A lesson by Pastor John Skaggs
Spoke at the 1998 Sovereign Grace Bible Conference
Date: 9-26-98
Text: Romans 11:33-36
For the Glory of God
In spite of his recent poor judgment J. I. Packer has made some lasting and worthwhile contributions to the Christian community. One of the most recent and worthwhile is his book, "Concise Theology." The section on providence begins with these words from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. "God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful, preserving, and governing ALL his creatures, and ALL their actions," (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.11). Mr. Packer then writes, "If Creation was a unique exercise of divine energy causing the world to be, providence is a continued exercise of that same energy whereby the Creator, according to His own will, (a) keeps all creatures in being, (b) involves Himself in all events, and (c) directs all things to their appointed end. The model is of purposive personal management with total, "hands-on," control. God is completely in charge of His world. His hand may be hidden, but his rule is absolute. Some have restricted God’s providence to foreknowledge without control, or upholding without intervention, or general oversight without concern for details, but the testimony to providence as formulated above is overwhelming.
Packer continues with this, "The Bible clearly teaches God’s providential control (1) over the universe at large, Psalms 103:19; Dan. 4:35; Eph. 1:11; (2) over the physical world, Job 37; Psalms 104:14; 135:6; Matt. 5:45; (3) over the brute creation, Ps. 104:21, 28; Matt. 6:26; 10:29; (4) over the affairs of nations, Job 12:23; Psalms 22:28; 66:7; Acts 17:26; (5) over man’s birth and lot in life, 1 Sam. 16:1; Ps. 139:16; Isa. 45:5; Gal. 1:15-16; (6) over the outward successes and failures of men’s lives, Ps. 75:6, 7; Luke 1:52; (7) over things seemingly accidental or insignificant, Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:30; (8) in the protection of the righteous, Psalms 4:8; 5:12; 63:8; 121:3; Rom. 8:28; (9) in supplying the wants of God’s people, Gen. 22:8, 14; Deut. 8:3; Phil. 4:19; (10) in giving answers to prayer, 1 Sam. 1:19; Isa. 20:5, 6; 2 Chron. 33:13; Ps. 65:2; Matt. 7:7; Luke 18:7, 8; and (11) in the exposure and punishment of the wicked, Psalms 7:12-13; 11:6." (L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 4th ed.) In the last paragraph of the article Packer says this; "The doctrine of providence teaches Christians that they are never in the grip of blind forces (fortune, chance, luck, fate); all that happens to them is divinely planned, and each event comes as a new summons to trust, obey, and rejoice, knowing that all is for one’s spiritual and eternal good (Rom. 8:28)." (End Quote)
Although it is true that God’s providential ordering of all things is designed to do us spiritual and eternal good we must not conclude that God exists FOR us. We are not at the center of His concerns. Rather, doing us good is only part of the means He has chosen to use in the pursuit of His real end or goal. That goal is the glorification of Himself. God seeks His own glory and He guards that glory carefully. Consider the words of Isaiah 42:8 NASB.
"I am the LORD, that is My name; I WILL NOT GIVE MY GLORY TO ANOTHER, (God will not allow another to take credit for His work!) Nor My praise to graven images."
(Isaiah 48:11 NASB) "For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; (This statement accurately describes the motivation behind everything that God does. God acts for His own sake, His own glorification.) For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to (or even share with) another."
God does all things and He does them in a way that brings glory to Himself.
Many professing Christians will have trouble with both parts of this last statement. First they will object to the declaration that, "God does all things." Most Christians do not really believe this. They do not believe that God is sovereign although they give lip service to the idea. Then secondly many Christians would be uncomfortable with the Idea that God is self centered rather than man centered. The idea that we exist for God instead of He for us is foreign to millions who name the name of Christ. "God does all things and He does them in a way that will bring glory to Himself."
We sovereign grace folk say we believe that God is sovereign but do we really? Have we thought about the implications of statements like Mr. Packer made in his article? "God is completely in charge of His world. His hand may be hidden, but HIS RULE IS ABSOLUTE." If we believe this statement we will believe that all things, good and evil, are in God’s control. We will see His hand in virtually everything, not as a factor, but as the controlling factor. We will understand that He is not an observer but rather the great God and governor of all that is visible and invisible.
I contend that the Christian cannot enjoy the peace that passes all understanding if he does not have a grip on God’s Sovereignty or rule over creation as it is revealed in the Bible. The believer will not be able to cope with or make sense of things he sees with his eyes and experiences in his life if he does not understand that all things, without exception, are by divine design WITH A PURPOSE. That purpose is to bring glory to God.
In addition to God seeking His own glory by all that He does we are to seek that glory with Him. (1 Peter 4:11 NASB) "Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever." Amen. God seeks His own glory and we are to seek it with Him.
