From Doctrine To Doxology | Romans 16:25-27

Scripture

• Romans 16:25–27

About this sermon

Introduction: Wherever the gospel is truly grasped, praise to God will be the outcome. Hearts that truly perceive the gospel will not be cold toward its message. They will not be bored with what God has revealed. They will not treat the subject matter as if it is unremarkable. This is one way to examine my current spiritual condition. Do I find the truth of the gospel amazing — as I should? When the gospel is truly perceived, it astounds. Truth goes into the heart, and praise comes out of the mouth. Doctrine goes into the understanding and doxology comes out of the life. We see that here, from the mind of the man who has been teaching us. How does a theological, gospel, masterpiece like the book of Romans, come to an end? What is a fitting way to bring such an explanation, defense, application, and celebration of the gospel to a close? You end such a treatise with praise. And, as one might expect, given what we have seen in the book of Romans, it is a rather complicated word of praise. This doxology is —at the same time — profoundly clear as to its main message and yet somewhat complicated in how it expresses that message. To put it simply, it is deep, and it is involved. It is, in many ways, what you find in any good sermon. Paul has circled back to what he started with. The themes found in the first seven verses of chapter one, are now revisited, and given as reasons for praise to God. And yet he does this in a way that is almost telescopic. He says something, and then he expands on what he says, and then he expands on the expansion. This morning we think about moving from doctrine to doxology. We move from explanation to exultation. We see that everlasting life results in everlasting thanks. If the message of Romans is now your story. If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You will be giving glory to God for such mercy forever and ever. • THE RECIPIENT OF PRAISE RECOGNIZED (vs.25,27) The main message is clear. “To Him,” Paul begins, and then proceeds to describe the one to whom the praise is to be given, and the reasons for that praise, until he finally resumes his declaration of praise in verse 27. To Him — to the only wise God. Paul recognizes the one who alone deserves our praise. Thomas Schreiner – “This concluding doxology is so lengthy and so comprehensive that after all the material following the initial ascription, “to him,” the ascription itself must be resumed in v. 27 in order to bring it to a close, ‘to the only wise God.’” What is to be given to the only wise God? GLORY That is the main message. This is what the doxology states — that the glory for salvation belongs to God and God alone. We ascribe to God what He alone deserves — praise for such a salvation that puts His glorious attributes on display. And of all His attributes, what is especially celebrated is His wisdom, and the sovereign ways that His wisdom has been manifested. Give God glory for what the gospel declares and what the gospel accomplishes. • THE REASONS FOR PRAISE RECITED (vs.25-27) Now we begin to trace out the ways that the apostle drives home the main point. Why should such praise be in our mouths? What can be said of the only wise God? • GOD PRESERVES HIS PEOPLE “To Him who is able to strengthen you.” In verse 20, Paul prays for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be with these people.” Until the God of peace crushes Satan under our feet, we are sustained by our God and His grace. And now He is praised because He is able to do this. And by “able” Paul is expressing confidence. GOD WILL DO THIS! The people of God truly do persevere. But that perseverance is explained by God’s power and God’s faithfulness. You will remember that there was a long celebration of this in Romans chapter 8. This is a truth that Paul proclaims again and again in the New Testament. ESV Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ESV 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ESV Jude 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Topics

• Bible Study