Sermon:
Ameliorate
[uh-meel-yuh-reyt]
by Chris Cumming
You all know how much I love selecting words for the titles of my sermons that
capture the meaning and purpose of the content of that sermon. Such is the case
today. The name of this sermon is Ameliorate [uh-meel-yuh-reyt]. Let
see what this word means.
Ameliorate:
1] to make or become better.
2] to improve.
The Word of God is a handbook for firstfruits in the salvation process. Is
there anything in this book we call the Bible that would call for, encourage
and/or demand that we improve. Isn't spiritual growth all about improving
ourselves? A firstfruit's life includes trials, tribulations, problems,
negative situations, dealing with bad habits, encounters with temptations and
sin, faulty relationships and all matters of health, just to mention a few.
Does God's Word show us ways we can improve any of these? Today we will answer
these questions as I encourage all of us to make things better.
Make things better.
What we are going to do is simply proceed subject by subject. Each subject area
is where we want improve and make it better.
Areas to Make Better:
1] Generally making improvement:
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Notice the commentary on the first part of the verse:
I can do all things - From the experience which Paul had in these various
circumstances of life, he comes here to the general conclusion that he could “do
all things.” He could bear any trial, perform any duty, subdue any evil
propensity of his nature, and meet all the temptations incident to any condition
of prosperity or adversity. His own experience in the various changes of life
had warranted him in arriving at this conclusion; and he now expresses the firm
confidence that nothing would be required of him which he would not be able to
perform. In Paul, this declaration was not a vain self-reliance, nor was it the
mere result of his former experience. He knew well where the strength was to be
obtained by which to do all things, and on that arm that was able to uphold him
he confidently relied. ~Barnes Notes
Now the second part of the verse:
Through Christ which strengtheneth me - Of the strength which Christ can impart,
Paul had had abundant experience; and now his whole reliance was there. It was
not in any native ability which he had; not in any vigor of body or of mind; not
in any power which there was in his own resolutions; it was in the strength that
he derived from the Redeemer. By that he was enabled to bear cold, fatigue, and
hunger; by that, he met temptations and persecutions; and by that, he engaged in
the performance of his arduous duties let us learn, hence:
(1) that we need not sink under any trial, for there is one who can strengthen
us.
(2) that we need not yield to temptation. There is one who is able to make a way
for our escape.
(3) that we need not be harassed, and vexed, and tortured with improper thoughts
and unholy desires. There is one who can enable us to banish such thoughts from
the mind, and restore the right balance to the affections of the soul.
(4) that we need not dread what is to come. Trials, temptations, poverty, want,
persecution, may await us; but we need not sink into despondency. At every step
of life, Christ is able to strengthen us, and can bring us triumphantly through.
What a privilege it is, therefore, to be a Christian - to feel, in the trials of
life, that we have one friend, unchanging and most mighty, who can always help
us! How cheerfully should we engage in our duties, and meet the trials that are
before us, leaning on the arm of our Almighty Redeemer! Let us not shrink from
duty; let us not dread persecution let us not fear the bed of death. In all
circumstances, Christ, our unchanging Friend, can uphold us. Let the eye and the
affections of the heart be fixed on him; let the simple, fervent, believing
prayer be directed always to him when trials come, when temptations assail, when
duty presses hard upon us, and when a crowd of unholy and forbidden thoughts
rush into the soul: and we shall be safe. ~Barnes Notes
Now notice three scriptures linked to Philippians 4:13 and the phrase, "I can do
all things."
John 15:4-5
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except
it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:7
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it
shall be done unto you.
2 Corinthians 3:4-5
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves;
but our sufficiency is of God;
Now verses linked to the second part of the verse, "Through Christ which
strengtheneth me."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made
perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I
strong.
Ephesians 3:16
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience
and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth
strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly
fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount
up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 45:24
Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to
him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
These verses are all linked to our key verse of Philippians 4:13. I want to go
back now and have a closer look at some of these verses.
John 15:7
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it
shall be done unto you.
Notice the commentary:
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you - Abiding in Christ is here
explained by his words or doctrines abiding in his disciples; by which are meant
his Gospel, and the truths of it. This abides when it comes in power, and
becomes the engrafted word; and may be said to do so, when such, in whose hearts
it has a place, and has taken deep root, continue to have a relish and savour of
it, a true and hearty affection for it, esteeming it above their necessary food;
when they hold fast the profession of it, stand fast in it, steadfastly abide by
it, and constantly attend on it; all which is a considerable evidence that they
do, yea, there is a promise that they "shall continue in the Son and in the
Father", 1 John 2:24; The blessing and privilege that such shall enjoy is.
