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WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

Text: 2 Corinthians 5
29 April 2012

(I) THE SPIRITUAL MINISTRY OF BEING AN AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST UNDERSTOOD

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ,” 2 Corinthians 5:20

1. Literal/Historical meaning

a) “presbeuo”…emissary, travel as an envoy…

b) An envoy is usually sent on behalf of the King

c) He is sent to bring peace to the land

2. Symbolic/Spiritual meaning

a) He is a representative of Christ the King

b) He will act on behalf of the King

c) He has the authority of the King

d) He is in the King’s royal service

3. A lack of consciousness

a) Most don’t think of themselves as an ambassador

b) Most don’t have a proper understanding of being an ambassador of Christ

(II) THE MAKING OF AN AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST

1. Servant

a) Starting point

b) Simply a servant

2. Specially selected

“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Paul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2

a) Paul was specially selected

b) By the Holy Spirit

c) Separated for the Lord’s Work

3. Appointed Apostle

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God and Timothy our brother.” 2 Corinth 1:1

a) He was divinely appointed to be Apostle

b) By the will of God

4. Ambassador

a) Messenger of Christ

b) Becoming an good representative of the King

(III) DISCHARGING OF THE MINISTRY OF THE AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST

1. Speaking on behalf of God

“As though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

a) It is a ministry where God is speaking through us

b) We become the voice of God

c) God speaks through us to reconcile people to Him

2. The ministry of reconciliation

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19

What is this ministry of reconciling?

a) We ourselves have been reconciled first

b) Entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation

c) The world needs to be reconciled to God

d) Through the use of the word of reconciliation