Gospel Gratitude

Romans 11:33 CSB

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

INTRO— WE MADE IT!

We, like Paul, have some answers…but…we don’t have all the answers. The mystery of God still remains.

What Paul has is renewed and strengthened assurance…and we see that this realization is a key component of what Paul does here in concluding this section (Rom 9-11…and Rom 1-11, too) with this exclamation point known as a doxology…a complete and final hymn of praise!

REALIZATION (Romans 11.33a)

“O the depth…of God!”

Of the RICHES

Ephesians 3:8 CSB

This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ,

Of the WISDOM (full/complete understanding of life, et al., & faithful living out of truth in life)

Of the KNOWLEDGE (truth of God…complete)

Colossians 2:3 CSB

In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The realization is a response to the revelation God gives of himself (his purpose, plan, etc.)

CONSIDERATIONS (Romans 11.33b-35)

These are the evidences of the veracity of the legitimacy of the realization which Paul has just exclaimed.

The Depth of God’s Wisdom & Knowledge...

Unsearchable Judgments & Untraceable Ways!

Isaiah 55:8 CSB

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration.

[11.35]

Isaiah 40:13–14 CSB

Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who gave him counsel? Who did he consult? Who gave him understanding and taught him the paths of justice? Who taught him knowledge and showed him the way of understanding?

Job 15:8 CSB

Do you listen in on the council of God, or have a monopoly on wisdom?

The Depth of God’s Riches...

[11.35]

Job 35:7 CSB

If you are righteous, what do you give him, or what does he receive from your hand?

Job 41:11 CSB

Who confronted me, that I should repay him? Everything under heaven belongs to me.

CONCLUSION (Romans 11.36)

“ALL THINGS!”

From = Creator (This list of descriptions is from John Wesley)

John 1:3 CSB

All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.

Revelation 4:11 CSB

Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.

Through = Preserver [Sustainer]

Hebrews 1:3 CSB

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

& Psalm 104.6-30

To = End [Ultimate Object]

1 Corinthians 15:28 CSB

When everything is subject to Christ, then the Son himself will also be subject to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

Ephesians 1:5 CSB

He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

‘All Things’…includes…SALVATION (Eph. 1.5, etc.)!!!

CONCL—

The majority—all(?)—of our worship must look like this.

Realization…based on Revelation—namely God’s word…leads to Adoration!

…especially as we acknowledge we don’t—& won’t—know all that God knows.

This I do know…God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

Romans 11:36 CSB

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