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Do All In The Name Of The Lord
Do All in the Name of the Lord
Our lesson this morning will be on Colossians Chapter 3. Specifically, we are going to take a closer look at verses 15 through 17.
Read Text: Colossians 3:15-17
We know that the purpose of Paul’s writing Colossians was to refute the heresy going on. There were those in Colosse who were saying there were other sources of authority: the Law of Moses, philosophies and religions of men, mysticism, and such like. Paul stresses that there is only one source of authority in religion; that is Jesus Christ!
- Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Hearts
Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. God bestows peace through Jesus Christ on those in the one body, the church. This peace is available only to those who have been cleansed by the blood of the cross. (Colossians 1:20) “and through Him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. This peace includes an absence of conflicting desires, harmony. It is maintained through Christ. The phrase to rule in your hearts, here “Rule” acts as an umpire. Much of the division in the church is a result of members calling their own balls and strikes, fair and foul. We have an objective umpire with an objective rule book. We are not free to make up our own. We must let God’s Word govern our minds and our lives. All in the church can be at peace, be united, if all follow the Word and only the Word. “And Be thankful”. This reminds us that we need to continually show our gratitude. This can be demonstrated in our singing, in our prayers, and in our giving. Do we show God how thankful we are by the amount we give? (Hebrews 13:15) “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.
II. Sing with Gratitude in Your Hearts to God
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
The Word must dwell, abide in us, and make its home fully and completely – not partially. Division comes when we let only part of it dwell in us. One way discord has been sown is in the area of worship, especially music. Scriptures tell us to sing and sing only. Let’s look closer at what this passage teaches.
1. We are to sing; the instrument we play is our heart. [Pluck the strings of our heart]. Our emotions need to be moved. There is great power in singing. Our whole being should be involved.
2. Sing with grace. We should indicate thankfulness and gratitude on our part for God’s rich blessings. (Ephesians 5:19-20) “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
3. Teach and admonish. We must sing only songs which teach spiritual truth. We need to understand the meaning of words and concentrate on the message of the hymn.
4. All should sing who are able, whether “good” singers or not so good! “One another” implies that the whole assembly should jointly participate. (Hebrews 2:12) “He says, I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises”. There are to be no choirs, solos, etc. Let us always remember God is listening as we sing praises unto Him. (Psalm 100 is a Psalm of Thanksgiving) Read Psalm 100
- Do All in the Name of the Lord
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” I also like the Living Bible version of this passage: “And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, and come with Him into the presence of God the Father to give him your thanks”. To me, there is something special about the thought of approaching God with Jesus. The term “Whatever” means everything - No exceptions! “Word or deed” – doctrine and practice. Both are included. “In name of the Lord Jesus” – by His authority Act in accordance with his will, his instructions. Those things which are authorized are those things to which He has given His stamp of approval. He has put His name on them. We must respect His authority because He and He alone, is the head of the church. (Colossians 1:18) “And He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead so that in everything he might have the supremacy”.
His name is above every name. Read Philippians 2: 9-11 Because of His being Lord of our lives, we must submit to Him. Jesus says in Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? Through the years many have set up other standards of authority.
1. Feelings are subjective and often change. (Matthew 7: 21-23) “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers”.
2. Alleged visions or experiences Some claim an angel told them how to be saved. (Galatians 1:8) “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be eternally condemned.”
3. Councils, conferences, creeds These do not have power to give or change God’s laws. (James 4:12) “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you – who are you to judge your neighbor?” None of these will judge us.
“Do all in the name of the Lord.” These words should guide our worship in every way. Playing mechanical instruments of music cannot be done in the Lord’s name; only singing brings with it His seal of approval. The Lord’s Supper must be partaken of as He authorized. [In the assembly on Sunday with bread and fruit of the vine] (I Corinthians 11:23-24) “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Our giving also is to be done in a certain way. (I Corinthians 16:1-2) “Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” Even our praying is to be engaged in properly. (I John 5:14) “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” And finally, we are to preach “the gospel” – not politics, psychology, or philosophies of men. That is all that is authorized. Preach the Word. 2nd Timothy 4:2 says “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.”
Conclusion:
My hope and prayer is that our congregation will always be known as one which practices only those things authorized by the Word of God. Then we can all be “perfectly joined together,” united on the Rock, Jesus Christ.
