ALL IN – The Name of Jesus – Following Jesus From the Edges.

IN THE NAME OF JESUS DEVOTIONALS

Beginning a new series of Devotional thoughts this morning. Focusing on and emphasizing our actions and our life in the name of Jesus. I recently have been experiencing some thoughts from others about my priority of ministry. The priority is that all we do is in the “name of Jesus” by the “power of the Holy Spirit”.

I constantly remind the church or try to – sometimes gently – sometimes not so much that all that we do should be in the name of Jesus. Though I don’t feel a rebellious reaction I do feel at times a questionable pause. I have made claims that if we are not doing what we do as individuals and as the church then we are nothing more than another club or association. Recently I heard someone in our ministry stating this same stance of “doing it in the name of Jesus” in a ministry of the church. My heart cheered and spirit cheered!

Once we have accepted Jesus, we should be moving into what I commonly refer to as God’s neighborhood. John 1:14 in the Message says this “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.”

If we have been changed through salvation in Jesus Christ, made a commitment including a public profession and received the Holy Spirit we should be desiring then to live not only in God’s neighborhood and way but becoming a people “sent” to share the hope of Jesus with others.

But…. We do have a lot, all of us, have much to get straight about what this relationship might look like.

In the 3rd chapter of Colossians, the opening verses read this way : “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3 ESV)

As we read further in the chapter, there are directions – not suggestions – but directions of what a new life in Christ should look like. Shedding, leaving, putting aside, everything that keeps you from a relationship with Jesus causing you to want more, do more, be more, serve more, love more, follow closer, and be living right on main street in God’s neighborhood.

Circling back to being all that we are and doing all that we are doing in Jesus’ name; Colossians 3: 17 reads : “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

So, this becomes the reason for my urgency! Note the word in this verse “everything”. The opposite of everything is nothing. We might add words and thoughts like “almost everything”, or “sometimes” or “maybe” but the Apostle Paul is clear with the word “everything”.

I look forward to the next few days as we talk about living into being “in the name of Jesus”, it needs to be more than just words said but actions, practicing what we preach, doing what we say we are going to do and being who we claim to be in Jesus………

I look forward to being in conversation with you – good old fashion – face to face conversation.

Have a blessed day !

Pastor Calvin Cook
August 18, 2025