In the Name of Christ

Colossians 3:17

Introduction: We are representatives of Christ we bear his name. Illustration of customer service agents one positive one poor.

A. We bear his name in identity. Colossians 3:3 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:4 “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

B. We bear his name in authority. John 14:13–14 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

I. Reflect Christ in our communication.

A. Our communications should be pure.

i) Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

ii) Colossians 3:8 “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”

B. Our communications should be profitable.

i) Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

ii) Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

iii) The Test of good Talk

a. Grounded in Truth and Given in Love.

i) Is what you are saying grounded in God’s truth?

ii) Is what you are saying given in Love?

iii) If not hold your tongue and ask God to change your heart!

II. Reflect Christ in our conduct.

A. Our conduct should glorify God.

i) 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

B. Our conduct should promote the gospel.

i) Philippians 1:27 “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;”

III. Reflect Christ in our consecration.

A. Paul mentions Thanksgiving 6 times in Colossians. This is the 5th reference.

B. Jesus thanked the Father.

i) John 11:41 “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.”

ii) Luke 10:21 “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.”

iii) If Jesus lived with Thanksgiving to the Father, then we who bear His name should live with Thanksgiving!