Ambassadors of Hope: Sharing Christ Beyond the Walls

 

Summary

In our journey through 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, we are reminded that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This profound truth is the foundation of our message of reconciliation. As ambassadors for Christ, we are tasked with the divine mission to plead on Christ's behalf, "Come back to God." This is not merely a suggestion; it is our mandate, our calling, and our privilege.

We live in a world drowning in hopelessness, and we hold the life preserver—the message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. The urgency to act is not a matter of if, but why we aren't already doing so. Our mission is clear: to extend the reach of this life-saving message beyond the walls of our church and into the spaces where people are most in need.

However, we face a complication. The message of Jesus has been hijacked by those who misrepresent Him. We've all seen the street preachers and the signs that distort the Gospel, creating barriers for those seeking truth. It's essential to recognize that these misrepresentations make our task more challenging, but they do not absolve us of our responsibility.

We must also understand that curiosity is often mistaken for animosity. When Paul spoke in Athens, he was met with skepticism, but also with a desire to learn more. As influencers for Christ, we must be discerning, listening for the genuine interest beneath the surface questions or doubts.

Paul's approach in Athens serves as a model for us. He engaged with the culture, affirming truth wherever he found it, and used it as a bridge to share the Gospel. He did not compromise the message but presented it in a way that connected with his audience. This is our task as well—to affirm truth, to be as good a student as we are a teacher, and to bring the message of Jesus to people in a way that resonates with their experiences and understanding.

We must also be influencers outside the church. The religious space is comfortable and familiar, but many who need to hear the Gospel will not be found there. We must go to them, into the community, and into the invitation-only spaces where we can share the love of Christ.

Finally, we must be willing to be influencers in every space, recognizing that God is already at work in people's lives. We are simply called to be willing participants in His plan, to speak when the opportunity arises, and to know when to be silent and let the Holy Spirit work.

Key Takeaways:

- As ambassadors for Christ, we carry the message of reconciliation, a message that is not just wonderful but essential for a world drowning in despair. We must be proactive in sharing this hope with conviction and clarity. [49:33]

- Misrepresentations of the Gospel can create barriers, but they also provide us with the opportunity to re-represent Christ accurately. We must not let the failings of others deter us from our mission to share the true nature of God's love and grace.

- Curiosity in spiritual matters is often a precursor to faith. When engaging with skeptics or those with questions, we must listen carefully and respond with compassion, recognizing their interest as an opportunity to share the Gospel.

- Influencing for Christ requires us to affirm truth wherever it is found, even in secular or opposing belief systems. By acknowledging these truths, we can build bridges that lead to deeper conversations about faith.

- Our influence should not be confined to the church. We must be willing to step into community spaces and even into personal, invitation-only spaces where we can share the Gospel in a more intimate and impactful way.

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 2 Corinthians 5:19-20
- Acts 17:16-17
- Acts 17:22-23

#### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, what is the message of reconciliation that we are tasked with as ambassadors for Christ?
2. In Acts 17:16-17, what was Paul's reaction to the idols he saw in Athens, and how did he respond to this situation?
3. How did Paul use the cultural context of Athens to share the Gospel in Acts 17:22-23? What specific approach did he take?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20? How does this role impact our daily lives and interactions with others?
2. How can we discern genuine curiosity about faith from animosity, as suggested in the sermon? (ex [26:11])
3. What are some modern-day examples of misrepresentations of the Gospel that create barriers for those seeking truth? How can we address these misrepresentations effectively? (ex [08:46])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your role as an ambassador for Christ. How can you be more proactive in sharing the message of reconciliation in your daily life? (ex [07:25])
2. Think of a time when you encountered skepticism or curiosity about your faith. How did you respond, and what could you do differently in the future to engage more effectively? (ex [26:11])
3. Identify a space outside the church where you can be an influencer for Christ. What specific steps can you take to share the Gospel in that space? (ex [16:10])
4. How can you build bridges to share the Gospel by affirming truth in secular or opposing belief systems, as Paul did in Athens? (ex [29:44])
5. Consider someone in your life who is curious about faith. What is one practical way you can engage them in a spiritual conversation this week? (ex [26:11])
6. Reflect on the story of John Harper from the sermon. How can his example of selfless evangelism inspire you to share your faith more boldly? (ex [03:48])
7. How can you ensure that your representation of Jesus is accurate and loving, especially in a world where the Gospel is often misrepresented? (ex [08:46])

Devotional

Day 1: Proactive Reconciliation Advocates
In a world overwhelmed by despair, believers are called to be proactive advocates of reconciliation, embodying the hope and salvation found in Jesus Christ. This is not a passive role but an active one, where each person is an ambassador for Christ, carrying the essential message of God's reconciling love to a world in need. It is a divine mandate to extend this message beyond the comfort of familiar surroundings and into the lives of those who are drowning in hopelessness. The urgency of this task cannot be overstated; it is a matter of spiritual life and death, and believers must rise to the occasion with conviction and clarity, sharing the hope they possess with those who need it most [49:33].

