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Sermon #5516

The Gospel of Peace

A Sermon on Romans 10:15

Originally preached Dec. 6, 1964

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Scripture

Romans 10:15 ESV KJV
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (ESV)

Sermon Description

What is the nature of true peace? Many say that peace is simply the absence of war or conflict. In this sermon on Romans 10:15 titled “The Gospel of Peace” however, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that there is a better peace that God gives. The Bible says that all are in sin and wholly corrupt. They fight each other because they are sinners who are alienated from God. This wrong relationship with God is the source of all strife and hostility amongst people, and until people are made right with God, they will not be made right with one another. This is why God not only provides a way for all to be redeemed from their sins, but also to restore their relationship with God. This right relationship is what gives true and lasting peace because it gives the knowledge that God loves humanity and has died for all. This peace shows that one can rest in God and not themselves. It shows that while this world is passing away, one has hope in the world to come when Christ returns to bring the new heaven and the new earth. What does this mean for believers now? This means that they should not look to any other source of peace than what God has given in His Son.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon focuses on the phrase "the gospel of peace" from Romans 10:15.
  2. The sermon aims to explore what the Bible says about the Christian gospel and message.
  3. There is confusion about what the gospel is which leads to unhappiness. We must go to the Bible to understand the gospel.
  4. The gospel was preached by Jesus and the apostles. Their preaching brought the church into being.
  5. Jesus came to bring the gospel of peace. The angels announced "peace on earth" at his birth. Jesus often spoke of peace.
  6. The world lacks peace because it lost it due to sin. Sin leads to a wrong relationship with God, fear of God, and being afraid of life.
  7. Sin gives us a wrong view of ourselves, putting ourselves at the center. This leads to seeking happiness in the wrong ways and broken systems.
  8. Sin leads to a wrong view of life, seeking pleasure over righteousness. It leads to jealousy, envy, and hatred of others.
  9. The world's ways of finding peace through circumstance changes do not work. Only the gospel can give true peace.
  10. The gospel gives peace by changing us, not the world. It deals with the cause of lost peace: sin.
  11. The gospel reconciles us to God through the cross of Christ. We have peace with God through faith in Christ.
  12. The gospel gives us a new nature and view of self, overcoming selfishness. It helps us see others with compassion.
  13. The gospel gives a peace that persists despite circumstances. We can have peace in tribulation and even death.
  14. The gospel offers the peace of God that surpasses understanding. We have access to God through prayer.
  15. Nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ. We have hope of heaven.

Sermon Q&A

What is the Gospel of Peace According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define the "Gospel of Peace" in his sermon?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the Gospel of Peace refers not to merely the absence of war or external conflict, but to an internal state of rest and tranquility in the heart. He says: "The biblical idea of peace is this. It's that a man has a quiet heart, a quiet mind, a heart at leisure from itself, a heart at rest." This peace is something that "passeth all understanding" and can keep one's heart and mind even amid difficult circumstances.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the world lacks peace?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the world lacks peace because of sin. He states: "The whole cause of all our ills and troubles and restlessness is simply sin, nothing else. It's the sole explanation." Sin causes: 1. A wrong relationship with God - "enmity against God" 2. A wrong view of self - making oneself the center of everything 3. A wrong view of happiness - putting happiness first rather than righteousness 4. A wrong attitude toward other people - leading to jealousy, envy, and conflict

According to the sermon, how is the Gospel the only solution to humanity's lack of peace?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the Gospel is the only solution because it addresses the root cause of our lack of peace - our broken relationship with God due to sin. He explains: "It is the gospel alone that can deal with the cause of my loss of peace." The Gospel offers peace through:

  1. Reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice: "God makes peace with us by punishing our sins in the person of his only begotten son."
  2. A new nature: "We are even given a new nature. The effects of sin upon us, and which have ruined our natures, is dealt with by the rebirth."
  3. Inner transformation: "The gospel gives you peace in this world not by changing the world, but by changing you."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish between the world's definition of peace and God's definition?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts these definitions clearly: "The world thinks of peace as the mere absence of war. That's how the world defines peace. It thinks of peace as a condition in which men are no longer fighting." He further explains that the world's approach is external: "The world says this, doesn't it? Put an end to war and you'll have peace."

In contrast, biblical peace is internal: "Peace is an inward state and condition" that comes from being right with God and having a transformed heart, allowing one to experience "perfect peace" even in a "dark world of sin."

What are the practical results of having the peace that comes from the Gospel?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, when a person receives the Gospel of peace, they experience:

  1. Peace with God: "Being justified by faith, says Paul to the Romans, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
  2. A right view of oneself: "You realize that you are your own greatest enemy and that it's your own selfishness and self-centeredness that has produced most of your problems."
  3. A right view of others: "Once you are changed, you'll see them differently. You know what happens? You'll begin to feel sorry for them."
  4. Peace that persists despite circumstances: "In spite of circumstances, the peace remains and abides."
  5. Freedom from fear of death: "Once you know that, you don't go out into outer darkness and endless misery and remorse, but to the glory of God... you'll never lose your peace again. Even in the face of death."

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.