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Sermon: Efficacy
[ef-i-kuh-see]
by Chris Cumming
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MP3-2019
MP3-2022
In the sermon, “Verity”
we discussed the prospect of seeing the invisible God. In the sermon, “Assiduity”
we discussed the concept of increasing your number of opportunities of
seeing the invisible God by putting all things into the hands of God.
Today we are going to discuss the subject of Efficacy or the means of
making those two sermons a reality in your life. Let us begin by
defining this word, “Efficacy.”
Efficacy
1. capacity for producing a desired result or effect; effectiveness.
2. the quality of being successful in producing an intended result;
effectiveness.
3. the power to produce a desired result or effect.
So efficacy is power. It is by some kind of power that we are able to
accomplish and be successful at things. According to the sermon,
“Assiduity”, what things? Answer: all things!!
God wants us to be successful at all things. God wants us to “see” the
invisible God. God wants us to put all things into His hands and then
have success with each of them. The question is how? How are we and by
what power are we to put all things into His hands and then reap success
and be effective in all things? What is a definitive verse to answer
this question? Turn to Philippians chapter 4.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
It is by the very power of God that we do all things. It is by the
power of God that we put all things in His hands, and it is by His power
that we “see” the invisible God. The purpose of my sermon today is to
show you how this power works.
Manifest the
Power of God.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
In this sermon we will look at the related verses for each of the two
phrases of this verse.
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.
Without me ye can do nothing -
The expression “without me” denotes the same as separate from me. As the
branches, if separated from the parent stock, could produce no fruit,
but would immediately wither and die, so Christians, if separate from
Christ, could do nothing.
The expression is one, therefore, strongly implying dependence. The Son
of God was the original source of life, John 1:4. He also, by his work
as Mediator, gives life to the world John 6:33, and it is by the same
grace and agency that it is continued in the [salvation
process]. We see hence:
1. that to him is due all the praise for all the good works the
Christian performs.
2. that they will perform good works just in proportion as they feel
their dependence on him and look to him.
3. that the reason why others fail of being holy is because they are
unwilling to look to him, and seek grace and strength from him who alone
is able to give it. ~Barnes Notes
For without me ye can do nothing -
nothing that is spiritually good; no, not anything at all, be it little
or great, easy or difficult to be performed; cannot think a good
thought, speak a good word, or do a good action; can neither begin one,
nor, when it is begun, perfect it. Nothing is to be done "without
Christ"; without his Spirit, grace, strength, and presence; or as
"separate from" him. Were it possible for the branches that are truly in
him, to be removed from him, they could bring forth no fruits of good
works, any more than a branch separated from the vine can bring forth
grapes; so that all the fruitfulness of a believer is to be ascribed to
Christ, and his grace, and not to the free will and power of man. ~John
Gill
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.
My words -
My doctrine; my commandments.
Abide in you -
Not only are remembered, but are suffered to remain in you as a living
principle, to regulate your affections and life.
Ye shall ask -
See John 14:13. This promise had particular reference to the apostles.
It is applicable to other Christians only so far as they are in
circumstances similar to the apostles, and only so far as they possess
their spirit. We learn from it that it is only when we keep the
commandments of Christ - only when we live by faith in him, and his
words are suffered to control our conduct and affections, that our
prayers will be heard. Were we perfect in all things, he would always
hear us, and we should be kept from making an improper petition; but
just so far as men regard iniquity in their heart, the Lord will not
hear them, Psalm 66:18. ~Barnes
Notes
Quoted verses
John 14:13
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son.
