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Sermon #3067

Times of Trial

A Sermon on Romans 5:3-5

Originally preached Nov. 29, 1957

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Scripture

Romans 5:3-5 ESV KJV
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 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

The Bible tells that Christians will face trials. In light of this truth, how should Christians face them and stand strong in the midst of trials? Listen to this sermon titled “Times of Trial” on Romans 5:3–5 as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks on this topic and points to how Scripture instructs to face them. First, he begins by expressing that trials are a test of our faith; it shows if the faith is true or if it is based only on emotional experience. He goes on to state that Christians with true faith will not face trials with grumblings or with a mindset of simply putting up with it. Rather, they will glory in their tribulations. When a trial is faced this way, it can become a time of growth and can strengthen one’s relationship with God. They can push one toward Him and help them see their need of Him. Trials can also build in patience and can be a time where God refines and teaches things out of His love for His chosen. He concludes this sermon on trials by showing that trials also point to the hope that Christians have and that helps them stand strong in the midst of any storm.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostle Paul continues his discussion of assurance of salvation in Romans 5:3-5.
  2. Paul says that not only do we have peace with God and access to grace, but we also glory in tribulations. This is an even stronger proof of salvation.
  3. Tribulation and suffering are a vital test of our Christian faith and profession. They show whether our faith is real or merely emotional. They differentiate between true faith and mere believism.
  4. The Christian reaction to tribulation is not to complain, question faith, or just endure. It is to glory and rejoice in tribulation. This is because faith enables us to view tribulation as promoting our hope, not hindering it.
  5. We do not glory in tribulation automatically or gladly welcome suffering. We glory in tribulation through the application of faith. Faith gives us insight into God's methods and helps us follow Paul's reasoning.
  6. Tribulation produces patience, which is endurance and constancy. Patience produces experience, which is proof or testing. This proves we are truly Christians and have passed the test.
  7. Trials show us our need for God, drive us to Christ, give us self-knowledge, and lead to a balanced view of the Christian life. We realize we are not as strong as we thought and become dependent on God.
  8. Trials themselves show God's love and interest in us. They test our love for God. If we only love God when things go well, our faith is not genuine. Trials purify our faith like fire purifies gold.
  9. Trials lead to greater hope and certainty of salvation. We rejoice in the hope of God's glory, go through trials, and come out with stronger hope and assurance. Trials give further proof we are God's children as He perfects us.
  10. Christian hope produces patience with trials, and patience strengthens hope. Hope leads to patience in enduring trials. Patience leads to greater grasp of hope. Hope is both the parent and child of patience.

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.