Romans 8:18 — How should Christians react to suffering? This is a difficult question, but it is also an important question. All who live in this world suffer from the effects of sin and death. Even Jesus Himself suffered while He was on earth. In this sermon on Romans 8:18 titled “Reactions to Suffering,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones warns against the wrong reactions to suffering in life. Whether one is angry at God or doubts His goodness, the Christian is prone to lose their trust in the face of suffering. But the Bible tells that suffering is never purposeless, nor is suffering the ultimate fate of those who trust in Christ. The greatest hope is not in worldly social reform or in political campaigns, but it is in the reality that Christ has died for His people and is making all things new. Rather than looking to themselves in times of suffering, the Christian must look to Christ who has died in their place so that they might be redeemed from sin and its curse. This hope is only possible for those who believe in the gospel.
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Purpose of Salvation
Romans 8:17-18 — According to Genesis 1–2, humanity is the crown of God’s creation. Adam and Eve’s innocent state before the God whose image and likeness they reflected represented the tremendous glory given to them. Sadly, all this was affected by the fall. What then is the ultimate goal of salvation? As wonderful as forgiveness of sin may be, is salvation merely that? As gracious as avoiding the eternal wrath of God in hell would be, is that all salvation is about? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says in this sermon on salvation that God should be praised because salvation is so much more. Not only does the Christian attain the original glory of humanity in the garden, but in Christ they anticipate and will receive much more glory than Adam ever experienced – perfection. In this sermon on Romans 8:17–18 titled “Purpose of Salvation,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones lays out the apostle Paul’s argument regarding the glorification that awaits the Christian. Glorification is the Christian’s goal, not mere justification, and not even sanctification. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says a biblical view of glorification is important for Christian lives, especially during times of great suffering. In fact, Paul constantly connects suffering with glory in the life of the believer. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones brings out the great implications and application of this truth for the Christian life today.
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The Problem of Suffering
Romans 8:17 — The urgent problem for the Christian faith in times past and still today is to reconcile trials, tribulations, and suffering with the exceeding great promises of glory that await the children of God. This is the foundation of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s sermon on Romans 8:17 titled “The Problem of Suffering.” The Christian must remember, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, that Paul is no professor of theology, but a profound theologian with a pastoral heart. The apostle Paul is concerned with Christian assurance and when suffering threatens this security. But, Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues, suffering confirms the promises of the gospel. When rightly understood, far from raising doubts or questions, suffering is the proof of the truth of those promises. The doctrine of union with Christ is important for the pastoral task of understanding suffering, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones. As joint-heirs with Christ who suffered, the Christian’s suffering is absolute proof that they belong to Him. Moreover, this suffering is part of the preparation for the glory that awaits the believer. In their current state, counsels Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the Christian is unprepared for glory. But thanks to God that He is preparing them for it and Christians must remember that it is He who is doing so.
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Heirs of God
Romans 8:17 — There is a glorious inheritance which awaits the children of God. As heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, the magnanimity of what is theirs in Christ far exceeds their imaginations. But how can they be sure of this inheritance? Christians are used to promises broken by sinful people and hopes dashed by circumstances beyond their control. Why then is the hope of their future inheritance secure? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has an answer to these most important questions. In his sermon on Romans 8:17 titled “Heirs of God,” he follows the apostle Paul in grounding the hope of inheritance in the immutable, or unchanging, plan of God. It is because of God’s power that inheritance is secure. The Christian can have the utmost confidence and assurance that God will work in such a way as to bring His promises to pass. They need not worry about trials or circumstances thwarting God’s purposes. What is more, they do not even fear their own ability to forfeit their future hope. Dr. Lloyd-Jones labors to encourage the Christian in the absolute security of their inheritance because their heavenly Father cares for them. Listen as he calls to consider the One promising the indescribable glory that awaits.
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Heirs according to the Promise
Romans 8:17 — Does the Christian rejoice that they are a child of God and an heir to the coming glory? Through his sermon on Romans 8:17 titled “Heirs According to the Promise,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones joyfully proclaims that every time that Paul references the Spirit being a seal, he also mentions that the Spirit is the guarantor of the fact that believers are heirs with Christ. This fact is great assurance and certainty of the Christian faith: if Christians are children of God, then they are also His heirs. Paul once again demonstrates that believers have union with Christ; it is absolute and cannot end. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expresses that only Christians have this kind of hope. The inheritance of glory for Christians was set before the beginning of time in God. This is a great promise and is shown often throughout Scripture. All believers are joint heirs with Christ and should be looking toward the coming of their Savior.
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