Promised by His Prophets
A Sermon on Romans 1:2
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.
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.