Romans 7:4 — Why is the doctrine of union with Christ so important? Many people consider theology to be useless and irrelevant for their everyday life. They want what is practical. In this sermon on Romans 7:4 titled “Union – Its Privileges and Purpose,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the great theological doctrine of union with Christ and its everyday importance. He says the Christian has hope anew each and every day because they have died to themselves and now live in Christ. The doctrine of union with Christ teaches that they are no longer slaves to themselves, but are now slaves to Christ. They are inheritors of all the promises because they are one in Christ Jesus. This is the pure and unmatched hope of the gospel: God in Jesus Christ for His people. What of those that do not know Jesus? It is only in Christ that anyone can have true hope and all those that reject His gospel reject the only way of salvation. This is why the church must preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The church is not only the bride of Christ, but also the ambassador of Christ in the world. This sermon asks all if they have this hope. Are they now one with Christ?
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Union with Christ: Its Nature
Romans 7:4 — The truth that all
Christians are united with Christ changes everything. It is no overstatement to
say that the doctrine of Christians’ union with Christ is one the most
important truths for anyone to understand. It is this glorious doctrine that
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds in this sermon on Romans 7:4 titled “Union With
Christ: Its Nature.” Looking at the apostle Paul’s epistle to the Romans, he
shows that those who believe in the gospel have been delivered from sin and
darkness once and for all. While all are born in Adam, all who believe are born
supernaturally into Christ Jesus. It means that the law of sin and death no
longer reigns in the Christian, and that they are now part of God’s family and now
forgiven from all sin. They are safe in salvation as Christ is loving and powerful.
This doctrine is the ultimate hope against all depression, sorrow, and
loneliness because it teaches that Christians have a great friend in Jesus. Listeners
are encouraged to ask: “do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe that He has
died for sinners? Do you have assurance that God loves?” There is great hope to
all who have truly forsaken themselves and put their trust in Jesus.
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The Essentials of Salvation
Romans 7:4 — What is different about the Christian life from every other life? In this sermon on Romans 7:4 titled “The Essentials of Salvation”, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones states that it is no external matter. He says that the Christian life is one that has been totally reoriented because the Christian has passed from death into life by believing in the gospel. The Christian is not simply one who acts differently, but they have been renewed in Christ and made a new creature. This radical change is brought about because Jesus did not come to improve behavior, but to make new men and women. All must ask if they have been transformed in Christ. Only by believing in the person and work of Christ can anyone be saved. Christ stands at the center of life and it is Christ who calls all to believe in Him. He came and died in order that sinners might be saved and brought to life. He rose from the dead as a testament to the power of His message and gospel. This message of Christ is the most important message one can ever hear for it is the words of eternal life.
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Not Subject to the Law
Romans 7:1-4 — What does marriage have to do with the relationship to the law? Paul begins Romans 7 by discussing how the relationship with the law closely mirrors a relationship with a spouse. In the sermon on Romans 7:1–4 titled “Not Subject to the Law,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones creates four points to show how Paul is using the marriage relationship as an illustration. Just as the woman is bound to her husband by law, so also the Christian is bound to the law. This reflects the leadership that the husband has over the household. In a marriage, the spouses are bound until a death breaks that agreement. Christians are also bound to the law until a death occurs. Death brings a freedom from the law. In the same way, Christians have died to the law and are now able to enter into a relationship with righteousness. Finally, the purpose of marriage is to replenish the earth and the relationship with God is to bring forth fruit. All must be delivered from the power and dominion of the law if they are to produce fruit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that the Christian must first be separated from the old in order to conform to the new.
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The Christian and God's Law
Romans 7:1 — How do Christians relate to the law of God? Since they are saved, can they actually keep the law? What happens when they fail? In this sermon on Romans 7:1 titled “The Christian and God’s Law,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows a bird’s eye view of how Christians should view the controversial topic in this chapter of Scripture. According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, most problems in the Christian life could be solved if Christians had a better understanding of Romans 7. With a proper understanding of this chapter, the Christian will have a better understanding of sin and its severity. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that sanctification by the law is just as impossible as salvation by the law. According to Paul, the law actually hinders sanctification. There is only one way a person can bring fruit before God and that is if they are joined to Jesus Christ. When one understands the relationship of the law to the Christian, it helps in understanding that simple morality and ethical living are not sufficient for salvation or sanctification. One must be joined to Christ for salvation, not simply follow the law. The law shows how sinful people are, but only Christ can save by His perfect life and His perfect righteousness.
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.
Listen to Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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