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Sermon #3176

Paradise Regained

A Sermon on Romans 8:18-23

Originally preached May 19, 1961

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Scripture

Romans 8:18-23 ESV KJV
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because …

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Sermon Description

Unfortunately many evangelical Christians are confused about the hope of the Scriptures. Many songs, hymns, and Christian books appear to anticipate an afterlife that is purely spiritual and disembodied. The apostle Paul could not present a more contrary hope. In his sermon on Romans 8:18–23 titled “Paradise Regained,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones challenges this inadequate perception of the life after death for the believer. The New Testament, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, knows of bodily resurrection of believers and a glorification of the cosmos as the once lost paradise of Adam is regained and perfected. The church anticipates not only the glorification and a spiritual body but also creation restored and an inherited new heaven and new earth. Creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of decay brought by the fall. Whereas suffering constitutes this life, all suffering, strife, fear, and tears will be no more in the future paradise. Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents the biblical teaching on the future hope by bringing the whole counsel of God to bear upon the coming glory that awaits the children of God. Find out why the Christian can have hope while discouragement, defeat, anxiety, and terror loom around them and can set their affections upon paradise regained.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostle Paul's way of comforting Christians who are suffering is by teaching them to reckon, or deduce, their attitude towards trials from Christian doctrine.
  2. The doctrine Paul wants Christians to focus on is the glory that awaits all Christians. It is only by knowing about this glory that we can properly deal with suffering.
  3. The whole creation is looking forward to this glory. Creation will participate in this glory and be delivered from bondage into the freedom of the glory of God's children.
  4. We do not currently know the full details of this glory, but we know we will be like Christ, for we will see him as he is. Our bodies will be perfect and spiritual, like Christ's resurrected body.
  5. We will inherit the kingdom of God, which is incorruptible, undefiled, and will not fade away. We will judge the world and angels.
  6. The whole creation will be freed from bondage and corruption. There will be no more strife, disease, weeds, or anything else that causes harm. Paradise will be regained.
  7. The prophets wrote about this coming paradise. Christ and the apostles also taught about it. The universe will be cleansed by fire and there will be a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells.
  8. Death will be no more. Everything that belongs to evil will be destroyed. God's universe will be perfect.
  9. We will dwell in this perfect world with perfect bodies. Even animals that were once enemies will live in harmony. Psalm 8 will be fulfilled as man will rule over creation again.
  10. Christ's miracles foreshadowed this coming glory that we will share in. We will be more than conquerors and testify to God's grace.
  11. We must believe and understand these truths so we can live as God's children, unconcerned with what the world may do to us. Our focus should be on the eternal kingdom prepared for us.

Sermon Q&A

What is the Apostle Paul's Method for Comforting Christians in Suffering According to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his sermon on Romans 8:18-23, the Apostle Paul's method for comforting Christians who are suffering is to teach them how to "reckon" or deduce from Christian doctrine their whole attitude toward trials. Paul specifically wants believers to understand the doctrine concerning the glory that awaits all Christians.

Lloyd-Jones explains: "The apostles way of giving comfort to christian people who are suffering and who are in afflictions, is to teach them how to reckon, how to deduce from their christian doctrine their whole attitude towards these trials."

He emphasizes that Paul's approach is to help believers compare their present sufferings with the coming glory, concluding: "It is only as we know something about that glory that we shall be able to deal with these sufferings."

What Does Lloyd-Jones Say Will Happen to Christians' Bodies in Glory?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians' bodies will be glorified in the future state. Based on passages like 1 Corinthians 15, Philippians 3:20-21, and 2 Corinthians 5, he explains that our current bodies will be transformed into spiritual, incorruptible bodies similar to Christ's glorified body.

He states: "The body is not only raised, it is changed, it is glorified." Furthermore, he emphasizes that "we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is," citing 1 John 3:1-2.

Lloyd-Jones specifically notes several characteristics of these glorified bodies: - They will be incorruptible - They will have no blemish, weakness, or disease - They will be spiritual bodies, yet true bodies - They will be "like unto his glorious body" (referring to Christ's resurrection body)

He also stresses that this is not merely a spiritual state but includes "the glorification of the body, the physical body, the material body."

How Does Lloyd-Jones Describe the Future State of Creation?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the whole creation will participate in the coming glory alongside believers. He explains that creation itself "shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Romans 8:21).

This new creation will be characterized by:

  1. Freedom from decay, disintegration, and corruption
  2. Harmony in nature (citing Isaiah 11:6-9 where "the wolf shall dwell with the lamb")
  3. No more disease, weeds, fungi, or harmful growths
  4. The absence of death (which will be "cast into the lake of fire")
  5. A complete renewal - "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness"

Lloyd-Jones describes this as "paradise regained" and explains: "This is Christianity. This is the thing by which the New Testament Christians lived. It was because of this they were not afraid of their persecutors."

What Will Christians Do in the New Creation According to Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines several aspects of Christians' activities and positions in the coming glory:

  1. They will serve God continually - "Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple" (Revelation 7:15)

  2. They will rule and judge the world - "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?" (1 Corinthians 6:2)

  3. They will even judge angels - "Know ye not that we shall judge angels?" (1 Corinthians 6:3)

  4. They will be the "lords of creation again" - referencing Psalm 8 where humans are given dominion over creation

Lloyd-Jones explains: "We shall be glorified together with him and everything will be subject to him, and with him everything will be subject to us."

He also notes that Christians will have complete satisfaction with "no need whatsoever, every need fully satisfied, delivered forever and forever from all the things that have ever caused us misery or unhappiness or pain or sorrow."

Why Does Lloyd-Jones Say Christians Should Focus on Future Glory?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that Christians should focus on future glory for several reasons:

  1. It provides proper perspective on current suffering - "It's only as you see this you'll be able to say that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

  2. It was the source of early Christians' courage - "This was the secret of their endurance, their patience and their triumphing over everything that was set against them."

  3. It prevents Christians from being overly focused on this world - "It's because we don't know about all this as we should, that we are so often defeated and dispirited and discouraged."

  4. It helps believers maintain the right priorities - "Set your affections on things above, not on things which are on the earth. These are passing and temporary."

Lloyd-Jones concludes: "Will we ever again allow anything to get us down in this world? Will you ever grumble and complain anymore? Will it worry you very much what men may do to you? That's the argument you are being prepared for this indescribable glory which is awaiting the children of God."

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.