~John Gill
Quoted verse:
1 John 2:24
Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that
which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall
continue in the Son, and in the Father.
Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you - or, as some copies
read it, "it shall be given you": but this must be understood not of temporal
things, as riches, honours, profits, pleasures, or whatever even the carnal mind
of a believer himself may sometimes desire; but of things spiritual, and with
such limitations and restrictions as these; whatever is according to the will of
God, for the Spirit of God himself asks for no other for the saints; whatever is
for the glory of God, and for their own spiritual profit and edification; and
whatever is agreeably to the words and doctrines of Christ, which abide in them.
Everything of this kind they ask in faith, and with a submission to the divine
will, they may expect to receive. ~John Gill
The next phrase I want to explore is in 2 Corinthians 3 and verse 5. The phrase
is, "But our sufficiency is of God."
But our sufficiency - Namely, to form any true or right judgment, and therefore
to express the confidence which I have expressed. Is of God. We are but fellow
workers with him (1 Corinthians 3:19). ~The Pulpit Commentary
Now let us review 2 Corinthians 12 which is the first referenced verse for
"Through Christ which strengtheneth me." in Philippians 4:13. This for the
phrase in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the strength of
Christ may rest upon me - ‘If this weakness of mine is only to add to my
strength, bringing the strength of Christ as a glory down upon me (for such
is the import of the choice word here employed), then, instead of wishing it
away, I will glory in it, and not in this only, but in all the “weaknesses” that
may be meted out to me.’ ~Popular commentary
Now to verse 10 of 2 Corinthians 12. I want to focus on the phrase at the end
of this verse, "For when I am weak, then am I strong."
For when I am weak, then am I strong - When I feel weak; when I am subjected to
trial, and nature faints and fails, then strength is imparted to me, and I am
enabled to bear all. The more I am borne down with trials, the more do I feel my
need of divine assistance, and the more do I feel the efficacy [
the power to produce a desired result or effect.] of divine grace. Such
was the promise in Deuteronomy 33:25; “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”
So in Hebrews 11:34; “Who out of weakness were made strong.” What Christian has
not experienced this, and been able to say that when he felt himself weak and
felt like sinking under the accumulation of many trials, he has found his
strength according to his day, and felt an arm of power supporting him? It is
then that the Redeemer manifests himself in a special manner; and then that the
excellency of the religion of Christ is truly seen and its power appreciated and
felt. ~Barnes Notes
For
Efficacy:
Quoted verses:
Deuteronomy 33:25 ...where we read of Moses giving blessings to the
tribes of Israel
Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
Hebrews 11:34 but I will begin in verse 32
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and
of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the
prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises,
stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness
were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the
aliens.
Now to Ephesians 3:16 which we referenced.
Ephesians 3:16
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
To be strengthened with might - To be powerfully strengthened. That is, to give
you abundant strength to bear trials; to perform your duties; to glorify his
name. ~Barnes Notes
In the inner man - In the heart, the mind, the soul. The “body” needs to be
strengthened every day. In like manner the soul needs constant supplies of
grace. Piety needs to be constantly invigorated, or it withers and decays. Every
Christian needs grace given each day to enable him to bear trials, to resist
temptation, to discharge his duty, to live a life of faith. ~Barnes Notes
The next verse we referenced was Ephesians 6:10
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Here is the commentary:
Finally - Having laid before you, your great and high calling, and all the
doctrines and precepts of the Gospel, it is necessary that I should show you the
enemies that will oppose you, and the strength which is requisite to enable you
to repel them. ~Adam Clarke
Be strong in the Lord - You must have strength, and strength of a spiritual
kind, and such strength too as the Lord himself can furnish; and you must have
this strength through an indwelling God, the power of his might working in you.
~Adam Clarke
After Ephesians 6:10, we referenced Colossians 1:11.
Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience
and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Notice the commentary:
Strengthened with all might - This was also an object of Paul’s earnest prayer.
He desired that they might be strengthened for the performance of duty; to meet
temptations; and to bear up under the various trials of life.
