Outline of Romans
A Sermon on Romans 1:1
Originally preached Oct. 14, 1955
Scripture
1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Sermon Description
The strongest building is vulnerable by a weak foundation. How firm is the Christian’s foundation? As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims in this sermon “Outline of Romans” on Romans 1:1, a life built on the word of God and growing in sound doctrine is spared from the storms and threats that devastates many lives. Since the Christian’s union is with Christ and their fellowship with the local church, they grow in righteousness as they learn from the entire counsel of God. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones overviews Paul’s letter to the church at Rome and explains the reason this letter is so important to the Christian life. In it is found certainty, security of salvation, and future glorification that awaits all who are declared righteous and saved by faith.
Sermon Breakdown
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The sermon begins with an introduction to the epistle to the Romans and its importance. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes studying it thoroughly to gain a deep understanding.
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The sermon then provides background on who wrote the epistle (Paul) and who it was written to (the church in Rome). The makeup of the Roman church is discussed, including that it contained both Jews and Gentiles.
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The sermon then discusses why Paul wrote the epistle - to establish and strengthen the Roman Christians in their faith due to false teachings that were spreading. Paul wanted to impart spiritual truths to them.
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The sermon then provides an overview of the structure and content of the epistle to Romans. Chapters 1-11 are doctrinal, chapters 12-16 are practical. Chapters 1-4 focus on justification by faith.
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Chapters 5-8 demonstrate the certainty and security of salvation for believers. This section is not about sanctification but about the assurance of salvation.
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In chapter 5, Paul shows that salvation is God's doing, not man's. He also shows the believer's union with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
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In chapters 6 and 7, Paul addresses objections and difficulties with his teaching, including whether it promotes lawlessness or antinomianism. Paul shows that while believers have died to the law, sin remains in the mortal body. But believers overcome sin by recognizing their union with Christ.
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In chapter 8, Paul shows how the Holy Spirit enables believers to overcome sin and gain victory over it. The Spirit gives believers a new mind, will resurrect their mortal bodies, enables them to mortify sin, gives assurance of salvation, provides a view of God's ultimate purposes, and helps in prayer.
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Paul then provides a triumphant conclusion, showing that nothing can separate believers from God's love in Christ.
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In chapters 9-11, Paul shows how God's purposes through the Jews confirm the doctrines he has been teaching. God is working out His sovereign plan.
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Paul then praises God for His wisdom, knowledge and ways. To God alone belongs the glory.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans: Key Questions and Insights
Why is the Book of Romans so important for Christians to study?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Romans is of paramount importance for Christians because it establishes the foundational doctrines of faith. He references Martin Luther who advocated learning it "verse by verse" so thoroughly that believers could always apply it. The epistle provides a comprehensive understanding of the gospel, justification by faith, and the security of believers in Christ - doctrines so vital that reformers like Latimer and Ridley were willing to die for them rather than compromise these truths.
Who established the church in Rome according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes it clear that the church in Rome was established neither by Paul nor by Peter. He provides several evidences for this conclusion: - Paul explicitly states he had never been to Rome at the time of writing - No reference to Peter appears anywhere in the letter - Paul states it was not his practice to "build upon other people's foundations" - The church likely came into being through Jews and proselytes who were converted at Pentecost and returned to Rome, as mentioned in Acts 2 - Others came to Rome from different parts of the empire, including soldiers and common people like Aquila and Priscilla
What is the main structure of Romans according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines the structure of Romans as follows: 1. Chapters 1-11: Doctrinal section 2. Chapters 12-16: Practical application
Within the doctrinal section: - Chapter 1:1-15: Preliminary salutation and introduction - Chapter 1:16 to Chapter 4: Justification by faith - Chapters 5-8: The security of the believer in Christ - Chapters 9-11: God's purposes regarding Israel and the Gentiles
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' view on the common interpretation of Romans 5-8?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones strongly disagrees with the common classification that says "chapters one to four deal with justification, chapters five to eight with sanctification." He calls this a "very misleading and eventually harmful classification." Instead, he argues that chapters 5-8 are primarily about "the absolute certainty, fullness and finality of this great salvation" and "the utter absolute security of the Christian man." The believer's security is based on: 1. It is God's doing, not man's 2. Our union with Christ 3. The Holy Spirit's work in us
Why did Paul write this letter to the Romans?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul wrote to the Romans primarily to establish them in their faith. He quotes Romans 1:11 where Paul states: "I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end ye may be established." Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that conversion is just the beginning, not the end, and Christians need to be established in sound doctrine to avoid being misled by false teachers who "by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17-18).
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the importance of doctrine?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones strongly emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine, noting that some believers were willing to die for doctrinal truths like justification by faith. He laments the modern tendency to suggest "that doctrine doesn't matter at all, and that as long as a man has had some sort of an experience, it doesn't matter." He rejects the idea that we can "get people converted first, then consider teaching them," insisting that we must be "certain that they're established, that they come unto the right foundation."
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.