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Sermon #3178

The Sphere of Hope

A Sermon on Romans 8:24-25

Originally preached Oct. 6, 1961

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Scripture

Romans 8:24-25 ESV KJV
For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (ESV)

Sermon Description

Suffering permeates this world. Christian or not, all question the purpose of tragedy and suffering. In order to maintain a proper Christian joy in this hopeless world, says Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in the sermon “The Sphere of Hope,” the Christian must follow the apostle Paul’s argument in Romans 8:18­–25. One cannot be confused on the Christian’s hope and he explicates the topic in great detail. He explains the difference between objective hope and subjective hope, and argues that the apostle is interested in both. In other words, says Dr. Lloyd-Jones, a person who is saved has the grace of hope within them and a hope with respect to something outside themselves. A person is saved in the sphere of hope as well as in the realm of hope. Moreover, one must remember the “tenses” of salvation – past, present, and future. When the Christian does this, they avoid the dangers of having no assurance concerning salvation as well as claiming too much of salvation by saying they have reached full sanctification. The Christian position, Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, is one where the Christian confesses this world is not their home. The reason they can say this with confidence is because they have been brought into the sphere of hope.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The apostle Paul is continuing his teaching from Romans chapter 8.
  2. Verses 24 and 25 are being considered.
  3. For the 178th time, the message of Romans is being examined.
  4. Verses 24 and 25 cannot be understood without context of the surrounding passage.
  5. The overall message of Romans 8 is assurance of salvation.
  6. Paul is proving that salvation will be completed.
  7. Verses 24 and 25 sum up and reaffirm what Paul has been teaching.
  8. The translation "we are saved by hope" can be misleading. A better translation is "we were saved in hope".
  9. Hope does not save us, faith does. Hope refers to the thing hoped for, not just the act of hoping.
  10. "Hope" has two meanings: the grace of hope within us, and the objective thing hoped for. Both meanings are used here.
  11. We were saved in the sphere or realm of hope. We were saved in expectation.
  12. To understand this teaching is key to happiness and enjoyment in the Christian life.
  13. There are two dangers: claiming too little (only hoping to be saved) or too much (already have full salvation).
  14. Salvation has past (justification), present (sanctification), and future (glorification) tenses.
  15. Hope represents earnest looking forward, not just wishing or desiring. It is a helmet and anchor, not something vague.

Sermon Q&A

Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 8:24-25

What does it mean that "we are saved by hope" in Romans 8:24-25?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the better translation is "we were saved in hope" (not "by hope"). This distinction is important because we are not saved by hope as an instrument—that's the role of faith. Rather, we were saved into the sphere or realm of hope. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "What he's saying is this, as Christians, that is really our position. We were saved in the whole sphere and realm of hope." This means our salvation includes an element of anticipation for what is yet to come. We have already been saved from the guilt and punishment of sin, but we are still waiting for the full realization of our salvation.

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

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies three tenses or stages of salvation:

  1. Past tense: "We were saved" - refers to our justification, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from guilt. This is finished work that should never be doubted: "Don't go back, I say, over this question of your forgiveness."

  2. Present tense: "We are being saved" - refers to ongoing sanctification, being delivered from the power and pollution of sin. This is "continuous" and "a process."

  3. Future tense: "We will be saved" - refers to our final glorification, when "even the body will have been delivered and will be glorified, entirely delivered. The whole man, body, soul, and spirit shall be entirely delivered."

What are the two dangers Christians face regarding salvation according to the sermon?

The two dangers Christians face are:

  1. Claiming too little: Some Christians say, "I'm only hoping that I'm going to be saved" instead of having assurance. Dr. Lloyd-Jones calls this a misunderstanding: "It is not a mark of spirituality to say, 'Oh, well, I know certain glib people who say 'I am saved.' I wouldn't dare say that because I'm aware of my deficiencies.' Now, that's not to be spiritual. That's to fail to understand the scriptures."

  2. Claiming too much: Some Christians claim "they've got everything now," including "entire sanctification" or perfect physical health. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says this contradicts scripture: "The apostle doesn't say that. Indeed, he says the exact opposite... The body is not fully and finally redeemed here in this life. And to say that it is is to claim far too much."

What is the relationship between faith and hope according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones clarifies that hope is not something weaker than faith that we "fall back on when our faith becomes weak." Instead:

  1. Faith provides the foundation: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for" (Hebrews 11:1). Faith "gives us an assurance that God has done certain things for us once and forever in Christ Jesus and is going to do more."

  2. Hope builds on faith: "Hope looks forward with eager expectation to the things which Christ has thus purchased for me." While "faith looks back to the finished work of Christ," hope "takes me a stage higher" by looking forward to what is coming.

  3. Hope is stronger than mere hopefulness: It's "the earnest looking forward" that "makes us stand on tiptoe to have a look at" the promises of God.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say that true Christianity is "otherworldly"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that "true Christianity is through and through otherworldly" because:

  1. It focuses primarily on what is to come rather than present concerns: "True Christianity is not primarily concerned now, even with deliverance from hell and punishment and all the things that trouble us."

  2. It sets its affections on eternal things: "True Christianity sets its affections on things which are above, not on things which are on the earth."

  3. It recognizes our temporary status on earth: "This isn't our world. I'm a stranger here. Heaven is my home. Our citizenship is in heaven, not here."

  4. It enables Christians to understand contemporary events: "It is only the Christian who really can understand contemporary history... If we are in trouble, well, it's because we don't understand this teaching."

This otherworldly perspective allows Christians to maintain hope and joy even during suffering because they recognize that "the greatest part of salvation is yet to come."

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.