Promised by His Prophets
A Sermon on Romans 1:2
Originally preached Nov. 11, 1955
Scripture
2(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Sermon Description
In what way is the gospel connected with the Old Testament? Is the Old Testament relevant to New Testament believers? In this sermon titled “Promised by His Prophets” on Romans 1:2, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones highlights the role of Old Testament prophets as they proclaimed and prepared God’s people for the Messiah. The gospel is, therefore, only new in one sense. It is new as it is based on events which happened in the New Testament. However, the gospel plan is not new. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the importance of studying the Old Testament and seeing God’s salvation proclaimed by the prophets. He highlights a number of Old Testament texts which announce the Messiah’s work; when He would come; that He would be a light to the gentiles; and would be despised, afflicted, and die vicariously for the sins of others. These prophets were not politicians but servants of God. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, they wrote and spoke inerrant Scripture. All Scripture is given by God and is profitable and these writings are for the listener’s benefit. Listen and see the depths of God’s redemptive plan as it unfolds in the Old Testament and comes to fruition in Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul emphasizes that the gospel he preaches was promised beforehand in the Old Testament scriptures.
- Paul always establishes the connection between the New Testament message and the Old Testament promises. Examples: Acts 13:23, Acts 17:2-3.
- The promises Paul refers to are found throughout the Old Testament: Genesis 3:15, Genesis 17, Genesis 49:10, 2 Samuel 7, Isaiah 7, Micah 5:2, Isaiah 53, Daniel 9:24, Jeremiah 23.
- The prophets who made these promises were specially chosen by God. They received revelation and inspiration.
- The primary role of a prophet is to foretell future events, not just forth tell. The critics are wrong to dismiss predictive prophecy.
- The prophets received revelation from God and were inspired by the Holy Spirit to communicate that revelation without error.
- The prophets did not always fully understand the revelations they received and communicated. 1 Peter 1:10-12.
- The prophecies were first communicated orally but were also recorded in writing. "Holy scriptures" refers to the whole Old Testament, not just the prophetic books. Luke 24:44.
- The Old Testament scriptures are "holy writings" because they belong to God, treat holy things, and were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus and the apostles viewed the Old Testament as the authoritative, inerrant Word of God. Matthew 1:22, 2 Timothy 3:15-16.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches that all Scripture is inspired by God, not just parts of it. The RSV translation is mistaken.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 1:2
What does Romans 1:2 tell us about the gospel?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Romans 1:2 tells us that the gospel "had been promised before" by God through His prophets in the holy scriptures. This verse emphasizes that the gospel is not a new idea or theory, but rather the fulfillment of what God had promised long ago. The gospel is based on historical facts that had been prophesied extensively throughout the Old Testament. As Lloyd-Jones states, "The apostle is a preacher because he's announcing this great good news, and it is good news about something that has taken place."
How did the Apostle Paul typically present the gospel in his ministry?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul consistently presented the gospel as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. This was "an essential part of the apostle Paul's preaching." Paul would typically go into Jewish synagogues and reason "with them out of the scriptures, proving and alleging that the Christ must need suffer and rise again." Lloyd-Jones notes that Paul "was always concerned that everybody should understand that this new message which he was privileged to preach was only new in one sense, and that was that the things on which it is based had just happened."
What are some of the Old Testament prophecies about Christ that Lloyd-Jones mentions?
Lloyd-Jones provides numerous examples, including: - Genesis 3:15 - The first promise of the seed of the woman - Genesis 17 - God's promise to Abraham about blessing the whole world - Genesis 49:10 - The prophecy about Shiloh coming from Judah - Isaiah 7 - The virgin birth prophecy - Micah 5:2 - The prediction of Bethlehem as birthplace - Isaiah 53 - The suffering servant prophecy - Psalm 22 - Details about the crucifixion - Zechariah - Prophecies about riding on a donkey, being sold for 30 pieces of silver, and being pierced - Various prophecies about Christ being prophet, priest, and king
What does Lloyd-Jones teach about the nature of prophecy?
Lloyd-Jones refutes the idea that prophecy is merely "forth-telling" (preaching) rather than "foretelling" (predicting future events). He states, "The prophet is first and foremost a man who foretells." While prophets did address their contemporaries about current situations, "what really makes them prophets is that they went beyond that, that God used them, his prophets, his special servants, to give this knowledge and information, this revelation concerning this great and mighty thing which was yet going to happen."
What is the difference between revelation and inspiration according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones explains: "Revelation means making known certain facts, giving the information. Inspiration is that which controls the statement of those facts, the expression of those facts." A prophet received both revelation (new information from God) and inspiration (divine guidance in how to express that information). Lloyd-Jones states, "The prophet is the mouthpiece of God. The revelation is given to him. He is guided in his expression so that he cannot make any error or fall into any pitfall."
What does Lloyd-Jones teach about the inspiration of Scripture?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones firmly defends the divine inspiration of Scripture. He quotes 2 Timothy 3:16, emphasizing "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" and calls alternative translations "a calamitous mistranslation." He explains that Scripture is "holy" because it belongs to God, treats holy things, and was written "under the guidance and the power and the influence and the control of the Holy Ghost." Lloyd-Jones affirms that Scripture is "authoritative, authentic" and "inerrant," not merely containing God's word but being God's word. He quotes 2 Peter 1:20-21 to show that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
Did the prophets fully understand what they were prophesying?
No. Lloyd-Jones, referencing 1 Peter 1:10-12, explains that the prophets "searched diligently" but "didn't understand it fully." He states, "it's not essential that the prophet should understand it fully. The prophet is the mouthpiece of God." The prophets understood "that it wasn't for them. It was largely for those who are going to come for us, as it happens, says the apostle, and for all who are going to follow us."
What does the term "prophets" refer to in Romans 1:2?
Lloyd-Jones explains that "prophets" in this context doesn't refer only to writers of the prophetic books of the Old Testament but includes all Old Testament writers who prophesied about Christ. He references Luke 24:44 where Jesus speaks of prophecies concerning Him being found "in the law of Moses and in the prophets, and in the psalms." Lloyd-Jones states, "quite frequently the Jews in the time of our Lord and Paul, when they used the term the prophets, refer to the whole of the Old Testament."
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.