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"Ambassadors for Christ..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20

REPRESENTING GOD

The term “ambassadors” needs to be carefully understood. The word simply means “a representative of God.” The person who speaks on behalf of the Lord represents Him and is His “ambassador.”

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God were pleading through us:
we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20

1. “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ”

a) Paul was conscious of representing Christ.

b) The word “ambassador” focuses on “representing Christ”.

c) It is similar to the idea of being “an apostle”.

i) In the original idea it described someone who was sent on a mission.

ii) In the process of time, the word was used to describe a special group of people who had special authority in their representative ministry.

2. “As though God were pleading through us”

a) This is a glorious and profound concept.

b) Paul was conscious of the following:

i) God had called Him.

ii) He had appointed him to be an apostle.

iii) He was sent out with full authority.

iv) God spoke through Paul.

v) Paul was only the spokesman for the Lord.

vi) He was His representative (ambassador).

3. “We implore you on Christ’s behalf”

a) God had sent Jesus as His Apostle and High Priest (Hebrews 3:1).

b) Christ then went on to call Apostles and sent them out as His representatives.

c) Paul was conscious of representing the Lord Jesus Christ.

d) Thus He was able to implore on Christ’s behalf.

4. “Be reconciled to God”

a) Salvation was in mind.

b) Restoration was in mind too.

c) Spiritual rejuvenation is urged.

Reconciliation to God covers more than just the salvation aspect.