"God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 ESV

Reflection: How can you actively seek out opportunities this week to share the message of reconciliation with someone who may be experiencing despair?

Day 2: Re-Representing Christ Accurately
Misrepresentations of the Gospel can create significant barriers to faith, but they also present believers with the opportunity to accurately re-represent Christ. It is crucial to not let the failings of others deter the mission to share the true nature of God's love and grace. Believers must rise above the noise and confusion caused by distortions of the Gospel, offering a clear and true portrayal of Jesus' message. This involves demonstrating God's love through actions and words, ensuring that the Gospel's authenticity shines through the misrepresentations that have clouded its transformative power [49:33].

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." - Colossians 4:6 ESV

Reflection: What are some common misrepresentations of the Gospel you have encountered, and how can you prepare to address them with grace and truth?

Day 3: Curiosity as a Precursor to Faith
Curiosity in spiritual matters is often a precursor to faith, and it is important to engage with skeptics or those with questions with compassion and understanding. Listening carefully and responding with empathy can turn a simple conversation into a life-changing encounter. Believers should recognize the genuine interest beneath the surface questions or doubts and see these interactions as opportunities to share the Gospel. By doing so, they can help guide others on their journey toward faith and deepen their own understanding of God's love and grace [49:33].

"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." - 2 Timothy 2:24-25 ESV

Reflection: Can you think of a time when someone's curiosity about your faith opened the door to a deeper conversation, and how can you foster such opportunities this week?

Day 4: Affirming Truth in All Contexts
Influencing for Christ requires believers to affirm truth wherever it is found, even in secular or opposing belief systems. By acknowledging these truths, believers can build bridges that lead to deeper conversations about faith. This approach does not compromise the Gospel message but rather presents it in a way that connects with diverse audiences. It is about being as good a student as a teacher, learning from the world while also sharing the wisdom of the Gospel. This approach allows for meaningful dialogue and the opportunity to present Jesus' message in a way that resonates with people's experiences and understanding [49:33].

"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light." - Ephesians 5:11-13 ESV

Reflection: What is a truth you have found in a secular context, and how can you use it as a bridge to share the Gospel with someone?

Day 5: Influencing Beyond Church Walls
The influence of believers should not be confined to the church. They must be willing to step into community spaces and even into personal, invitation-only spaces where they can share the Gospel in a more intimate and impactful way. This means being present where people are, engaging with them in their environment, and sharing the love of Christ in a way that is personal and relevant. It is about recognizing that God is already at work in people's lives and being willing participants in His plan, speaking when the opportunity arises, and knowing when to be silent and let the Holy Spirit work [49:33].

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" - Mark 16:15 ESV

Reflection: What are some community spaces or personal environments where you can be a presence for Christ this week, and how can you prepare yourself to step into those spaces?

Quotes

- "You cannot force your way into this invited space... but if you love people, you will naturally be invited to share in this space." [33:54] (Download | )

- "In a world where many would rather drown than listen to another religious speech, you have been called to represent Jesus and to re-represent because it's needed." [11:00] (Download | )

- "Christians, if you keep your influence so tightly boxed into this space, there will be people drowning all around you in every other space while you're hanging on to and hoarding the life preserver." [18:28] (Download | )

- "A good influencer affirms truth wherever they see it... Good influencers are also as good a student as they are a teacher." [31:03] (Download | )

- "The church should go to church... but after the church goes to church, the church needs to go to hell and rescue people, bringing them out of that, bringing them into the lifeboat of Jesus." [31:46] (Download | )

- "We are Christ's ambassadors, God is making his appeal through us... We are on a mission to take the mission of our leader into other places." [07:25] (Download | )

- "The message of Jesus has been hijacked... but we have this wonderful message and it says we're ambassadors, we are on a mission to take the mission of our leader into other places." [08:07] (Download | )

- "We confuse their curiosity with animosity... if you're quick to get your feelings hurt as an influencer, you may mistake someone's curiosity for animosity." [26:48] (Download | )

- "Don't worry about getting your feelings hurt, worry about people drowning without a life preserver." [23:57] (Download | )

- "Don't give up on somebody just because they don't agree with you... don't miss that opportunity to hold this life preserver for somebody who is nice to me." [40:42] (Download | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?