Sermon Notes + 11.1.2026
SERMON NOTES
To Him Be the Glory Forever
Romans 11:33-36
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: The Reformation doctrine of soli Deo gloria is found throughout the Bible but is perhaps best amplified in Romans 11:33-36, where the Apostle Paul exults in the glory of God in light of His plan of salvation. The broader context of this overwhelming pronouncement of praise begins with Paul addressing the seeming failure of the gospel to penetrate the hearts of the Israelites, whose history contained the covenant promises of God and whose heritage gave the Messiah to the world. Instead of concluding that God’s Word had failed because few Israelites believed, Paul rejoices in the fact that God’s sovereign plan is perfectly intact as His mercy extends to Jews and Gentiles alike in the past, present, and future. He rightly gives God alone the glory because His wisdom and knowledge are deep and rich; His judgments and ways are unsearchable and inscrutable; no one can fully know the mind of the Lord or offer Him counsel; and no one is capable of placing God in their debt. Soli Deo Gloria is our appropriate response, “for from Him and to Him and through Him are all things.”
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. Read Romans 11:33-36 as an independent unit—just thinking about the words apart from the broader context. What reasons are listed directing us to give God glory for all things? If you were to do an inventory of your life, for what specific reasons would you give God glory?
2. Read Romans 9-11 in one sitting. How does Paul’s doxology in 11:33-36 finalize the overall argument of God’s plan of salvation? Are there any areas in Romans 9-11 where one might take credit for God’s plan of salvation or the specific details of how that plan works through history?
3. In what ways do humans in general fail to give God glory? How would you explain the glory of God to a non-Christian? What evidences of God’s glory do we see in creation (see Psalm 19:1-6)? What evidences do we see of God’s glory in His Word (see Psalm 19:7-14)? What evidences do we see of God’s glory in our salvation?
4. How do the Reformation doctrines of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, support the doctrine of glory to God alone? If we add anything else to this list—things like merit or works—can we truly say that God is the sole source of our salvation?
5. Paul’s doxology in Romans 11:33-36 can easily be turned into a guide for prayer. Take time to praise God for who He is and what He has done, noting that everything we are and have comes from Him. Ask Him to help you recognize His wisdom in all things, especially when your life seems out of balance. Pray for a heart to give Him glory in all things.
For Further Reading: David VanDrunen, God’s Glory Alone: The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life (Zondervan, 2015)