Sermon Tone Analysis

Giving Thanks to God the Father

September 25, 2007

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Col 3:17

1.

Whatever one does (cf.

v. 23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”)—for there is no sacred-secular split in God’s eyes; He is Sovereign over all— whether in word or deed (by lip or life) should all be done in the name of the Lord Jesus (i.e., for His glory; cf. 1 Cor.

10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”)

2. The simplest, most basic rule of thumb for living the Christian life is to do everything, whether word or deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus.

3. To do everything in the name of Jesus is to act consistently with who He is and what He wants.

As we will see many times tonight Paul expresses the same thought in 1 Corinthians 10:31 : “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Again, Paul reminds that it is always to be done without reluctance or despair or legalistic duty, but with giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

4. To put on the new lifestyle is to put on Christ.

That is the obligation of every believer: “ Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts ” ( Rom. 13:14 ).

The goal of the Christian life is Christlikeness.

Believers should so clothe themselves with Jesus Christ that when people look at them, they see Christ.

5. Everything believers say and everything they do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, realizing his constant presence and bringing honor and glory to him in every activity of daily living.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

6.

To act in someone’s name is to act on his authority; believers act as Christ’s representatives.

Paul echoed the need for a thankful spirit, as he had in 3:15 and 3:16.

All we do for Christ should be done with the spirit of thankfulness for all he has done for us.

7. We need to remember that everything we do should be done with a thankful spirit (cf.

Phil.

4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”; 1 Thes.

5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”).

Three times in three verses Paul mentioned thankfulness: “be thankful” (Col.

3:15) “sing . . .

with gratitude” (v.

16), and give thanks to God the Father (v.

17).

8. Believers are not enslaved to rules about every word they speak or deed they do; instead, they should freely bring glory to God through every detail of their life.

If we adhere to a distinct Christian worldview then this will happen naturally.

However, if we do know what our worldview is or we adhere to some other type then we can call ourselves Christians all day long and never bring glory to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

9.

As a Christian, you represent Christ at all times—wherever you go and with whatever you say.

Believers can go about their lives—working, playing, studying, planning—and do everything to the glory of God with thanks in their hearts.

What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with you?

What is it that they are not seeing?

What changes would you make in your life today in order to honor Christ?

Grace

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace.

And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.

- Jerry Bridges

Procrastination

God has promised forgiveness to your repentance; but he has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.

- Augustine of Hippo

Parents

As for those parents who will not use the rod upon their children, I pray God He useth not their children as a rod for them.

- Thomas Fuller

Christ

Christ is a jewel more worth than a thousand worlds, as all know who have Him.

Get Him, and get all; miss Him and miss all.

- Thomas Brooks

Evil

God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to suffer no evil to exist.

- Augustine of Hippo

Dedication

We are consecrated and dedicated to God; therefore, we may not hereafter think, speak, meditate or do anything but with a view to His glory.

We are God's; to Him, therefore, let us live and die.

- John Calvin

GracePointe Baptist Church

2209 N Post Road

Oklahoma City, OK 73141

Phone: (405) 769-5050

http://www.gracepointeonline.com