Part Four: "For the Christ follower, Thankful Worship is a Lifestyle" (Colossians 3:16-17

Our concluding message on thankful worship has to do with verse 17 which says, "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Thankful worship now extends from the household of God (the church) to all of life! Notice the phrase, "Whatever you do in word or deed" is thankful worship that extends beyond Sunday to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday! In other words, all of life is to be an experience of acting consistently with who God has revealed Himself and what He desires. This enables us to reflect the joy of being under Jesus' lordship as we speak and act "in the name of the Lord Jesus!" Let's examine the phrase, "in the name of the Lord Jesus." The submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ diffuses and permeates verses 16 and 17. The phrase, "in the name of the Lord Jesus" means "Under the authority and approval of Him." The name of Jesus is above every name and to do anything in the name of the Lord Jesus is to do it under His sovereign authority and approval! A life of thankful worship implies that the Christ follower is to do all things in submission to His lordship. As Lord, Jesus deserves honor, reverence, and obedience because of the glory that God the Father bestowed upon Him. As Christ followers, we must acknowledge Him in all our ways (word or deed)! Christ followers have asked me, "Can I do such-and-such activity?" Normally these activities are not explicitly covered in the Word of God. In verse 17, Paul answers this question for us. The phrase, "Whatever you do in word or deed" extends to every thought, word, and deed! We're to ask ourselves, "Can I do such-and-such activity in submission and obedience to Christ?" If we're not certain that such-and-such activity would dishonor Him, then the answer is clear. Don't do such-and-such! That's the wisdom of God for you! The next phrase says, "giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Once again, the idea of submission to the Lord Jesus is implied. In other words, to thank God the Father, especially when difficult and tough things are happening, means that we're to submit to God the Father's sovereign workings in our lives! This demonstrates that we're acknowledging that all our circumstances are Father-filtered, under His sovereign control and in agreement with His awesome love and understanding! Like Job, we can worship the Father even though we may not understand what He's doing if we submit to Him and say, "I trust Your sovereign, loving dealings with my life and therefore, I'll thankfully worship You!" Your move. Be encouraged!