God's Sovereign Grace: The Depth of Salvation
Summary
In reflecting on the profound doxology found at the end of Romans 11, we are reminded of the depth, wisdom, and knowledge of God, which are beyond human comprehension. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle, stands in awe of God's plan for salvation, which is entirely independent of human effort or understanding. This divine plan, which includes the astonishing future belief of Israel as a nation, is a testament to God's grace and wisdom. It is a plan that is not only deep and profound but also incomprehensible and independent of human influence.
Paul emphasizes that salvation is entirely of God, a theme that runs throughout his epistle. He uses quotations from Isaiah and Job to illustrate that no one can know the mind of the Lord or offer Him counsel. This underscores the irony and folly of human arrogance, as men often believe they can contribute to or understand God's plan. Yet, the truth is that humanity is ignorant of God's nature, purposes, and the spiritual realities that govern the world.
The Apostle ridicules the notion that humans can offer anything to God, whether it be knowledge, wisdom, or righteousness. Instead, he highlights that salvation is a free gift from God, given by grace to undeserving sinners. This gift is not a response to human actions but is entirely initiated and sustained by God. The ultimate purpose of this divine plan is the glory of God, as all things are from Him, through Him, and to Him.
As we contemplate this truth, we are called to respond with worship and praise, acknowledging our own nothingness and God's all-encompassing grace. The doxology is a reminder that our salvation and existence are entirely dependent on God's mercy and love, and our response should be one of humble adoration and gratitude.
Key Takeaways:
- The depth of God's wisdom and knowledge is beyond human comprehension, reminding us that His judgments and ways are unsearchable. This calls us to a posture of humility, recognizing that our understanding is limited and that we must trust in God's perfect plan. [04:14]
- Salvation is entirely independent of human effort and is a gift of God's grace. This truth challenges us to abandon any notion of self-righteousness and to rely solely on God's mercy for our redemption. [06:14]
- Human arrogance is often rooted in ignorance of God's nature and purposes. We must acknowledge our limitations and seek to know God more deeply, understanding that true wisdom comes from Him alone. [16:11]
- The irony of human attempts to counsel God highlights our need for divine wisdom. We are reminded that God's ways are higher than ours, and we should seek His guidance in all things, trusting in His perfect wisdom. [20:13]
- The ultimate purpose of all creation is to glorify God. Our lives should reflect this purpose, as we live in gratitude for His grace and seek to honor Him in all that we do. [37:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Romans 11:33-36
- [01:10] - The Importance of Analyzing Scripture
- [02:06] - The Astonishing Plan for Israel
- [03:21] - The Depth of God's Riches, Wisdom, and Knowledge
- [04:14] - The Incomprehensibility of God's Judgments
- [05:03] - God's Independence from Man
- [06:14] - Salvation: Entirely of God
- [07:32] - Quotations from Isaiah and Job
- [09:38] - Divine Irony and Human Arrogance
- [12:09] - Jews and Gentiles: Equal in Unbelief
- [13:19] - The Order of God's Knowledge, Wisdom, and Riches
- [19:39] - The Folly of Human Counsel
- [24:53] - Human Poverty and God's Riches
- [33:04] - The Glory of God in All Things
- [40:50] - The All-Encompassing Nature of God's Redemption
- [46:43] - The Test of Our View of Salvation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 11:33-36
- Isaiah 40:13
- Job 41:11
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul express about the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge in Romans 11:33-36, and how does this reflect on human understanding? [00:10]
2. How does the Apostle Paul use quotations from Isaiah and Job to emphasize the independence of God's plan from human influence? [06:38]
3. In the sermon, what examples are given to illustrate the irony of human attempts to counsel God? [10:19]
4. How does the sermon describe the ultimate purpose of all creation according to Romans 11:36? [37:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon challenge the notion of self-righteousness in light of God's grace and the gift of salvation? [22:32]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between human ignorance and arrogance when it comes to understanding God's nature and purposes? [16:11]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of human effort in the context of salvation, and what implications does this have for believers? [31:54]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the glory of God is the ultimate purpose of creation and redemption? [37:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to understand or control God's plan. How can you practice humility and trust in God's wisdom this week? [04:14]
2. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is a gift of grace. How can you remind yourself daily to rely on God's mercy rather than your own efforts? [06:14]
3. Consider an area in your life where you might be displaying arrogance due to ignorance. How can you seek to know God more deeply in that area? [16:11]
4. How can you actively seek God's guidance in your decisions this week, acknowledging that His ways are higher than yours? [20:13]
5. The sermon highlights the importance of glorifying God in all things. What is one specific way you can live out this purpose in your daily routine? [37:02]
6. Think about a situation where you might have tried to offer advice to God through prayer. How can you shift your prayers to align more with seeking His will rather than presenting your own solutions? [20:13]
7. Reflect on the concept of being a debtor to God's grace. How can this understanding influence your interactions with others and your approach to serving in your community? [30:56]
Devotional
Day 1: The Unsearchable Depths of God's Wisdom
The depth of God's wisdom and knowledge is beyond human comprehension, reminding us that His judgments and ways are unsearchable. This calls us to a posture of humility, recognizing that our understanding is limited and that we must trust in God's perfect plan. In Romans 11, Paul marvels at the profound nature of God's wisdom, which orchestrates a plan for salvation that is independent of human effort or understanding. This divine wisdom is a testament to God's grace and sovereignty, as He alone knows the end from the beginning. As we reflect on this truth, we are reminded of our own limitations and the need to trust in God's perfect wisdom and timing. [04:14]
"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God's wisdom? How can you actively choose to trust Him more today?
