Ambassadors for Christ: Living Beyond Earthly Allegiances
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of being ambassadors for Christ, a calling that transcends our earthly identities and affiliations. As we navigate the complexities of our world, especially in times of political tension and division, it's crucial to remember that our primary allegiance is to God and His kingdom. While we may hold strong opinions about political matters, our ultimate mission is to represent Christ in all we do, pointing others to Him through our actions and words.
We began by acknowledging the blessings and freedoms we enjoy in our nation, recognizing that while we love our country, it is not the promised land. Our true citizenship is in heaven, and as followers of Christ, we are called to be His ambassadors on earth. This means that our lives should reflect His love, grace, and truth, regardless of the political climate or societal pressures.
As ambassadors, we are not elected by people but chosen and appointed by God. This divine appointment gives us a unique identity and purpose, empowering us to bear fruit that lasts. We are not ordinary individuals; we are a royal priesthood, called to influence the world for Christ. This calling challenges us to live lives that are above reproach, demonstrating the love and integrity of Christ in every interaction.
Furthermore, as ambassadors, we never represent ourselves but always represent Christ. This responsibility extends to every aspect of our lives, from our family interactions to our political discussions. Our goal is not to win arguments or convert others to our political views but to point them to Jesus, the source of true freedom and hope.
In conclusion, while political matters are significant, they are temporary. Our focus should be on the eternal, on God's kingdom, and on how we can be effective ambassadors for Christ in a world that desperately needs His light. Let us embrace this calling with humility and dedication, knowing that we are part of a greater mission that transcends earthly boundaries.
Key Takeaways:
- Chosen and Appointed by God: As Christ's ambassadors, we are not elected by people but chosen and appointed by God to bear lasting fruit. This divine calling empowers us to live with purpose and influence, reflecting God's love and truth in all we do. [45:04]
- Royal Priesthood: We are not ordinary individuals; we are a royal priesthood, called to be spiritual influencers in the world. This identity challenges us to live lives of integrity and to lead others to Christ through our example and testimony. [52:30]
- Always Representing Christ: As ambassadors, we never represent ourselves but always represent Christ. This responsibility extends to every aspect of our lives, including our political discussions, where our goal is to point others to Jesus, not to win arguments. [54:39]
- Eternal Perspective: While political matters are important, they are temporary. Our focus should be on the eternal, on God's kingdom, and on how we can be effective ambassadors for Christ in a world that needs His light. [57:09]
- Unity in Christ: Regardless of our earthly nationality, we are united under the name above all names, serving a greater King. Our mission is to offer freedom in Christ, transcending political and national boundaries. [01:03:08]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Announcements and Volunteer Opportunities
[03:30] - Prayer and Offering
[05:15] - Introduction to New Series
[07:00] - One Nation Under God
[10:45] - Our True Citizenship
[15:30] - Ambassadors for Christ
[20:00] - Chosen and Appointed by God
[25:00] - Royal Priesthood
[30:00] - Representing Christ
[35:00] - Eternal Perspective
[40:00] - Unity in Christ
[45:00] - Political Discussions and Our Mission
[50:00] - Prayer and Reflection
[55:00] - Invitation to Respond
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Ambassadors for Christ
Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
- John 15:16
- 1 Peter 2:9
---
Observation Questions:
1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, what role are believers given, and how does this relate to the concept of being an ambassador? [45:04]
2. In John 15:16, what does Jesus say about the nature of our calling and purpose as His followers? How does this relate to the idea of being chosen and appointed by God? [45:04]
3. How does 1 Peter 2:9 describe the identity of believers, and what implications does this have for how we live our lives? [52:30]
4. What examples were given in the sermon about how we can represent Christ in our daily interactions, especially in political discussions? [54:39]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ, and how does this role impact our interactions with others, especially in a politically divided world? [45:04]
2. How does understanding that we are chosen and appointed by God (John 15:16) influence our sense of purpose and mission in life? [45:04]
3. In what ways does the concept of a "royal priesthood" challenge common perceptions of spiritual leadership and influence among believers? [52:30]
4. How can maintaining an eternal perspective help believers navigate temporary political and societal issues? [57:09]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily interactions. How can you be more intentional about representing Christ in your conversations, especially when discussing political or divisive topics? [54:39]
2. Consider your current understanding of being chosen and appointed by God. How does this knowledge affect your daily decisions and interactions with others? [45:04]
3. Identify a situation where you struggled to maintain an eternal perspective. What practical steps can you take to focus more on God's kingdom in similar situations in the future? [57:09]
4. Think about a recent conversation where you prioritized winning an argument over pointing someone to Jesus. How could you approach similar conversations differently in the future? [54:39]
5. How can you embrace your identity as part of a "royal priesthood" in your community or workplace? What specific actions can you take to influence others spiritually? [52:30]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt divided from others due to political or national differences. How can the unity in Christ help bridge these divides in your relationships? [01:03:08]
7. What is one specific way you can demonstrate the love and integrity of Christ in your family interactions this week? [54:39]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Appointment and Purpose
As Christ's ambassadors, we are chosen and appointed by God, not by human election, to bear lasting fruit. This divine calling empowers us to live with purpose and influence, reflecting God's love and truth in all we do. Our identity as ambassadors is not a result of our own merit but a gift from God, who entrusts us with the mission of representing Him on earth. This calling challenges us to live intentionally, knowing that our actions and words have the power to impact others for eternity. Embracing this role means understanding that our lives are not our own; we are here to serve a higher purpose and to bring glory to God in all circumstances. [45:04]
John 15:16 (ESV): "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you live out your divine appointment as an ambassador for Christ today, especially in your interactions with others?
