Relationships and God's Purposes
A Sermon on Romans 9:1-3
Originally preached Oct. 19, 1962
Scripture
1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to …
Sermon Description
There is much to learn from the apostle Paul. In this sermon on Romans 9:1–3 titled “Relationships and God’s Purposes,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines Paul’s attitude towards his fellow Jews, most of them who are still unbelievers. Paul does not have an attitude of anger or antipathy towards them, but rather he shows love and compassion. He mourns that they have rejected the very Messiah that their Scriptures speak of and that they remain blinded in their sin. How often does one become frustrated with those that do not believe? However, this is not how Paul responds at all. His love for Christ informs his faith and missionary zeal for his lost kinsmen. He is motivated not towards anger, but rather to love and evangelism towards his fellow Jewish brethren. Often times, intellectualism in the church gets in the way of evangelism, but this is not the case with the apostle Paul. Though he was well-educated and brilliant, this did not hinder him from being concerned with the souls of the lost, nor did it make him arrogant toward unbelievers. The church has much to learn from Paul, not only in his teaching but also his way of living. In the apostle Paul is found a heart that is truly dedicated to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The gospel divides and separates people. It divides families and relationships.
- The division caused by the gospel is profound. Christians gain a new spiritual understanding that non-Christians cannot comprehend.
- Although Christians gain new spiritual relationships, they do not completely sever old natural relationships. Christians still care for their non-Christian friends and family.
- Paul expresses deep concern and sorrow for his fellow Jews who have not accepted Christ. Christians should have concern for the salvation of non-Christians, especially those close to them.
- Paul does not attack, denounce or show contempt for the Jews even though they persecuted him. Christians should show patience, compassion, and understanding towards non-Christians instead of annoyance or irritation.
- Paul is able to show concern and patience for the Jews because he understands they are spiritually blind and he himself was once like them. Christians should remember they were once lost like non-Christians.
- Paul's calling to be the apostle to the Gentiles shows Christians should be open to God's leading even if it is contrary to their natural inclinations or preferences. Christians should be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance.
- The only thing that matters is that Christians are in the center of God's will, doing what He has called them to do.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About Concern for the Lost?
How did Paul demonstrate his concern for his fellow Jews according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Paul demonstrated his deep concern for his fellow Jews through his emotional language in Romans 9:1-3. Lloyd-Jones points out that Paul expressed "great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart" and even stated he could wish himself "accursed from Christ" for the sake of his kinsmen according to the flesh. This shows the depth of Paul's concern for the lost among his own people, despite their mistreatment of him. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Paul showed no trace of annoyance, contempt, or bitterness toward them, but rather displayed compassion, pity, and sorrow.
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe Christians should be concerned about the lost?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that concern for lost souls is one of the best tests of our spiritual state. He explains that this concern stems from two key realizations: first, truly understanding the glory of salvation, and second, comprehending the terrible fate of the unredeemed. He states: "There is no better test of our spiritual state and condition than our concern for lost souls." Lloyd-Jones argues that merely having intellectual knowledge about Christianity without this concern indicates something is wrong with our understanding and enjoyment of salvation. He notes that all great men of God throughout history, like Jonathan Edwards, Whitfield, and Spurgeon, shared this missionary zeal.
How does the gospel divide people according to Lloyd-Jones' sermon?
Lloyd-Jones explains that the gospel acts as a dividing force that separates people in profound ways. He points out that Christ Himself warned He came "not to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34-35). The gospel creates a division so deep that people on opposite sides can no longer understand each other - the non-Christian cannot understand the Christian, though the Christian can understand the non-Christian. Lloyd-Jones states this division affects even the most tender relationships, including family bonds. He emphasizes that when someone becomes a Christian, their primary allegiance shifts to Christ and their spiritual family, though they don't abandon natural relationships.
How should Christians treat those who reject the gospel according to Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians should respond to those who reject the gospel with patience, understanding, and compassion - not with irritation, contempt, or impatience. He advises Christians to put themselves in the position of unbelievers and remember that they themselves were once in the same condition. Lloyd-Jones reminds his listeners that no natural person can believe the gospel without the Holy Spirit's enlightenment: "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him." He warns against trying to pressure people into belief and emphasizes the need for patience, understanding that unbelievers are spiritually blind and need divine intervention.
What does Lloyd-Jones teach about being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the importance of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance rather than following our own preferences or natural inclinations. Using Paul as an example, he shows how this former intense Jewish nationalist became the apostle to the Gentiles - something completely contrary to his natural preferences. Lloyd-Jones notes that Paul did not consult with "flesh and blood" but followed the Spirit's leading, even when forbidden from preaching in places he wanted to go (Acts 16:6-7). Lloyd-Jones advises Christians: "Unless you've got absolute freedom in your spirit, don't do it. Wait." He teaches that the Spirit must authenticate within us what reason, understanding of Scripture, and consultation with other believers may suggest.
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.