1. Today’s lesson is going to do a fairly detailed study of the first half of Col. 3:17.
2. We will not study “giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
3. Our study begins with Paul’s reference to Jesus – the Lord Jesus.
4. More than 100 times in the New Testament we find Bible writer referring to the Lord Jesus.
5. Only twice in the books of Matthew-John do we find a reference to the “Lord Jesus.”
6. Both of these times (Mk. 16:19; Lk. 24:3) describe things which took place after Jesus resurrection.
7. If you would like to do an interesting Bible study this week, look up where “Lord Jesus” occurs.
8. The “Lord Jesus” is the LORD! He is at the head of all things; the king of kings and the Lord of Lords.
NOW THAT WE KNOW WHO PAUL WAS TALKING ABOUT IN THE PART OF THIS VERSE WE ARE DEALING WITH, LET’S BACK UP A LITTLE MORE.
a) Just prior to referring to the “Lord Jesus” we read about the “name” of Jesus.
b) Paul spoke about “doing” things “in the name” of the Lord Jesus.
c) “In the name of the law” means “by the authority of the law.”
d) Some religious groups wrongly kill in “the name of God.”
2) In virtually every translation I checked for Col. 3:17 the word “do” is used two times.
a) Paul spoke about “doing” various things by the authority of Jesus who has “all authority”(Mt. 28:18).
b) He all said “all” is to be done by Jesus’ authority in Col. 3:17.
3) Prior to Paul’s saying “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” we find the word “deed.”
a) The word “deed” describes activity.
b) The word “deed” is connected to the word “all.”
c) All activities need to be done “in the name” or “by the authority” of Jesus.
d) The word word is also joined with “doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
e) All the things we do and all the things we say need to be “authorized” by the “Lord Jesus.”
f) The word “whatsoever” reinforces this fact.
4) Whatever we do – ALL we do – in the areas of speech as well as activities –
5) We must do only what the LORD JESUS has “authorized.”
SOME OBJECTIONS TO THIS CONCLUSION.
a) Is it possible to get authority from the LORD JESUS for something like brushing teeth? Yes.
b) 1 Cor. 6:19 – Our temporary physical abode is something that needs to be cared for/maintained.
2) What about mowing grass? Does Jesus authorize us to mow a lawn?
3) People are to be “faithful stewards” in 1 Cor. 4:2.
4) In the spiritual realm:
a) Where is the authority for a “clergy,” special religious titles, and special clothing?
b) Where is the authority for denominations, various forms of church organization, sprinkling?
c) Where is the authority for Saturday worship and instrumental music in NT worship?
d) Everything we do must be authorized, including the steps to become a Christian.
