WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? -Colossians 3: 17
I. “WWJD”
a. WWJD stands for “What would Jesus do?”
b. Originally it was intended to remind followers of Christ to think about what they were supposed to do in each situation they found themselves in.
c. In time, it was commercialized and became a fad; people wore it just to be fashionable.
d. But, for the true Christian, the idea behind “WWJD” is not a fad; it is something that is to be lived all the time.
e. In Colossians 3: 17, Paul doesn’t say, “What would Jesus do?”, but in essence “What would Jesus do?” is the same thing that Paul says in this verse.
II. WHAT PAUL SAYS
A. Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
1. “Whatever you do” is a very general term and it refers to “whatever it is you do…and anything you do.”
2. “…in word or deed” – your speech, your words, your teaching, your doctrine, your work, your action, your activities.
3. “…do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
a. Jesus is Lord…He is sovereign!
b. Some in Colossae were saying that Jesus wasn’t good enough; you had to have more.
c. Some in their self-made religions were exalting themselves above God.
d. But Paul spent all of chapter 1 and 2 saying that Jesus is supreme, savior, creator, and Lord.
e. Because He is, “what ever you do in word or deed, do all by His authority and as He directs.
f. Don’t do anything that is unworthy of His name and which He cannot associate with; don’t associate His name with things He wouldn’t do.
4. This verse counters the thinking that says there are times when we don’t have to be Christian; that we can leave our Christianity out of it and do it the way the world does.
a. For the Christian there is never a time that a place is sacred, or a time is sacred, or an activity is sacred, and the rest of your life is secular.
b. This verse says that Christ should be in control of what you do and say no matter where you are, and when you are there.
c. Doing things the way Jesus would do them is a lifestyle.
B. Some things we should do in Jesus name.
1. We should play in Jesus name.
a. TV, commercials, and movies tell us that the only way “to play” and have fun is to drink, do drugs, be involved immorally, and do everything half naked.
b. Our society tells us that, when we play, we have to win at all costs, even if we have to scream, cuss, insult, cheat, lie, be rude, miss worship, or destroy some young boy or girl’s self-esteem.
c. Would Christ go with you to see the movies you go to see; would He listen to the music you listen too; what about the books you read?
d. If we don’t play in the name of the Lord Jesus may be we don’t understand what it is to be a disciple and follower of Christ.
2. We should work in Jesus name.
a. Christ should be pleased with what we do for a living.
b. Christ should be pleased with your conduct on the job.
3. We should worship in the name of the Lord Jesus.
a. Some in Colossae were saying, “Jesus isn’t good enough.”
b. In chapter 1: 5 they were saying that the “gospel of Christ” wasn’t good enough.
c. In chapter 2:8 they were teaching other doctrines and philosophies.
d. In chapter 2: 22 they were teaching the commandments of men.
e. We are to “worship” in the name of Jesus or by His authority; if He doesn’t authorize it don’t do it.
f. Many people want to do those things that Christ does not authorize and then, on the other hand, they want to deny those things that Christ does authorize.
g. One of the most popular ideas today in reference to salvation is that you have to believe in Jesus, repent of your sins, confess Him as Lord, and then say a prayer of faith and ask Jesus to come into your heart and thus be saved. (Where is the authority for that? Where do you ever find Jesus commanding anyone to pray and be saved?)
h. Look at what is in the scriptures:
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 16:16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
1 Peter 3:21 And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—
i. Which do you think that Christ authorizes; pray for salvation or be baptized for salvation?
j. What Jesus did: He began His ministry by being baptized and He ended it by telling His disciples to go “and make disciples of all nations by baptizing them.”
4. We should “do all in the name of the Lord” in other practices of worship such as women serving as elders and having authority over men, and using instruments of music in the assemblies.
a. These practices come from people; 2: 22.
b. It is not what you want that matters, it is what Jesus wants.
5. We should “do all in the name of the Lord” in reference to life in general.
a. Daily situations.
b. Marriage
c. With kids.
d. If Jesus is Lord it will affect whatever you do.
CONCLUSION: This brings us to the vital question: Is Christ really Lord of your life? Or, like is He something you wear to make yourself look good? If you are sincere about being a disciple of Christ then obey Him and do all in His name.