Romans 8:14 — Critics sometimes claim that the Holy Spirit does violence against human will when He leads people to salvation. Since the apostle Paul teaches that the assurance of adoption is based upon this sovereign work of the Spirit, is it then true that the Spirit is culpable of such violence? In this sermon from Romans 8:14 titled “Leading and Guidance,” the answer given by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is a resounding no. By parsing out the language of the Scriptures, he demonstrates that the Spirit’s leading is not a violent power, but a persuasive power. Moreover, the guidance of the Spirit cannot be segregated from the testimony of truth found in the Scriptures. The Spirit’s work of leading and guiding in sanctification is then directly tied to both the Bible and the saving work of Jesus Christ. Regardless of what any person may say about a vision or an experience, if the teaching cannot be found or reconciled with the Scriptures, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that it is a false teaching. Romans 8:14 is a brilliant passage on the assurance of standing as children of God and the sovereign leading of the Spirit. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds the implications of the Spirit’s work for the Christian life.
--------
--------
The Father's Children
Romans 8:14 — What is the doctrine of sonship? How might Christians practically deny this important doctrine? How may they be sure they are children of God? In this sermon on Romans 8:14 titled “The Father’s Children,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines the teaching of sonship in various ways. The New Testament takes keen interest in sonship, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, because it is the great motive for sanctified living. Christians glory in the truth that the Father has taken special care in them as His children. However, they may practically deny their sonship in their prayer life if they are convinced it is more spiritual to offer distant or cold prayers because of God’s holiness and majesty. Dr. Lloyd-Jones cautions against this extreme by appealing to the adoption as His children. With full assurance, he says, Christians can offer prayer to God because His presence is always with His children. Since they are led by the Holy Spirit into this relationship with the Father, they can be sure of their adoption. No matter faults or failures, they are sons and daughters of God. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds the apostle Paul’s beautiful message on Christian salvation – the adoption as His children.
--------
--------
Sons of the Living God
Romans 8:14 — Does the Christian ever long for Heaven? How often do they think of glorification? Christians often discuss sanctification and do not realize that it is only a part of the process for the end goal of glorification. Glorification can be understood because of the assurance in Christ Jesus. In this sermon on Romans 8:14 titled “Sons of the Living God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says the theme of Romans 8 is not sanctification, but rather the assurance of a Christian’s salvation. It is the absolute security of the final perseverance of all who have been justified by Jesus Christ. As Paul works through this chapter to Romans, he has been outlining several reasons for this assurance. In Romans 8:14, he come to the assurance in terms of sonship with God, which Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues is also the theme of the whole of Scripture. Because glorification is the final goal for all Christians, God would never allow something to prohibit His people from getting there. Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses four points: not all are children of God, Christians are children of God, what this sonship means, and the consequences of this sonship. He leaves the listener with an encouraging message: because Christians are sons and daughters of God, they can look out into this world and never experience despair or panic because they belong to the family of God.
--------
--------
Sin and the Body
Romans 8:12-13 — The Christian is called to deal with sin in a radical way. The language the apostle Paul uses is “to mortify flesh.” But what exactly does this mean? How does the Christian kill sin? In this sermon on Romans 8:12–13 titled “Sin and the Body,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines the passage and looks deeper into the doctrine of sanctification. Specifically, he gives attention to the practical expression of sanctification. He gives both negative ways to mortify sin and positive expressions. What must be remembered, he says, is that the Christian is not powerless against sin. Many false views of the doctrine of sanctification teach this. However, the biblical teaching is that the believer has the Holy Spirit indwelling them. They cannot rely on joyless legalism. Instead, they gaze their attention on the glorification that awaits them. While the Christians practically shun darkness, lust, and enticement, they also expose and denounce immediately any evil that comes out. More importantly, they remember that they are God’s chosen means of representing Him to the world. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives a pastorally-sensitive message on sanctification and holiness.
--------
--------
Sin and the Christian
Romans 8:12-13 — There are many aberrant teachings on the doctrine of sanctification. Some like to say the believer is completely hopeless with regards to sin but is this true? Must the Christian only focus on “abiding” in Christ? Does the regenerate person have no power to act against sin? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones vehemently denies such claims. In his sermon on Romans 8:12–13 titled “Sin and the Christian,” he says the Christian is indeed not hopeless. Instead, the believer is called to realize the truth about their union with Christ. Furthermore, they must not deny the doctrine of regeneration through an insufficient doctrine of sanctification. The Holy Spirit has made them alive and the Spirit of God dwells in them. This gives the Christian power in this life for godly growth. As they walk through this life they should expect maturity. The Christian is far from hopeless in their fight against sin. They have all that they need in Christ and by the Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones admonishes Christians to wake up from their lethargy and realize what God has done to them in Christ. Let them march to Zion, shining forth in good works and glorifying their Father who is in heaven.
The MLJ Trust presents original audio recordings of the sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981). Dr. Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture. Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ 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.
Netherlands