Psalm 66:18 ...prayers
of those with iniquity in their hearts
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
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;
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves -
We do not arrogate to ourselves any power to enlighten the mind or
change the heart, we are only instruments in the hand of God. Nor was it
possible for us apostles to think, to invent, such a scheme of salvation
as is the Gospel; and if we even had been equal to the invention, how
could we have fulfilled such promises as this scheme of salvation
abounds with? God alone could fulfill these promises, and he fulfils
only those which he makes himself. All these promises have been
amen-ratified and fulfilled to you who have believed on Christ Jesus
according to our preaching; therefore, ye are God’s workmanship and it
is only by God’s sufficiency that we have been able to do anything. This
I believe to be the apostle’s meaning in this place, and that he speaks
here merely of the Gospel scheme, and the inability of human wisdom to
invent it; and the words which we translate to think anything, signify,
properly, to find anything out by reasoning; and as the Gospel scheme of
salvation is the subject in hand, to that subject the words are to be
referred and limited. The words, however, contain also a general truth;
we can neither think, act, nor be, without God. From him we have
received all our powers, whether of body or of mind, and without him we
can do nothing. But we may abuse both our power of thinking and acting;
for the power to think, and the power to act, are widely different from
the act of thinking, and the act of doing. God gives us the power or
capacity to think and act, but he neither thinks nor acts for us. It is
on this ground that we may abuse our powers, and think evil, and act
wickedly; and it is on this ground that we are accountable for our
thoughts, words, and deeds. ~Adam
Clarke
Through Christ
who strengthens 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.
My grace is sufficient for thee -
Thou shalt not be permitted to sink under these afflictions. Thy enemies
shall not be able to prevail against thee.
My strength is made perfect in weakness -
The more, and the more violently, thou art afflicted and tried, being
upheld by my power, and prospered in all thy labors, the more eminently
will my power be seen and acknowledged. For the weaker the instrument I
use, the more the power of my grace shall be manifested. ~Adam
Clarke
In weakness —
The Lord has more need of our weakness than of our strength: our
strength is often His rival; our weakness, His servant, drawing on His
resources, and showing forth His glory. Man’s extremity is God’s
opportunity; man’s security is Satan’s opportunity. God’s way is not to
[always]
take His children out of trial, but to give them strength to bear up
against it. ~Jamieson, Fausset,
Brown
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;
According to the riches of his glory -
According to the glorious abundance of his mercy. Out of those stores
of rich grace which can never be exhausted. The word “riches,” so often
used by Paul, denotes “abundance,” and the idea here is, that his grace
was inexhaustible and ample for all their needs.
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.
In the inner man -
In the heart, the mind, the soul; see the notes on Romans 7:22. 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
Note: Throughout
this commentary, you see the word, "grace"---that God's grace is
inexhaustible and that we need grace given each day. This is speaking
to the fact we are in the salvation process by virtue of grace [or
abundant pardon by God]. Better
to say, in this instance, that His strength is inexhaustible and that
firstfruits need strength each day to enable us to bear trials, resist
temptation and perform your duties and good works. Clearly God is
giving us grace in abundance by allowing us to remain in the Salvation
Process.
Quoted verse:
Romans 7:22
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Notice the commentary on the "inward man."
The “inward man” is called elsewhere “the new man” Ephesians 4:24; and
denotes not the mere intellect, or conscience, but is a personification
of the principles of action by which a Christian is governed; the new
nature; the holy disposition; the inclination of the heart that is
renewed. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
Ephesians 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness.
Note:
Everything spiritual we learn and do is for the inner man. The
character of Christ is being built in the inner man. Note that phrase
from the commentary, "Personification of the principles of action by
which a Christian is governed.” The "inner man" is totally different
from the sensual man or what we call the carnal and corrupt nature of
ourselves. Indeed, the inner man is being developed by God in us to
govern and overcome the carnal and corrupt nature of ourselves.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord - Paul had now stated to the
Ephesians the duties which they were to perform. He had considered the
various relations of life which they sustained, and the obligations
resulting from them. He was not unaware that in the discharge of their
duties they would need strength from above. He knew that they had great
and mighty foes, and that to meet them, they needed to be clothed in the
panoply [pan-uh-plee
– complete suit of armor] of
the Christian soldier. He closes, therefore, by exhorting them to put on
all the strength which they could to meet the enemies with which they
had to contend; and in the commencement of his exhortation he reminds
them that it was only by the strength of the Lord that they could hope
for victory. To be “strong in the Lord,” is:
(1) to be strong or courageous in his cause;
(2) to feel that he is our strength, and to rely on him and his
promises. ~Barnes Notes
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
Let us read Ephesians 6:10 again but add verses 11 and 12 to see just
how we are to be strong in the Lord:
Ephesians 6:10-12
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Notice the John Wesley on verse 10:
Brethren -
This is the only place in this epistle where he uses this compellation.
