Sermon: Agency
by Chris Cumming
I recently had a member approach me and ask if I could do a sermon
showing how God works and thinks. Just how does He do things? How does
He work with us? In this sermon, we will answer these questions and
more as I encourage all of us to follow His lead.
Follow His lead.
Let’s begin with the verse I have been quoting the last two years that I
have been promising a full immersion.
Ephesians 1:11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel
of his own will:
This is a key verse to our spiritual maturity and showing how God
works. God works all things after the counsel of His own will. Our
maturity comes when our natural will matches His. All we must do is
figure out what His will is. We are talking about God’s general will
here and not necessarily His specific will for all people and all
situations. Clearly, what He does in specific situations will flow from
his general will.
Let us go to the commentaries:
Of him who worketh all things - Of God, the universal agent. The
affirmation here is not merely that God accomplishes the designs of
salvation according to the counsel of his own will, but that “he does
everything.” His agency is not confined to one thing, or to one class of
objects. Every object and event is under his control, and is in
accordance with his eternal plan. The word rendered “worketh” - energeo¯
- means to work, to be active, to produce; Ephesians 1:20; Galatians
2:8; Philippians 2:13. A universal agency is ascribed to him. “The same
God which “worketh” all in all;” 1 Corinthians 12:6. He has an agency in
causing the emotions of our hearts. “God, who worketh in you both to
Will and to do of his good pleasure;” Philippians 2:13. He has an agency
in distributing to people their various allotments and endowments. “All
these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man
severally as he will;” 1 Corinthians 12:11. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses:
Ephesians 1:20
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set
him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Galatians 2:8
(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the
circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure.
1 Corinthians 12:6
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God
which worketh all in all.
1 Corinthians 12:11
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to
every man severally as he will.
Continuing now in the commentary:
The agency of God is seen everywhere. Every leaf, flower, rose-bud,
spire of grass; every sun-beam, and every flash of lightning; every
cataract and every torrent, all declare his agency; and there is not an
object that we see that does not bespeak the control of an All-present
God. It would be impossible to affirm more explicitly that God’s agency
is universal, than Paul does in the passage before us. He does not
attempt to prove it. It is one of those points on which he does not deem
it necessary to pause and reason, but which may be regarded as a
conceded point in the discussion of other topics, and which may be
employed without hesitation in their illustration. Paul does not state
the “mode” in which this is done. He affirms merely the fact. He does
not say that he “compels” men, or that he overbears them by mere
physical force. His agency he affirms to be universal; but it is
undoubtedly in accordance with the nature of the object, and with the
laws which he has impressed on them.
His agency in the work of creation was absolute and entire; for there
was nothing to act on, and no established laws to be observed. Over the
mineral kingdom his control must also be entire, yet in accordance with
the laws which he has impressed on matter. The crystal and the snow are
formed by his agency; but it is in accordance with the laws which he has
been pleased to appoint. So, in the vegetable world his agency is
everywhere seen; but the lily and the rose blossom in accordance with
uniform laws, and not in an arbitrary manner. So in the animal kingdom.
God gives sensibility to the nerve, and excitability and power to the
muscle. He causes the lungs to heave, and the arteries and veins to bear
the blood along the channels of life; but it is not in an arbitrary
manner. It is in accordance with the laws which he has ordained and he
never disregards in his agency over these kingdoms.
So in his government of mind. He works everywhere. But he does it in
accordance with the laws of mind.
Let us look at the last phrase of the verse:
After the counsel of his own will - Not by consulting his creatures, or
conforming to their views, but by his own views of what is proper and
right. We are not to suppose that this is by “mere” will, as if it were
arbitrary, or that he determines anything without good reason. The
meaning is, that his purpose is determined by what “he” views to be
right, and without consulting his creatures or conforming to their
views. His dealings often seem to us to be arbitrary. We are incapable
of perceiving the reasons of what he does. He makes those his friends
who we should have supposed would have been the last to have become
Christians. He leaves those who seem to us to be on the borders of the
kingdom, and they remain unmoved and unaffected. But we are not thence
to suppose that he is arbitrary. In every instance, we are to believe
that there is a good reason for what he does, and one which we may be
permitted yet to see, and in which we shall wholly acquiesce.
