Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Romans 11:11-32 — Paul has been teaching about the Jews and how as a nation they have blatantly rejected the gospel. In this portion of Romans, Paul is now stating what the real position of the Jews is and how that relates to the Gentiles. In this sermon on Romans 11:11–12 titled “Stumbling of the Jews,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the Jews stumbled so that the Gentiles could come to salvation. Not only was their stumbling permitted by God, he also inflicted them with blindness so that the Gentiles could have the opportunity to believe. This rejection of the Jews gave the blessings to the Gentiles. So have the Jews been cast away forever? Paul says that they have not. They have in turn seen the blessings of the gentiles and have been provoked to jealousy. This causes them to think twice and consider the gospel that the Lord has given.

Romans 11:7-10 — Why are there imprecatory Psalms in the Bible? This is the question that Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones takes up in this sermon on Romans 11:7–10 titled “Psalms.” He says that Scripture never teaches that God creates evil or sin but He does create the consequences of the sinful actions of humans. When Scripture speaks of God visiting judgement upon evil, one should not think that this is God doing something evil but He is punishing the wicked for their evil deeds. The same thing is true in the case of David when he prays for God to judge the wicked. This is not David being vindictive, but rather it is him asking that God act in accordance with His character to protect the righteous and punish the wicked. For God is holy and just; He cannot even look upon evil doers. This is seen in the highest form when Jesus died upon the cross at Calvary. There, God’s justice was fully manifested in His judgement upon sin in Christ but His mercy also was displayed in saving sinners. This is the great truth that God is both the just and the justifier. There is truly no unrighteousness with God.

Romans 11:7-10 — The passages in Scripture that refer to God hardening someone’s heart or blinding them to the truth can be confusing. This can be a troubling passage and topic for many people because it often leads to more questions than answers. In this sermon on Romans 11:7–11 titled “Judicial Blindness,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones provides helpful answers and a good starting point for people wrestling through this issue. Dr. Lloyd-Jones refers to this blinding as a “judicial blindness” where God ceases striving. There are many instances recorded in Scripture where God removed His control and allowed negative things to happen so that people would learn. Yet there is a step beyond this when sometimes God is even said to harden someone’s heart. Those who are hardened and blinded are unable to do or believe anything outside of their current state. Is this a punishment or is it at random? Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides his opinion for how this progresses — in short, that disobedience against God leads naturally to the hardening of the person’s heart. Ultimately, he says, the doctrine of election makes sense of this topic that can be so difficult to navigate. Listen as he guides the listener through this challenging passage.

Romans 11:7-10 — How can something that the Lord created as a blessing become a curse? In this sermon on Romans 11:7–10 titled “Blessings Become a Curse,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers this question by preaching from the words of Paul when he refers to the law and the people of Israel. Paul acknowledges that the Jews were earnest and genuine in their search for salvation but they went about it in the wrong way. The passage says that those who were elect did in fact obtain it but that the Lord hardened the others. Israel was blinded and God gave them the spirit of slumber regarding the true message of the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the passage by saying that the very blessing of the word of God, the law, was once a blessing but became a curse to the Jews. They had the wrong thinking about so many things and despite their best efforts, they still did not truly know Christ and did not receive salvation. The only way to receive this blessing is by faith. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also explains in great detail several other Old Testament passages which show the ignorance of the Jewish people and how they did not understand the gospel.

Romans 11:1-6 — In this sermon on Romans 11:1-6 titled “A Remnant According to Grace,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues his exposition of the apostle Paul's answer to his rhetorical question "Has God rejected His people?" (Rom 10:1). The apostle, after having discussed the first proof that God has not rejected His people - the case of his own conversion - now turns to a second example from history; the case of Elijah. During the reign of wicked King Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah fears he is the only faithful one left in Israel and that all hope for God’s church is lost. Elijah cries out to God in alarm asking why it seems as though God has forsaken him and Israel. God responds by telling him that he has not forsaken him or Israel but that He has saved seven thousand for himself. Another instance Dr. Jones brings out in his sermon is when God brought Lot out of Sodom and Gomorrah before he destroyed it. Some conclusions that Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws from this passage is that “we must learn to face every situation in life in a Scriptural manner.” Secondly, Dr. Jones also brings out the idea that we should never get involved too personally in such matters of the church; we must not sulk under our Juniper tree like Elijah and “let the devil persuade you that the church is yours. The church isn’t yours, but it is God’s.” Lastly, Dr. Lloyd-Jones persuades us to remember that even if the whole world is against us, we must not go along with the crowd, no matter the numbers. Thus, God’s purposes are sure and we must not worry. God will always keep His remnant.