Sermons on Romans 8

Can Christians lose their salvation? This is a much-debated question in Christianity that has immense significance for all believers. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that while some passages seem to teach that Christians can lose their salvation, this is a misunderstanding. In this sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “The Threefold Purpose,” he looks at the warning passages in Hebrews 6 and 10. He argues that these passages do not speak of true Christians falling away but it speaks of those unbelievers who hear the gospel and are in the church, yet reject it. Just as many people in the Bible, such as Judas, are part of the visible church (and even in places of authority), they are shown to not be truly saved. So it is true in all the church. The Bible never speaks of true believers falling away. These are lost men and women who show temporary signs of profession yet fall away. These passages ought to encourage true believers to seek to live a life that testifies to Christ’s power of salvation. Can true Christians fall away from Christ? The Bible’s answer is no since Christ is the perfect Savior who is able to redeem sinners and bring their salvation to completion. As the Savior promised, no one can snatch a child of His from His hand.

By denying the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints, there will be inevitable negative implications for everything else that is true about Christian salvation. Perhaps even more problematic, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “The Unbreakable Chain,” is the confusion and chaos that is introduced about God by those affirming the apostasy of genuine believers. He examines the harmony of each link in the apostle Paul’s unbreakable chain, noting how each inevitably hangs together. By considering the negative implications for the doctrine of predestination and foreknowledge, Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates the absurd conclusions that must be affirmed about God when one holds to the possibility of a true believer falling from grace. Continuing through the chain of redemption, he argues that those who affirm the apostasy position make God’s “call” pointless and the doctrine of justification an error-filled action on God’s part. However, the doctrine of rebirth and union with Christ should settle the matter altogether, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. It is scandalous to suggest that God’s creative work in giving new life and His seating of His people in the heavenly places with Christ can be suddenly undone. Listen to Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s argument for an unbreakable chain in salvation and find encouragement in the blessed doctrine of assurance from beginning to end.

What does the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints have to do with identity as the body of Christ? Very much, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, in his sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “Eternity Secure (1).” One must be careful to remember that Christ did not come to just save isolated individuals but instead came to redeem His people, the church. The spiritual union between the church and Christ is modeled after the essential union between the Father and the Son. So, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, it is absurd to think Christ’s love for His church can be frustrated somehow as if the Father’s love for the Son could be disrupted. Part of the assurance is based on the glorious truth that Christians are those the Father has given to His Son. It is impossible to imagine separation or falling away if one remembers that Christ died for the church in order to redeem it, perfect it, and present her to God the Father. Moreover, argues Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is the fact that perseverance is guaranteed based upon the teaching of chastisement. God refuses to leave His children alone. He will be faithful to discipline in order to conform His children more and more to the image of His Son. In the end, they are secure in Christ. Praise should erupt to the God who calls, keeps, preserves and will never forsake.

In this sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “Eternally Secure (2),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues to press the issue of the final perseverance of the saints by examining the flaws exegetically and theologically. He even questions, what if his opponents are correct? What if a regenerated, born-again Christian finally did go to perdition and fell away from their position “in Christ”? Are there any negative implications for this apostasy position? Dr. Lloyd-Jones carefully and consistently works out the meaning of his opponent's position with regards to the ultimate purpose of salvation itself. While Dr. Lloyd-Jones’s opponents would rightly affirm that salvation is about forgiveness of sin and they can now go to heaven, he suggests that is not the ultimate purpose of salvation. The main purpose of salvation is the glory of God, the vindication of His glory, and the sovereignty of the character of God. This ultimate purpose, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, changes everything, namely the assurance of the outcome of God’s glory. Moreover, there are opportunities for pride as those who deny the final perseverance of the saints are forced to deny that it is ultimately God who causes endurance until the end, and instead must affirm that there is some quality inside those who are received into glory that is different from those who fall away. There is great comfort in knowing that the God who began the believer’s salvation will truly see it completed to the end. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages believers in the great truth of eternal security.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Paul starts a new subsection in his letter to the Romans by claiming this promise. In this sermon on Romans 8:31 titled “God is for Us,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unpacks this promise showing how Christians can truly rest in this absolute truth. There is not a matter of “if” or “but;” it is absolute certainty that the Lord is on the side of His children. By opening this new subsection, Paul is about to answer potential questions that may arise from his previous teaching. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones outlines several questions that Paul is going to answer before they cause dissention among the Romans. Paul brings this great doctrine in the scheme of ordinary, everyday lives. This one verse is once again proving Paul’s point that Christians have been saved and their salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. Because of that union with Christ, they have the Holy Spirit working in them and helping them toward future glory. This affirms that the Lord is in fact for the believer so there is no other power, circumstance, or person that could ever truly overcome them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains this in great detail and tells Christians to rest assured in this great promise.

