Oh, the Depth

Romans 11:25–36 (ESV)

Series: Journey’s Road Map

Theme: God’s plan is mysterious, His mercy is massive, and His wisdom leads us to worship.

Introduction – When You Finally Realize You Don’t Understand Everything

Funny Story with a Point

A man once tried to assemble a “simple” grill from a box store.

The instructions said, “Easy setup—15 minutes.”

Two hours later, he was surrounded by screws, missing parts, and deep frustration.

His neighbor walked over and said,

“Need help?”

The man replied,

“No, I got it. I just don’t understand why there are extra pieces.”

The neighbor picked up the instruction manual… flipped it right-side up… and said,

“You built it backwards.”

Sometimes the problem isn’t that the plan is wrong.

It’s that we don’t see the whole picture.

Romans 11 ends with Paul basically saying:

“God’s plan is bigger than you can fully understand—but it is perfectly right.”

25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,

“The Deliverer will come from Zion,

he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;

27 “and this will be my covenant with them

when I take away their sins.”

28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,

or who has been his counselor?”

35 “Or who has given a gift to him

that he might be repaid?”

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Point 1 — God’s Plan Is Mysterious but Not Confusing (vv. 25–27)

“Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery…”

Explanation

Paul introduces a “mystery” — not something unknowable, but something previously hidden and now revealed.

The mystery:

Israel has experienced partial hardening

This continues until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in

Then all Israel will be saved

God is working through both inclusion and delay.

What looks like rejection is actually part of a larger plan of redemption.

Cross-References

Luke 21:24 — Times of the Gentiles

Zechariah 12:10 — Israel will look on the One they pierced

Illustration – Puzzle Pieces

When you look at a puzzle piece by itself, it makes no sense.

But when placed in the full picture, it fits perfectly.

Romans 11 says:

You’re looking at one piece.

God sees the whole puzzle.

Quote — John Stott

“We must not expect to understand everything; but we can trust the One who does.”

Application

Don’t confuse mystery with mistake.

God’s plan may stretch your understanding,

but it never breaks His promises.

Point 2 — God’s Mercy Is Wider Than We Imagine (vv. 28–32)

“For God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all.”

Explanation

Paul explains the tension:

Israel rejected the gospel → enemies for your sake

But they are still loved → because of God’s promises

God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable.

Then Paul gives one of the most sweeping statements in Romans:

Everyone has been placed under disobedience…

so that mercy—not merit—would be the only way out.

Theological Depth

God levels the playing field:

Jews cannot boast

Gentiles cannot boast

Everyone stands in need of mercy

Cross-References

Ephesians 2:8–9 — salvation by grace

Galatians 3:22 — all under sin

Illustration – The Lifeboat

Imagine a sinking ship where everyone is equally helpless.

No one swims to shore.

A rescue boat comes.

No one on that boat says, “I deserved to be rescued.”

Everyone says, “I was saved.”

That’s the gospel.

Quote — Charles Spurgeon

“Grace is the great leveling principle of the gospel.”

Application

If mercy is the only reason you’re saved,

then pride has no place in your life.

Gratitude should define you.

Point 3 — God’s Wisdom Leads Us to Worship (vv. 33–36)

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!”

Explanation

Paul doesn’t end with an argument.

He ends with a doxology — worship.

After 11 chapters of deep theology, Paul steps back and says:

“God is beyond comprehension.”

His judgments are unsearchable

His ways are inscrutable

No one has advised Him

No one has put Him in their debt

And then the climax:

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.”

Cross-References

Job 41:11 — “Who has given to me that I should repay him?”

Colossians 1:16 — all things created through Him and for Him

Illustration – The Ocean Depth

Standing at the edge of the ocean, you can see the surface—but you cannot see the depth.

God’s wisdom is like that.

You can know Him truly…

but never exhaust Him fully.

Quote — A.W. Tozer

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

Application

When you don’t understand God, worship Him.

When life doesn’t make sense, trust Him.

The goal of theology is not just knowledge.

It is worship.

Conclusion — From Theology to Worship

Romans 11 ends with three truths:

God’s plan is bigger than we see

God’s mercy is greater than we deserve

God’s wisdom leads us to worship

Paul has taken us through:

sin (Romans 1–3)

salvation (Romans 4–5)

sanctification (Romans 6–8)

sovereignty (Romans 9–11)

And now the only fitting response is:

Worship.