Called to Preach
A Sermon on Romans 1:7-15
Originally preached Feb. 10, 1956
Scripture
7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Romans 1:7-15, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds the listener about the apostle Paul and the great apostle's attitude toward his work. In his message titled “Called to Preach” Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls all Christians, especially men called to ministry, to characterize their work as service. He calls all Christians to follow the apostle Paul by rendering their service in the same way he renders his service. Paul’s call to preach the gospel was not a profession or an opportunity to demonstrate his personality. Paul refused to build service to Christ around himself. True Christian preaching for Paul was not about self-promotion, carnal zeal, and relying on the flesh. Instead, Paul served God in his spirit, surrendering completely to the Holy Spirit. Paul’s service, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, was whole-hearted service. Paul was not merely external in his ministry, but instead valued sincerity. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones brings a challenging reminder of the true nature and character of Christian ministry.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul deals with two main matters in Romans 1:7-15. First, he says certain things to the Christians in Rome. Second, he tells us certain things about himself.
- Paul's object in writing to the Romans was to give them reasons for doing so. In the process, he reveals aspects of his own character and ministry.
- The word "first" in Romans 1:8 signifies the importance and meaning of the Roman church to Paul.
- We can deduce from this passage that Paul had an active prayer life, as evidenced by his praying for the Roman Christians.
- Paul's prayer life demonstrates that he was completely submitted to and submissive to God's will. Although Paul had his own ideas and plans, he did not act until he was sure it was God's will.
- The third thing we learn about Paul from this passage is his attitude toward his ministry and service to God. Paul is an example and model for Christian service.
- Paul describes his ministry as a "service" to God in Romans 1:9. The word translated as "service" refers to religious service and worship. Any work done for God's kingdom should have an element of worship.
- Paul served God with his "spirit" (Romans 1:9), indicating his ministry was sincere, not external or superficial. It came from within him, not imposed from without.
- Serving God with his "spirit" means Paul's ministry was not done for show or in a detached, academic manner. There was passion and zeal, but not a "carnal" zeal for its own sake.
- Paul did not serve for his own glory or personality, but to glorify God. He did not rely on eloquence, learning, or human wisdom, but on the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Paul served God with his whole being, holding nothing back. He considered nothing dear to himself except finishing the ministry Christ gave him.
- Paul's service was done in weakness and fear, relying on God's power and not his own. His zeal was like Christ's, to seek and save the lost.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Paul's Spiritual Service in Romans
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the main description of Paul's work in Romans?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul describes his work as a "service" in Romans 1:9, saying "whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of his son." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the Greek word Paul uses here always carries the idea of religious service, with an element of worship and adoration. This indicates that Paul saw his work not merely as a job but as a holy service to God.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones differentiate between serving God "in the spirit" versus serving externally?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that serving God "in the spirit" means the service comes from within, from the deepest part of one's being, rather than being something external or mechanical. He states, "When a man preaches and serves in this way in his spirit, he preaches not even because he's been announced to preach." He warns against the danger of preaching simply because it's scheduled or expected, rather than from an inner spiritual compulsion. True spiritual service, according to Lloyd-Jones, has a "vital union" between the messenger and the message.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the difference between carnal service and spiritual service?
According to Lloyd-Jones, carnal service is characterized by self-display, where the preacher makes himself the center of attention. He says, "The essence of carnality is self display. The flesh always wants to show itself and to vaunt itself." In contrast, spiritual service keeps self out of sight and focuses on the message. He quotes Paul saying, "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord." Spiritual service can include displaying one's learning, relying on eloquence, or even having a misguided zeal that seeks attention rather than glorifying God.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe Paul's attitude toward his own abilities in ministry?
Lloyd-Jones describes Paul as approaching ministry "in weakness and in fear and in much trembling," not relying on "enticing words of man's wisdom." Despite his capabilities, Paul deliberately set aside eloquence and philosophical discourse to focus on "Jesus Christ and him crucified." Lloyd-Jones notes that Paul had no self-confidence whatsoever but was instead dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit, seeking to minister "in demonstration of the spirit and of power."
What warning does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give to congregations regarding their role in a preacher's service?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns that "congregations often spoil preachers" by encouraging them toward carnal rather than spiritual service. He observes, "If the preacher starts speaking to their flesh, they'll respond, and they'll show an interest which they were not showing in his doctrine." He cautions that people often enjoy when a preacher talks about himself or displays his personality, but this shifts focus away from Christ and the spiritual message. Lloyd-Jones urges congregations to be aware of this tendency and not to encourage preachers toward self-display.
What example does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give of Thomas Goodwin's approach to eloquence in preaching?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares the story of the Puritan preacher Thomas Goodwin, who was naturally eloquent. After his conversion, Goodwin would write sermons that contained "purple passages" of eloquence, but then deliberately edited them out with a blue pencil. Lloyd-Jones calls this "the most remarkable thing perhaps a preacher can ever do," noting that Goodwin realized these eloquent passages might make people focus on his oratory skills rather than on Christ. He removed them "in order that it might be in demonstration of the spirit and of power."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones summarize what it means to serve God "in the spirit"?
Lloyd-Jones summarizes serving God "in the spirit" as making service to God "the deepest desire of his life and of his heart," serving "with the hull of his being and his entire personality." It means complete surrender to God with "no reserves and no reservations." He describes it as having a divine passion rather than carnal zeal, being conscious of one's own weakness while depending on the Holy Spirit's power. Ultimately, it means not counting one's own life dear, but focusing entirely on fulfilling the ministry received from the Lord Jesus.
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.