Romans 8:28-30 — As Christians consider controversial topics such as predestination and election, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds that one must beware of their prejudices. Christians have to keep their minds open to understand what the apostle Paul actually says and teaches, even if at the end they do not agree with him. In light of this reminder, Dr. Lloyd-Jones presses into the topic of predestination and argues that God has marked out His people for His particular purpose and end. Taking it a step further, he asks why does the “call” come as the middle link in Paul’s great chain in redemption? Why must it come before justification? He shares that it is because justification is by faith alone and God’s effectual call of the Christian must come before or there would be no movement of the person to trust in Christ. Were it not for the power of the Holy Spirit in calling the person to the Lord Jesus Christ, states Dr. Lloyd-Jones, no one would ever believe the gospel. He then elaborates the work of the Spirit by providing biblical evidence on the nature and character of the doctrine of the effectual call of God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones answers several practical objections to this sovereign work of the Spirit. Listen to this sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “Calling: the Middle Link” as he gives insight to what he calls the “middle link” – the effectual call of the Holy Spirit.
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To Glorify Christ
Romans 8:28-30 — The believer in Christ is caught up in a grand trinitarian story between the mutual glorification of the Father and the Son. This cosmic story of God’s glory bestows unbelievable benefits upon unworthy sinners. When the Christian is united with Christ, all God purposed is guaranteed and the Son will be glorified in the salvation of His people. In this sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “To Glorify Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones connects God the Father’s grand purpose in the glorification of His Son to the ultimate grounds of assurance. Dr. Lloyd-Jones assures that based upon the apostle Paul’s words, every detail in the believer’s salvation – foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification – will be accomplished in perfect detail. Furthermore, Dr. Lloyd-Jones works through the biblical texts across the New Testament and comes to a clear definition for the controversial term “foreknowledge.” With consistency and care, he argues that the term means God setting His love upon His people. Moreover, there is very little difference between the biblical teaching of foreknowledge and the doctrine of predestination. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives believers unlimited grounds for assurance.
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Conformed to Christ
Romans 8:28-30 — Why does Christianity claim to be the only way of salvation? As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches this sermon from Romans 8:28-30 titled “Confirmed to Christ,” the gospel is a message of exclusivity that tells of salvation through Christ by His life, death, and resurrection. The teaching that all those who do not believe in the gospel in this life will be judged and condemned in the next is found throughout the Bible. Nevertheless, many fight and resist this teaching on the basis that it is narrow and unloving of God to condemn sinners to an eternity in hell. But, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener, all are in sin and under the condemnation and judgment of God on account of their unrighteousness and rebellion against Him. All have fallen in Adam who was the head of the whole human race. As the head of the new humanity, Christ died and conquered the grave so that all creation would be redeemed and made new. What was lost in Adam will be regained in Christ and more. It is only in Christ that people can become partakers of His blessings and become children of God. There is no salvation outside of Christ. This ought to compel all believers to proclaim the gospel to all who are lost and live in darkness.
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The Believer's Security
Romans 8:28-30 — The great doctrines of election, predestination, calling, and the final perseverance of the saints are offered in Scripture as comfort for the believer in times of trials and suffering. The apostle Paul is primarily interested in believers seeing how they are in God’s purpose of salvation. The Christian can fall from the pastoral function of these truths when they discuss the doctrines in an argumentative or philosophical manner. In this sermon on Romans 8:26–30 titled “The Believer’s Security,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones pauses from expounding the content of the doctrine of the wondrous, mysterious mind of God in salvation and instead is concerned with the Christian’s posture. It is not enough to be “right” on these doctrines. The attitude towards God and others in pondering these Calvinistic truths matters a great deal. If this topic produces anything except humility and reverence, warns Dr. Lloyd-Jones, then these doctrines have not been understood as they ought. As one approaches the foot of this holy mountain – predestination, election, calling, and final assurance – the outcome should be holiness. If one’s interest in these doctrines is purely philosophical, they will not be turned toward holiness, but rather antinomianism will surely follow. Beware how one approaches these great doctrines of grace as posture changes everything.
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God's Plan is Certain
Romans 8:28-30 — The purposes of human beings are often frustrated and thwarted by others. They work out every detail in order to ensure the working out of their plan, only to find out that it was all for nothing. What about God’s plan? What about God’s purpose in salvation and history? Does the triune God shift His plans according to circumstances provoked by sinful people and demonic opposition? In this sermon on Romans 8:28–30 titled “God’s Plan is Certain,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on Paul’s teaching on the absolute, definite plan of God. His plan of salvation did not originate after the fall of humanity, nor is salvation in Christ a response to Israel’s rejection of salvation through the law, but the Father’s plan to send the Son and obtain salvation for His people was ordained before the foundation of the world. The definite plan of God in salvation, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, must be true or God is no longer God. Furthermore, God’s foreknowledge and predestination is a means of comfort for suffering believers. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches on the glorious truth that justification to glorification is certain because it is in the sovereign control of the triune God.
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, Joyce Meyer Enjoying Everyday Life® Radio Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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