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Sermon:
Ameliorate
[uh-meel-yuh-reyt]
by Chris Cumming
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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. |
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