again with a new nature that can receive the Holy Spirit. The new life we have been given guarantees we will be perfected.

  7. The Holy Spirit within us guarantees we will continue in the faith and stay close to God (Philippians 2:12-13). The Holy Spirit works in us to will and to act according to God's good purpose.

  8. The Holy Spirit guarantees our growth. He reveals truth to us (1 Corinthians 2:10) and enlightens our minds (Ephesians 1:17-18). He is our teacher (1 John 2:27).

  9. The Holy Spirit within us guarantees we will become fit to enter God's glory. He sanctifies us and makes us holy so we can dwell with God.

  10. We can know the Holy Spirit has been given to us if we can confess Jesus as Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3). This confession includes believing in Christ's deity, incarnation, and atoning work. Only by the Spirit can we make this confession.

  11. Other signs the Spirit is within us include: believing the teachings of 1 John, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), longing to know Christ more, and finding God's commands not burdensome (1 John 5:3).

  12. The sermon concludes by reflecting on how the Trinity is actively working for our salvation. We have peace with God the Father, through Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is given to us. We should respond with faith, hope, and love.

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.