Ambassadors

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:20

Recently, our Pastor challenged the church to become influencers for Christ.  This year-long focus by our congregation rests upon prayer by members for individuals who are in their circle of influence.  These people within a person’s sphere of influence could be family, friends, work colleagues, or neighbors.  We believe God hears, considers, and answers prayer.  No one could predict how He might answer these prayers at the start of 2020, but I am confident He has, is, and will continue to respond to our cries.

Many are praying for people in their circle to be receptive to listening to the Gospel message.  Did you catch that? Receptive to listening.  Before March 2020, many in our collective sphere of influence would not have entertained listening to a Gospel message, much less stepping foot in a building of any religious stripe to attend a worship service.

However, a shift is occurring.  Millions are participating in online worship services, and it has never been easier to invite someone to a worship service.  They can attend and never leave home!  God is answering our prayers!  Please don’t misunderstand, the suffering, death, economic uncertainty are real and pose a series challenge.  But, we are witnessing a potential spiritual awakening.

If you follow Christ, the Apostle Paul encourages you in 2 Corinthians 5:20, to be an ambassador for Christ.  What does it mean to be Christ’s ambassador?  Here are a few thoughts:

The King Chooses Ambassadors

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16

When I was in grade school, I was not a great athlete.  I was among the last chosen when the teams were selected.  I honestly did not think much about being among the last chosen.  I was thankful to be chosen.  I still remember that feeling.  Yes! Someone wants me as a teammate!

As Christ-followers, you and I are chosen by the King as His ambassadors.  We represent and speak on behalf of our heavenly King.  Quite a responsibility and an awesome responsibility.  We are on “the Lord’s side!”  Remember, as part of the Lord’s team, we are not representing ourselves and speaking to our desires, but His.

John the Baptist was Christ’s chosen messenger and was His forerunner and announced His coming.  He modeled for us the behavior of an ambassador and understood that he was part of the Lord’s team when he said, “He must increase, and I must decrease.”  In so many words, John the Baptist said this is not about me; it’s about Him!

The King Sends Ambassadors

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19–20

Growing up, I heard preachers say, some louder than others, “God saved you to serve; He did not save you to sit!”  That’s a good thought.  God asks His people to follow Him and be His ambassadors in the world.

You and I are created uniquely by God.  Though we may share common friendships, family, and work colleagues, we do not share the same level of influence with each one of those people.  Beyond that, there are people that you are uniquely positioned and purposed by God to reach with His gospel message.  Think about that for a moment.  There are people in your life that need you to share the gospel with them! 

The simplest way to share the gospel is to share your story.  For a minute, share what your life was without Christ.  Tell how you came to know Christ personally. Finish by sharing how your life has changed since you met Him.  You can tell your story in two or three minutes.  The King has sent you to tell your story to your sphere of influence.

The King Empowers Ambassadors

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

When considering the job of an ambassador for ourselves, inevitably, our thoughts of inability will hinder us.  For many, the idea of sharing our story about what Christ has done in our life is paralyzing.  We read the accounts of Peter and Paul in Acts and see men of great courage, men of oratory skill, men of intellectual brilliance.  Then we see ourselves as lacking the right stuff to share our story.

Look beyond these men and their words and look into their lives.  As you do that, you see men surrendered to God and who placed their lives in His hands.  In return, God has supernaturally equipped them with His Spirit.  It is this equipping that the leaders of the early church operated and experienced so many miracles.

An Ambassador must serve, not in his strength, but in the power of the One who sent him.  When Peter spoke up for Christ after spending a night in jail, notice what the listeners saw in Acts 4:13, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” May others take note of our lives that we have spent time with the Lord!

The King Protects Ambassadors

Throughout the infancy of the early church in the book of Acts, there are numerous exploits of tremendous courage by the disciples, leaders, and followers of Christ.  In the face of imprisonment, torture, and even death, these men and women willingly risked everything they possessed, including their lives to spread the gospel.  Where did they get such great courage?  Were they just exceptionally courageous and emotionally strong individuals?  Or was there something else at work?

The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Our King protects His ambassadors!  There is no need to fear (much easier said than done, by the way)!  Our sending King will defend us!  Rather than being dominated by fear, rely on the power, love, and sound mind He has given to us.

One of the most valuable and often overlooked tools in combating fear and anxiety is a sound mind.  Thinking clearly, when everything around us has gone mad.  Thinking objectively, when our emotions carry us to dark places.  Thinking spiritually, focusing on God’s word.

The King Holds Ambassadors Accountable

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12

Growing up, my mom and dad both worked after I started junior high school.  Riding the school bus home, I would arrive about an hour and a half before my mom.  I had free time to do as I wished.  Or, so I thought.

There were many days during that those couple of years that I thought about doing something I knew was wrong.  My mother would never know; she would never find out.  Most of the time, there was one thought that kept me honest, and it was what you have probably already guessed, “What if mom comes home early?”  The idea of getting caught and explaining my actions to my mother was enough to keep me out of trouble most days.

As a Christ-follower, we are accountable to God for our actions, how we spend our time, the words we share, even the thoughts we think.  It is cliché, but sobering to consider how we would live our lives today if we knew we would stand before God tomorrow. 

But, one day, we will stand before Him, and it will likely be sooner than we think.