According to his glorious power - Not by any human means, but by the power of
God. There is a manifestation of power in the spirit with which Christians are
enabled to bear up under trials, which shows that it is not of human origin. It
is the power which God gives them in the day of trial. This power is “glorious,”
or, as it is in the Greek, it is the “power of his glory.” It is manifestly the
power of the great and glorious God, and it tends to promote his glory, and to
show forth his praise.
Unto all patience - So that you may be enabled to bear all your trials without
complaining. It is only the power of God that can enable us to do that.
And long-suffering - See, 1 Corinthians 13:4.
Quoted verse:
1 Corinthians 13:4
Charity [love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
With joyfulness - Romans 5:3, note; 2 Corinthians 7:4, note. The Syriac version,
Chrysostom, and a few manuscripts attach this to the following verse, and read
it: “With joyfulness giving thanks to the Father,” etc. The only difference is
in the pointing, and either reading makes good sense.
Quoted verses:
Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation
worketh patience;
2 Corinthians 7:4
Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am
filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
We then referenced three verses in Isaiah 40.
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth
strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly
fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount
up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint.
I want to focus in the commentary on the first phrase in verse 29, "He giveth
power to the faint."
He giveth power to the faint - To his weak and feeble people. This is one of his
attributes; and his people, therefore, should put their trust in him, and look
to him for aid (compare 2 Corinthians 12:9--quoted above). The design of
this verse is to give consolation to the afflicted and down-trodden people in
Babylon, by recalling to their minds the truth that it was one of the
characteristics of God that he ministered strength to those who were conscious
of their own feebleness, and who looked to him for support. It is a truth,
however, as applicable to us as to theresa truth inestimably precious to those
who feel that they are weak and feeble, and who look to God for aid. ~Barnes
Notes
Now the John Gill has a good explanation for the second phrase in verse 29:
And to them that have no might he increaseth strength - not that they have no
might at all, strictly speaking; for then it could not be properly said their
strength was increased by him; but that their might and power were very small,
and that in their own apprehensions they had none, and then it is that fresh
strength is given them; as the apostle says, "when I am weak, then am I strong"
~John Gill
From Isaiah 40, we went to Isaiah 41:10.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness.
I want to look at the three phrases:
1] I will strengthen thee.
2] I will help thee.
3] I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Here is the commentary:
I will strengthen thee - with strength in their souls, to perform duties,
exercise grace, withstand corruptions, resist temptations, bear afflictions,
suffer persecutions, and do their generation work, according to the will of God;
and if God is the strength of his people, they need not be afraid of any persons
or things, Psalm 27:1. ~John Gill
Quoted verse:
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the
strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Yea, I will help thee - help them out of all their afflictions and temptations,
and out of the hands of all their enemies; help them in the discharge of duty,
in the exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lord's battles,
and in their journey to another world; help them to every mercy, temporal and
spiritual, to all needful supplies of grace, and at last to glory; whose help is
suitable and seasonable, and may be expected, since he is able to help, either
with or without means; has promised to help his people, as here, and he is
faithful that has promised; he has laid help on one that is mighty, and set up a
throne of grace to come to for help in time of need; and seeing he is their
helper, they need not fear what men or devils can do unto them, Hebrews 13:5.
~John Gill
Quoted verse:
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things
as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness - either by his
almighty power, or by his Son, the man of his right hand, made strong for
himself, and the author of righteousness to his people: this is expressive of
his sustentation of them, not merely in a providential way, but in a way of
special grace; and of his powerful protection and preservation of them, so as
that they shall stand in the grace of God, go on in his ways, and not fall
finally and totally, but persevere to the end, though their trials and
temptations may be great and many. ~John Gill
The last verse we showed as linked to Philippians 4:13 was Isaiah 45:24
Isaiah 45:24
Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to
him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
Notice this commentary:
In the Lord - By or from God alone, or the Messiah, who is the true Jehovah as
well as man.
Righteousness - To justify me from all things which I could not be justified by
the law of Moses.
Strength - Support and assistance to bear all my burdens, overcome all my
enemies, and perform all my duties. ~John Wesley Explanatory Notes.
This entire sermon has driven home one very important truth of God. We reap
success in life and in the salvation process by virtue of the strength and power
God gives us. God's strength and not that of man.
Let me leave you with a verse that is right on point:
Psalm 118:8
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.