The phrase “counsel of his own will” is remarkable. It is designed to
express in the strongest manner the fact that it is not by human counsel
or advice. The word “counsel” - boule¯ - means “a council” or “senate;”
then a determination, purpose, or decree; see Robinson’s Lexicon. Here
it means that his determination was formed by his own will, and not by
human reasoning. Still, his will in the case may not have been
arbitrary. When it is said of man that he forms his own purposes, and
acts according to his own will, we are not to infer that he acts without
reason. He may have the highest and best reasons for what he does, but
he does not choose to make them known to others, or to consult others.
So, it may be of God, and so we should presume it to be. It may be
added, that we ought to have such confidence in him as to believe that
he will do all things well. The best possible evidence that anything is
done in perfect wisdom and goodness, is the fact that God does it. When
we have ascertained that, we should be satisfied that all is right.
~Barnes Notes
What did we just learn? What are these commentaries saying?
1] God is the universal agent.
2] He does everything. Every object and event is under His control.
3] He has an agency in causing the emotions of our hearts. We just had
a sermon on this subject:
Salubrious where we talk about how
emotions work and what they do. Now we see that God is absolutely at
work in our emotions. He is our partner in those emotions. He wants us
residing in positive emotions. This means that we must give our
emotional life over to Him in all
assiduity just as we put all the
physical, mental and spiritual things of our life. Is there anything in
our life for which God is not the universal agency? We must follow His
lead.
4] He has an agency in distributing to people their various allotments and
endowments.
5] The agency of God is seen everywhere [Romans 1:20].
6] There is not an object that we see that does not bespeak the control of God.
7] God is never arbitrary. We are to believe that God has an absolute and
perfect reason for everything that happens. Knowing this makes it easy to
follow His lead.
8] We must have absolute confidence that He will do all things well [perfectly].
9] The best possible evidence that anything is done in perfect wisdom and
goodness, is the fact that God does it.
10] Knowing all these things should satisfy us that all is right. [Romans 8:28].
Now all this has been about one verse. Let us read it again:
Ephesians 1:11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to
the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Let us look at some other verses in this chapter and ask some questions.
Does God bless us with spiritual blessings. If so, how many?
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with
all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Notice this about the phrase, "in heavenly places in Christ." The word "places"
is not in the original text.
Notice the commentary:
In heavenly places in Christ - The word “places” is here understood, and is not
in the original. It may mean heavenly “places,” or heavenly “things.” The word
“places” does not express the best sense. The idea seems to be, that God has
blessed us in Christ in regard to heavenly subjects or matters. ~Barnes Notes
So, one way God blesses us; works with us is to give us all spiritual blessings
in regard to heavenly subjects or matters. As we know, these heavenly subjects
or matters include every element of salvation and our growing in spiritual
maturity. We know this, in part, from the next verse:
Ephesians 1:4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
There are others:
1 Thessalonians 2:12
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and
glory.
1Thessalonians 5:9
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord
Jesus Christ,
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the
Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light:
2 Peter 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto
life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory
and virtue:
Back to the questions from Ephesians 1.
What emotion comes up for God as He works all things after the counsel of His
own will?
Ephesians 1:5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to
himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
"The good pleasure of His will." Notice the commentary:
According to the good pleasure of his will - the will of God is the rule of all
his actions, and of all his acts of grace and goodness; and the good pleasure of
it appears in the predestination of men to grace and glory: and from hence it is
manifest, that foreseen faith, holiness, and good works, are excluded from being
the moving cases of predestinating grace; and that it is wholly to be resolved
into the good will and pleasure of God. ~John Gill
Another question:
Does God work with us to make us accepted in Christ?
