Soli Deo Gloria
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33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Introduction
Introduction
Over the past number of weeks - looking at the 5 solae of the reformation.
Today marks “Reformation Sunday”...
We come today to the final Sola of the 5 that we’ve been considering.
It is fitting that we today consider in particular Soli Deo Gloria - to the Glory of God Alone
This is, in a sense, the climax of the Solae
It is the Sola to which all the other Solae point
We could consider Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) as the foundation upon which we understand God’s plan for salvation.
That is where we gain our understanding of the basis of our faith.
Then we have those three pillars (or the legs of the stool that I mentioned last week) ....
Sola Gratia
Sola Fide
Solus Christus
Those three aspects speak directly to the fact that we as Christians, if we truly understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ are saved
And the result then, the pinnacle, or the apex of this understanding of the Gospel results in glory to God alone.
When we understand the true Gospel, and when we understand the means of salvation, it will result in glory to God alone
When we properly understand the previous solae…based on Scripture alone, that our salvation from God’s wrath, and our union and reconciliation with God, is by Grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, the only fitting response is: PRAISE GOD!!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!!
THANK YOU GOD!!!
I GIVE GLORY TO YOU!!!
And that dear brothers and sisters, is exactly the point.
That is the point of God creating the world.
Everything in this world has been created, and exists for the glory of God!!
God seeks His own glory.
He has made you in order that you would bring Him glory!!
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
Isaiah
As soon as we begin to turn aside to the idea that man has a part to play in his salvation, then he will begin to want to attribute some kind of “glory” or “worship” to himself....
In ...
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
We should never be able to be in a position where we glory or boast in our own accomplishments
Paul always boasted in Christ - all his works were meaningless (e.g. )
Our salvation, however, is all for the glory of God.
We will be considering this wonderful truth from our text in .
Context of
Context of
As we begin to do that this morning, we need to firstly understand something of the context of these verses...
Where do they fit in the broader flow of the book of Romans.
These words may be taken as a fitting conclusion to the doctrinal or argumentative part of the Epistle.
In the first 11 chapters of Romans, Paul has outlined significant truths about how God has worked in bringing salvation to both Jews and Gentiles.
He has reminded the church that man was in a desperate state of wickedness and sin.
He reminded them that God’s wrath and judgment was upon man.
Paul shows first of all, in the condition of both the Gentiles and the Jewish world, that all have sinned, and that all needed a Divine Saviour;
As we see how the apostle shows first of all, in the condition of both the heathen and the Jewish world, that all have sinned, and that all needed a Divine Saviour; and how he then unfolds the great doctrine of justification by faith and its results; as we see also the great privileges for time and eternity which are bestowed upon the children of God
And then Paul unfolds the great doctrine of justification by faith
Having done that, he continues by outlining what the results / consequences of this justification by faith are...
and its results; as we see also the great privileges for time and eternity which are bestowed upon the children of God
We get wonderful glimpses of the great privileges for time and eternity which are bestowed upon the children of God as a consequence of God’s powerful working.
It is Paul’s contemplation and expounding of these wonderful truths which leads him to express this outburst of praise.
As Paul has written this letter to the Romans, he’s been emphasizing the profound truth of the working of God in bringing about the salvation of man.
This is a doxology - and expression of praise to God, based on what he has done.
As Paul has written this letter to the Romans, he’s been emphasizing the profound truth of the working of God in bringing about the salvation of man.
And the culmination of that doxology is this:
Not only was there salvation for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles.
Paul has been at pains to point out the profound and amazing work of salvation by grace through faith.
“A righteousness
1. God’s Profound Wisdom in Salvation (v.33)
1. God’s Profound Wisdom in Salvation (v.33)
God’s Profound Wisdom in Salvation (v.33)
God’s Profound Wisdom in Salvation (v.33)
As we turn our attention to that doxology then, notice with me firstly “God’s profound wisdom in salvation” (v.33)
Paul begins in verse 33...
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
R
The Gospel message of Christ crucified for us is repeatedly referred to in Scripture as a mystery - not in the sense that it remains something hidden, but in the sense that it was something concealed, but is now revealed.
When the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world, God revealed something of His great wisdom.
He revealed His wisdom in bringing a means of salvation to mankind that could not be understood or appreciated by mere man...
Our minds, without the revelation of God, were foolish and darkened.
But God chose to reveal something of His great wisdom...
