All of God
A Sermon on Romans 11:33-36
Originally preached May 28, 1965
Scripture
33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35Or who hath first given to him, …
Sermon Description
God’s judgements and actions are something entirely incomprehensible to people. In this sermon on Romans 11:33–36 titled “All of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dissects the tendency for humans to proclaim their independence. Salvation comes in and through God and there is nothing else people can do. Learn how humanity’s essential problem is their ignorance. People are always ready to give advice, but who can advise God? If one considers their state, they will realize that they are in sin and a hopeless debtor. “The whole of the cosmos is going to display... the glory of God.” From justification to glorification, it is all absolutely a work of God, void of any work of humanity. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all; salvation and the whole of life is for the glory of God. Look at creation and see how the world overflows with the glory of God. The listener is encouraged to contemplate their condition, confess that they are nothing, gladly acknowledge that they are what they are “solely by the grace of God,” and rejoice.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is amazed at God's plan of redemption and bursts into praise.
- Paul is contemplating God's plan to save both Jews and Gentiles.
- Paul is reflecting on all he has taught in Romans about salvation.
- Paul expresses God's wisdom, knowledge, and riches in salvation.
- God's ways and judgments in salvation are unsearchable and incomprehensible to humans.
- Salvation is completely independent of humans.
- No one knows God's mind or gives Him counsel.
- No one gives to God first so that He repays them.
- All things are from God, through God, and to God. To Him be the glory!
- Paul quotes Isaiah 40:13 and Job 41:11 to show God's independence from humans.
- There is irony and ridicule of human arrogance in Paul's quotes.
- Humans have no knowledge, wisdom, or anything to give to God.
- Humans are debtors, thieves, and ungrateful to God.
- If God accepted human counsel, all would be damned. Humans reject God's way.
- Salvation is by grace as a gift, not human works, so none can boast.
- God initiated, executed, and applies salvation for His own glory.
- Salvation is designed to display God's glory, not benefit humans primarily.
- Humans contribute nothing to salvation; it is all of God.
- The test of understanding salvation is whether one comes to praise God alone.
- Do you say "Amen" to God getting all glory in salvation? If not, you don't understand.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers About Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones's Sermon on Romans 11:33-36
What is the main theme of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones's sermon on Romans 11:33-36?
The main theme of Dr. Lloyd-Jones's sermon is the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation. He emphasizes that salvation is entirely of God and completely independent of human contribution. Lloyd-Jones stresses that "salvation is totally independent of men and is altogether and entirely of God." The sermon explores how God's knowledge, wisdom, and riches are all beyond human comprehension, and how humans make no contribution whatsoever to their own salvation.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones interpret the phrase "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones interprets this phrase as an expression of awe at the profound nature of God's attributes. He breaks it down into three components: the depth of God's riches (His grace), the depth of God's wisdom (His perfect plan), and the depth of God's knowledge (His comprehensive understanding of all things). Lloyd-Jones sees this as the apostle Paul standing back in amazement at the grandeur of God's redemptive plan, particularly regarding how "all Israel is going to believe the gospel."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about man's ability to contribute to his own salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphatically states that man can contribute absolutely nothing to his own salvation. He repeatedly emphasizes that "man makes no contribution whatsoever" and that salvation is "all entirely, utterly, absolutely of God." He describes mankind as "debtors," "thieves," and "robbers" who are spiritually bankrupt and have nothing to offer God. Lloyd-Jones states, "Man not only doesn't deserve it [salvation], he deserves the exact opposite. He's not only weak and helpless, he's an enemy of God."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the three phrases "of Him, through Him, and to Him"?
Lloyd-Jones explains these phrases as referring to: 1. "Of Him" - God is the source of everything; He created all things and is the originator of salvation 2. "Through Him" - God sustains everything; nothing would continue to exist without His sustaining power 3. "To Him" - Everything leads to God's glory; the ultimate purpose of creation and redemption is to glorify God
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that these three phrases apply particularly to redemption, which is entirely God's work from beginning to end.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about man's ignorance in his sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes modern man's fundamental problem as his ignorance. He says, "Man's troubles eventually all come out of his ignorance" - specifically ignorance of: - The being of God - God's purposes and ways - Man's true nature (being created in God's image) - Man's sinful condition and need - The devil and forces of evil - The judgment that awaits him - The eternity of punishment
Lloyd-Jones argues that "the more men says about God, the more he displays his utter ignorance."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use Old Testament quotations in his sermon?
Lloyd-Jones points out that Paul quotes from Isaiah 40:13 ("Who hath known the mind of the Lord?") and Job 41:11 ("Who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed to him again?"). He notes that these quotations contain an element of "divine irony" or "divine ridicule" that aims to humble human arrogance. Lloyd-Jones also explains that Paul translates directly from the Hebrew in the Job passage rather than using the Septuagint, demonstrating that Paul was "himself as inspired as those who wrote the Old Testament scriptures."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the test of a true understanding of salvation?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the test of a true understanding of salvation is whether it brings you to doxology - worship and praise of God. He states, "Whenever you think of it, does it bring you to this doxology? If it doesn't, I take leave to suggest to you that you know nothing about it." A person who truly understands salvation will cease defending themselves, cease trying to justify themselves, and will acknowledge that they are what they are solely by God's grace.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the significance of saying "Amen" to Paul's doxology?
Lloyd-Jones explains that saying "Amen" to Paul's doxology means: - Confessing that you are nothing - Acknowledging that you are a "vile, hell-deserving sinner" - Recognizing that you are what you are solely by God's grace - Ceasing to defend or justify yourself - Ceasing to argue against God's ways (including election) - Giving all glory to God both with your lips and your life
He closes by asking his listeners whether they can truly say "Amen" to this great doxology.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones address the doctrine of election in his sermon?
Lloyd-Jones refers to the doctrine of election when he asks if his listeners are "still arguing against election." He points to Paul's "mighty demonstration" in Romans 9-11 regarding "the purpose of God according to election." Lloyd-Jones suggests that those who continue to argue against election have not truly said "Amen" to Paul's doxology, as they are still putting their own opinions against God's revealed truth. He implies that accepting election is part of acknowledging that salvation is entirely of God and not at all of man.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the ultimate purpose of creation and redemption?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the ultimate purpose of both creation and redemption is the glory of God. He states, "The whole of the cosmos is going to display finally the glory of God." Regarding redemption specifically, he quotes 1 Peter 2:9 to show that believers are saved "that you should show forth his praises, his excellencies, his glory." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that "the only reason why there is such a thing as salvation at all, why any one of us is saved, is the glory of God."
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.