Can God’s love for His children ever change or lessen? Is there any power that can pluck the believer from God’s hand? In this sermon on Romans 8:32 titled “God’s Work is Certain,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the apostle Paul’s teaching of final perseverance for the saints. Paul demonstrates in his argument that God’s love cannot possibly fail or lessen for His children. This faithful love that does not lessen has implications for God’s disposition towards believers - if God is for us and His love is certain, then who or what is capable of taking us from God’s hands? The answer is no one and nothing. The impossibility of God’s love changing towards His children is important for it has further implications regarding the Christian’s salvation. Just as certain as God’s unchanging love is towards His Children, so is it thus inconceivable for God to fail to continue his work in believers from justification on to glorification. His work and his love are certain and secure, thus providing full assurance of the final perseverance of the saints.

It is instinctive to try to spare loved ones from pain and suffering if at all possible. Yet one reads in Romans 8:32 that God the Father did not spare His Son from suffering; rather the Son was delivered up for unworthy sinners. Can such a statement by the apostle Paul be the apex of the glory of God? Can the truth of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and the appeasement of the Father’s wrath truly be God’s most glorious display of His love? This is the argument of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in this sermon on Romans 8:32 titled “The Sufferings of Christ.” He meticulously examines each word in this theologically-rich verse by the great apostle. Every word, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, is of upmost importance in expounding the wondrous truth of God’s grace in this text. Dr. Lloyd-Jones not only makes a case for the Father graciously giving up His Son for the salvation of sinners, but he sheds light on the true agony and grief Christ felt in His sufferings. While some want to minimize Christ’s cry of dereliction, Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims the glory of God in the suffering of the Son.

The Reformers were adamant that the church stands or falls on the doctrine of justification. Martin Luther, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, was thrilled when the doctrine of justification dawned upon him. Many Christians today, however, may be apathetic towards justification. Even those who happily affirm the truth of justification may do so with less excitement than previous generations of Protestant believers. Given that there is no charge whatsoever the devil can bring against God’s elect and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says justification is the key to everything. In this sermon on Romans 8:33–34 titled “Justified By God,” he gives an exposition of the meaning of justification along with its legal and covenantal context. For Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the Christian’s joy, security, and safety is at stake when considering the doctrine of justification by faith. If one relies on anything else, including experience, then they will certainly be shaken as the devil shows one’s guilt before the law. Hear this grand exposition of the only ground that a believer can truly stand on as they proclaim that it is God who justifies.

Can someone who has been justified be once again condemned because of sin? In Romans 8:34 Paul says that this question is unthinkable for those who are in Christ Jesus. Christ took all of the Christian’s condemnation with Him on the cross and the Son will no more bring any charge against them or be the means of their condemnation any more than the Father Himself. In this sermon on Romans 8:34 titled “Christ, Our Security,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones divides Paul’s proofs into four main arguments: Christ has died, He has risen again, He is at the right hand of God, and He is making intercession for His people. Because of these four things, the Christian can rest assured that it is impossible for God to punish them once again because Christ died for their sin and bore their punishment so that they can now be alive in God. This means that a believer has been justified and justification is a declaration that they are no longer under condemnation. God’s justice was fully satisfied on the cross and, therefore, God’s justice should be viewed as their greatest security and comfort. Christ was raised from the dead shows that God the Father was satisfied with this sacrifice and all condemnation has been dealt with fully.

Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Yet how does this demonstrate the final perseverance of the saints and serve as an assurance of salvation? In this sermon from Romans 8:34 titled “Christ’s Work Complete,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul is discussing the doctrine of the final perseverance; if one has been justified, they will also be glorified. Nothing can ever take that away from a believer and there is no such thing as falling away from grace. Christ seated next to the Father means that He is the Christian’s high priest. He intercedes on their behalf, showing just how much of a compassionate and caring God He is. This also means that Christ has perfected all who have been sanctified once and forever and because this work is done, that means He is able to sit. The final end to all of Christ’s work is the salvation of His people. A believer can be assured of their salvation because God the Father has accepted the Son’s sacrifice and gives His Son a place of dignity at His right hand. Believers shall then lack nothing that is essential to their final sanctification and glorification.

