Doctrine and Practice

A Sermon on Romans 10:1-21

Originally preached May 3, 1963

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Romans 10:1-21 ESV KJV

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not … Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” (ESV)

1Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Sermon Description

Doctrine and practice must not be separated. This seemingly simple truth has a great impact on how Christians live and seek to obey Christ. In this sermon on Romans 10:1–21 titled “Doctrine and Practice,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the apostle Paul’s doctrine of the Christian life in all its glory and weightiness. Out of the great truths of justification by faith, predestination, and perseverance comes a view of the life that is grounded in the person and work of Christ. Christians must seek to trust God and His providence. They must be faithful to the command to evangelize and seek to love their neighbors as themselves. They must also be aware of the danger to intellectualize Christianity at the expense of practice. Some say things such as, “If God is sovereign, why pray?” or “If God elects, why evangelize?” However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns not to try to use vain logic to understand God, but rather read Scripture faithfully and submit to all of God’s teaching. How then does doctrine relate to practice? The answer is that doctrine informs how God desires His people to live as new creatures in Christ Jesus.

Sermon Breakdown

The apostle Paul expresses his heartfelt desire for the salvation of his fellow Jews despite their persecution of him. He praises their zeal for God though it is misguided.
We must learn to be objective in our relationships with unbelievers and not become emotionally involved. We need to see them as blinded by Satan rather than reacting angrily towards them.
The apostle's attitude shows us that natural relationships do not determine salvation. We must view people as souls in need of salvation.
There is a danger of following our own logic rather than Scripture. We must not say that since God elects, our actions do not matter. God ordains both the ends and the means - we are to pray, evangelize and preach.
We do not know who the elect are, so we should pray for the salvation of all and preach the gospel to all. God could save the elect without us but has chosen to use us.
We must follow the example of Scripture and pray for the salvation of others, not rely on our own reasoning. The greatest evangelists believed in election but were also passionate about evangelism and prayer.
If our doctrine does not lead to a desire for the salvation of the lost and prayer for revival, we have misunderstood the doctrine. The doctrine of election is not fatalism.
Belief comes through hearing the preaching of the gospel. We must preach for the salvation of others. God's method is to use means like preaching and prayer to save people.
We must test whether we really believe the doctrine of election by whether we long for and pray for the salvation of others. Head knowledge without heart longing is useless.
We need God to give us love and compassion for the lost like Jesus and Paul had. We need to experience the power of the truth, not just have intellectual knowledge.

Sermon Q&A

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

What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' main explanation for why Paul includes Romans 10 after his teaching on election in Romans 9?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul includes Romans 10 after his teaching on election in Romans 9 to maintain balance in his teaching. While Romans 9 emphasizes God's sovereign election in salvation, Romans 10 focuses on human responsibility in rejecting the gospel. Lloyd-Jones describes chapter 10 as "almost a kind of parenthesis" or "an extended commentary" that elaborates on what Paul said at the end of Romans 9. He explains that in Romans 10, Paul is presenting the doctrine of justification by faith in a more pastoral and practical manner, bringing it "nearer to us" than the more theological presentation in Romans 1-4.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones address the apparent contradiction between divine election and human evangelistic responsibility?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses this apparent contradiction by emphasizing that we must not let our "little logic" overrule Scripture's clear teaching. He argues that those who conclude "if God elects, then prayer and evangelism are unnecessary" have fallen into error. He states: "God has ordained that he will do his work of saving through us and by means of us." Lloyd-Jones points out that Paul himself modeled both belief in election and passionate evangelism, praying fervently for Israel's salvation. He adds that "God ordains the means as well as the ends," making prayer and evangelism essential parts of God's sovereign plan for saving the elect.

What historical examples does Dr. Lloyd-Jones provide to show that belief in election is compatible with evangelistic zeal?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several powerful historical examples to demonstrate that belief in election and evangelistic zeal are compatible. He specifically mentions George Whitefield and Charles Haddon Spurgeon as "two of the greatest evangelists that England has ever produced" who both "preached and believed unconditional election." He also cites evangelists from other countries including "Powell, Harris, Daniel Rowland, Jonathan Edwards in America, Samuel Davis, and David Brainerd." Perhaps most significantly, he notes that "the founders of the missionary enterprise, the modern missionary movement" including William Carey and the founders of various missionary societies were all believers in the "high doctrine of Romans 9" concerning election.

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, what attitude should Christians have toward those who reject the gospel?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians should have an attitude of love, concern, and patience toward those who reject the gospel. Using Paul as the example, he notes that despite being persecuted by his Jewish countrymen, Paul "bears them no malice whatsoever" and instead has "a great concern for them." Lloyd-Jones advises believers to be "objective" rather than "emotionally involved" with unbelievers - meaning they should be sympathetic and patient while recognizing that unbelievers are "victims of the devil" whose minds are blinded. He emphasizes that Christians should feel deep concern for the lost, pray fervently for them, and persistently share the gospel with them.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say we can test whether we truly understand the doctrine of election?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides a simple but profound test to determine if someone truly understands the doctrine of election: "Do you long for the salvation of others? Are you praying for the salvation of others?" He states that if your understanding of doctrine "paralyzes you" or "doesn't create within you a burning desire and longing for the salvation of the lost," then "you're misunderstanding the doctrine that you think you know." True understanding of election, according to Lloyd-Jones, always produces evangelistic fervor. He warns against becoming "barren logicians" or "useless intellectualists," stating that "the real understanding of doctrine leads to a heart's longing and desire and prayer for the salvation of the lost."

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.

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