Rooted in Christ-Part 30- In Jesus Name
Rooted in Christ • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsThe Colossian believers are reminded of the reflection which their words and deeds have upon the name of Jesus Christ.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
This verse really presents a continuation of the previous thought concerning the Word of Christ dwelling in the the believer and then flowing out of him.
This outward flow is in view here as the believer in Colosse are challenged to make certain that their words and their deeds are a reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ and then they are challenged once again to give thanks to God and the Father by Christ.
The importance of the believer’s testimony is of great value in the midst of a world where so many do not yet know Christ. Our words and deeds will either provide clear evidence of the power of the gospel or will cause others to question its credibility.
First we must consider this instruction’s...
Scope
Scope
We often read of the word whosoever and we love the implications which it has that salvation is available for all, but here we have the word “whatsoever” and the same broad scope is intended.
This is meant to be understood as the entire scope of all that we do as is clearly communicated in the remainder of the verse.
There are far too many believers in the world today who are intent on living for Christ on Sunday and then resuming their “normal” life on Monday. This is certainly not the Christianity that we read about in the New Testament.
The world is intent on limiting the expression of our faith to a few hours on Sunday, and yet for the sincere Christian this is an impossibility for their relationship with Christ has impacted and influenced every area of their life.
In view here is everything that the believe says and does.
Let’s consider first our speech. How many believers are there who talk one way when they around other Christians and another way when they are around carnal or lost coworkers and friends?
Personal- speaking one way around my parents but using completely different language around my friends.
James speaks of this in James 3:8-12- it ought never to be that we speak of God one moment and then curse the next.
The application goes beyond our words to our actions, our deeds. We must also consider all that we do.
Again this extends beyond what we do on Sunday to our actions and behavior in the every day moments of life.
We may somehow convince ourselves that God is only concerned with what we do on Sunday and that what we do the rest of the time is of little consequence but this could not be further from the truth.
God is concerned with our behavior and our activity every moment of every day. In fact it is our behavior outside the four walls of the church building that will have a far greater impact.
What we say and what we do will both have a significant impact upon the people around us and for we who name the name of Christ our words and deeds reflect upon Christ.
Our words and deeds in private and in public must be considered of equal significance.
In the middle of this verse we find the...
Standard- by which our deeds and actions must be judged
Standard- by which our deeds and actions must be judged
The instruction given to the Colossian believers is that everything that they say and do are said and done in the name of the Lord Jesus.
“To do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus is to act consistently with who He is and what He wants.” - John McCarthur
Paul makes a similar statement in his letter to the Corinthian church and there provides explanation as to why this is so important.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
The standards by which we live help to ensure that our lives are a positive testimony for Christ and are there so that we may be used of God to bring others to Christ.
Our speech should be such that others may discern that we are followers of Christ. Our actions should also provide strong evidence for our desire to honor Christ with our lives.
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
We must consider that everything that we say and do is as a representative of the Lord Jesus and we must not do anything that would reflect poorly upon Him.
Ambassador from a foreign nation would do all in his power to make sure that he does not say or do anything that reflects poorly upon his nation and its leadership.
Our words and deeds should be those which cause others to see a striking resemblance between us and our savior.
We are as Romans 8:29 says to be conformed to the image of Christ, bearing His likeness and representing Him to a world that is in need of His saving grace.
Consider Acts 11:26, where the disciples earned the title “Christians.” We must examine ourselves to determine whether we have earned the right to be called “Christians” too.
Note the example of the early disciples who...
Healed in Jesus name...
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Preached and taught in Jesus name...
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Cast out demons in Jesus name...
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Baptized in Jesus name...
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Finally the believers in Colosse are once again encouraged to...
Show Gratitude
Show Gratitude
This is also of the utmost importance. It is God who enables us, by His grace to live as we should.
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
We must never cease to thank God for His grace which has produced such a wonderful transformation in our lives. If we bear any resemblance to Jesus Christ in word and deed it is owed to the grace of God.
It is important that we continually give thanks to God in order that God may be glorified and not we ourselves. We must not take the credit which God alone deserves.
When we give thanks to God we are in a sense pointing others to Him as the one who has produced the transformation that they have witnessed.
If we fail to give thanks, it may be that some would think that we have somehow been able to bring about this miraculous transformation by our own strength and will.
How important it is to give God the glory for how He has transformed us and for how He has chosen to use us to impact the lives of others.
When we cease to be thankful, we shall cease to experience the power of God in our lives.
This thanksgiving is offered to God the father by way of our mediator, the Lord Jesus.
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
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:
In Christ we have all that we need to live a godly life that reflects the life of the savior.
Conclusion
Are your words and deeds a reflection of the savior that is in you or of the world that is around you?
Are there areas of your life that you have kept back from Christ’s influence?
Can you do all that you are doing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?
What impact does your speech and your behavior have upon those around you? Do is provide evidence for or against the credibility of Jesus Christ and the power of the gospel?
Have you failed to give God the gratitude He deserves for the transformation He has produced in your life?