Day 2: Salvation as a Gift of Grace
Salvation is entirely independent of human effort and is a gift of God's grace. This truth challenges us to abandon any notion of self-righteousness and to rely solely on God's mercy for our redemption. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that salvation is not a result of human actions but is initiated and sustained by God. This divine gift is given freely to undeserving sinners, highlighting the depth of God's love and mercy. As we contemplate this, we are called to let go of any pride or self-reliance and to embrace the grace that God offers through faith in Jesus Christ. [06:14]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to rely on your own efforts rather than God's grace? How can you shift your focus to trust in His mercy today?
Day 3: Acknowledging Our Limitations
Human arrogance is often rooted in ignorance of God's nature and purposes. We must acknowledge our limitations and seek to know God more deeply, understanding that true wisdom comes from Him alone. The Apostle Paul uses quotations from Isaiah and Job to illustrate that no one can know the mind of the Lord or offer Him counsel. This highlights the irony and folly of human arrogance, as we often believe we can contribute to or understand God's plan. Yet, the truth is that we are ignorant of God's nature and the spiritual realities that govern the world. [16:11]
"Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand?" (Isaiah 40:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's nature and purposes in your daily life? What steps can you take to seek His wisdom more earnestly?
Day 4: The Folly of Human Counsel
The irony of human attempts to counsel God highlights our need for divine wisdom. We are reminded that God's ways are higher than ours, and we should seek His guidance in all things, trusting in His perfect wisdom. The Apostle Paul ridicules the notion that humans can offer anything to God, whether it be knowledge, wisdom, or righteousness. Instead, he emphasizes that true wisdom comes from God alone, and we must rely on His guidance in all aspects of life. This calls us to a posture of humility and dependence on God, recognizing that His ways are far superior to our own. [20:13]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific situation do you need to seek God's guidance rather than relying on your own understanding? How can you actively pursue His wisdom today?
Day 5: Living for the Glory of God
The ultimate purpose of all creation is to glorify God. Our lives should reflect this purpose, as we live in gratitude for His grace and seek to honor Him in all that we do. The Apostle Paul concludes his doxology by affirming that all things are from God, through God, and to God. This truth calls us to live lives that are centered on glorifying God, recognizing that our existence and salvation are entirely dependent on His mercy and love. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to live with a sense of purpose and gratitude, seeking to honor God in every aspect of our lives. [37:02]
"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally live for the glory of God in your daily activities? What specific actions can you take to honor Him in your relationships, work, and personal life?
Quotes
The Apostle here let me remind you is standing back as it were and looking first of all at what he's just been saying about this astonishing and apparently incredible thing that is going to happen to the Jews as a nation how all Israel in that sense is going to believe the gospel is going to become a part of the Christian church with the Gentiles. [00:29:16]
The Apostle says because it is so deep and profound it is something which is entirely incomprehensible to men how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out we looked at God's judgments and we saw that they were so wonderful so profound that men can't follow them and then his actions carrying out these judgments of his they can't be tracked out they can't be traced out they past finding out. [00:40:00]
Salvation is totally independent of men and is all together and entirely of God now the way the Apostle introduces that to us is put here in verses 34 and 35 who has known the mind of the Lord or who have been his counselor or who have first given to him and it shall be recompensed to him again. [00:55:20]
The great fundamental proposition which the Apostle lays down here as he's been doing it right through the mighty unfolding of this glorious doctrine that salvation is of God and all of God in every way man makes no contribution to it at all. [01:09:16]
The Apostle has proved in the first three chapters that the Jew is as damned and as hopeless as the Gentile no difference all have sinned and come short of the glory of God he has concluded them all together under sin but here you see this thing has to be impressed upon the Mind of Men because of his foolish pride and arrogance and his misplaced confidence in himself. [01:56:50]
The whole of mankind as our Lord goes on to prove in that particular case nothing whatsoever to pay mankind if you like is like the prodical son lost everything all his money had been spent he's got nothing left and no man gave unto him he's completely destitute that's Mankind in sin and yet you see men go to God and they claim they demand they say look at the life I've lived look what I've done. [01:47:44]
Salvation is entirely of God it's entirely of Grace salvation is the free gift of God to totally undeserving Sinners by grace are he saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God man not only Des doesn't deserve it he deserves the exact opposite he is not only weak and helpless he's an enemy of God a rebel against God and he deserves richly Eternal damnation. [01:59:20]
God is first of all the source of everything who can give God anything God is the source of everything isn't the first verse in your Bible this in the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth he made it all he owns it all the cattle and a thousand Hill hills are his says the psalmist everything belongs to him. [02:29:50]
The whole of the cosmos is going to display finally the glory of God of him through him to him the end of everything is the glory of God now even as things are at the present time this is partly taking place the heavens declare the glory of God and the firment showeth forth his praise men doesn't see that but it's happening. [02:29:56]
The whole of Redemption is all of God and there nothing from men man had no part whatsoever in the first creation and he has no part whatsoever in the new creation as the first creation is all together of God the new creation is all together of God also God initiated it all how be it we speak wisdom among them that are perfect. [02:46:11]
The only reason why there is such a thing as salvation at all why any one of is saved is the glory of God of him through him to him are all things Oh we must go on repeating the negative man makes no contribution whatsoever the Apostle has stated this many times over as we've seen. [02:58:48]
The man who says his am men is the man who says I am nothing and he is all I know nothing I can do nothing I have nothing I am simply a vile sinner I owe all things to the grace and the glory and the mercy of God and I give it him I give it him with my lips I confess him I say I'm nothing I say it is all of him. [03:00:00]
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