Why this Present Suffering?

A Sermon on Romans 8:18-23

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Scripture

Romans 8:18-23 ESV KJV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because …

Sermon Description

Is Scripture completely irrelevant? Listen to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the contemporary answers found in Romans 8:18-23. The sufferings of this present time are the unchanging problems of mankind. Human suffering is always a result of sin. Science and philosophy cannot give man such hope in the face of humanity, but the Gospel of Christ can. Look at nature from the Bible's standpoint and find comfort on its terms. The greatest consolation in this present affliction is that this is God’s world. The ground was cursed for man’s sin and the world is under the wrath of God, but there is good news. The Christian Gospel is the only explanation and solution to the sufferings of the present time. Learn that every human's greatest need is to be reconciled to God and the only promised deliverer is Christ. A Christian is still subject to all the sufferings of this present world; but man has a new view of time, and sufferings, which are incomparable to the glory to come. Are you groaning with creation? Find out that you should be! Nothing can frustrate the plans of God. Cast yourself on His compassion and love; your sins have already been dealt with.

Sermon Breakdown

The Bible speaks to our present condition and gives us understanding, comfort, consolation and hope.
The comfort and hope the Bible offers is not psychological or vague. It is offered in specific terms. We must accept the Bible's message as it presents it.
The Bible explains why the world is as it is - because of the Fall. Man rebelled against God, and the whole creation fell with man.
The Bible does not just diagnose the problem but offers a solution - the gospel, God's plan of redemption in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ came as the promised Deliverer, the seed of the woman, to defeat sin and the devil. He lived a perfect life, died an atoning death, rose again, and ascended to heaven.
The Christian hope is the return of Christ, when there will be a new heaven and new earth, and the redemption of our bodies.
The whole creation eagerly awaits the manifestation of the sons of God, the redemption of Christians, because then it too will be delivered from corruption.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ - not life or death, angels or demons, the present or the future. This is the Christian's certain hope.
To experience this hope, we must repent of our sin, acknowledge our need, and cast ourselves upon the mercy of God in Christ.

Itinerant Preaching

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.