Sermon Tone Analysis

Bible Reading

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!!

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 ...

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

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)

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...

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!!!

Job

the Psalmist writes...

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.