Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions and Answers on Romans 10:11-13

What does the phrase "whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed" mean according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, this phrase from Romans 10:11 means several things: First, it guarantees that anyone who believes in Christ will never be refused or turned away. Second, it assures believers that Christ will never deny them or be ashamed of them before God. Third, it promises that Christ will never fail or let down those who truly believe in Him. As Lloyd-Jones explains, "Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. He'll never deny you. He'll never say of you, if you are truly his people, that he never knew you and that you have no connection with him."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the significance of the word "whosoever" in this passage?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the significance of "whosoever" is that salvation is available to anyone who believes in Christ, regardless of background, particularly whether they are Jew or Gentile. He clarifies that the apostle Paul is not addressing what makes someone believe (which he covered in Romans 9), but rather emphasizing that any person who does believe "shall not be put to shame." Lloyd-Jones states, "All he's showing here is this, that any man, whosoever he may be, whether Jew or Gentile, who believes on him, shall not be put to shame."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the phrase "there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this phrase in Romans 10:12 demonstrates that all people, regardless of background, stand in the same position before God. He says it proves three things: First, the Jew is in no special position inherently before God. Second, the Gospel is universal, intended for all people equally. Third, the Jews were "doubly wrong" - wrong for not believing the Gospel themselves and wrong for objecting to it being offered to Gentiles. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that "all are equally sinners, we are all equally failures. We are all equally under the condemnation and the wrath of God."

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, what is Paul's main theological argument for why salvation is available to both Jews and Gentiles?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul's main theological argument is that "the same Lord overall is rich unto all that call upon him." The key point is that God is Lord of the entire universe, not just of the Jews. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes, "God is the God of the whole world. God is the God of all men. The fact that God in the Old Testament dealt directly and only with the Jew does not mean that he is not concerned about others." He points out that all people come from Adam, all have sinned, and God was God of all humanity from the beginning, before the distinction between Jew and Gentile ever existed.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones connect this passage with the concept of security in salvation?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones connects this passage with the security of salvation by emphasizing that believers' security comes from Christ's completed work, not from anything in themselves. He states, "Whosoever believeth on him is absolutely saved. He's got eternal security. The final perseverance of the saints is due to the fact that they believe on him who has conquered all the enemies." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ has defeated every enemy that stands between humans and salvation - including the law, the devil, sin, and death itself. He concludes, "If our salvation depended in any respect, or at any point or in any single detail upon us, we would all be lost... Thank God it doesn't. From beginning to end, it is the purpose of God, and it is certain and sure."

What enemies of salvation does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mention that Christ has conquered?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several enemies that Christ has conquered to secure salvation: First, the law of God, which had become an enemy because of human weakness. Second, the devil, whom Christ has "defeated completely and totally." Third, sin, to which believers are now "dead" according to Romans 6. Fourth, death itself, "the last enemy." Lloyd-Jones summarizes, "There is nothing in the whole cosmos that can ever put the believer on Christ into this position that he is let down or is ashamed, or something has failed, or some detail has gone wrong. No, no, it is a perfect salvation. It can never fail at any point or in any respect."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast the Jewish approach to salvation with the true Gospel?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts the Jewish approach to salvation with the true Gospel by pointing out that the Jews wrongly believed that "it was the observance of the law and their own good deeds and so on, and their own worked up righteousness which they went about to establish." They thought salvation was limited to Jews alone and that "the Gentiles were dogs, they were outsiders." In contrast, the true Gospel teaches that salvation is by faith alone in Christ, not by works, and is equally available to all people. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the Jews were wrong in "not believing the Gospel himself" and in "objecting to the fact that it ever should be offered to the Gentiles."

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about starting our understanding of salvation from Genesis 12 versus earlier in the Bible?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns against starting our understanding of salvation with Abraham in Genesis 12. He says, "You mustn't start your Bible reading, even with Abraham. Don't you start reading the Bible at Genesis, chapter twelve. Go back to the beginning." He explains that salvation actually begins in Genesis 1-3, with God's promise to Adam and Eve that was "given to the whole of mankind" when "there was no division... between Jew and Gentile." Lloyd-Jones warns that some Christians incorrectly begin their theology at Genesis 12, thinking "salvation begins here with the Jews," but he insists we must remember God as Creator of all before He was Savior to some.