MAY 25, 2023
READ: Colossians 3 (Focus vs. 15–24)
MEMORY VERSE
“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Colossians 3:17
BACKGROUND
When Jeff was fourteen, his mom took him to see a famous singer. Like many musicians of his era, B. J. Thomas had gotten caught up in a self-destructive lifestyle while on music tours. But that was before he and his wife were introduced to Jesus.
Their lives were radically changed when they became believers in Christ.
On the night of the concert, the singer began to entertain the enthusiastic crowd.
But after performing a few of his well-known songs, one guy yelled out from the audience, “Hey, sing one for Jesus!” Without any hesitation, B. J. responded, “I just sang four songs for Jesus.”
It’s been a few decades since then, but Jeff still remembers that moment when he realized that everything we do should be for Jesus—even things that some might consider to be “nonreligious.”
We’re sometimes tempted to divvy up the things we do in life. Read the Bible. Share our story of coming to faith. Sing a hymn. Sacred stuff. Mow the lawn. Go for a run. Sing a country song. Secular stuff.
Colossians 3:16 reminds us that the message of Christ indwells us in activities like teaching, singing, and being thankful, but verse 17 goes even further. It emphasizes that as God’s children, “whatever [we] do, whether in word or deed, [we] do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
We do it all for Him.
By: Cindy Hess Kasper
INSIGHT
Paul wrote the book of Colossians to believers in Jesus whom he described as “God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ” (Colossians 1:2).
His purpose was to correct false teaching about who Christ is—His divinity and ministry (chs. 1–2)—and to instruct readers on how to live godly lives (chs. 3–4), lives that would “always honor and please the Lord” and “produce every kind of good fruit” (1:10 nlt).
In Colossians 3, Paul taught them how to relate to one another in three key relationships: the spiritual family—the church (vv. 15–17), the natural family—husbands, wives, and children (vv. 18–21), and slaves and masters, which today pertains in principle to workers and employers (vv. 22–25; 4:1).
In all these relationships, through the power of the Spirit believers are to display the character of Christ: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and unconditional love (3:12–14).
APPLICATION
How can you do all things in the name of Jesus? How might you allow God to use your actions and words for His glory?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“Don’t concentrate on what you lack, concentrate on what you have. Then give all of it to Jesus for His use.”
Anne Graham Lotz
Jesus isn’t impressed by our abilities but looks out for our availability and teachability so He can use us. PR
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“In all…relationships, through the power of the Spirit believers are to display the character of Christ: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and unconditional love (3:12–14).”
PRAYER
“Loving God, help me to surrender every one of my activities and words to You.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“ALL FOR JESUS”
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed pow’rs,
All my thoughts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
Let my hands perform His bidding,
Let my feet run in His ways;
Let my eyes see Jesus only,
Let my lips speak forth His praise.
Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,
Cling to gilded toys of dust,
Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure;
Only Jesus will I trust.
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
So enchained my spirit’s vision,
Looking at the Crucified.
O what wonder! How amazing!
Jesus, glorious King of kings,
Deigns to call me His beloved,
Lets me rest beneath His wings.
READING THROUGH THE ENTIRE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
1 Chronicles 25–27
John 9:1–23
