MLJ Trust Logo Image
Search
Sermon #3349

The Christians Future

A Sermon on Romans 13:11-14

Originally preached April 21, 1967

Share Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
Play Sermon
btn-play
Download Sermon Add to Queue Add to Playlist

Scripture

Romans 13:11-14 ESV KJV
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and …

Read more

Sermon Description

What is the future of the Christian? In this sermon on Romans 13:11–14 titled “The Christian’s Future,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches about what is awaiting the Christian. All over Scripture, the answer is clear— Christians are waiting for the coming day of the Lord. Contrary to what some people say, Scripture tells that this coming is a visible and physical coming of the Lord. At this time Jesus will be coming to complete His work. After passing judgment, He will set up His eternal kingdom. What are the consequences of this? First, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that time will be no more. One of the main effects this will have is on the condition of the world. It will undo the results of the fall. All things will be restored to their original, perfect condition that existed before humanity sinned. Additionally, there will be a judgment and for believers, a judgment about rewards— the righteous are promised in Scripture that they will receive rewards corresponding to their acts on earth. Judgment for the wicked involves both the body and the spirit. However, the righteous are promised eternal life in the presence of the Lord. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones helps the reader grasp the vision for what the future holds if one has repented and believed in Jesus for forgiveness from their sins and is a child of God.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostle Paul is addressing Christians in Rome and encouraging them to live holy lives.
  2. He is using the doctrine of the last things (eschatology) as motivation for Christian living.
  3. Paul assumes the Roman Christians understand this doctrine and the significance of the time they are living in.
  4. The "time" refers to the period between Jesus' first and second comings. This is how Christians should view history.
  5. Christians also have a different view of life in this world. They see the world as darkness and death.
  6. Christians have a unique view of the future and salvation. Salvation has past, present and future aspects. The future aspect refers to glorification.
  7. The "day" and "salvation" Paul refers to is Jesus' second coming. This is a major theme in the New Testament.
  8. Jesus' second coming will be visible and in his glorified body. He will come to complete the work he began in his first coming.
  9. There will be a resurrection of the dead, judgment, and Jesus will set up his eternal kingdom.
  10. Time will end, the universe will be reconstituted, and evil will be purged from the cosmos.
  11. Unbelievers will face condemnation and eternal punishment. The devil and his angels will be destroyed.
  12. For Christians, Jesus' coming will mean judgment of rewards, seeing Jesus, glorification of the body, hearing God's commendation, and inheriting the kingdom.
  13. These truths should motivate Christians to live godly lives as they await being with Jesus.

Sermon Q&A

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 13:11-14: Questions and Answers

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by the "eschatological argument" in Romans 13?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the "eschatological argument" refers to the doctrine of the last things or final development as a motivation for Christian living. In Romans 13:11-14, Paul uses this future-oriented perspective as a compelling reason for Christians to live holy lives. Lloyd-Jones states: "This is what we may call the eschatological argument. Don't be worried about the word. It means the doctrine of the last things, the final development, the ultimate end. And this is an argument which he's now using in order to reinforce this appeal." This argument is unique to Christianity and unavailable to secular moral teachers.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the three tenses of salvation?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that salvation in Scripture has three distinct tenses:

  1. Past tense: "You can regard salvation as something that's already happened, and every Christian is already saved from the guilt of sin and the condemnation of the law."
  2. Present tense: "We are being delivered continuously, progressively, in the matter of sanctification, which is a deliverance from the power and the pollution of sin."
  3. Future tense: The "ultimate deliverance, glorification. And that, of course, is in the future, I have been saved. I am being saved, I shall be saved."

Lloyd-Jones clarifies that in Romans 13:11, Paul is referring to the future tense of salvation - our final glorification.

What are the main characteristics of Christ's Second Coming according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Christ's Second Coming will be:

  1. Visible and physical: "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven... It is to be a visible coming. It's not a spiritual coming, as many have tried to explain it away."
  2. Universal: "Every eye shall see him."
  3. In a glorified body: "It is to be in a body, a glorified body, but still in a body as he has gone."
  4. For judgment: "He will return to judge and to pass sentence and judgment."
  5. To establish His eternal kingdom: "He will set up his eternal kingdom of glory."
  6. To complete the cosmic renewal: "There shall be a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

What happens to believers at the Second Coming according to the sermon?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, believers will experience several things at Christ's Second Coming:

  1. A judgment of rewards (not salvation): "Not a judgment in the sense that our salvation will be in question, isn't it? It is what is called a judgment of rewards."
  2. They will see Christ as He is: "When he appears, we shall see him as he is, and we shall be like him."
  3. Their bodies will be glorified: "The body is going to be redeemed. It is going to be glorified."
  4. They will receive commendation from Christ: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
  5. They will receive inheritance: "Come, ye blessed of my father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
  6. They will receive crowns: "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."

How should the doctrine of Christ's return motivate Christian living according to the sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this doctrine should be a primary motivation for Christian living. He asks: "My dear friends, do we know this? Are we living by this? Is this the grand motive in our lives? This is the Christian position."

The prospect of standing before Christ's judgment seat should compel believers to live with integrity now. As Lloyd-Jones states: "Be careful that you're not ashamed when he comes." The certainty of future glory and reward gives Christians strength to endure present sufferings and motivates them to faithful service.

Lloyd-Jones concludes by suggesting that keeping this future hope in view provides perspective for all of life's trials and challenges - "Are you living in the light of your glorification, of which I have reminded you this evening of some of the details?"

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.