Soldiers frequently use it to each other in the field.
Be strong -
Nothing less will suffice for such a fight: to be weak, and remain so,
is the way to perish. In the power of his might - A very uncommon
expression, plainly denoting what great assistance we need as if his
might would not do, it must be the powerful exertion of his might. ~John
Wesley Explanatory Notes
Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all
patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Notice the commentaries:
Strengthened -
Made mighty by the divine power. ~
People's New Testament
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. ~Barnes
Notes
Strengthened with all might -This
is still a continuation of the apostle's prayer for these believers; for
having prayed for an increase of spiritual knowledge, and that this
might be put into practice, he proceeds to pray for strength for them,
that they might be enabled to practice what they had knowledge of; to
walk worthily, to please God in all things, to bring forth fruit with
patience, to persevere in knowledge, practice, fruitfulness, and in an
increase thereof. It implies, that believers are weak in themselves, and
insufficient to do or bear anything of themselves, but stand in need of
strength from above, even of "all might"; of all kind of spiritual might
and strength, proportionate to the various kinds of services,
temptations, and trials they are called unto, and exercised with: they
have need of every kind, degree, and supply of strength, to enable them
to resist the temptations of Satan, to stand against them, and bear up
under them; to oppose the corruptions of their own nature, that great
company which comes upon them, wars against them, threatens to carry
them captive, and destroy them, and against which they have no power of
their own; to bear the cross (stake),
which, without the presence and grace of Christ, is very heavy, and all
afflictions and adversities of every sort, which are grievous to the
flesh, and at which it recoils; to perform the various duties of
religion, and the whole of the work of their generation; which though
they have a will unto, yet often know not how to perform, they want
renewed strength their souls; and also to persevere in faith and
holiness, and hold on and out to the end: and which strength they cannot
expect to have from themselves. ~John
Gill
Notice the context of verse 11:
Colossians 1:9-13
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to
pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge
of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto
all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated
us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Note:
We can easily see that everything in our lives needs to be put in God's
hands. Whether we are talking of life in general, in this physical
world or the spiritual things we do in the salvation process beginning
with knowledge and understanding, we need and must have His mighty
strength.
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.
Let us read from the Barnes Notes:
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). 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 truth inestimably
precious to those who feel that they are weak and feeble, and who look
to God for aid.
Quoted verse:
2 Corinthians 12:9 …which
we read earlier
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.
Note two things here:
1] God's strength is made perfect in weakness. That "weakness" is best
described as firstfruits acknowledging their weakness in all things [physical,
mental, emotional and spiritual].
When you give over all things to God, you are making this
acknowledgment. This is when you best see the invisible God.
2] Going back to the commentary on Isaiah 40 when it says that the
design of this verse is to give consolation to the afflicted and
downtrodden people in Babylon, have you ever considered the fact that in
your life you might just be in a situation like them? Who knows what
waits for us in the coming years and in the Great Tribulation?
Notice now the commentary on verse 31 and the phrase, "They that wait
upon the Lord."
But they that wait upon the Lord -
The word rendered ‘wait upon’ here (from קוה qâvâh), denotes properly
to wait, in the sense of expecting. The phrase, ‘to wait on Yahweh,’
means to wait for his help; that is, to trust in him, to put our hope or
confidence in him. It is applicable to those who are in circumstances of
danger or want, and who look to him for his merciful interposition. Here
it properly refers to those who were suffering a long and grievous
captivity in Babylon, and who had no prospect of deliverance but in him.
