Ambassadors for Christ: Reflecting His Kingdom Values

Devotional

Day 1: Representing Christ's Kingdom on Earth

As Christians, our primary identity is as ambassadors for Christ, representing His kingdom on earth. This means our actions and words should reflect the values of God's kingdom, transcending political affiliations and focusing on the mission of bringing others back to God. Being an ambassador for Christ involves living out the principles of justice, mercy, and humility as outlined in Micah 6:8. It is a call to embody the values of God's kingdom in our daily lives, especially in times of political and social turmoil. This role is not about asserting power but about demonstrating God's love and goodness to a broken world. [46:06]

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: How can you reflect the values of God's kingdom in your interactions today, especially with those who hold different political views?

Day 2: Our True Citizenship

Our true citizenship is in heaven, and we are merely passing through this world. This perspective should influence how we engage with societal issues, reminding us that our ultimate allegiance is to God's kingdom, not earthly nations. This heavenly citizenship calls us to live in a way that reflects our eternal home, prioritizing God's values over worldly concerns. It challenges us to see beyond the temporary and focus on the eternal, shaping our actions and decisions accordingly. [47:47]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself today that your true citizenship is in heaven, and how should this influence your actions and decisions?

Day 3: Extending Mercy

Mercy is a core attribute of God's character, and as His ambassadors, we are called to love mercy. This means extending grace and forgiveness to others, just as we have received from God. Mercy is not about fairness; it's about reflecting God's goodness in a broken world. It involves showing compassion and kindness, even when it is undeserved, and being a conduit of God's love and grace to those around us. [51:50]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs mercy. How can you extend God's grace and forgiveness to them today?

Day 4: Walking in Humility

Humility involves recognizing who God is and who we are in relation to Him. It means thinking of ourselves less and focusing more on serving others. Walking humbly with God helps us stay in step with His will and purpose for our lives. It requires a posture of dependence on God, acknowledging our need for His guidance and strength, and prioritizing His desires over our own. [51:04]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to practice humility? How can you intentionally serve others in that area today?

Day 5: Transformational Relationship with God

God desires a transformational relationship with us, not a transactional one. This means our faith is not about checking off religious duties but about being transformed by His love and extending that love to others. A transformational relationship with God involves a deep, personal connection with Him that changes us from the inside out, leading us to live out His love and grace in tangible ways. [07:22]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to experience God's transformational love? How can you open yourself up to His transforming work today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the theme of being ambassadors for Christ, especially in the context of a politically charged season. We began by acknowledging the pervasive division and lack of unity in our society, which has even seeped into the church. The core message was drawn from 2 Corinthians 5:20, where Paul describes Christians as ambassadors for Christ, tasked with the mission of pleading with others to come back to God. This role transcends political affiliations and focuses on the higher calling of representing Christ's kingdom.

We delved into what it means to be an ambassador for Christ, emphasizing that our citizenship is in heaven, and our mission is to reflect the values of God's kingdom here on earth. This involves living out the principles of justice, mercy, and humility as outlined in Micah 6:8. We discussed the importance of doing what is right, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. These principles are not just abstract ideals but practical guidelines for how we should conduct ourselves, especially in times of political and social turmoil.

The sermon also highlighted the need for Christians to grow up spiritually, to stop whining and complaining, and to focus on being mature representatives of Christ. We were reminded that God's kingdom operates on love and not power, and that our role is to bring God's goodness to a broken world. This involves being lovers of good, doers of good, and extending mercy to others as we have received mercy from God.

In conclusion, we were challenged to reflect on our own lives and consider how well we are fulfilling our role as ambassadors for Christ. Are we living out the values of justice, mercy, and humility? Are we bringing God's goodness to those around us? The call to action was clear: to be bold in our love for justice and mercy, and to walk humbly with God, thereby transforming our communities and our nation.

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Key Takeaways

1. a1M&t=2766s'>[46:06]
2. Citizenship in Heaven: Our true citizenship is in heaven, and we are merely passing through this world. This perspective should influence how we engage with societal issues, reminding us that our ultimate allegiance is to God's kingdom, not earthly nations.

3. Loving Mercy: Mercy is a core attribute of God's character, and as His ambassadors, we are called to love mercy. This means extending grace and forgiveness to others, just as we have received from God. Mercy is not about fairness; it's about reflecting God's goodness in a broken world.

4. Walking Humbly: Humility involves recognizing who God is and who we are in relation to Him. It means thinking of ourselves less and focusing more on serving others. Walking humbly with God helps us stay in step with His will and purpose for our lives.

