In Jesus' Name

In Jesus Name We Play Colossians 3:17

It started as a slip up during a prayer before a church softball game. The minister was leading everyone in prayer. As he closed in prayer he accidently said, "In Jesus’ name we play." That phrase caught on and soon others were praying before softball games "In Jesus’ name we play."

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Whatever we do, we should do it in the name of Jesus. What does it mean to do something in Jesus’ name? When we do something in our own name, we do it the way we think it should be done, the way we want it to do it. When we do something in Jesus’ name we do it the way Jesus would do it if he were there doing it himself.

So what are some things we should do in Jesus’ name?

A. Play in Jesus’ name.

I believe God is the author of recreation and enjoyment. The problem is that our society doesn’t know how to have fun God’s way. Watch television commercials and you will see that our society says the only way you can have fun involves alcohol, drugs, and immorality.

God has better for us. It must please him to see his children enjoying life, laughing, playing, having fun. But doing His way. Playing in Jesus’ name. Think about all the things we do for fun.

Ballgames, cookouts, fishing, camping, playing sports, the list goes on and on.

Do we always handle ourselves in a Christ like way while we are doing those things?

If we are going to play in Jesus’ name then we must play like Jesus would play. When we do that, it changes the way we handle ourselves, and it makes a big impact on those who are around us.

I recently watched the NBA finals. After the game was over and the San Antonio Spurs were champions, they interviewed David Robinson. David gave all glory to God and talked about Christ had given him a firm foundation to stand on. What a great testimony for Christ he made. He played in Jesus’ name.

B. Work in Jesus’ Name.

Is God pleased by what you do for a living? Is it ethical? Does it lead people to sin?

Our jobs can be used as a way to bring glory to God. When we start working in Jesus’ name, it changes the way we think about our employers, it changes the way we think about our employees. It changes the way we think about how we do our jobs. If we work like Jesus would work if he were there doing our jobs.

Maybe you think your job is a waste of time. A dead end job. But maybe God put you there for a reason. Maybe there is something he wants you to accomplish through your job. God gives the abilities to work and the opportunity to make a living for our family. He expects us as Christians to work in Jesus’ name. Just like playing in Jesus name, working in Jesus’ name makes a huge impact on others who watch you.

C. Witness in Jesus’ name

Jesus gave us the great commission. He gave us clear instructions for witnessing. Clear plan for evangelism. He says Go into all the world making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey everything he commanded. So why has much society abandoned his plan? Notice there is nothing about the sinners prayer in that formula, no mention of altars. Make disciples........baptize them....teach them. See, when we quit witnessing in Jesus name and start sharing the gospel according to our own opinions, we get in big trouble and get way off track of what God intended. We must witness in Jesus’ name. Witness the way Jesus would witness if he were here witnessing himself.

When we witness in Jesus’ name-

All we have to do is share the message. God will do the rest.

We don’t have to worry about rejection. They are rejecting Christ not us.

Our responsibility is to share.

We are light in a dark world.

Salt in a tasteless society.

Sowers of seed in all kinds of soil.

D. Worship in Jesus’ name

One of the things I hear most often is people complain that the worship "just didn’t feed them." They didn’t like the music, or they didn’t like the sermon. The drama didn’t make sense, or the sound was too loud. The sermon was boring. When we expect to worship in our name, the way we think worship should be done, it causes problems. We have to realize what worship really is and what it is really about. Its about a personal relationship. Worship cannot just be something we do one day a week. It has to be a daily attitude and lifestyle. When you and I leave church and complain that we werent fed by the worship, the problem is not the worship. It is us. The problems is not the songs, the problem is not the worship leader, not the sermon. The problem is most likely us and our relations hip with Christ. If Jesus came into most of our churches, he wouldnt care if it were hymns or choruses. Jesus wouldn’t care if it was a piano, the spoons, or a full orchestra. He would probably say "Let’s Just Praise the Father!"