But what is God’s glory and what does it mean to glorify Him? When God tells us to glorify Him it means we are to praise, exalt, and recognize Him for His greatness, goodness, power and all the rest of His attributes. He wants our speech, thoughts, and actions to reflect the truth about Him. When we do this we reveal something of the glory of God.
The word, "Glory," in the Old Testament has to do with weight, worth, wealth, splendor, dignity, and power. To some degree the word means the same thing to us. For instance, in our society it is often true that heavy things are of greater value than things that don’t weigh much. For instance, the heavier a diamond the more worth it has. We might say, "The heavier diamond is more glorious than the lighter one." Gold allows for this comparison also. A one pound bar of gold might impress and dazzle us while a thousand pound bar of gold would leave us speechless and, apart from the grace of God, probably murderous. One is altogether more glorious than the other. So much so there is little to compare. That’s at least part of the idea behind the word glory. When compared to all the glorious things in creation God is the heaviest, or most glorious. By comparison everything else is as light as air. There is nothing glorious but God. His goal is to reveal His matchless glory to all. The revelation of such a great and glorious God requires a and glorious plan. This is where creation comes in as we will see in a moment.
When I was a kid there was a popular song which contained the question, "What’s it all about, Alphie?" (I have no idea how to spell the name.) If I recall correctly the song was popular in the sixties and seventies, a time when all the youngsters on the planet seemed to be trying to discover the answer to these questions, "What’s it all about? Why are we here? Why are there wars, and murders, and rapes. Why does one people oppress another? Why does one group of people enjoy peace and prosperity while another only hardship and misery? On and on the questions go. What is it all about? I don’t know if Alphie ever figured it out but, by the grace of God, I have. Brothers and sisters, "IT IS ALL ABOUT GOD." It has always been about God and will always be. It is all about God glorifying Himself. IT IS NOT ABOUT US! We are simply part of the plan He has put together by which He has and will continue to display His Glory. It is all about God.
This desire to reveal Himself is the reason He created all that is. One might say, "God has chosen to reveal Himself on the stage of human history. He has so ordained whatsoever comes to pass so that when it is all said and done His goal will have been reached. His glory will have been revealed. His person and character will have been exposed for all to see." What right have I to say such things? The Bible gives me that right. Let’s wade around in the scriptures for a while. There we will find the declaration of God’s sovereignty. We will find support for my contention that God’s goal is to glorify Himself. We will also be reminded of our duty to glorify Him in all that we do.
Consider first of all the words of 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 NASB. "So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, "Blessed art Thou, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever. {11} "Thine, O LORD, is the GREATNESS and the POWER and the GLORY and the VICTORY and the MAJESTY, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the DOMINION, O LORD, and THOU DOST EXALT THYSELF as head over all. {12} "Both riches and honor COME FROM THEE, and THOU DOST RULE OVER ALL, and in Thy hand is POWER AND MIGHT; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone. {13} "Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name." By these words David glorifies God. By that I mean He declares the truth about Him. That He is the God who exalts Himself, rules over all without exception and, possess all power and might. David’s God has dominion over all, He is sovereign, He does what pleases Him.
Consider also Proverbs 16:4 NASB. "The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil." Nothing is left out, ladies and gentlemen, even evil has its place in God’s plan. The wicked hate Him and rail against Him yet it all falls out to His glory. The wicked were created by God to bring Him glory. We will see how they glorify God in just a little while.
Look with me at Daniel 2:21 NASB. "And IT IS HE who changes the times and the epochs; HE removes kings and establishes kings; HE gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to men of understanding." God is sovereign over governments. He is the cause or source of all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. God is managing His creatures in a way that pleases Him. He is sovereign and He acts with purpose. He seeks His own glory.
Next we see that God will do whatever is necessary to have the glory due His name. An example of this is found in what He did with King Nebuchadnezzar. This man was once a proud, God opposing rebel who was accustomed to taking credit for what God had actually done.. (Daniel 4:34-35 NASB) "But at the end of that period (A period of severe discipline and enlightenment.) I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation. {35} "And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But HE DOES ACCORDING TO HIS WILL IN THE HOST OF HEAVEN AND AMONG THE INHABITANTS OF EARTH; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What hast Thou done?' There is no clearer statement in the Bible concerning God’s sovereignty. God has done, is doing, and will always do what pleases Him in heaven and with the inhabitants of the earth. And what pleases Him is that all things reflect or reveal something of His glory.
Acts 17:24-27 NASB) "THE GOD WHO MADE THE WORLD AND ALL THINGS IN IT, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; {25} neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things; {26} and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, {27} THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK GOD . . ." Once again we see that God is the creator of all things. He is Lord of heaven and earth, He is the active governor of everything and everyone. He gives to all life and breath or they would not exist. He has determined when each person is to be born and where on the earth they must live. He has filled the earth with people. He did it with a purpose, "That they should seek God." Once again we see that this is all about God and His glory. Everything, including people, was created to point back to God! It is not about us.
