God's Work is Certain
A Sermon on Romans 8:32
Originally preached April 6, 1962
Scripture
32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Sermon Description
Can God’s love for His children ever change or lessen? Is there any power that can pluck the believer from God’s hand? In this sermon on Romans 8:32 titled “God’s Work is Certain,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the apostle Paul’s teaching of final perseverance for the saints. Paul demonstrates in his argument that God’s love cannot possibly fail or lessen for His children. This faithful love that does not lessen has implications for God’s disposition towards believers - if God is for us and His love is certain, then who or what is capable of taking us from God’s hands? The answer is no one and nothing. The impossibility of God’s love changing towards His children is important for it has further implications regarding the Christian’s salvation. Just as certain as God’s unchanging love is towards His Children, so is it thus inconceivable for God to fail to continue his work in believers from justification on to glorification. His work and his love are certain and secure, thus providing full assurance of the final perseverance of the saints.
Sermon Breakdown
- The object of the argument is to prove that God's love to us can never fail or lessen.
- The method of argument is arguing from the greater to the lesser. If God has done the greatest thing (giving His Son), He will surely do lesser things (give us all things).
- The argument is based on facts (the cross) and doctrines (the meaning of the cross).
- The assurance comes from understanding the doctrines, not just the facts.
- The argument depends on grasping that it was God acting on the cross, not just men or the devil. Multiple Bible verses show it was God's plan and purpose.
- Jesus is God's "own Son," not just a man or a Son in the general sense. He is the eternal Son, one with the Father.
- Every word of the verse is important to understand the glory and love of God.
- We must not detract from the meaning and glory of what God has done through Jesus.
- We need to see these truths so our whole being goes out in praise, worship, and adoration.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding Romans 8:32: Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on God's Unfailing Love
What is the main argument Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses in Romans 8:32?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Romans 8:32 presents an argument that God's love for believers can never fail or diminish. He explains that Paul is answering the challenge: "Is there any danger of God's love to us lessening or waning, or indeed ceasing altogether?" The apostle's argument moves from the greater to the lesser - if God has already done the greatest thing possible (giving His own Son), He will certainly not withhold anything less (all other things needed for our salvation).
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the structure of Paul's argument in Romans 8:32?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that Paul's argument follows a specific pattern: "Surely he that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" He notes that translations often miss the intensive particle at the beginning (which he translates as "surely" or "indeed") that emphasizes the magnitude of what God has done. The apostle argues from the greater to the lesser - if God has already done the most difficult and costly thing, He will certainly not fail to do lesser things.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasize that it was God who acted on Calvary?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones strongly emphasizes that God was the active agent at Calvary, not merely a passive observer. He contrasts this with popular teachings that portray the crucifixion as solely the action of men or the devil. He states: "The cross isn't an accident. The cross isn't the result of the malice and the jealousy and the envy and the blindness and the folly of men, [but the] predeterminate counsel and foreknowledge of God." This understanding is essential to Paul's argument - if God actively gave His Son, then He will certainly give us everything else needed for salvation.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the importance of doctrine in understanding Romans 8:32?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that Paul bases his assurance not just on facts, but on the doctrinal meaning of those facts. He states: "The apostle bases this assurance on facts, on certain things which God has done...but also on the meaning and the significance of the facts." He criticizes those who dismiss doctrine, saying: "There is nothing more foolish or self-defeating than to say that you're not interested in doctrines." He insists that firm grasp of Christian doctrines leads to greater assurance of salvation.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the phrase "his own Son" in Romans 8:32?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the phrase "his own Son" is crucial to understanding the verse. He explains that Christ is not merely a son of God in the general sense that all humans are God's children, nor in the sense that Christians are adopted sons, but in a unique and eternal sense. He states: "We are sons by adoption. He is son by eternal generation. The eternal son of God ever, always in the bosom of the Father." This understanding of Christ's divinity magnifies the extraordinary nature of God's sacrifice and strengthens Paul's argument.
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.