Day 2: Royal Priesthood and Spiritual Influence
We are not ordinary individuals; we are a royal priesthood, called to be spiritual influencers in the world. This identity challenges us to live lives of integrity and to lead others to Christ through our example and testimony. As members of this royal priesthood, we are set apart to serve God and to be a light in the darkness. Our lives should reflect the values of God's kingdom, demonstrating love, grace, and truth in every situation. This calling is not about elevating ourselves but about pointing others to the One who is worthy of all praise. By living out our identity as a royal priesthood, we can inspire others to seek a relationship with Christ and to experience the transformative power of His love. [52:30]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts and talents to influence others spiritually and lead them closer to Christ today?
Day 3: Representing Christ in Every Aspect
As ambassadors, we never represent ourselves but always represent Christ. This responsibility extends to every aspect of our lives, including our political discussions, where our goal is to point others to Jesus, not to win arguments. Our mission is to embody the character of Christ in all we do, showing love, patience, and understanding even in challenging situations. By prioritizing our identity as Christ's representatives, we can navigate difficult conversations with grace and humility, focusing on building bridges rather than creating divisions. This approach allows us to be effective witnesses for Christ, drawing others to Him through our actions and words. [54:39]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your words and actions today reflect Christ's love and truth, especially in conversations that may be contentious or divisive?
Day 4: Eternal Perspective and Kingdom Focus
While political matters are important, they are temporary. Our focus should be on the eternal, on God's kingdom, and on how we can be effective ambassadors for Christ in a world that needs His light. By maintaining an eternal perspective, we can prioritize what truly matters and invest our time and energy in things that have lasting significance. This mindset helps us to rise above the noise of the world and to focus on our mission of sharing the gospel and making disciples. As we align our lives with God's eternal purposes, we can experience a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment, knowing that we are part of something greater than ourselves. [57:09]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal priorities today, and what practical steps can you take to align your life with God's kingdom purposes?
Day 5: Unity in Christ and Transcending Boundaries
Regardless of our earthly nationality, we are united under the name above all names, serving a greater King. Our mission is to offer freedom in Christ, transcending political and national boundaries. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers and bridge-builders, promoting unity and reconciliation in a divided world. By focusing on our shared identity in Christ, we can overcome differences and work together to advance God's kingdom. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel and the hope that is found in Christ alone. [01:03:08]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: How can you actively promote unity and reconciliation in your community today, and what steps can you take to build bridges across divides?
Quotes
1. "As Jesus followers, we are not just here to defend freedom of speech. We're here to help people find freedom in Christ, right? That's what we're called to do. We're not just here to be this patriotic and just all about the country, and that's it. We're called to something higher than that, something more than that. We're not just Americans, and so as I think about it, I go, we're not just Americans. We are also, we are ambassadors, right? We are ambassadors, and I think this is going to come up. I'm not sure. Autumn, you can figure it out as it goes, all right? But we are ambassadors from heaven, right?" [00:43:35] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "As Christ's ambassadors, we're going to look at this in just a minute, as Christ's ambassadors, but we are ambassadors from heaven. In 2 Corinthians 5, 17, and then going on in verse 19 and 20, it says, and God has committed to us the message of reconciliation, we are therefore what? Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us, and so as followers of Christ, we are his ambassadors here, and as an ambassador, an ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat sent as a representative from one nation to another. That's what a diplomat is. It's the highest ranking diplomat, that ambassador, and it's sent from one nation to another, and you are an ambassador. If you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then you are an ambassador sent by God from heaven to earth." [00:45:04] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "That's who you are, and so everybody, just take just a second, turn to somebody next to you and say, I am an ambassador, all right? It's okay to talk in church. Go ahead, all right? But we are ambassadors, and we are sent by God, right? From heaven to earth, and so what does that look like? That's what I want to talk about. As Christ's ambassadors, what does that look like? So as Christ's ambassador, number one is this, is that you are not elected by people, but you were chosen and appointed by God, period, right? You weren't elected by anybody. You were chosen and appointed by God. In John 15, 16, it says, you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, right? So it doesn't matter what people say. It doesn't matter who they say you are. It doesn't matter what they think about you. It doesn't even really matter what you think about yourself, right?" [00:45:59] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You are an ambassador sent by God. If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are an ambassador sent by God. So it's not, it really doesn't matter even what you think about yourself. That's the truth. You