(1 Corinthians 8:5-6 NASB) "For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, {6} yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and WE EXIST FOR HIM; (Our existence has to do with God. It serves His purpose which is the glorification of Himself.) and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him."
Look with me at Ephesians 1:11-12 NASB. ". . also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose WHO WORKS ALL THINGS AFTER THE COUNSEL OF HIS WILL, {12} to the end (for the reason or with the goal in mind) that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY." When God saves a sinner He does so FOR THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. He saves them FOR HIS SAKE. Yes, we are the persons being saved but our salvation is not an end in itself. It is just one of the means which God has chosen to reveal His glorious person. His glory is His first concern, our salvation is a means to that end. The saving of sinners reveals a side of God that could not seen otherwise. When God saves sinners He shows Himself to be gracious, forgiving, just, righteous, merciful, compassionate, and loving. Thus our salvation brings Him glory, it reveals some truth about Him. Our salvation is one of the "all things" He does after the counsel of His will, "To the praise of His own glory."
Consider also the words of Colossians 1:16 NASB. "For by Him all things were created, (We must include all things even the devil, his angles, along with all other things we are normally reluctant to attribute to God. Viruses, diseases, germs, deformities, death, hell, etc. We must include both the physical and spiritual worlds as the following words indicate.) both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--(This includes human and spirit beings.) ALL THINGS have been created by Him and, (pay close attention here . . ), FOR HIM." That is, they serve His purpose, the revelation of Himself, the revelation of His glory.
Look with me at Romans 11:33-36 NASB. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! {34} For who has known the mind of the lord, or who became his counselor? {35} Or who has first given to him that it might be paid back to him again? {36} for from him and through him and to him are all things. TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOREVER. AMEN."
All things come from God whether evil or good. All things come through God and cannot be but by Him. All things are to Him or return something to Him. Some previous texts said they are, "For Him." And what is it that all things do for God? They glorify Him, they reveal Him, they expose some truth about Him. This is what it is all about ladies and gentlemen. It is about God, not us.
John Bunyan, author of "Pilgrim’s Progress," produced a poster or map that has been of great service to me in keeping this truth within easy grasp. I hope it will serve you as well. Although you can’t read the fine print it will serve to illustrate my point nonetheless. Bunyan titles his work, "A map shewing the order and causes of salvation and damnation." As you can see the map begins with God and, at the bottom, ends with eternity, with heaven and hell.
It all begins with God. What a stabilizing truth this is. Get a grip on it people! It all begins with God, it all has to do with God not us! In the beginning there was God and then He created all that is. At that time all options were open to God. He could remain as He had always been, alone, self existent, and glorious, or He could do one of a billion other things. What He chose to do was to reveal His glory. The revelation of such divine glory required and glorious plan. This plan was to unfold on the stage of human history. Therefore, God created a universe, a world, a people, and all things that are or ever will be. He created them with a purpose. They would all be, for Him, for His glory. This is what I want you to see as you look at Bunyan’s map.
In the beginning there is God. We must learn to see God as the beginning and cause of all things. At the bottom of the illustration there is an inscription that you probably cannot read. It says this, "Whether to heaven or hell you bend God will have glory in the end." It all begins with God and moves with unfailing precision to its intended end, His glory. That is what its all about. Between God and eternity, the top and the bottom of the illustration, we find the "all things that were created FOR Him." Between God and eternity we find that which is from Him, through Him, and to Him. Between God and eternity we find everything falling out according to the good pleasure of His will. Praise be to His Holy name!
The illustration has two sides to it. On the left you have the beginning and end of those God has chosen to save from the wrath to come. Bunyan labels it, "The line of grace." It is the history of the elect, the sheep of God, the given ones. It is a picture of how the elect sinner is saved and how he completes his journey to heaven. On the right side there is the, "Line of Justice." Here is the history of the reprobate, the non-elect, those who are born and die in unbelief. On this side of the illustration we see the dozens of warnings and threats the sinner must ignore to go on his way to hell. Then we see the awful conclusion of his life. Both sides conclude with Bunyan’s closing remark, "Whether to heaven or hell you bend God will have glory in the end." To this I add He will have glory not only in the end but all along the way as well. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever." Amen.
