Called to Preach, Part 1

Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 602 Ratings

🗓️ 3 February 2026

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In the first part of his sermon on Romans 10:14–17 titled “Called to Preach (1),” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers an important question: what makes a preacher? As he curates a biblical list that describes an ideal pastor, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones declares the first reason for preaching. Quoting from Romans, he reads, “And how can they believe in whom they have not heard?” The primary reason for preaching is to herald the good news to those who have not heard. As Paul wrote, people cannot believe in something unless they’re told of it. The second reason for preaching, he says, is because a person is called. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives a number of New Testament examples of people being called to preach the good news. Chiefly, he cites Christ’s calling of the disciples. Lastly, he reminds the listener how important it is for a preacher to be appointed by the congregation. He again quotes passages from the New Testament where the church selected and prayed over certain people to bring the message locally and abroad. A person cannot appoint himself to preach. He must be given the responsibility by the church body. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by saying that these three points are essential to preaching and the great opportunity to share the promise of Christ.

Transcript

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0:00.0	We are considering at the moment verses 14 to 17 in the 10th chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans,
0:07.4	how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
0:11.8	And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
0:15.0	And how shall they hear without a preacher?
0:17.5	And how shall they preach except they be sent?
0:20.1	As it is written, how beautiful are
0:22.4	the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things?
0:28.4	But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who hath believed our report.
0:35.5	So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
0:40.8	Now, I've indicated that those verses can be divided into two sections.
0:47.3	In verses 14 and 15, we have the general call of the gospel, the proclamation of the gospel to all men.
0:57.9	In verses 16 and 17, we have given an understanding and an explanation
1:03.4	as to why it is that some believe and some do not believe.
1:09.1	In other words, I've suggested that verses 14 and 15 have the general call,
1:14.6	and verses 16 and 17, the effectual, or the efficacious call of those who become believers
1:22.6	and have made the children of God. Now, the apostle, of course, takes this up because of what he's
1:29.0	just been saying before, where he has been emphasizing that the way of salvation is the way
1:36.4	of faith. The justification is by faith only. It is whosoever shall call upon the name of the
1:43.2	Lord, who shall be saved.
1:46.3	And then, of course, the question arises, how do they do that?
1:49.4	How can they call in one in whom they don't believe?
1:52.4	And how can they believe in one of whom they haven't heard?
	...

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