…something of His great kindness...
…something of His great mercy...
By sending the Saviour, Jesus Christ.
And as He did this, he demonstrated the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God...
When Paul wrote to the Colossian believers, he wrote these words...
...
I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally...
Paul was speaking to them about how he was struggling and labouring to preach the wisdom of Christ....the Gospel message, and how that Gospel message - Christ Crucified - transforms lives...
He goes on in verse 2 of Col 2...
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
It is in this Christ in whom are hidden all these treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God.
And as Paul writes to the Romans, and reaches this wonderful doxology, he bursts out with praise and awe at the wonders of the wisdom and knowledge of God in Christ.
Paul is considering here this great salvation, and the profound wisdom of God in bringing salvation to both Jews and Gentiles, and even the interactions between those peoples as God unveils his salvation plan.
And Paul cries: Oh the Depth of the riches...
Oh the depth of the wisdom and knowledge of God...
God’s wisdom is his ability to select the best means for the attainment of the highest goal.
God’s wisdom is his ability to select the best means for the attainment of the highest goal.
SLOWLY...
This profound reality of the greatness of God must never escape us.
The work of God is profound.
It is awe-inspiring
It is a most moving truth that should drive us to respond in praise!!!
As we come to grasp the magnificence of these truths, we should fall down before God in worship!!!
That is what Paul is saying here!!!
Would we make the Gospel message small?
Let it never be!!!!
This truth is most profound, and most heart-stirring!!!
The term knowledge, as applied to God, in the present connection (linked with wisdom), must not be understood in the sense of his eternal delight, a meaning which the word has at times, but rather as his insight into the very essence of things, people, ideas, etc., his omniscience.
The apostle adds, “How unsearchable are his judgments”; that is, God’s sovereign decisions, decrees, disposals.
Not only are his judgments unsearchable, but his paths are beyond tracing out!!!
7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
8 They are higher than the heavens—what can you do?
They are deeper than the depths of the grave—what can you know?
9 Their measure is longer than the earth
and wider than the sea.
Job
the Psalmist writes...
5 How great are your works, O Lord,
how profound your thoughts!
Man has this notion that he has much wisdom.
As people we like to think that we’re wise, and we like to try and do things with wisdom.
But our wisdom is as foolishness…it is as nothing compared to God.
And that’s why dear friends when it comes to trying to attain wisdom for life…we must turn to God.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!!!
But how does this apply to our salvation, or God’s working in salvation (because that is truly what it applies to).
The fact is that God’s means and way of salvation, if it were to be thought out by men, would not look anything like what we find in the Gospel.
Illustration: Comic / Cartoon on T-shirt, with all the comic superheros…Superman, Spiderman, Flash, Hulk, Captain America, Batman… In the middles is Jesus Christ, and He says: “And that’s How I saved the world” ....
I think that’s a great picture of this idea of man’s ways vs. God’s ways...
Man wants a superhero.
Man wants a powerful person to demonstrate that power in great displays...
But God comes in humility...
God comes in the form of a man, even a servant...
And not only that, but he humbles himself under the hands of those whom he created...
He who formed and shaped man, allows that very man to deform, and mar, and crush him…to place a crown of thorns on him…to drive nails into his hands and his feet, so that he hangs like a criminal, naked and on display…spat on…mocked...
“Is that your Saviour?” - they would have asked?
“Looks rather pathetic to me...” - they would have said.
But this is exactly what Paul describes to the Corinthians believers as “foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved...the power of God.” (
The writer of Ecclesiastes (Solomon) although he wrote before Christ, summarized it well...
17 then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.
In the present context the reference is especially to those judgments that are revealed in the divine plan of salvation and in the effectuation of that plan.
The addition “and untraceable his ways,” probably indicates, “and how impossible it is to trace or track down the means God uses to put his decisions into effect.”
And dear friends, that is why this salvation that we have must result in Soli Deo Gloria - Glory to God Alone!!!
2. God’s Utter Supremacy in Salvation (v.34)
2. God’s Utter Supremacy in Salvation (v.34)
But as Paul goes on, we see even further concerning God’s utter Supremacy in Salvation in verse 34...
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
Still lifting up his heart in praise to God, Paul asks three questions. The first one is, “For who has known the mind of the Lord?”
You see, again, mankind would like to believe that we have wisdom.
