Proverbs 16:4
All Things for Himself
1. Solomon states a difficult concept in one terse statement.
2. By difficult I do not mean that it is hard to understand. Rather, it is easy to understand, just hard for us self-centered creatures to accept and believe.
3. We are inclined to think that the world revolves around us and that it was created for our good pleasure.
4. Solomon lays that kind of thinking to rest.
A. FOR HIMSELF
1. (Close your ears!) God created everything for HIMSELF!
a. The earth was not created for our enjoyment.
b. All things do not exist for the good of mankind.
c. There is something higher and nobler than mankind.
d. The purpose and goal of all things ultimately is God and His glory…
2. Mankind is NOT the center of the universe—either geographically—or in God’s eternal purposes.
a. Rom. 8:28 – yes, it is true that all things work together for good of those who love God…
• BUT—they work out for the good ONLY to those who are in tune with God and love Him.
• If we really loved God, then our highest goal would be to bring glory to God. Then and only then do all things work out for our good.
• It does NOT mean that only good things will happen to those who love God.
• It does mean that even the evil things that happen to us are being used for the purpose of glorifying God.
• If we love Him, then we will be pleased with that purpose being accomplished.
• If we love ourselves, we will be frustrated and assume that Rom. 8:28 is not true.
B. ALL THINGS
1. This includes all of creation.
a. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Rev. 4:11)
b. All things were created by him, and for him: (Col.1:16)
c. Ps. 19:1 – it shows His handiwork
d. Ps.33:5 – the earth is FULL of His goodness—for those with eyes to see.
e. Rom.1:20 – Creation reveals His power and godhead (Isa.40:26,28).
2. This includes Israel
a. Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. (Isa.43:7) (Cf. vs.21)
b. That he might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy – (Rom. 9:23).
3. This includes the church – Eph. 3:20 – God established the church that HE might be glorified in it.
a. After all, it is HIS Body!
b. HE dwells in it.
c. HE fills it with the fullness of Himself! (Eph. 1:23)
4. This includes the angels
a. Ps. 148:1-5 – Angels are revealed as just another part of God’s creation—designed to praise the Creator!
b. The heavens declare the glory of God… the heavens and everything in them… including angels.
5. God created you and me for His glory… and He saved us for His glory.
a. Salvation is designed for a much higher purpose than to rescue sinners from eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire… as noble as that is in its self.
b. But don’t forget, God CONDEMNS many more people than He saves!
c. We like to think that at least salvation has ME as its ultimate goal and purpose…
d. We like to sing, “It was FOR ME He died, FOR ME He cried, FOR ME He shed His blood on Calvary.” And that is certainly true… but ultimately, even salvation is not FOR ME, but FOR HIM.
• Eph. 1:5-6 – He chose us and saved us to demonstrate how gracious HE is to undeserving creatures like us.
• Eph. 1:12 – We exist to the praise of HIS glory.
• Eph. 2:7 – We were saved to be trophies of HIS grace!
• Eph. 2:10 – We were saved to be a manifestation of HIS workmanship.
• And this is just one small epistle.
• Sorry, but there is none of self in any of God’s plan.
6. All things includes everything we are aware of—and everything else that God has made that we might not be aware of. If it exists, God made it and for His glory!
a. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Rom. 11:36)
1. “All things” includes the salvation of souls, but it also includes the judgment of the wicked.
a. Rom. 9:22 – to reveal God’s wrath and justice.
b. God is glorified when ANY aspect of His character is revealed: whether it be His love or His justice.
c. The destruction of the wicked is not a mistake on the part of God. It is not a failure in His efforts to win them.
d. Rather, it is used by God (with great grief of heart!) to demonstrate His holiness, justice, and righteousness.
2. Even the existence of wicked rebels in the world was designed by God to serve His purposes and bring glory to His name.
a. God has USED wicked men for His purposes. He used Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument of judgment against Judah. He used the wicked Haman in His plan to rescue Israel from destruction in Persia.
b. In doing so, God demonstrates that it is HE who is King of kings and Lord of lords.
c. And even today, God uses the wicked for His purposes.
• He uses wicked men to TEST believers.
• He uses wicked men to serve as a black velvet backdrop to magnify the sparkling jewel of divine grace!
d. He works all things—even the wicked—for His own ends.
3. But even ETERNAL condemnation glorifies God.
a. It is hard for us to appreciate this fact because we don’t always see things from a heavenly perspective.
b. From God’s perspective:
• Men are fallen creatures occupying and corrupting the planet God made to manifest His glories.
• Man sinned and destroyed what God made—and the Lord would have been just in condemning us ALL to hell.
• However, God extended grace to mankind and sent His Son to DIE for undeserving rebels…
• And those undeserving rebels continue to reject God’s offer of grace.
• God manifested His grace. Now He must manifest His holiness and justice…
• Thus, even in condemning rebels, God’s righteousness is made known and He is glorified… even though God is not willing that ANY should perish.
• From ETERNITY’S perspective, the whole story of the earth will MAGNIFY God’s grace and love…
c. It might be difficult for us to appreciate this from earth’s perspective, but one day we SHALL appreciate God’s work of salvation AND judgment! (Rev.19:1-4)
• Those in heaven say Alleluia for the fact of salvation and for the fact of condemnation of the wicked.
• They are both cause to fall down and worship Him… who created all things for His glory.