God is for Us
A Sermon on Romans 8:31
Scripture
31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Sermon Description
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Paul starts a new subsection in his letter to the Romans by claiming this promise. In this sermon on Romans 8:31 titled “God is for Us,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unpacks this promise showing how Christians can truly rest in this absolute truth. There is not a matter of “if” or “but;” it is absolute certainty that the Lord is on the side of His children. By opening this new subsection, Paul is about to answer potential questions that may arise from his previous teaching. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones outlines several questions that Paul is going to answer before they cause dissention among the Romans. Paul brings this great doctrine in the scheme of ordinary, everyday lives. This one verse is once again proving Paul’s point that Christians have been saved and their salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. Because of that union with Christ, they have the Holy Spirit working in them and helping them toward future glory. This affirms that the Lord is in fact for the believer so there is no other power, circumstance, or person that could ever truly overcome them. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains this in great detail and tells Christians to rest assured in this great promise.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is summing up his argument from Romans chapter 1 verse 16 through chapter 8.
- He puts forth a series of rhetorical questions to reiterate and reinforce his teaching.
- The first question in verse 31 asks if any power can separate us from God's love and salvation. Paul answers that since God is for us, no one can be against us in that sense.
- Though there are forces against believers, none can overcome God's power and purposes. We must not underestimate the enemy but recognize that God is greater.
- Paul cites examples of God protecting and empowering His people throughout Scripture. God is our shield, refuge, and deliverer.
- The nations and rulers of this world are nothing before God. His power and sovereignty are supreme.
- Paul calls us to consider these great truths and have confidence in our salvation and God's faithfulness. We must know that we are called according to His purpose.
- If God is for us, none can be against us in such a way as to thwart His will and rob us of eternal life. We are secure in Christ.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His 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. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.