And if we had our way, in life and in all that we do, would we not think that we could better advise God on how our lives should go?
Do we not oftentimes think that our situation and circumstances are somehow not fair?
Not right?
Do we not so often think that God needs to hear what we say when we tell him how our life should be running, when this life doesn’t go on in the right way (as we see right)?
Paul asks two questions in this verse...
The first one is, “For who has known the mind of the Lord?”
This question is quoted, almost unchanged, from the LXX version of .
It immediately reminds us of , “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.”
It immediately reminds us of , “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.”
But surely, if God is marvelous and incomprehensible in the work of creation, is he not at least equally astounding in his work of redemption?
Who, indeed, has ever been able, even to a small extent, actually to probe God’s mind?
The second question is, “Or who has been his counselor?”
This question too is quoted from .
We have all met people whom we would consider wise and knowledgeable
Obviously there are those who from a human perspective have some wisdom...
But even they have not always been wise.
There was a time when they lacked both wisdom and knowledge.
How, then, did they obtain these qualities? To a certain extent, at least, by making good use of the counsel and information they received from parents, teachers, and friends.
But God never had, nor did He ever need any counselor to whom he could go for help!
God does not take counsel from us....
But God does not take counsel from us....
He doesn’t take counsel from us in our day to day, small details on life.
And he has never taken counsel from any man in the big picture, grand working out of His salvation plan.
22 “Can anyone teach knowledge to God,
since he judges even the highest?
22 “God is exalted in his power.
Who is a teacher like him?
23 Who has prescribed his ways for him,
or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?
God’s wisdom and knowledge are without need for any changing.
The first one is, “For who has known the mind of the Lord?”
This question is quoted, almost unchanged, from the LXX version of .
It is quoted also in .
It immediately reminds us of , “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.”
Of late more and more is becoming known about the mysteries of the human brain. The real men of science, pondering these new discoveries, are beginning to say, “How great is God!”
But surely, if God is marvelous and incomprehensible in the work of creation, is he not at least equally astounding in his work of redemption?
But surely, if God is marvelous and incomprehensible in the work of creation, is he not at least equally astounding in his work of redemption?
Who, indeed, has ever been able, even to a small extent, actually to probe God’s mind?
The second question is, “Or who has been his counselor?”
God’s wisdom and knowledge preceded even the very existence of man or anything else...
This question too is quoted from .
Who, indeed, has ever been able, even to a small extent, actually to probe God’s mind?
We have all met people whom we correctly consider wise and knowledgeable, but they have not always been wise.
There was a time when they lacked both wisdom and knowledge.
How, then, did they obtain these qualities? To a certain extent, at least, by making good use of the counsel and information they received from parents, teachers, and friends.
13 Who has understood the mind of the Lord,
or instructed him as his counselor?
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge
or showed him the path of understanding?
But God never had any counselor to whom he could go for help!
Man can never dream to counsel God.
Indeed, we need to be very cautious when we start to murmur and grumble and complain about our lot in life, and our distresses in life, and speak as if God were in some way doing wrong.
That is not to say that we may never voice our concerns and complaints - many Psalms show the correct way of doing that..
But ultimately, God’s ways are perfect, and we need to remember that.
The most profound example of this can probably be found in Job...
After Job was afflicted in every way imaginable, and he lost just about his entire life, there were long discussions between Job and his three friends...
And in these discussion, many profound truths concerning God were put forth, but many wrong deductions were made.
After the long discussions and discourse between Job and his friends, God speaks in and following...
He begins with these words...
1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.
He said:
2 “Who is this that darkens my counsel
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
Job 38:1-
And with that introduction, God continues for effectively the next 3 chapters to send forth a barrage of questions, beginning with....
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?
Job 38:
And proceeding forth from there, God drives home that point that man knows nothing of the created world, and how it was formed, and how God even today controls everything!!
It is by His power that all things unfold...
By the time you get to the end of those three chapters in Job, Job recognises his complete unworthiness and inability to comprehend the greatness of God
responds to the Lord with these words:
2 “I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Job 42:
We would do well to recognise for ourselves the greatness of the God that we serve, and remain exceedingly humble in our interactions with Him, and our questioning of Him.
With respect to salvation, God never needed advice or wise counsel in determining a way to go about bringing about the salvation of men.
With respect to salvation, God never needed advice or wise counsel in determining a way to go about bringing about the salvation of men.
