The True Israel
A Sermon on the True Israel from Romans 9:6-7
Originally preached Nov. 23, 1962
Scripture
6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Sermon Description
Is salvation applied to everyone born of Christian parents? Does church membership automatically provide salvation? In this sermon on Romans 9:6-7 titled “The True Israel,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws attention to the danger of a person relying on parenting, church membership, or country of origin as their means of salvation. In the time of the Lord Jesus the Jews made a fatal assumption that because they were descendants of Abraham, they had no need of the new covenant. They based their salvation on their physical lineage. Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the apostle Paul is clarifying God’s purposes and promises to the true Israel, that is those who belong to God through Jesus Christ. While all Israelites belonged to the physical and general Israel, not all those of Israel are true Israel. A distinction was made by God. In much the same way, we who are in the new covenant age must take heed that we are not making the same error, specifically as it applies to church membership. We must not presume that our membership or participation in church activities make us Christian. Not all who belong to the visible church belong to the spiritual, invisible Church and so we must examine ourselves and draw close to the living Lord Jesus Christ in faith and belief.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is dealing with an objection brought against his teaching and the preaching of the gospel. The objection is that the case of the Jews seems to contradict Paul's teaching about the certainty and security of God's purpose.
- Paul begins by stating that the word of God has not failed in its purpose. The word of God here refers to God's declared purpose, promises, and covenants.
- Paul's key statement is "they are not all Israel who are of Israel." This means not all who are descended from Israel (Jacob) are the true spiritual Israel.
- Paul argues there are two meanings of the term "Israel": a general, external meaning and a particular, internal, spiritual meaning. All belong to the former, but only some to the latter.
- God's purpose and promises have reference only to the spiritual Israel, not to the external Israel. The promises have never failed regarding the true Israel.
- We must understand the distinction between the visible and invisible church. Not all who belong to the visible church belong to the invisible church.
- There are many relying on birth, baptism, parenting, or church membership who have never truly believed. We must realize "they are not all Israel who are of Israel."
- We can only have safety and security in God's purpose, not in our frail hold of Him. We must give God all praise, honor and glory.
Sermon Q&A
Questions about Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Romans 9:6-13
What is the main principle that Lloyd-Jones establishes in Romans 9:6?
The main principle Lloyd-Jones establishes is found in Romans 9:6: "They are not all Israel that are of Israel." This statement is what he calls "the key verse" and "a very crucial and fundamental statement." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this principle distinguishes between an external, physical Israel (those who are physically descended from Abraham) and a true spiritual Israel (those who are the spiritual heirs of the promises). This distinction is essential for understanding God's purpose and promises, as they apply only to the true spiritual Israel, not to everyone who is physically descended from Abraham.
How does Lloyd-Jones address the objection about God's purpose failing with regard to the Jews?
Lloyd-Jones addresses the objection by explaining that God's purpose has not failed regarding the Jews because His purpose and promises were never intended for all physical descendants of Abraham. The objection claimed that since many Jews rejected Christ, God's purpose must have failed. Lloyd-Jones counters this by stating: "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect." He explains that God's word has done, is doing, and will do exactly what it was meant to do - but it was only ever meant for the elect in Israel, not for all who are physically of Israel. Therefore, the apparent rejection of many Jews does not mean God's purpose has failed, since His purpose was always for the true spiritual Israel within the physical nation.
What does Lloyd-Jones mean by "the word of God" in this sermon?
In this sermon, Lloyd-Jones explains that "the word of God" refers to "the purpose of God, the declared purpose of God, whether it be promise or threat or decree or whatever it is that is the word of God, something God has stated, something God has proposed to do. It includes the covenants, it includes the promises and all these other things." He distinguishes this usage from how "the word of God" is typically used elsewhere in the New Testament, where it usually refers to the gospel. Here, it specifically means God's declared purpose regarding Israel and His salvation plan.
How does Lloyd-Jones apply this principle to modern Christianity?
Lloyd-Jones applies the principle "they are not all Israel that are of Israel" to modern Christianity by addressing four questions:
- Is there such a thing as a Christian country? He answers no.
- Are children of Christian parents necessarily Christian? He answers no.
- Are baptized children necessarily Christian? He answers no.
- Are all baptized people and church members necessarily Christian? He answers no.
He explains that this principle establishes the distinction between the visible and invisible church. All may belong to the visible church (through baptism, church membership, etc.), but not all belong to the invisible (true) church. Just as physical descent from Abraham didn't guarantee spiritual Israel status, external Christian affiliations don't automatically make someone a true Christian.
Why does Lloyd-Jones consider this principle essential for understanding the Old Testament?
Lloyd-Jones calls this principle "an absolutely essential statement if we want to understand properly the Old Testament history." He explains that it helps us understand:
- The seemingly confusing Old Testament history where God chooses one person and not another
- The purpose behind the genealogical tables where one line is worked out and others are dropped
- The checkered history of Israel with their constant disobedience and complaining
- Why Israel eventually found themselves in Babylonian captivity
The Jews' misunderstanding was in thinking "that because they were the children of Israel, nothing could go wrong with them. And that God must always bless them." Their failure to understand that "they are not all Israel that are of Israel" led to their confusion when God's judgment came upon them.
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.