We Shall Be Like Him
A Sermon on Romans 8:18
Originally preached Oct. 2, 1966
Scripture
18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Sermon Description
Why does the church of today seem to be so ineffective and weak? In this sermon on Romans 8:18 titled “We Shall Be Like Him,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers that the church does not behold the glory of God, and so they are not transformed by the glory of God. The modern church focuses on plans and schemes in order to reach the world. But Dr. Lloyd-Jones explores the fatal flaws of this approach to ministry. The world needs to see a church that looks to God and beholds His power and glory. The church should come to see the futility of worldly means of evangelism and outreach, and they should see the power of God working in Christ as not only the greatest means of reaching the world, but as the only power that the church has. The church must rely on the Spirit’s working in the life of believers and the gospel message to reach the world. Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that this has always been the case. The greatest revivals were not brought about by the plans of people, but by the Spirit working in the lives of Christians who had beholden the glory of God and been transformed by this glory. If the church is to reach the world, it must forsake all earthly means of evangelism and look to the power and glory of Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- No rest, he says, give him no rest till he establish, until he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
- Why, we've got the greatest encouragement possible from our blessed Lord himself, who spoke the parable of the importunate widow.
- Don't give him keep on. If I may venture on such an expression, worry God, bother God, don't give him rest, no peace, don't stop.
- Keep on like the importionate widow, until you have seen and felt and realized something of the glory in the blessed fellowship and communion with God, and until you are certain and sure that this process of glorification has started in you, is going on progressively, that you are being changed from glory to glory.
- Go on meditating upon these things, go on praying to him to have pity and mercy and compassion until he shall be pleased to turn again to us, to smile upon us, and indeed to descend into our midst and show forth again the glory of his power and the wonders of his grace.
- Oh that God would awaken us and all his people to the possibilities that are here and now for us in and through our blessed Lord.
- And no rest, he says, give him no rest till he establish, until he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
- Why we've got the greatest encouragement possible from our blessed Lord himself, who spoke the parable of the importunate widow.
- Don't give him keep on. If I may venture on such an expression, worry God, bother God, don't give him rest, no peace, don't stop,
- keep on like the importionate widow, until you have seen and felt and realized something of the glory in the blessed fellowship and communion with God, and until you are certain and sure that this process of glorification has started in you, is going on progressively, that you are being changed from glory to glory.
- Go on meditating upon these things. Go on praying to him to have pity and mercy and compassion, until he shall be pleased to turn again to us, to smile upon us, and indeed to descend into our midst and show forth again the glory of his power and the wonders of his grace.
- Oh that God would awaken us and all his people to the possibilities that are here and now for us in and through our blessed Lord.
- And no rest, he says. Give him no rest till he establish, until he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
- Why, we've got the greatest encouragement possible from our blessed Lord himself, who spoke the parable of the importunate widow.
- Don't give him keep on. If I may venture on such an expression, worry God, bother God, don't give him rest, no peace, don't stop.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about persistence in prayer?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, we should "give him no rest till he establish, until he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." He encourages believers to be persistent in prayer, even saying, "If I may venture on such an expression, worry God, bother God, don't give him rest, no peace, don't stop." This persistence is modeled after the parable of the importunate widow that Jesus taught, where Lloyd-Jones urges Christians to "Keep on like the importunate widow" in their prayers.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the process of sanctification in the Christian life?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes sanctification as "this process of glorification" that "has started in you, is going on progressively, that you are being changed from glory to glory." He presents it as a continuous transformation that believers should be certain is taking place in their lives. This process involves growing in fellowship and communion with God, experiencing more of His glory, and being progressively changed into His likeness.
What biblical parable does Dr. Lloyd-Jones reference to encourage persistent prayer?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones references "the parable of the importunate widow" taught by Jesus. He states, "we've got the greatest encouragement possible from our blessed Lord himself, who spoke the parable of the importunate widow." This parable teaches believers not to give up in prayer but to "keep on like the importunate widow" until they receive what they're seeking from God.
What should Christians persistently pray for according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, Christians should persistently pray until they have "seen and felt and realized something of the glory in the blessed fellowship and communion with God." They should also pray until they are "certain and sure that this process of glorification has started" in them. Additionally, they should pray for God "to have pity and mercy and compassion" and for Him "to turn again to us, to smile upon us, and indeed to descend into our midst and show forth again the glory of his power and the wonders of his grace."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the potential spiritual revival available to believers?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones speaks of "the possibilities that are here and now for us in and through our blessed Lord." He expresses his desire for God to "awaken us and all his people" to these possibilities, which include experiencing God's glory, having communion with Him, being transformed "from glory to glory," and witnessing God "show forth again the glory of his power and the wonders of his grace." He portrays these not as distant hopes but as present realities accessible through persistent prayer.
What spiritual disciplines does Lloyd-Jones encourage in his sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages two main spiritual disciplines: meditation and prayer. He exhorts believers to "Go on meditating upon these things," referring to the truths about God's glory and our transformation. He also repeatedly urges listeners to persistent prayer, saying "Go on praying to him to have pity and mercy and compassion." These disciplines are presented as means through which Christians experience God's presence and power in their lives.
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.