Consider what is represented on the side titled, "The line of Grace." Here is the whole of redemptive history. From the first man of faith to the last. Here are all the details of every life, of every soul, that God, in grace, has chosen to save. Here, somewhere, is you. Your ancestors, your parents, your birth, your schooling, your courtship, your marriage, the day of your rebirth and the day of your death. And all of it has to do with the glory of God. Here are the days of happiness you have enjoyed. Here are the days of sorrow you have and shall endure. Here is the disease God has determined will take you from this life into the next. Here you will find the hairs that have fallen from your head. Here is the sparrow you found lying dead just outside your door. Here, brother, sister is your life, orchestrated, designed and governed in every detail to bring glory and honor to the God who saved you. Every word, every dumb thing you have done or said, indeed every sin you have ever sinned has been by design and with purpose. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever." Amen. Your presence here today in on this map. Your trip home, your return to work on Monday. Can you see it, brothers and sisters. That child born so long ago who has broken your heart, God formed him in your womb and he is as he must be. That child that you loved so much but has died. That too, was by design, it was part of God’s self glorifying plan. Can you see it, beloved of God? You must see, you must understand this truth if you ever hope to have peace in the midst of your journey. You must learn today to see God’s hand in everything that comes into your life. You must see Him riding on the swollen waves of life’s sea commanding the waves to rise or fall as it pleases Him. You must believe that it was God who gave you that deformed child and the grace and love to care for him. It is God, ladies and gentlemen, working in His creation to will and to do of His good pleasure. God glorifies Himself by saving sinners, by seeing them through all kinds of difficulties and then by taking them to Heaven. There we will sing His praises for ever to the praise of the glory of His Grace.
The things I am trying to teach you today have so much to do with your day to day joy and peace. These truth are very practical. When, in the midst of any day you find yourself overwhelmed by hardship, or suffering, I advise you to simplify. Take just a moment and simplify. By that I mean cut through all the stuff that accosts your senses and look at God by Himself. Remember this lesson, recall Bunyan’s map. Tell yourself again, and again, and again, "God is the alpha and the omega. He is the beginning, end, cause, and governor of all things. He is in charge of and has designed my life just like He wants it to be. He has determined to glorify Himself by saving me and He will, therefore, do exactly that. There is nothing that can do me harm or remove me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Simplify! Close your eyes for a moment and say, "God is working here." God’s plan is unfolding before my very eyes and it is well with my soul. God is on the throne and He is doing what pleases Him. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever." Amen.
On the other side of Bunyan’s picture we have the line of justice, the rest of the story. Here is the history of every person who will live and die in unbelief. The redemption and keeping of the elect reveals God’s glorious mercy, love, grace, and compassion. This is the reason for the elect’s existence. Unbelieving men have been designed to glorify or reveal other truths about God. In them and by them He will display His wrath, His anger, and His hatred for sin. In the end, the integrity of His warnings and promises to the unbelieving will be proven. He will bring to pass every threat and every promise of woe, damnation, and punishment ever recorded in His Holy Book. Here, ladies and gentlemen, are the vessels of wrath designed for destruction. Here are the wicked whom God made for the day of evil. This is their purpose and end.
Here is every rape, murder, lie, theft, indiscretion, every sin that will ever be sinned. Here is the devil and his angels. Here is Hitler and every other disgusting criminal that has ever been or will be. Here is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ the Lord. That was the greatest crime ever committed but you and I both know that it was ordained by God. God put Christ to death by the hands of wicked men and He did so for His own Glory. He did so to demonstrate how He, the Holy, could save the wicked without being wicked Himself. Here we see the awful sin of Joseph’s brothers when they sold him into slavery. About this evil deed Joseph declared, "You meant it for evil, God meant it for good!" God is the first cause of all things! Here also is God allowing the devil to move the Sabeans against Job. They murdered his children and destroyed His property. They were evil men and will be punished for their crimes but God will be glorified. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever." Amen. Here is God’s plan unfolding before our very eyes.
Just as God uses the redemption and lives of the elect to glorify Himself so He uses the non-elect. Paul declares in Romans Nine that the elect are vessels of honor, the non-elect are vessels of wrath. One person is designed to serve God in one way while the other serves Him in another way. All men, in the end, serve the same purpose. For whether to heaven or hell you bend God will have glory in the end.
(Romans 11:36 NASB) "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever." Amen.
I speak to you of these things today because I want the people of God to have the peace that is promised to them. I speak of the peace that passes all human explanation and understanding. I have come to this desk to comfort the people of God with His truth. I have come before you to help you see and understand what you are witnessing and experiencing as you live, work, play, and worship. It all has to do with God, brothers and sisters, it has to do with God! When you rise tomorrow morning I encourage you to simplify. Before you allow your mind to begin sorting out and dealing with a thousand different things think on this one thing. God has a plan and He is working it out. God is what it is all about. God has a plan for the revelation of His glory and that is what you will see unfolding as you step outside your door. Simplify, and find rest for your soul and body. Say to yourself, "In the beginning God." "In the middle, God." "In the end God is in control." This is the sovereignty of God taken to its necessary conclusions. Any thing less is a half baked, immature, and mixed up theology. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever." Amen.