BE ENCOURAGED!
“Christ’s Ambassadors”
Pastor Duane Cross | 10.20.2013

Either way, Christ’s love controls us.  Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.  He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!  This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

As God’s partners,we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.  For God says,
                                                “At just the right time, I heard you
                                                 On the day of salvation, I helped you.”

For God says,“At just the right time, I heard you.   On the day of salvation, I helped you.”  Indeed, the “right time” is now.  Today is the day of salvation.
                                                                                               2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2 (NLT)

I.  Recreated (vs. 17)

II. Reconciled (vs. 19)

III. Righteous (vs. 21)

IV. Representatives (vs. 20)

I am Christ’s Ambassador (say it)

• As Christ’s Ambassador, you were not elected by people but chosen and appointed by God!
  
  “You didn’t choose me, I chose you, I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”                                                                              John 15:16 (NLT)
  
  “But the Lord said, ‘go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as the people of Israel.’”
                                                                                            Acts 9:15 (NLT)
• You never represent your self, you always represent God
  “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.”                                                             John 6:38 (NLT)

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week – to take a closer look at the scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon.  Going Deeper questions also are used in all of our Grow Groups.

Scripture Reading

2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2; John 15:16; Acts 9:15; John 6:38

Getting Started

Describe a time when you worked under leader you respected.  How did they make you feel? How did it affect your performance?

Respond to the phrase, “when you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.”

What are the purposes and responsibilities of an ambassador?

A Closer Look

What does it mean to have union with Christ, to be “in Christ” like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17? (Read 2 Timothy 1:9; Romans 6:23, 8:38-39; Ephesians 1:7; Galatians 3:26; Philippians 4:7, 19)

What does it mean to be a part of the “new creation” (vs. 17); to participate in the “new humanity” God is creating? (cf. Galatians 6:15-16)

In verses 18 & 19, Paul used the word “reconciling” twice.  What does it mean in each sentence?

Two ideas appear to be in Paul’s mind in relation to Christ’s death for others—representation (ambassador) and substitution (atonement).  Comment on each.

Digging Deeper

How does it make you feel to know you are called and equipped to be “minister of reconciliation” and “ambassador of Jesus”? Is this scary, intimidating, empowering, challenging, exciting, encouraging, etc.? Why?

An ambassador never represents himself or herself but always represents God (v. 15).  What are the ways you want to begin living out this truth? Who can hold you accountable?

How can you best communicate the “message of reconciliation” to those in your spheres of influence? How can your group pray for you in this regard?