25-1012p - Detailed Summary

The preacher introduces questions about the letter’s authorship and audience, noting Paul, an apostle by God’s will, and Timothy as writers to the saints in Colossae, as stated in Colossians 1:1. Other New Testament books named after cities like Philippi and Rome are mentioned for context. The phrase "in the name of the Lord Jesus" from verse 17 is linked to the authoritative expression "stop in the name of the law," suggesting delegated authority.

The preacher explores the phrase "stop in the name of the law," citing its origin in 1829 London under Sir Robert Peel, who formed the first police force of 1,000 officers, called Bobbies or Peelers. Their success led to widespread adoption across the UK, with officers commanding suspects to halt in the name of the law.

If suspects fled, officers pursued while blowing whistles to capture them. This historical context illustrates authority granted by a higher power for specific purposes, setting up a parallel to Christian behavior under divine authority.

The phrase "in the name of" signifies authority delegated for specific purposes, not personal desires, likened to a policeman authorized only to enforce the law. Christians are to put on Christ and act in the name of the Lord Jesus, aligning with God’s will, as supported by Romans 13:13-14, which calls for proper conduct and avoiding sinful behaviors.

Returning to Colossians 3, the preacher notes the letter addresses saints, urging those raised with Christ (through baptism, per chapter 2) to seek heavenly things where Christ resides at God’s right hand. Believers must focus on eternal priorities, not earthly distractions, preparing for a deeper exploration of transformation.

The preacher explains that believers’ lives are hidden with Christ in God, and they will appear with Him in glory upon His return. This spiritual reality emphasizes focusing on eternal matters over temporal ones, with baptism symbolizing the burial of the old self.

This segment underscores the transformative nature of faith, where Christians leave behind their earthly life. Setting minds on things above aligns believers with Christ’s authority, fostering a divine-oriented mindset.

Colossians 3:5-11 instructs believers to put to death earthly sins like fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, equated with idolatry. The Greek word "pathos" for passion is defined as disorderly lust, distinct from positive uses like "passion for excellence." These sins invite God’s wrath, a path believers must abandon.

Verses 8-11 call for putting off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, and lying, adopting the new man renewed in God’s image, transcending ethnic or social divisions. As God’s elect, believers must embrace virtues like tender mercies and forgiveness, as Christ forgave. Verse 17 urges all actions in Jesus’ name with thanks to God, but personal desires conflicting with God’s Word are not permitted.

Citing 2 Timothy 3, the preacher emphasizes that all scripture is God-inspired, profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction, equipping the man of God for good works. Addressed to saints, this reinforces acting in Christ’s name as biblical Christians. He introduces Leviticus 8 to illustrate consequences of disobedience.

Leviticus 8 details the burnt offering and ram of consecration, with specific instructions to boil the flesh, eat it with bread, and burn remnants. This precise ritual underscores God’s expectations for those in authority, setting up a contrast with disobedience in the subsequent example.

The preacher contrasts God’s instructions with the corrupt actions of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, in 1 Samuel 2:12-17. As Levites, they were to handle sacrifices at the tent of meeting and eat portions for sustenance but were corrupt, not knowing the Lord.

Their custom involved using a three-pronged flesh hook to take meat while it boiled, but they intervened prematurely, demanding portions before completion. A cartoon image of a figure with the fork visualizes the scene. Their actions violated God’s prescribed order, showing disrespect for divine authority.

The preacher reiterates that the meat was still boiling when Hophni and Phinehas demanded portions. As Levites, they were entitled to sustenance for temple duties, but their premature actions disrupted the sacred ritual.

This segment highlights their impatience and abuse of position, exemplifying unauthorized behavior under divine authority, in contrast to God’s instructions for handling sacrifices.

The corruption escalated as the priest’s servant demanded raw meat for roasting before burning the fat, refusing boiled meat. This bypassed the proper sacrificial sequence, showing greed and contempt for God’s ordinances.

Their actions violated ritual protocol, further illustrating the consequences of acting outside delegated authority, undermining the sacred purpose of their role.

The preacher notes the severity, with Hophni and Phinehas demanding raw meat immediately, dismissing delays as unreasonable. They intimidated worshippers, abusing their authority meant for divine service.

This behavior not only broke ritual purity but also disrespected God’s ordinances, serving as a cautionary example against misusing authority in the name of divine service.

The preacher draws a parallel between the actions of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and the phrase "fork it over," evoking their forceful taking of sacrificial meat before it was properly prepared. He reiterates 1 Samuel 2:15, where the priest’s servant demanded raw meat for roasting before burning the fat, ignoring protests to follow the correct ritual order. If the sacrificer insisted on burning the fat first, the servant threatened to take it by force, highlighting their blatant disregard for God’s instructions. This sin was deemed great before the Lord, causing people to abhor the offering, as it tainted the sacred act of worship.

The preacher connects this to the sermon’s theme, questioning whether acting "in the name of Jesus" permits unrestricted behavior. He firmly answers no, emphasizing that actions must align with God’s will. He references Hebrews 1:1-4, which describes God speaking through His Son, Jesus, who is the heir of all things, the creator, and the express image of God’s glory. Jesus, having purged sins and sat at God’s right hand, holds a name above all others, signifying that Christians are authorized to act only according to His will. The preacher observes that some people live without regard for scriptural truths or consequences, questioning why God allows the wicked to prosper, urging believers not to be discouraged or envious of such temporary success.