are an ambassador sent by God. The second thing is Christ's ambassador is you are not a regular person, right? You are not a regular person. You are a royal priest of God. And now as we hear the word priest, I think that's confusing to us sometimes, right? Because when I think priest, what, you think priest, what jumps into your mind? You've got the guy with the black shirt and the collar and, you know, he's going to serve communion or he's going to, you know, you think Catholic. That's pretty much what kind of pops into your mind when we think priest, right? But you're not a regular person. You are a priest. And when you think priest, you're not a regular person. You are a Catholic." [00:48:28] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There's no like secret line that I have. You're able to go to God just as well as you can go to God, and you have, if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have that direct access to him. You don't have to come through me. You don't have to go through anybody else. That's the concept, the idea of the priesthood of the believers, and that's who we are, you know? And so, you know, think about it. A hospital visit, and this comes down to anything. A hospital visit. If somebody is in the hospital, I'm not the only person that has to visit somebody in the hospital, right? Because I'm not more special because I'm the pastor. A deacon visiting or a friend from the church visiting is the same thing because it's that priesthood of the believers. It's not one person has this priest thing down, and everybody else is kind of the underlings under that. That's not how it works. We're all priests. We have that priesthood of believers. You are chosen. You are called out. You are equipped, and you are a priest of the most high, and so we've got to be thinking about that, that as an ambassador, he has called me. He has equipped me, and he has made me a priest that I'm able to go directly to him. I have that authority as well, and then the third thing is this. The third thing is this, is that you never represent yourself, right? When you think of an ambassador, an ambassador never represents himself. You always represent Christ." [00:50:48] (87 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You know, you think about the ambassador from whatever country, right? That guy is not representing himself. He's always representing the country that he represents, always. When he's here in America, he is a representation of that country. If you're the ambassador from America to another country, you're never representing yourself. You're always representing America in whatever country you're in. That's the way it is, and as ambassadors for Christ, we realize that I never represent myself. I am always, always representing Christ. That means when I'm at home with my family, I'm representing Christ. It also means when I'm having lunch at Cracker Barrel, I'm representing Christ. When I'm having a discussion with somebody else about politics, I'm representing Christ." [00:52:15] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "How much do I think about that, right? Or how much do I think about, well, I'll let them talk for a second, then I'm going to show them how wrong they are, you know? I'm going, is my mindset on showing them they're wrong, or is my mindset on I'm an ambassador for Christ? How am I going to point them to Jesus? That's my mindset. That's what we need to be thinking about, but so many times we're wrapped up in the things that we're trying to do, or we want to get across, instead of being wrapped up in God and allowing him to get the things across that he wants to get across. You never represent yourself. You always represent Christ. In 1 Peter 2 .2, it says, live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God. On the day that he visits us." [00:53:31] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So that means that even among the pagans, among other people who don't know Christ, they may say, well, I don't agree with everything, but man, they really live what they believe, right? They're actually living it out. They're not just saying one thing and then living something completely different. They're actually representing their Savior. Whether I accept that Savior or not is a secondary detail, but I know that they're living it out, and as you live that out and they see that, it's going to draw them to you. And as they draw to you, they're not drawn to you, they're drawn to Christ, and you're able to point them to him, not yourself. You know, as I think about that, I think myself, I go, everything I do, I represent Christ. Everything I do, I represent Christ." [00:54:32] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Jesus said, they will know you're my disciples by the way you love, right? It didn't say, they'll know you're my disciples if you vote for this person, right? It didn't say that. It didn't say that. It didn't say that. It didn't say that. It didn't say, they'll know you're my disciples if you beat them over the head on what you believe, right? No, it didn't say, you know, if you just convince them hard enough to vote for the person that you want them to vote for, then they'll know you're my disciple. No. Am I showing love? And because ultimately, when I look at America, look at our country, I love our country, but this isn't home, right? This isn't home. This is temporary." [00:54:47] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We're going to spend eternity either with God in glory forever, or we're going to spend eternity separated from God in a place called hell forever. And that's the reality. And so, whether one person is elected or another person is elected, it's temporary, no matter how long it might be. But eternity is forever. And so, is my mindset more focused on eternity, on what God is doing, and how I can point people to him? Or am I just really, focused on this temporary, this short now? Now, I'm not saying the stuff here, the election, who's elected, I'm not saying that's not important. It is. It's important. It's a big deal." [00:56:01] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?