The Preachers Message (2)
A Sermon on Romans 10:14-17
Originally preached April 10, 1964
Scripture
14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How …
Sermon Description
In his sermon on Romans 10:14–17 titled “The Preacher’s Message (2),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones talks about the great joy believers have within the gospel. Reading from this Scripture passage, he reminds the listener of the basics of the good news and how it should inspire Christians. He says that preaching is God’s chief appointed role for sharing the gospel to the congregation and unbelievers. Because of this responsibility, it’s important for preachers to integrate the good news into their message. Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers this suggestion with a warning to the congregation: do not grow tired of hearing the gospel. It is easy for Christians to forget the amazing power bestowed by God to those who believe. Dr. Lloyd-Jones takes an opportunity to remind Christians of what they have in Christ. He says that God gave His Son for the forgiveness of sins simply because He is rich in mercy and grace, as seen in Ephesians 2. Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds upon the daily intercession Christ takes for Christians at the right hand of the Father. He goes on to describe the groaning of the Holy Spirit that prays when believers don’t know what to pray for. With these incredible privileges, Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes with a call to obey the gospel and take joy in the promises within.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is summarizing the Gospel message in Romans 10:14-17.
- In verses 14-15, Paul tells us how the general call of the Gospel goes out.
- In verses 16-17, Paul deals with the effectual call of the Gospel.
- The Gospel message must always be glad tidings. If it is not glad tidings, it is not the Christian message.
- The Gospel message is about "good things" - the goodness of God himself.
- The first element of the good things is that God has done something for us through Jesus Christ. God has intervened.
- The second element is why God has done this - out of his mercy, love, grace and kindness. These attributes are superlative.
- The good things refer to justification by faith alone and its consequences: forgiveness, reconciliation, peace with God, access to God.
- The good things also refer to sanctification - a new life in the Spirit, freedom from sin, becoming servants of righteousness.
- The good things ultimately refer to glorification - the hope of glory, being made perfect, salvation from the fall in every way.
- These good things come through calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Not all have believed and obeyed this Gospel. Isaiah 53:1 asks "Who has believed our report?".
- Whether we have truly believed and the Gospel has been effectual in us will be considered next.
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.