5. Transformational Relationship: God desires a transformational relationship with us, not a transactional one. This means our faith is not about checking off religious duties but about being transformed by His love and extending that love to others.

### [46:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:45] - Introduction and Greetings
[41:41] - The Issue of Division
[42:35] - Humorous Story
[43:22] - The Need for Unity
[44:04] - Believing in the Same Mission
[44:37] - Series Overview: Under God
[45:16] - Personal Voting Experience
[46:06] - Ambassadors for Christ
[47:07] - Pleading with the Current Generation
[47:47] - Citizenship in Heaven
[48:38] - Being an Ambassador in All Circumstances
[49:12] - Paul's Example in Chains
[49:57] - Boldness in Persecution
[50:23] - Growing Up Spiritually
[51:04] - Walking Humbly
[51:50] - Loving Mercy
[52:23] - Doing What is Right
[53:30] - Definition of Justice
[54:11] - Definition of Good
[55:34] - Being a Lover of Good
[56:18] - Paul's Instructions to Timothy
[57:17] - Loving What Jesus Loves
[57:59] - Personal Story of Good
[58:48] - Family Involvement in Ministry
[59:25] - Baptism Stories
[60:49] - Loving Good in Everyday Life
[61:58] - Being a Doer of Good
[62:27] - Loving Mercy in Action
[64:05] - God's Faithfulness
[64:56] - Justice vs. Mercy
[67:22] - Transformational Relationship
[68:49] - Mercy Brings Goodness
[70:15] - Personal Testimony
[71:25] - The Joy Set Before Jesus
[72:33] - Humility Defined
[73:06] - The Mercy of God
[74:06] - Walking Humbly with God
[75:08] - Changing the Nation
[75:38] - Overcoming Evil with Good
[76:02] - Call to Action
[76:42] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[77:18] - Prayer and Commitment
[79:43] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, what is the role of Christians as ambassadors for Christ? ([46:06])
In Micah 6:8, what three actions does the Lord require of us? ([52:23])
How does the sermon describe the current state of division in society and the church? ([43:22])
What does the pastor say about our true citizenship and how it should influence our actions? ([47:47])

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ in today's politically charged environment? How can this role transcend political affiliations? ([46:06])
How can the principles of justice, mercy, and humility from Micah 6:8 be practically applied in our daily lives? ([52:23])
The sermon emphasizes spiritual maturity and avoiding complaints. How does this relate to being effective ambassadors for Christ? ([50:23])
How does the concept of a transformational relationship with God differ from a transactional one, and why is this important for Christians? ([07:22])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are you living out the values of justice, mercy, and humility? What specific actions can you take this week to better embody these principles? ([52:23])
In what ways can you demonstrate that your true citizenship is in heaven, especially when engaging with societal issues? ([47:47])
Think of a recent situation where you were tempted to complain or whine. How could you have responded differently to reflect spiritual maturity? ([50:23])
Identify a person in your life who needs to experience God's mercy. How can you extend grace and forgiveness to them this week? ([51:50])
How can you be a bold ambassador for Christ in your community? What specific steps can you take to bring God's goodness to those around you? ([46:06])
Consider your relationship with God: Is it more transactional or transformational? What changes can you make to deepen your relationship with Him? ([07:22])
How can you walk humbly with God in your daily interactions? Think of a specific situation where you can practice humility this week. ([51:04])

