The Armor of Light
A Sermon on Romans 13:11-14
Originally preached May 19, 1967
Scripture
11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us …
Sermon Description
Being suddenly awakened in the middle of the night by bright lights can be an incredibly alarming and disconcerting experience. In this sermon on Romans 13:11–14 titled “The Armor of Light,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the similarities between this kind of event and conversion for those who become Christians and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. They are called to wake up out of spiritual sleep. What does Paul mean when he tells to awake and arise? Overall, it is a general call to spiritual discipline. Time and time again, Scripture warns against living in a purely theoretical way. The Christian life is to be one that is extremely practical. Christians are to take the knowledge of their conversion and the knowledge of what it means to be saved and apply those truths as they seek to live their lives. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that it is because the Christian has been washed that they need to keep themselves clean. In constant practice, Christians are to put off the old man and put on the new man. Since they have been saved from being slaves to sin, why would they still live as they did before they were saved? Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages Christians to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul makes a general appeal to awake out of sleep. This means we must discipline ourselves, talk to ourselves, examine ourselves, and constantly remind ourselves of the truths of Scripture.
- We must read Scripture, read books that help us understand Scripture, and read biographies of godly men and women. This helps search and examine us.
- We must put off the works of darkness once and for all. These works are the creations of man, not the fruit of the Spirit. They do not belong to us as new creations in Christ.
- We must put on the armor of light, which is given to us by God. This armor is appropriate for us as children of light. It ensures we will not be ashamed when in God's light.
- The armor of light refers to the spiritual weapons and armor God gives us to fight spiritual battles. Life is a constant warfare for the Christian, so we must be ready to fight.
- To put on the armor of light means to add to your faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (2 Peter 1:5-7).
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 13:11-14
What is the main theme of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Romans 13:11-14?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones is addressing the apostle Paul's appeal to awaken from spiritual sleep and live appropriately as Christians. He focuses on the practical application of Christian doctrine, particularly how believers should rouse themselves from spiritual lethargy, cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. The sermon emphasizes the urgent need for Christians to be alert, disciplined, and properly clothed in spiritual armor.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "awaking out of sleep" in a spiritual context?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "awaking out of sleep" refers to shaking ourselves out of spiritual lethargy and torpor. It involves general self-discipline, taking ourselves in hand, and rousing ourselves to spiritual alertness. This awakening includes examining ourselves, talking to ourselves, questioning our spiritual condition, and ensuring that our lives are truly governed by our Christian faith rather than being carried along by habit or momentum without real spiritual engagement.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones recommend Christians practice self-examination?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages Christians to ask themselves probing questions such as: "To what extent am I really being governed in my life and living by my Christian faith? What is the main governing factor in my life? What determines the general tenor of my life? Is it the world and its outlook and its teaching? Or is it Christian teaching?" He emphasizes that self-examination is biblical (referencing Paul's instruction to "examine yourselves") and essential to prevent spiritual drift.
What does Paul mean by "casting off the works of darkness" according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "casting off the works of darkness" means completely removing and divesting oneself of sinful behaviors that are foreign to our true nature as Christians. He emphasizes that Paul uses the term "works" of darkness because sins are not natural to humans as God created them but are artificial creations that man has introduced. These works don't belong to Christians who have been born again, and believers should put them away "once and for all."
What is the significance of "putting on the armor of light" in Romans 13?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "putting on the armor of light" means clothing ourselves with what is appropriate for children of light. He explains that this armor or "weapons of light" (his preferred translation) serves two purposes: (1) it's the appropriate clothing for those who belong to God who is light, and (2) it allows us to stand unashamed in the light, as our deeds can be made manifest. Additionally, the military imagery reminds us that the Christian life is a constant warfare requiring both defensive and offensive spiritual weapons.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones structure his sermon on Romans 13:11-14?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones structures his sermon by first addressing the doctrinal considerations (what Christians should "know"), then moving to practical applications. The practical section includes: (1) a general appeal to "awake out of sleep," (2) particular exhortations in two pairs—first about clothing (cast off works of darkness, put on armor of light) and second about walking (which he plans to address in his next sermon), and (3) a final exhortation. This structured approach reflects what he calls "expert teaching."
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasize the importance of reading in the Christian life?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes reading, particularly of Scripture, as a crucial way to awaken from spiritual sleep. He stresses that reading should be deliberate and engaged—not merely "dashing through the portion for the day." Christians should read the Word, listen to it, ask it questions, and allow it to search them. He also recommends reading books that help understand Scripture and biographies of spiritual men and women that can search and examine us, helping us see the possibilities of the Christian life.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the relationship between what we are and how we should live?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christians should pay heed to practical details "because of what we are and because of who we are, and because of what has happened to us." He uses the analogy of washing: "It is because the Christian has been washed that he's got to keep himself clean." Our behavior should flow from our identity. Because we have been cleansed and belong to the light, we should cast off works of darkness and put on the armor of light that is appropriate to our true nature.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones interpret the "weapons of light" in relation to Christian warfare?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones interprets the "weapons of light" (his preferred translation for "armor of light") as a reminder that Christians are constantly in warfare. He connects this to Ephesians 6:10-20, which details the whole armor of God—defensive and offensive weapons including the breastplate, helmet, shield of faith, and sword of the Spirit. He also connects it to 2 Peter 1, suggesting that adding virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity to our faith equips us to "fight the world and the flesh and the devil."
What is the danger of theoretical knowledge without application according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns that theoretical knowledge without application is valueless. He states, "You can have great knowledge in your mind. If you don't apply it, it's of no value to you." He notes that sometimes reading can become a substitute for thinking, and advises balancing theological reading with biographies that will search and examine us. He emphasizes that details count tremendously in the spiritual life, and if we keep ourselves only to generalities, we will soon go astray.
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.