Do All in the Name of the Lord

Introduction:

Paul addresses the saints in Colossi about a vitally important topic – authority in religion.  There were those in Colossi 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!

Text:  Colossians 3:15-17

Body:

I.  Let the Peace of God Rule in Your Hearts  
Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” NKJV  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 by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” NKJV  This peace includes an absence of conflicting desires, harmony.  It is maintained through Christ.  “Rule”  Act 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.  “Be thankful”  Continually show your 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) “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” NKJV 

II.  Sing with Grace in Your Heart to the Lord 
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” NKJV 

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.  Those who don’t follow the Word totally and say mechanical instruments of music are acceptable sow discord and break up Christian unity.  This is exactly what happened among God’s people in the mid-to-late 1800’s.  What does this passage teach? 

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) “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” NKJV

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) “saying: ‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.’ ” NKJV  There are to be no choirs, solos, etc.  Let us always remember God is listening as we sing praises unto Him.  (Psalm 100) “A Psalm of Thanksgiving.  Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!  Serve the Lord with gladness, Come before His presence with singing.  Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.  For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” NKJV  

III.  Do All in the Name of the Lord 
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” NKJV  “Whatever” – 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, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” NKJV  His name is above every name.  (Philippians 2: 9-11) “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” NKJV  Because of His being Lord of our lives, we must submit to Him.  (Luke 6:46) “But why do you call Me Lord, Lord! and not do the things which  I say?” NKJV  Through the years many have set up other standards of authority.

1.  Feelings are subjective and often change.  On Judgment Day some will feel they were saved, but were not.  (Matthew 7: 21-23) “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ” NKJV

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 accursed.” NKJV

3.  Councils, conferences, creeds  These do not have power to give or change God’s laws.  (James 4:12) “There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.  Who are you to judge another?” NKJV  None of these will judge us on the last day.  (John 12:45) “And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.” NKJV  “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 that which I also delivered to you:  that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take eat:  this is My body; which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ ” NKJV  Giving also is to be done in a certain way.  (I Corinthians 16:1-2) “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:  On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” NKJV  Even praying is to be engaged in properly.  (I John 5:14) “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” NKJV  Finally, we are to preach “the gospel” – not politics, psychology, philosophies of men. . .  That is all that is authorized.  Preach the Word.  (II Timothy 4:2) “Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” NKJV

Conclusion:

Let the congregation here 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.   

Bobby Stafford  February 26, 2017  Colossians:  Lesson 11  Colossians 3:15-17