Sermon Clips

1. "I would love for us to believe the same Bible. Believe in the same Savior. And believe in the same mission. And let's move forward no matter who's in the White House. I think that would be cool. And so I want to jump off with this because we've been kind of talking about it at our church. We did a series. And I'm going to give you four weeks and about 30 minutes. Is that okay? Yeah. Well, I better keep going. We just called it Under God because we love our nation. I bet you love our nation." [44:04] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I think, now I know this. Jesus is on the throne and it's going to be okay. It really is. And we need to really settle there because I'm sorry. I'm kind of tired of picking between the less of two evils, you. And I'm speaking, let me clarify this. I'm speaking as a guy who was born and bred in Massachusetts. Yes, I'm a foreigner up here. And born and bred in Massachusetts." [44:37] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I just, I'm an ambassador for Christ. When I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, my citizenship changed from here to there. I don't have dual citizenship. I'm a stinking missionary here. This world is not my home. I'm just a passing through. How many remember the hymns? And my citizenship is there. And I am an ambassador here. And my job as an ambassador here is to convince this nation that my nation's really cool." [47:47] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When Jesus rose from the dead and the book of Acts starts, they get together in a big group because now they're being persecuted. Now they're being hunted. And you know what their prayer was? Lord, help us to be bold. Now some of you are bold. Again, we're friends on Facebook. Some of you are bold. We're supposed to be a peculiar people. Some of you have got that. All right. You are peculiar. But I'll tell you what. Don't forget what we're called to do. I'm an ambassador for Christ. I represent." [49:57] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If we're going to be ambassadors for Christ, hold on to the bar. Listen carefully. You're going to need to grow up a little bit. We can't be whining and stomping our feet. Do you realize the book of Philippians says do all things without murmuring and disputing? How many of you do that? I got complaining just this afternoon. To be older. We represent God's kingdom while living here in America. God's kingdom is global. God's kingdom runs on love and not power." [51:04] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "God's kingdom forces us to understand this. It's not about country. It's about Christ. It's not about nation. It's about neighbor. We are ambassadors for Christ. I'm sorry. I got some of this stuff. I've been working on it for a couple of weeks and it's like a burr under my saddle. I get a little passionate. I hope that's okay. Today I want to persuade you that we should follow the instructions. The Old Testament minor prophet Micah said this in chapter 6 and verse 8. God's speaking. No, oh people. The Lord has told you what is good. And this is what he requires of you. And then he gives a list. I love a list. Because if God gives you a list. That's a gimme." [51:50] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "God created you on purpose. For a purpose. And that is to be an ambassador for Christ. I looked up good. Because we use good. We throw good around, don't we? So we do good. And I thought, I want a working definition because that sometimes surprises me what the word actually means. I looked up good. It had 47 definitions. 42 of them were adjectives. Let me give you just a handful. Real fast. Ready? Take a breath. Better. Best. Morally. Excellent. Virtuous. Righteous. Pious. Of high quality. Excellent. Right. Proper. Fit. Well-behaved. Kind. Honorable. Worthy. Genuine. Not counterfeit. Sound. Valid. Reliable. Dependable. Responsible. Helpful. Healthful. That means we're healthy. All right. We're not going there. You all just went. Beneficial. Cheerful. Optimistic. Free of distress or pain. Comfortable. Agreeable. Pleasant. Sufficient. Advantageous. And loyal. That's just to name a few. Would you think that good should describe an ambassador for Christ?" [54:11] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Mercy isn't fair. It's good. You don't want what's fair. If you will love justice. You'll love God's command. John 14 15 says this. Jesus speaking. If you love me. Obey my commandments. Obedience matters in God's eyes. Sure it does. But as a loving heavenly father. I've learned so much having children. I think you should have children. Just so you can learn some biblical principles. It's not a waste. See. Someone told me this one time. The difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Is the difference between a child and an adult. In the Old Testament. Do this. Don't steal. Or I'll hit you with a stick. That's kind of the Old Testament law. Alright. In the New Testament. Jesus says. Don't steal because you love me. See the difference. And I'm glad I live in the New Testament." [01:07:22] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I think our country is upside down and on fire. I do. And I make no bones about that. I don't care. Again, if you're an elephant or a donkey. I don't care. I actually don't care. I think it's the condition it is in. Because Christian, we're not being the ambassadors. We are called to be. What would a nation look like. If just the people. People who knew Christ. Loved good. Loved mercy. And walked humbly. Would that not change America? So remember. Write spice in. In November. One of my favorite verses. I'm not really a life verse guy. But if I had one, it would be this one. I call it the superhero verse. In Romans chapter 12 and verse 21. Be not overcome by evil. But overcome evil with. Good. We don't fight fire with fire. That's justice. I'm going to fight you with good. That's what I'm called to do as a follower of Christ." [01:15:08] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I think we could change the world. If we just. Live up to what we're called to do. And is it that hard? The mercy of God is amazing. It automatically makes me. Grateful. If you're here this evening. And you've never accepted Jesus Christ. Then. You've never accepted the mercy of God. Because you've been so busy. Trying to be. Do justice. You know. We. Everybody seems to think. You know. That they're a sinner. And we're going to do this. And this. And this. And I'm going to go. To church on Christmas. And I'm going to go to church on Easter. And that's awesome. But there's not a big chess. Checklist. That God's checking things off. He sent. Jesus. To fix. The broken. Injustice. To bring you. Salvation." [01:16:20] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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