Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 10:14-17

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the two main sections in Romans 10:14-17?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Romans 10:14-17 can be divided into two sections: verses 14-15 which deal with "the general call of the gospel, the proclamation of the gospel to all men," and verses 16-17 which give "an understanding and an explanation as to why it is that some believe and some do not believe." The first section focuses on the general call, while the second addresses what he terms "the effectual or the efficacious call of those who become believers and are made the children of God."

What are the two main Greek words for "preaching" that Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies two main Greek words used for preaching in the New Testament. He illustrates these from Acts 8:4-5. The first word (used in Acts 8:4) means "they told them the good news of the gospel, the glad tidings of salvation in Christ." The second word (used in Acts 8:5) "carries the whole notion of a herald, a man making a proclamation herald a message." He notes that this second word suggests "a kind of official appointment" and is never used in the New Testament except for those with some official commission.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the distinction between all Christians and those specifically called to preach?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "all Christians should always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them" and "should be able to explain why they are Christians." This is what the scattered members of the Jerusalem church did (Acts 8:4). However, he emphasizes that "there is a suggestion that even immediately in the New Testament times, a distinction was drawn between member and member, and some were officially regarded as the proclaimers, the heralds, the preachers of the gospel." The term for herald/proclaimer is only used for those with an official commission.

What two elements are involved in becoming "sent" to preach according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, there are two elements involved in a person becoming "sent" to preach: "The first is, of course, a personal element. A man is dealt with individually and personally by the Lord himself. A man becomes aware of a call, an inner call." The second element is "the church element" - the confirmation and commissioning by the church. He says the "customary way" is for both these elements to work together: "a man has a personal call, and the church also is led to give a call to the same men."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones consider it wrong for someone to appoint themselves as a preacher?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones considers self-appointment to preaching as "utterly unscriptural." He cites Jeremiah 23:26 where God says of false prophets, "they ran and I did not send them." He emphasizes that "there is no heralding in the New Testament in terms of self appointment" and warns against the modern tendency where "one man says to another, why don't you preach? Of course you can." He states firmly: "No man must appoint himself or set himself up as a preacher. It is equally wrong for men to appoint one another." Instead, there must be action by the church and a commissioning process.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean when he says "preaching is an action of the whole church"?

When Dr. Lloyd-Jones says "preaching is an action of the whole church," he means that preachers represent and are commissioned by the church rather than acting independently. He illustrates this with Acts 13, where the church at Antioch set aside Paul and Barnabas and sent them. He emphasizes that "preachers are set aside and are sent by the church," making preaching a corporate action rather than an individual enterprise. This is why he believes the church's confirmation is essential - because the preacher speaks as a representative of the church, upholding what the apostle calls "the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:16).

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as a characteristic of true preachers regarding their call?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones observes that "the greatest preachers always have approached this question of preaching with fear and trembling." He notes they "have said with the apostle Paul, 'who is sufficient for these things?'" True preachers often display "humility in this respect" and "fearfulness to undertake such a tremendous, such a serious task." He relates stories of "saintly men of God" who resisted pressure from the church to preach, saying "I'm not fit, I'm not worthy." This humility and awareness of the seriousness of preaching, rather than self-confidence, characterizes genuine preachers.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the proper relationship between a preacher and the church?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes a proper relationship where the preacher submits to the authority and confirmation of the church rather than acting independently. He points to Paul in Acts 13, "this mighty man, this apostle Paul, this great personality, this great genius" who nonetheless "humbles himself to become the servant of the church." Dr. Lloyd-Jones shares his personal struggle with submitting to church examination by men he felt "had never been called themselves," yet he recognized the importance of "this confirmation" and the need to avoid "acting on my own." He concludes that even the apostles "always submitted themselves to the church and didn't act in and of themselves."