The preacher challenges the congregation to decide proactively what they will do when faced with choices between personal desires and God’s Word. This decision is critical for both baptized Christians and non-believers, as waiting until a crisis or the end of life is too late. He stresses that big decisions will arise, and choosing God’s will over personal desires is essential, even if the latter feels gratifying momentarily.

He introduces a quote from Teddy Roosevelt, noted coincidentally as it was mentioned earlier that day, stating, "In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing." This reinforces the need to act decisively in alignment with God’s will. The preacher emphasizes the urgency of this choice, as life’s brevity and unpredictability demand immediate commitment to following God’s path rather than delaying or succumbing to fleeting temptations.

The preacher briefly underscores the importance of making decisions promptly, referencing Teddy Roosevelt’s quote again for continuity. He emphasizes that in moments of decision, the worst action is inaction—doing nothing is detrimental. Believers must choose a direction, aligning with God’s will, rather than remaining passive.

This short segment serves as a transitional call to action, reinforcing the sermon’s focus on decisive obedience to God. The preacher’s repetition of the quote ties it to the broader message of acting rightly and promptly in accordance with divine instructions.

The preacher cites Psalm 92:6-7 from the World English Bible, stating that a senseless person does not understand that, despite the wicked flourishing like grass, they will be destroyed forever. This passage warns against being misled by the apparent prosperity of evildoers, reinforcing that their success is temporary and their end certain.

He stresses the importance of making a deliberate choice to follow Christ, as inaction or following personal desires leads to destruction. The temporary nature of worldly success is contrasted with the eternal consequences of rejecting God’s will, urging the congregation to act decisively in faith.

Continuing the theme of urgency, the preacher quotes James 4:14, describing life as a mist that appears briefly and vanishes, emphasizing its fleeting nature. He warns that no one is guaranteed time, countering the assumption of having "plenty of time" to decide. This brevity demands immediate commitment to God’s will.

The sermon’s focus on decision-making is heightened by this reminder of life’s unpredictability. The preacher urges the congregation to choose Christ now, as delaying could result in missing the opportunity to align with God’s eternal plan.

The preacher returns to the phrase "in the name of Jesus" with Philippians 2:10-11, stating that every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord to God’s glory. This underscores Jesus’ ultimate authority and the inevitability of His judgment. He revisits Hophni and Phinehas, who, despite their priestly roles, rejected God’s truth for personal desires and faced consequences, having long been dead.

The fleeting nature of life is reiterated, as people often assume they have years to decide, yet time passes quickly. The preacher contrasts the temporary rebellion of Eli’s sons with the eternal reality of bowing to Jesus, urging the congregation to choose obedience now to avoid eternal regret.

The preacher firmly rejects the notion of reincarnation or "do-overs," addressing beliefs in returning as another form like a grasshopper or worm. He stresses that life ends without opportunity for retrying, emphasizing the finality of earthly existence.

This brief segment reinforces the urgency of deciding for Christ in this life, as there are no second chances after death. The preacher’s direct dismissal of reincarnation aligns with the sermon’s call to make definitive choices based on biblical truth.

Quoting 2 Corinthians 5:10, the preacher states that all will appear before Christ’s judgment seat to receive according to their deeds, good or bad. This universal judgment underscores the importance of how one lives. He then offers hope, citing Hebrews 4:14-16, which describes Jesus as the great high priest who empathizes with human weaknesses, having been tempted yet sinless, encouraging believers to approach God’s throne confidently for mercy and grace.

This segment balances the reality of judgment with the assurance for those in Christ, as described in Colossians. The preacher emphasizes that believers have confidence through Jesus’ priesthood, but all will face accountability for their actions, reinforcing the need for obedience.

The preacher cites Hebrews 10:26-27, warning that deliberate sin after receiving truth leaves no sacrifice for sins, only a fearful expectation of judgment and fire for God’s enemies. This stark warning underscores the consequences of rejecting God’s will knowingly, contrasting with the mercy available to believers.

He emphasizes that the time to decide is always now, as the sermon’s title, "Says Who?", points to individuals’ responsibility to choose. God’s provision through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection proves His authority, as He alone died and rose again, fulfilling His claims. The preacher urges the congregation to decide between following Christ or personal desires, as God has set the path through His Son.

The preacher clarifies that while individuals decide their path, God has outlined specific steps to become a Christian, and these must be followed. The method is not negotiable; it is defined by scripture, ensuring actions in Jesus’ name align with divine authority.

This brief segment reinforces that Christian obedience involves adhering to God’s prescribed methods, not arbitrary choices. It ties back to the sermon’s theme of acting under Jesus’ authority as outlined in scripture.

The preacher concludes by affirming that acting in Jesus’ name grants authority to perform scripturally sanctioned actions. The Bible’s reliability is supported by manuscripts, archaeology, prophecy, and scientific foreknowledge, establishing it as God’s Word. Believers must study it to understand and follow God’s will accurately.

He closes with an invitation for anyone needing assistance to step forward, emphasizing the urgency of responding to the sermon’s call. The objective truth of scripture guides Christians to act in Jesus’ name according to God’s will, ensuring their actions are authorized and aligned with divine purpose.