Sunday, May 29, 2016 pm
DO ALL IN THE NAME OF
THE LORD
Sacred Selections, #551
Tonight we examine another song we sing from time to time.
Background, if any
Austin Taylor (1881-1973) was born in Morgantown, KY.
He moved to Texas in 1890.
There he studied music and became a proficient song leader among
churches of Christ in the south and southwest.
He also taught singing schools (including the Texas Normal
Singing School), wrote about 200 songs and published several song books
among brethren.
a.
“In the name of the
Lord” is an expression that means you are acting with the authority of
the one named.
b.
The term is used in
reference to Jesus coming – Matthew 21:9 as He entered Jerusalem, etc.
Peter quoted Joel in Acts 2:21 (Joel 2:32) on the day of Pentecost
calling for his audience to obey the gospel.
c.
In Acts 8:16, the people
of Samaria had been “baptized in the name of the Lord.” (Also 10:48,
19:5, 22:16, etc.)
Romans 10:13, whoever
calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
James 5:10, prophets spoke “in the name of the Lord”
All of these give an understanding that this expression means we are
respecting what He bids us to do.
d.
In this don’t forget
what Peter said in Acts 4:12, “Nor
is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved.”
e.
This song, repeatedly
reminds us to “do all in the name of the Lord.”
We need to ask, “Where’s the authority?” before we act, whether as the
church or His people. And
yes, in this we can apply the principles of scripture.
a.
Whatever you do in word
of deed, do all in the name of the Lord
–- the first thing we notice about our text is that it is
dealing with whatever we do or say, we ought to consider if it is
what the Lord would want us to do in that circumstance.
Matthew 28:18-20 – He has all
authority, and a disciple is taught to “observe all things that I have
commanded you.”
Furthermore, we see that it is ALL in the name of the Lord – not just a
passing few things, but in EVERYTHING that we do.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that with what He has given us, we can be
complete (perfect). 2 Peter
1:3 reminds us that His divine power has given us “all things that
pertain to life and godliness.”
A few years ago, the expression WWJD was popular.
While it can be abused, it is a good question to ask WHEN we
respect what He tells us to do in His word.
1 Corinthians 10:31 further emphasizes that whatever we do, it ought to
be “to the glory of God.”
b.
Do naught in name of man
or creed
- Do not follow the wisdom of man in determining what you do.
This is always a dangerous path, and often it is wrong!
Psalm 118:8 says, “It is
better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.”
We are warned in Ephesians 4:14 not to be tossed to and fro and carried
about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men…
Matthew 15:9, Jesus declared the doctrines and commandments of men as
vain worship.
The way of a man is only right IF it is based upon the path of God – cf.
1 Corinthians 11:1.
a.
Be not deceived by
worldly greed
– as we have noted, the pursuit of things is always a concern.
We are warned against the pursuit of riches, 1 Timothy 6:9-10.
One of the ways Jesus described the influence of the “thorny ground”
was, “the deceitfulness of riches.”
(Matthew 13:22)
We are warned in 1 John 2:15-16 not to love the world or the things in
the world – they are passing away.
Over and over, we are reminded of this.
HOWEVER, as I see this in this song, it causes me to wonder – how many
allow the things of this world to INFLUENCE their obedience to God.
Don’t seek to rewrite the gospel to permit covetous behavior (Colossians
3:5).
2 Peter 2:1-3 warns of false teachers who will exploit you, be
“covetousness” among other things.
b.
The Spirit says, “in
word or deed”
– instead of being influenced by the world, let us listen to God.
Consider how Jesus was at the Mount of Transfiguration where the
disciples are ready to make 3 tents – but a voice from heaven says, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5)
Be like Jesus, who when faced with temptations said, “It is written!”
(Matt. 4:4, 7, 10)
Psalm 119:104, “Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I
hate every false way.”
Don’t be afraid to ask the question, “Where’s the authority?”
a.
If you are toiling for a
crown –
why do we do what we do as
Christians? Because we seek
the crown of life. We
seek the victory crown. 2
Timothy 4:7-8, 1 Cor. 9:25 – we “run” for an imperishable crown.”
Notice also the call is that we are ‘toiling’ for this crown.
We are working at it.
We do not sit back and expect God to do everything.
We do what we can. We
do our part! Phil. 2:12 – we
are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.
if your desire is heaven, you must obey His will – Matthew
7:21-23, Romans 2:7 speaks of eternal life awaiting those who seek
glory, honor and immortality IN DOING GOOD.
1 Timothy 6:12 – he was told to fight the good fight of faith and to lay
hold on eternal life…
b.
O, do not trust in world
renown –
do not think that you can earn your salvation.
Do not think that you are good enough!
Do not think that you can give your way to heaven (i.e. your
money, etc.).
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 makes this clear.
We must have love!
I think of the Pharisee in Luke 18 who brags about his accomplishments –
Luke 18:10-12. Whatever your
pursuit, consider Matthew 16:26 – you may gain the world and lose your
soul. And if so, what is it
worth?
You need to be obeying Him.
You need to put Him first – Matthew 6:33. Be willing to surrender
to Him! Don’t be like the
rich, young ruler who let that “one thing” keep him out of heaven (Luke
18:22). 1 Peter 5:6
calls for us to humble ourselves that He may exalt us.
a.
Till toil and labor here
are done
– a reminder that we must remain faithful.
Jesus taught that no one having put his hand to the plow and looking
back is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62)
Hebrews 10:38 calls for us to live by faith and notes that if one draws
back, He has no pleasure in him.
The church as Smyrna was told to be faithful until death – Revelation
2:10
AND that faithfulness involves working – toil and labor are words that
describe hard work.
The Christian life involves struggles and labors – 1 Corinthians
15:58 – steadfast and immovable, knowing our labors are not in vain.
Again we are reminded that we must “work out your own salvation.”
(Phil. 2:12) But, as long as we are upon this earth – labor we must!
Revelation 14:13 – it is only when we die that we may rest from
our labors. Hebrews
4:9-11 speaks of the rest that remains and how with diligence we must
strive to enter that rest.
And of course, our toils and labors must be “in the name of the Lord.”
b.
Dear Christian friends,
if you’d be one
– finally, we are reminded of the blessedness of unity.
Psalm 133:1 speaks of how good and pleasant it is that brethren
dwell in unity.
Jesus wanted and prayed for unity – John 17:20-21.
Paul pleaded for it among brethren – 1 Corinthians 1:10,
Ephesians 4:1-3, etc.
How is true unity achieved?
By doing all in the name of the Lord.
We know that far too many today seek a false unity, based upon
compromise rather than truth.
That is NOT true unity!
Ephesians 4:11-13, we are given teaching leaders, to build us up until
“we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son
of God…”
This song is very repetitive in its chorus and throughout the verses.
Such is a good thing as it drives home a crucial truth – “where
is the authority?” May we in
all that we do, seek to do it, “in the name of the Lord.”
Think about it!
http://paperlesshymnal.com/tph/free/freesongs.htm