Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 8:18

What is the main theme of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Romans 8:18?

Lloyd-Jones focuses on the glory that awaits Christians in final glorification, contrasting it with present sufferings. He argues that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us," and calls the church back to a living awareness of this destiny as the solution to its ineffectiveness.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the church is failing despite all its activity?

He argues that the church is "ignoring almost entirely the one thing that matters — our relationship to God." He states: "The tragedy is that we tend to stop at blessings received instead of the relationship itself." In his view, all the organizations, evangelistic campaigns, and ecumenical movements cannot substitute for the manifest glory of God among His people.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the root cause of declining church influence in society?

He identifies the failure of Christians to display the glory of God in their lives. He says: "Why are the masses of the people outside? There is only one answer — you and I are completely failing to give them the impression of the glory of this life." He argues that only a genuine manifestation of God's glory, as seen historically in revival, can turn communities to God.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define the glorification promised in Romans 8:18?

He defines it as "our final and complete deliverance from all the effects and results of sin and of the fall." This includes deliverance from the guilt, power, and pollution of sin, as well as the glorification of the body — a complete emancipation of the whole person from every consequence of the fall.

Does glorification apply only to the soul, according to Lloyd-Jones?

No. He emphasizes that glorification encompasses body, soul, and spirit. Citing Philippians 3, he states that Christ "shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." He insists: "Salvation does not apply only to the soul and to the spirit. It includes the body also. That is why we must always insist upon a literal physical resurrection."

What three effects of sin does Lloyd-Jones distinguish, and how does glorification address them?

He distinguishes: 1. Guilt — Already fully removed for the believer through justification: "You are as delivered now from the guilt of your sin as you ever can be." 2. Power — Progressively overcome through sanctification: "We are being delivered from the power of sin, and should be conscious of it more and more." 3. Pollution — The most neglected, yet ultimately fully resolved in glorification: "No spot, no wrinkle nor any such thing, entire and absolutely perfect, holy and without any blemish."

What does Lloyd-Jones teach about the believer's present status as a son of God?

He is emphatic that believers are already sons of God and can never be more so: "You are a son of God, and you can never be more a son of God than you are now." He uses the parable of the Prodigal Son to illustrate that misbehavior does not cancel sonship, and strongly rejects the idea that one can "sin out of sonship."

How does Lloyd-Jones use 1 John 3:1-2 to describe the goal of Christian salvation?

He quotes: "It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." He calls this the pinnacle of Christian salvation and challenges believers: "Why do people stop only at forgiveness of sins? This is essential Christianity. This is the glory of Christianity."

What does Lloyd-Jones teach about Christians reigning with Christ in glorification?

Drawing on Romans 8:17 and 2 Timothy 2:12, he teaches that suffering with Christ leads to reigning with him. He also cites 1 Corinthians 6, where Paul answers a petty church dispute by reminding believers: "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?... Know ye not that we shall judge angels?" Lloyd-Jones uses this to show that our eternal destiny should govern our present conduct.

What historical example does Lloyd-Jones use to illustrate how God's glory transforms society?

He cites George Whitefield and John Wesley: "When these men were filled with the Spirit of God, baptized with the Spirit, and became aware of the glory of God in their personal lives, their preaching was transformed." He notes that Whitefield's first sermon in Gloucester produced such manifestations of God's glory that people crowded wherever he appeared — without any advertising. His conclusion: "Revival advertises itself."

What practical steps does Dr. Lloyd-Jones prescribe for Christians to experience and display God's glory?

He outlines several: 1. Realize the possibility — Stop expecting results only from human effort and expect God to manifest His glory at any moment. 2. Believe in Christ — "God hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 3. Submit to the Holy Spirit — "Let him lead you. Don't rush to make your plans and then ask for his blessing." 4. Beholding through Scripture — "If you want to see the glory of the Lord, read your Bible... dig deep and get at the doctrine." 5. Meditation — "Stop and think... Where's the art of meditation?" 6. Persistent prayer — Like the importunate widow, "give him no rest" until you have experienced the glory of God.

What does Lloyd-Jones say about spiritual growth, and what does its absence indicate?

He insists on progressive growth in glory: "If people are not growing in the Christian life there is something seriously wrong." He challenges those who only speak of their conversion experience: "Don't you know more and more about this glory? Are you not advancing from glory to glory?" He says that if our experience of Christianity is no more wonderful today than ten years ago, "there is something hopelessly wrong."

How does Lloyd-Jones connect the Westminster Catechism's answer on man's chief end to the problem of the modern church?

He states: "We tend to forget that we are meant to enjoy God. The chief end of men is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." He argues this enjoyment is not merely theoretical but involves "a living, a real, a conscious communion" with God — and that the church's neglect of this living enjoyment is the root of her powerlessness and failure to attract the world.