Embracing Our Call as Ambassadors for Christ
Summary
In the sermon, I was reminded of the importance of being ambassadors for Christ, a calling derived from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. This calling is about reconciliation and making God's presence known in the world. It was emphasized that God's desire is to reconcile the world, a mission that the children of Israel missed as they thought God was only going to bless them. However, God's plan was for them to go into the world and make His presence known. This is a crucial message from the life of Ezekiel, who was called to be a watchman and engage with others as ambassadors for Christ. This is a significant call of scripture that we must embrace.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of being part of a local church body. The Bible is written to specific churches with specific groups of people who were called to serve together in a local context. Being part of a local church body is crucial because we are a flock and we are meant to walk together. The church is not personality-driven but is meant to give worth to Jesus, who is the head of the church. The church is also called to live a disciplined life, surrendered to the Lord, and build disciplines against sinful habits.
Key takeaways:
- God's desire is to reconcile the world, not just bless a select group of people. This is a mission that we, as Christians, are called to participate in. ([50:36])
- Being part of a local church body is crucial because we are meant to walk together and serve together in a local context. ([48:46])
- The church is not personality-driven but is meant to give worth to Jesus, who is the head of the church. ([50:00])
- We are called to live a disciplined life, surrendered to the Lord, and build disciplines against sinful habits. ([01:05:00])
- The message of the Gospel is confrontational. It calls us to turn around and go the right way. ([53:53])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - #!!50:36!!#
2. Ezekiel 33:1-9 - #!!46:59!!#
3. Romans 5:8 - #!!01:13:11!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What is the role of a Watchman as described in Ezekiel 33:1-9?
2. How does 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 describe our role as ambassadors for Christ?
3. What does Romans 5:8 reveal about God's love for us despite our sinfulness?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the role of a Watchman in Ezekiel 33:1-9 relate to our calling as ambassadors for Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21?
2. How does the message of reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 connect with the concept of warning the wicked in Ezekiel 33:1-9?
3. How does the sacrificial love of Christ in Romans 5:8 empower us to fulfill our roles as ambassadors and watchmen?
Application Questions:
1. How can you embody the role of a Watchman in your personal life, warning others about the consequences of sin and pointing them towards Christ?
2. What is one specific way you can act as an ambassador for Christ in your community this week?
3. Can you think of someone in your life who needs to hear the message of God's love as described in Romans 5:8? How can you share this message with them?
4. How can you actively participate in the ministry of reconciliation mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 in your daily interactions?
5. How can you resist the cultural pressure to keep your faith to yourself and instead boldly share the gospel with others?
Devotional
Day 1: Living in the Season of the Last Days
We are believers living in the season of the last days. It is crucial for us to understand the significance of our names and to live out our faith as a community. We are called to live a disciplined life, surrendered to the Lord, and to build disciplines against sinful habits. This is a time for us to pay attention and to change our ways ([01:04:21]).
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily habits. How can you build more discipline into your life to resist sinful habits?
Day 2: Ambassadors for Christ
We are called to be ambassadors for Christ. This means we are to represent Christ to the world. We are not to keep our faith to ourselves, but to share the gospel message with others. This is an important call of scripture and one we must embrace ([50:36]).
2 Corinthians 5:20 - "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel message? How can you be an ambassador for Christ to them?
Day 3: The Gift of God's Forgiveness
When we truly understand our sinfulness and Christ's sacrifice, our natural response is repentance and belief. We turn to Him and away from our sin. This is the gospel message: we are sinners, Christ died for us, and if we receive His gift, we will have eternal life ([01:12:25]).
Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Reflection: How has understanding your sinfulness and Christ's sacrifice impacted your life? How can you share this understanding with others?
Day 4: The Return of the King
We are living in a time that causes us to consider the return of Christ. This should lead us to expect His return and to live our lives in light of this expectation. We are called to be watchmen, alert and ready for His return ([43:46]).
Matthew 24:42 - "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."
Reflection: How does the expectation of Christ's return impact your daily life? How can you live more fully in light of His return?
Day 5: Recognizing God Through His People
God revealed His name and His plan through His people, the children of Israel. Today, we recognize God through His church. It is crucial for us to engage with the Bible and to know what God's word says ([45:41]).
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: How can you engage more deeply with God's word? How can you help others recognize God through your life?
Quotes
1. "God has given to us this ministry of reconciliation. He's called us to go into the world and make his presence known. God has had his eye on the entire world from the beginning and he set this priest nation in motion and said you are going to let the world know who I am." - 51:16
2. "The idea that you should just keep your faith to yourself is a lie straight out of the satanic Playbook. We are to keep our faith to ourselves. I am so grateful that the gospel message was not kept from my family." - 52:37
3. "When Jesus spoke to my heart, he confronted me and said, 'Chris, you're not going the right way, you got to turn around.' That's the message of the Gospel." - 53:53
4. "We are a part of the big church of every believer everywhere. But when you look at the stories in the Bible, it's written to specific churches with specific groups of people that were called to serve together in a local context." - 48:46
5. "We are believers that are living in the season of the last days. We've got to come and be the church and walk together, holding one another accountable, encouraging one another, living together with the church." - 01:04:21
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