Understanding Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession for Believers

What is the main focus of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Romans 8:34?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on explaining Romans 8:34: "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." His sermon examines how this verse provides absolute assurance to believers that they can never come under condemnation. He breaks down the verse into four ascending statements about Christ's mediatorial work that prove believers cannot be condemned.

Why does Lloyd-Jones say it's impossible for Christians to be condemned?

According to Lloyd-Jones, it's impossible for Christians to be condemned because Christ's death already received the punishment for their sins. He argues that for a believer to be condemned would mean punishing the same sin twice, which would make God unjust. As he states: "For us to be condemned would mean that the sin we are guilty of, which has already been punished in Christ in our stead, should once more be punished in us. Well, that's injustice." God's justice now demands believers' forgiveness rather than condemnation.

How does Christ's resurrection provide assurance to believers according to the sermon?

Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's resurrection provides assurance to believers in several crucial ways: 1. It proves God was satisfied with Christ's sacrificial work 2. It declares believers' justification is complete and accepted 3. It demonstrates Christ's conquest over death, grave, and hell 4. It shows believers are united with Christ in His resurrection life 5. It confirms that "he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies"

As Lloyd-Jones says: "The resurrection is the proof to us that we have been justified by the death."

What does Lloyd-Jones mean by Christ's "mediatorial work"?

Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's mediatorial work means everything Christ did was done on behalf of believers as their representative. He states: "None of these things would have happened to him in and of himself. They all happened to him because of his relationship to us, because of what he had come to do for his people." This includes Christ's death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession - all done to secure salvation for believers as their mediator between God and humanity.

How does Lloyd-Jones interpret 1 John 1:9 in relation to God's justice?

Lloyd-Jones interprets 1 John 1:9 ("If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins") to mean that God's very justice now demands the forgiveness of believers. He explains: "The very truthfulness, the faithfulness and the justice of God makes certain that you are forgiven, because God has already dealt with the sin, has already punished or condemned it, and has already punished it in the person of his own son." Thus, God's justice, rather than being something believers should fear, becomes their greatest security.

What five enemies does Lloyd-Jones say Christ conquered through His work?

Lloyd-Jones identifies five main enemies that Christ conquered through His work: 1. Sin 2. Satan 3. The law of God 4. Death 5. Hell

He explains: "These are the things that are against us. Sin, the law and Satan and death and hell... The resurrection helps at this point tremendously." Through His death and resurrection, Christ has defeated all these enemies on behalf of believers.

Why does Lloyd-Jones emphasize the importance of the physical resurrection?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the importance of believing in the physical resurrection because without it, there is no assurance of salvation. He references 1 Corinthians 15, stating that "if you couldn't go on to say, 'yea, rather that is risen again,' you are yet in your sins, your faith is vain, you're still under condemnation." He argues that those who deny the literal, physical resurrection always lack assurance because the resurrection is essential proof that Christ's atoning work was accepted by God.