The truthfulness of the doctrine of final perseverance of the saints bumps up against several challenges and the apostle Paul addresses these in Romans 8. In this sermon “More Than Conquerors” on Romans 8:35–39, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that perhaps most troubling thought for the Christian is that they might fail under the scrutiny of intense persecution or temptation. How shall they persevere under such tribulation? Can they separate themselves from the love of Christ? What will keep them? The apostle Paul takes up this challenge to the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints and gives the proof that true believers will remain in the love of Christ until the end. Dr. Lloyd-Jones brings out the nuance of the apostle’s teaching in this passage and notes the efficacy of Christ’s death and ultimately what He sought to accomplish on the cross. Important for Dr. Lloyd-Jones is the meaning of “the love of Christ.” It is His love for His people, not their love for Him that keeps them in the end. The apostle Paul, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, was absolutely certain of this doctrine because he believes in God and the power of Christ’s love. If the Christian doubts the truth that one whom God starts saving could subsequently be lost, it would mean that God has been defeated. Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls the listener to no longer think according to feeble doubts, but to think Scripturally and according to the power of God.

What is Christianity all about? Many have a sentimental view and say that Christianity is about nothing more than love. Others say that Christianity is about morality and good works. In this sermon on Romans 8:3–4 titled “What is Christianity?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that both these answers are wholly inadequate understandings of biblical Christianity. Christianity begins with an understanding that humanity is fallen and in sin; people are unable to know God and serve Him rightly. All are under the condemnation of God’s law because they have rebelled against their maker. In response to this sinful nature that is in all people, God has sent His Son to die upon the cross of Calvary so that all who believe might be forgiven of sin and inheritors with Christ. This message of atonement and redemption is in contrast to all sentimental and shallow distortions of Christianity. But it is the message of Jesus Christ dying that alone can bring true salvation and peace. There is no other message of salvation from sin and true redemption than what can be found in the Christian gospel of God’s grace. This is the only redemption from the curse of the law and God’s righteous condemnation. This is the only means of salvation that God has made so that sinners can be redeemed.

In this sermon on Romans 8:3–4 titled “Modern Pharisees,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how Jesus came in order to fulfill the law that no one could. Modern day Pharisees are those who reject Christ’s sacrifice and try to justify themselves by their own works. Regardless of how carefully one tries to uphold the law, they cannot obey the First Commandment to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. The beauty of the gospel is that Christ came to redeem the wicked, not the self-righteous. Anyone who is burdened with the guilt of sin and feels unworthy can find peace in Christ’s blessing of those who are poor in spirit and avoid the folly of the modern Pharisees.

Why does the church of today seem to be so ineffective and weak? In this sermon on Romans 8:18 titled “We Shall Be Like Him,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers that the church does not behold the glory of God, and so they are not transformed by the glory of God. The modern church focuses on plans and schemes in order to reach the world. But Dr. Lloyd-Jones explores the fatal flaws of this approach to ministry. The world needs to see a church that looks to God and beholds His power and glory. The church should come to see the futility of worldly means of evangelism and outreach, and they should see the power of God working in Christ as not only the greatest means of reaching the world, but as the only power that the church has. The church must rely on the Spirit’s working in the life of believers and the gospel message to reach the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that this has always been the case. The greatest revivals were not brought about by the plans of people, but by the Spirit working in the lives of Christians who had beholden the glory of God and been transformed by this glory. If the church is to reach the world, it must forsake all earthly means of evangelism and look to the power and glory of Christ.

What is in two words? In this sermon on Romans 8:34 titled “The Wonder of the Resurrection,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on the apostle Paul’s words “more than that” (or in the KJV “yea rather”). These words represent a summary of the central affirmation of the glory of the Christian position. They recall the triumph and victory of the Christian gospel itself. In this Easter message on the wonder of the resurrection, Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that to be a Christian is to be a person who has a sense of victory, joy, exhilaration, and assurance. What causes such rejoicing and assurance? It is the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds the meaning and beauty of Paul’s words in Romans 8:34 and demonstrates what is proved and established by Christ’s resurrection. In the resurrection, Christ is proved to be the Lord. The resurrection proves Christ’s cross work was complete and He has power over all enemies. The resurrection of Christ establishes His ascension, intercession on the sinner’s behalf, and the guarantee that Christians too will rise bodily from the grave. Listen and be reminded of what God accomplished in the resurrection of the Lord and the glory of the Christian gospel.