He never needed wise counsel in order to consider the way of salvation.
He never needed wise counsel in determining who should be the ones to be the recipients of His mercy...
God is the potter - He is the one who forms and makes and moulds and shapes…everything, and everyone for His own glory...
And Paul, as he addresses the way in which God brings about salvation, and shows mercy to some and not to others…says these words...
16 It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ ” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
Rom 9:16-
Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (Vol. 12–13, p. 387). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
3. God’s Utter Sufficiency in Salvation (v.35)
3. God’s Utter Sufficiency in Salvation (v.35)
We move on in our passage this morning to the final consideration - God’s utter sufficiency in salvation, seen in verse 35...
“Or who has ever given (something) to God, that God should repay him?”
In other words, “Who has ever put God in debt to him?”
As to its essence this question is quoted from (Hebrew original).
11 Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
Everything under heaven belongs to me.
As the Psalmist correctly says...
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
Everything was made by God, and made for His glory.
Everything that happens in this world, as unfolding and happening for His glory.
Even the evil that unfolds around us, that sickens us to the very core of our being, is in the hands of God.
All is used for His glory.
As we consider our salvation, we must realise that no one has ever given anything to God that He should repay Him.
Our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
It is not of ourselves.
It is not a work done by us.
It is not anything that we ever would have done to earn or merit salvation....
It is all a gift from Him!!!
God never has been indebted to us.
God never will be indebted to us.
In fact, our indebtedness to him is so great that our hearts are thrilled whenever we reflect on what he has done, is doing, and will do for us.
An adequate response to God is simply impossible.
And when we realise this, that is when we begin to respond to God in absolute awe, praise and wonder!!!
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
, or in , or in . Or, thrilled to the very depths of our soul, we sing Charles Wesley’s song, ending with the words,
Or, thrilled to the very depths of our soul, we sing Charles Wesley’s song, ending with the words,
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
, or in . Or, thrilled to the very depths of our soul, we sing Charles Wesley’s song, ending with the words,
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
. Or, thrilled to the very depths of our soul, we sing Charles Wesley’s song, ending with the words,
Or, thrilled to the very depths of our soul, we sing Charles Wesley’s song, ending with the words,
Amazing love! how can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
“And Can It Be That I Should Gain?”
Or, with an equal thrill of amazement, we turn to the old, familiar Amazing Grace by John Newton.
Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (Vol. 12–13, pp. 387–388). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
Salvation is of God, from Beginning to End, for His Glory (v.36)
Salvation is of God, from Beginning to End, for His Glory (v.36)
The final verse in our text here brings in the summary of worship to God.
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
It states in unequivocal terms, as clearly as can be explained, that the salvation of man, in fact everything in all of the created universe is not only from Him, but it is through Him, and all things are to Him...
In other words, all things are to His glory!!!
We have considered these various truths this morning...
That indeed, all things are from God...
All things proceed forth from Him, and were created by Him!!!
But not only this, further - all things are through Him.
He is the means through which all has been created.
He is the means through which salvation has come.
Salvation, from Beginning to End, is from God.
6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
And then further more, all things are to Him...
Meaning that the point of this all is that He may receive glory and honour!!
The reason for Him working out salvation the way He did, is in order to receive worship, glory and honour.
Again, as I’ve mentioned before, God is zealous for His own glory!!!
Listen to the words of God through the prophet Isaiah:
9 For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath;
for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you,
so as not to cut you off.
10 See, I have refined you, though not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this.
How can I let myself be defamed?
I will not yield my glory to another.
Isaiah
Our God will now allow any of His own glory to be given to another!
He will not let Himself be defamed!!!
He is zealous for His glory!!!
And the Scriptures shout out to us the fact that everything is done for His glory.
Over and over again, we read those words that it is for His glory...
27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Over and over and over again, honour and glory should be ascribed to God.
And that is the point!
Our salvation is a magnificent work of God
All glory to Him.
We are saved by Grace Alone!!
We are saved through Faith Alone!!!
Which faith is in Christ Alone!!
And thus, since it is not our work, it is entirely a work of our God...
Soli Deo Gloria!!!
Glory to God Alone!
Bibliographical Note:
Bibliographical Note:
Extensive work in the preparation of this sermon was done based on Hendriksen’s commentary: Hendricksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (Vol. 12–13, pp. 386–387). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.