The Spiritual Outlook
A Sermon on Romans 8:14
Originally preached Oct. 28, 1960
Scripture
14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Sermon Description
What comfort is there for the believer in knowing the Holy Spirit yearns for their sanctification? What privilege do believers have knowing that the Holy Spirit is so concerned for them? This is one reminder by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his sermon on Romans 8:14 titled “The Spiritual Outlook.” In this message, he explores further what the apostle Paul means by being “led by the Spirit of God.” As the Spirit operates on the mind, heart, and will of the Christian, He gives full and final emancipation from sin. But how may a person know whether the Spirit is leading them? Dr. Lloyd-Jones supplies guidance on this vital question. In short, the Spirit leads Christians to a total new outlook on life; a spiritual outlook. Does the Christian desire God’s glory? What about love for the people of God? How do they respond sin? Do they actively engage in the mortification of the deeds of the body? The Spirit always leads in the direction of the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones both challenges and encourages the church in this teaching on the work of the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Breakdown
- The main purpose and function of Romans 8:14 is to provide assurance of salvation.
- How can we know we are sons of God? We must examine whether we are led by the Spirit of God.
- The Spirit leads us by acting upon our mind, heart and will. He does not drive or follow us.
- Our general outlook on life shows if we are led by the Spirit. Spiritual people enjoy spiritual things and fellowship with other Christians.
- Those led by the Spirit desire to live for God's glory. This is the chief end of man.
- There is a desire for greater knowledge of God and Christ. This is shown through reading Scripture, prayer and longing for holiness.
- There is concern over lack of love for God. The Spirit leads to this concern.
- There is increasing awareness of sin. The Spirit illuminates sin in our lives.
- Reaction to sin is one of grief over offending God's love, not just breaking rules. This is a "godly sorrow."
- There is increasing sensitivity to sin and temptation. We become more watchful.
- There are desires and longings for righteousness and holiness. We hunger and thirst for them.
- We take action to mortify the deeds of the body. We avoid sinful influences and provision for sin.
- We manifest the fruit of the Spirit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
- We are weaned from the world and long for heaven as we age and mature in faith. We purify ourselves in hope of Christ's return.
Sermon Q&A
How Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Explain the Leading of the Holy Spirit in a Believer's Life?
What does Romans 8:14 teach about assurance of salvation?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Romans 8:14 ("For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God") provides an additional basis for assurance of salvation. The main function of this verse is to supply believers with grounds for certainty about their salvation. Being led by the Spirit is evidence that one is truly a child of God, which in turn assures believers that their salvation is final and certain.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the Holy Spirit's yearning for believers?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the Holy Spirit "yearns for us, even unto jealous envy." Drawing from James 4:5, he teaches that the Spirit who dwells in believers has an intense desire for their holiness and spiritual wellbeing. The Spirit yearns that believers may be worthy of their high calling and truly live as children of God. This yearning is compared to a parent's jealous concern for their child's wellbeing or a lover's jealousy for the beloved.
What are the practical tests Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives to know if we are led by the Spirit?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides ten practical tests:
- Having a spiritual outlook on life - enjoying spiritual meetings and valuing unseen things over seen things
- Desiring to live for God's glory rather than one's own
- Having a growing desire for greater knowledge of God and Jesus Christ
- Being concerned about one's lack of love for God
- Having an increasing awareness of sin within
- Reacting to personal sin with grief over offending God's love, not merely breaking rules
- Becoming increasingly sensitive to the approach of sin and temptation
- Having desires and "breathings after righteousness and holiness"
- Actively mortifying the deeds of the body (starving sin of provision)
- Manifesting the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.)
How does the Spirit's leading affect a believer's view of the world?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, a person led by the Spirit increasingly views life in this world as a pilgrimage or temporary journey. They develop "an increasing consciousness that you belong to another realm which is the real realm." The Spirit leads believers to set their affections on things above, not on earthly things. They become more detached from this world and find the heavenly realm increasingly important. As Paul says, "our citizenship is in heaven," and this becomes the mindset of those led by the Spirit.
What is the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow for sin?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones, drawing from 2 Corinthians 7, explains that worldly sorrow is merely being annoyed with oneself for failing to live up to one's own standards - a manifestation of pride. In contrast, godly sorrow (produced by the Spirit) is grief over having offended God's love, not just His law. Like a child who grieves over hurting a parent, the Spirit-led believer sorrows not just over breaking rules but over grieving a relationship of love. This godly sorrow produces repentance, carefulness, indignation against sin, and zeal to make things right.
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.