The phrase is applicable also to all who feel that they are weak,
feeble, guilty, and helpless, and who, in view of this, put their trust
in Yahweh. ~Barnes Notes
In the John Wesley commentary for the word, "Wait" they give the meaning
as "That rely upon him” and for the phrase, "shall renew their strength"
they give the meaning as, "Shall grow stronger and stronger."
Note:
The more you give over to God, knowing nothing is too trivial for God,
the stronger you will become. This is part of what 2 Corinthians 3:18
states about us...going from "glory to glory." Each "glory" makes us
stronger.
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.
Notice a couple of commentaries:
Fear thou not -
This verse is plain in its meaning, and is full of consolation. It is to
be regarded as addressed primarily to the exiled Jews during their long
and painful captivity in Babylon; and the idea is, that they who had
been selected by God to be his special people had nothing to fear. But
the promise is one that may be regarded as addressed to all his people
in similar circumstances, and it is as true now as it was then, that
those whom God has chosen have nothing to fear.
For I am with thee -
This is a reason why they should not be afraid. God was their protector,
and of whom should they be afraid. ‘If God be for us, who can be against
us?’ What higher consolation can man desire than the assurance that he
is with him to protect him?
Be not dismayed -
The word rendered here ‘dismayed’ (תשׁתע tı̂shetta‛) is derived from
שׁעה shâ‛âh, “to see, to look”; and then to look about as one does in
a state of alarm, or danger. The sense here is, that they should be
calm, and under no apprehension from their foes.
For I am thy God -
I am able to preserve and strengthen thee. The God of heaven was their
God; and as he had all power, and that power was pledged for their
protection, they had nothing to fear.
I will uphold thee -
I will enable you to bear all your trials.
With the right hand of my righteousness -
With my faithful right hand. The phrase is a Hebrew mode of expression,
meaning that God’s hand was faithful, that it might be relied on, and
would secure them. ~Barnes Notes
For the phrase, "I will strengthen thee:
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. See Psalm 27:1
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? ~John
Gill
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.
The John Wesley for "strength" has "Support and assistance to bear all
my burdens, overcome all my enemies, and perform all my duties.
Manifest the
power of God.
What did we learn in this sermon?
1. Efficacy is power.
2. We do all things through Christ and the strength of God. Philippians
4:13
3. By God's power we do all things.
4. By God's power we put all things in His hands.
5. By God's power we "see" the invisible God.
6. We are totally dependent on God, through Christ. John 15:4-5
7. God gets all the praise for the works we do.
8. God's Words control our conduct and affections. John 15:7
9. We are instruments in the hand of God.
10. Without God we can do nothing. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5
11. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. 2 Corinthians
12:9-10
12. God strengthens us with might. Ephesians 3:16
13. Firstfruits need strength each day.
14. The inner man or new man is a personification of the principles of
action by which a Christian is governed. Romans 7:22 and Ephesians 4:24
15. Everything spiritual we learn and do is for the inner man.
16. The character of Christ is being built in the inner man.
17. God's strength is our only hope of victory or success. Ephesians
6:10
18. We are made mighty by divine power. Colossians 1:11
19. God gives power to the faint. Isaiah 40:29-31
20. That "weakness" in 2 Corinthians 12:9 is best described as
firstfruits acknowledging their weakness in all things.
21. The word, "wait" as in "wait upon the Lord" denotes properly to
wait, in the sense of expecting. Isaiah 40:31
22. The phrase, "shall renew their strength" in Isaiah 40:31 has the
meaning of growing stronger and stronger.
23. The more you give over to God, the stronger you will become.
24. We have nothing to fear from this world or this life. Isaiah 41:10
25. God will enable you to bear all your trials, all your burdens,
overcome all enemies and perform all your duties and works. Isaiah
45:24
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