Establishing the need: Do you realized that if you are a Christian you are called by God to be an ambassador of Christ? What does that mean and what does God require of you?
We will be looking at 2 Corinthians 5:20=
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Purpose of Series: Over the next few weeks on Sunday we will see four characteristics of an ambassador of Christ are so that you will faithfully represent Christ to other.
Our first one for today: An ambassador is one who knows God well.
- An ambassador is one who knows God well
- Point: If we are going to be ambassadors we need to know God and know Him well.
- Passage: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ,”
- Proof
- “ambassadors”—Before technology its important to know what the leaders really want otherwise an ambassador might make a decision that is unfaithful and bad for the country/state/leaders.
- Who do we represent as ambassadors? “Christ”
- Know Christ in various ways, such as in the following:
- “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
- Notice this passage here Paul says that Christians are to know what the will of God is.
- Specifically knowing God’s will involves knowing that “which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
- Notice here that knowing God also will transform us.
- Where do we turn to know God’s will and also for that knowledge to transform us? The Bible!
- “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and [a]the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;” (Philippians 3:10)
- We are not just to be familiar with rules of God but also knowing Christ and what He has done:
- “the power of His resurrection”
- “the fellowship of His sufferings,”
- “His death;”
- We also must get a taste of suffering if we are going to have “fellowship of His sufferings”
- We are not just to be familiar with rules of God but also knowing Christ and what He has done:
- “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
- Practice
- Do you know God’s laws and rules? How can you represent Him if you do not?
- If possible ambassadors would read letters from their leader. Do you read regularly the Bible and vow to learn it more deeply so you know whom you represent and what His will is for all circumstances?
- A good ambassador who knows the will of the one who sent Him would also act with integrity so as to not undermine his representation of the one who sent Him. How much more so, does our knowledge of God lead us to act in such a way that presents a good testimony to people around us?
Nice. I like outlines. They appeal to my sense of order. Sometimes my attention wanders, and points help me focus. Thanks!
Yeah, I like outlines too! Thanks for reading this, the reason why it is an outline is because this was from my preaching. I still need to work on my final point which is four weeks from now, since I had a hard time outlining and just wrote a paragraph. Will work on that soon though!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks Vincent for the reblog. It’s sunday, got a long day ahead and I’ll get to your blog later tonight. Thanks again brother!
you’re very welcome Brother! Lord bless your ministry needs my friend!
I’m with Wally on this Pastor Jim. The outline is great and gives me starting points to explore. Looking forward to this series. I have been reading the Holiest of All by Andrew Murray so this should tie in nicely with my reading. ~ Have a blessed Sunday With Jesus ~
Thanks Deborah! I’m glad also you are looking forward to this series. How is Andrew Murray’s book thus far?
I also like the outline and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
Praise God, thanks James for reading this!
You bet brother. As always, it was a great post.
[…] Part 1 […]
This is truly helpful, Pastor Jim – it blessed me!
Praise the Lord, thank you for reading this Maria!
Praise the Lord! I’m glad to read this.
[…] Characteristics of an Ambassador of Christ Part 1: An ambassador is one who knows God well […]
Reblogged this on Praying for the millennials.
Thank you for reblogging this!
Amen
this literature has helped me teaching the theme for the year 2017 in our church
this literature has helped me teaching the theme for the year 2017 in our church
Wish I could give proper credit for the following. Apocity leads to Apostasy.
If your defending and contending for the faith you will be offending someone.
Passive pastoral ear tickling is refusing to publicly denounce the deceivers.
What good is it to fill the pews yet loose some to Apostasy via your silence.
What is seeker friendly about ignoring poison pills in the flocks fodder?
It’s not God’s will to allow false unity between light and darkness, truth and error.
This is a good lesson