Saviour of the World
A Sermon on Romans 1:3-5
Originally preached Dec. 16, 1955
Scripture
3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5By whom we have received grace …
Sermon Description
Why should a Christian feel sorry for their sin? Why should Christians turn from sin and follow Jesus? In the sermon titled “Saviour of the World,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones begins with an examination of the “nations” in Romans 1:3–5. He shows that the gospel has gone forth to those previously under the wrath of God. Hope has gone to those who previously had no hope. The Messiah is not only the Savior of Israel, but the Savior of the whole world. This truth leads to the apostle Paul’s climax: God does what He does for His name’s sake. God is saving a people for His own fame and glory so that His people live to the praise of His glory and grace. Therefore, Christians no longer continue in sin. Their desires have changed and they want to love Him. Listen to this sermon as Dr. Lloyd-Jones exhorts Christians to live for His name’s sake, to desire that all would bow their knee to Him, and to look forward to His coming as King of kings and Lord of lords. Christians are a people looking for the blessed hope of His appearing.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by acknowledging that the recording is missing the beginning portion.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that one cannot believe in Jesus without repenting of sins. Belief and repentance go hand in hand.
- The "obedience of faith" encompasses belief, repentance, and turning to God. It is the process of becoming a Christian.
- Paul received grace and apostleship in order to call people to the obedience of faith.
- Paul was called to preach to all nations, not just Gentiles. The gospel is for all people.
- Paul uses the phrase "all nations" deliberately. The gospel is for everyone, not just Jews or Gentiles.
- Paul's call from Jesus on the road to Damascus was to preach to Jews and Gentiles. The other apostles were also called to preach to all people.
- A major theme of Romans is that the gospel is for all nations. Both Jews and Gentiles need salvation.
- Paul proclaimed Jesus as the Savior of the world, not just the Jewish Messiah.
- Simeon and Jesus himself also said Jesus would save and draw people from all nations.
- Preaching to all nations is a theme found throughout Paul's epistles.
- Paul did everything for the sake of Jesus' name and glory. His goal was for people to believe in and glorify Jesus.
- When we believe in Jesus, repent of sins, and live for him, we glorify him. We show his excellences and virtues.
- We glorify Jesus by telling others about him and wanting them to come to faith in him.
- We look forward to Jesus' second coming when every knee will bow to him.
- The psalmist calls all people to "kiss the Son" - to bow down to him, worship him, and obey him.
- Paul lived entirely for the glory of Jesus. His passion and love were for Jesus alone.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans: Understanding the Obedience of Faith
What does "the obedience of faith" mean according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "the obedience of faith" is a comprehensive term that includes multiple elements of the Christian conversion process. It's not just intellectual belief but involves repentance, sorrow for sin, turning away from sin, and giving oneself to Christ. As he explains: "Faith is always an obedience. Now you notice that I'm not talking about works that are going to follow all this. I say the very process of becoming Christian is this obedience of faith. Because I believe this as I believe it, I turn away and I turn to God with grateful things because of what Christ Jesus has done for me."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones prefer the translation "among all nations" rather than "among all Gentiles" in Romans 1:5?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives several reasons for preferring "among all nations": 1. If Paul meant only Gentiles, he wouldn't need to say "all" Gentiles 2. This verse is part of a general introduction to the epistle 3. Paul was commissioned to preach to both Jews and Gentiles 4. This universal scope is a major theme of Romans (as seen in 1:16) 5. Paul proves in chapters 1-3 that all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles, needed salvation 6. The inclusion of all nations is a consistent theme in Paul's letters, especially Ephesians
As Lloyd-Jones states: "What the apostle is announcing here is the thing which thrilled him, namely, the great truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. He is not merely the Jewish messiah."
What does Paul mean by doing his work "for his name" according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, when Paul says he does his work "for his name," he means for Christ's glory and honor. Lloyd-Jones explains: "The name in scripture always stands for the revelation by which we know and apprehend the person indicated." When Paul preaches "for his name," he's working "to that one great end. That Christ may be glorified, that his glory may be manifest amongst the people, and that all may live to the praise of the glory of his grace."
How do Christians glorify Christ according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines several ways Christians glorify Christ: 1. By believing in Him as the Son of God 2. By acknowledging His redemptive work through His death on the cross 3. Through their changed lives that demonstrate Christ's power 4. By abstaining from sinful behaviors 5. By desiring others to come to Him and praise Him 6. By looking forward to His second coming
He quotes 1 Peter 2:9 to reinforce this: "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and holy nation, a peculiar people. That in order that ye may show forth the praises, the virtues, the excellences, the glories of him who hath called you out of darkness into his most marvelous light."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the relationship between sin and refusing to glorify Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that refusing to believe in Christ is essentially refusing to glorify Him, which is the essence of sin. He references Jesus' words about the Holy Spirit: "When he shall come, he shall convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment, of sin, because they believe not on me." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that "God has glorified and honored his own son" and therefore "you and I are called upon to glorify him also." Failure to do this through unbelief constitutes the fundamental nature of sin.
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.