Ephesians 1:6-7
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted
in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
Note: The "beloved" here is Christ. These two verses are speaking to the
Salvation Process, so using verse 5, God put us specifically into the process
according to His will and His pleasure.
So God put us into the salvation process. How does He work with us there?
Ephesians 1:8
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Notice the commentary:
Wherein he hath abounded - Which he has liberally manifested to us This grace
has not been stinted and confined, but has been liberal and abundant.
In all wisdom - That is, he has evinced great wisdom in the plan of salvation;
wisdom in so saving people as to secure the honor of his own law, and in
devising a scheme that was eminently adapted to save people; see the notes at 1
Corinthians 1:24. ~ Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
1 Corinthians 1:24
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God,
and the wisdom of God.
Our key verse, Ephesians 1:11 says God does everything after the counsel of
His own will and I have stated that we need to know and have the same will He
has. Is there any verse in the Bible stating that God is showing us that will?
Ephesians 1:9
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good
pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Notice the commentary:
The mystery — God’s purpose of redemption hidden heretofore in His counsels, but
now revealed (Ephesians 6:19; Romans 16:25; Colossians1:26-27). This “mystery”
is not like the heathen mysteries, which were imparted only to the initiated
few. All Christians are the initiated. Only unbelievers are the uninitiated.
~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Quoted verses:
Ephesians 6:19
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth
boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Romans 16:25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the
preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was
kept secret since the world began,
Colossians 1:26-27
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now
is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery
among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Let us look at some other scriptures that speak to how God works.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service.
2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God.
What could be clearer? We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. How do
we renew our mind? By putting God's mind into our mind or better stated, by
immersing ourselves into His mind. Doing so will prove to our minds that good,
acceptable and perfect will of God.
I did an entire sermon on this with the title, "Your
Reasonable Service" ...a sermon about being a living sacrifice
before God.
Note: In all these scriptures that speak to our duties in the salvation
process, God has shown us that He has given us the power to perform them and
that He will lead us on the righteous and holy path. So follow His lead.
The verse says, "acceptable unto God."
Psalm 25:4
Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
1 John 3:3
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from
all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
1 Corinthians 12:4-13
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh
all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of
knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the
same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another
discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the
interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man
severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that
one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or
Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one
Spirit.
Go back up to verse 6 and the phrase, "all in all" as in God worketh all these
things in all firstfruits. Notice the commentary:
All in all - All these operations are to be traced to him. His agency is
everywhere. It is as really seen in the insect’s wing as in the limbs of the
mammoth; as really in the humblest violet as in the loftiest oak of the forest.
All, therefore, should regard themselves as under his direction, and should
submit to his arrangements. If people regard their endowments as the gift of
God, they will be thankful for them, and they will not be disposed to despise or
undervalue others who have been placed in a more humble condition and rank in
the church. ~Barnes Notes
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but
is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance.
Hebrews 13:21
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is
wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
See the commentary on the phrase, "Working in you.":
Working in you - Margin, “Doing.” The idea here is, that the only hope that they
would do the will of God was, that he would, by his own agency, cause them to do
what was well-pleasing in his sight. ~Barnes Notes
Now the commentary on the first phrase of the verse, "Make you perfect."
Make you perfect - The apostle here does not affirm that they were then perfect,
or that they would be in this life. The word used here - καταρτιζω katartizō -
means to make fully ready; to put in full order; to make complete. The meaning
here is, that Paul prayed that God would fully endow them with whatever grace
was necessary to do his will and to keep his commandments. It is an appropriate
prayer to be offered at all times, and by all who love the church, that God
would make all his people perfectly qualified to do all his will. ~Barnes
Notes
Let’s finish with a definitive verse speaking to
how God works:
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which
hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus
Christ.
So go now and continue to follow God’s lead.