Embracing Our Role as Ambassadors for Christ

Devotional

Day 1: You Are a New Creation in Christ

When someone comes to Christ, they are not simply improved or patched up; they are made entirely new. The old life, with its failures, regrets, and brokenness, is gone, and a new life has begun—a life that is a gift from God. This transformation is not something earned or achieved, but a gracious act of God who brings us back to Himself through Jesus. As you embrace this new identity, remember that your past no longer defines you; you are now defined by the love and work of Christ in you. [15:08]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you still let your past define you? How can you invite God to help you fully embrace your new identity in Christ today?

Day 2: Ambassadors of Christ—Our Privilege and Responsibility

Being an ambassador for Christ is an incredible honor and a serious responsibility. Ambassadors do not represent themselves; they represent the one who sent them. As Christ’s ambassadors, you are called to live with integrity and righteousness, not out of self-righteous legalism, but out of a genuine relationship with God. People are watching the way you live, and your life can point them to Jesus even more than your words. Let your actions reflect the love, grace, and truth of the One you represent. [18:11]

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 specific way can you demonstrate Christ’s character to someone around you today, so that your life points them to Jesus?

Day 3: Speaking God’s Words, Not Our Own

As Christ’s ambassadors, you are entrusted with His message, not your own opinions or feelings. In moments of challenge or injustice, it is tempting to speak from your own hurt or anger, but God calls you to speak His words—words of forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope. Even when it feels impossible, choosing to speak God’s truth can transform situations and hearts, sometimes even your own. Let your words today be guided by the message and heart of Jesus, not by your own impulses. [25:05]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: Is there a conversation or situation today where you are tempted to speak your own mind? How can you intentionally choose to speak words that reflect Christ’s heart instead?

Day 4: Living as Pilgrims—Investing in Eternity

This world is not your home; you are a pilgrim and an ambassador passing through. It is easy to become preoccupied with accumulating possessions or seeking recognition here, but true fulfillment comes from investing in God’s kingdom—serving, giving, and living for what lasts forever. When you remember that your true home is with Christ, it changes your perspective on what really matters and frees you to live generously and purposefully for eternity. [32:04]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can invest in God’s kingdom today, rather than focusing on temporary things?

Day 5: God Is Always at Work—Join Him

God is moving powerfully around the world, often in places and ways we do not expect. He invites you not just to observe, but to participate in His mission—making disciples, serving others, and being part of His work of reconciliation. Rather than asking God to bless your plans, ask Him to open your eyes to what He is already doing and how you can join Him. Your prayers, generosity, and willingness to serve make you a vital part of God’s unfolding story. [12:16]

John 5:17 (ESV)
"But Jesus answered them, 'My Father is working until now, and I am working.'"

Reflection: Where do you see God at work around you—at home, work, or in your community—and how can you take one step to join Him in that work today?

Sermon Summary

Each time we gather as God’s people, Jesus meets us right where we are, transforming us and inviting us to participate in His ongoing work around the world. God is moving in powerful ways, not just in places we expect, but in nations like Brazil, India, China, Mongolia, and the Middle East—places where the cost of following Jesus can be incredibly high. Stories of miraculous conversions, healings, and even martyrdom remind us that the gospel is alive and active, and that we are privileged to worship and serve God freely.

Our calling is not just to be recipients of God’s grace, but to be active participants in His mission. The Great Commission is not reserved for a select few; it is a mandate for every believer to make disciples, not just converts. God is inviting us to partner with Him, to be His ambassadors in a world desperate for reconciliation and hope. This is not a passive role; it is a high calling that comes with both privilege and responsibility.

As ambassadors of Christ, we are entrusted with the message of reconciliation. Our lives are to reflect the integrity and righteousness of the One we represent—not through legalism or outward appearances, but through genuine transformation and humility. People are watching how we live, and our actions often speak louder than our words. We must be careful not to let our message be undermined by a lifestyle that contradicts the gospel.

Furthermore, as ambassadors, we do not speak our own opinions or act out of our own interests. We are called to speak the words of Christ, even when it is difficult or goes against our natural inclinations. Forgiveness, grace, and reconciliation are not just ideals; they are commands that we are empowered to live out, even in the face of injustice or suffering. Our faithfulness in this role can have eternal consequences, as seen in the stories of those who have chosen to forgive and have witnessed God use their obedience to bring others to Himself.

Finally, we must remember that this world is not our home. As ambassadors, we are pilgrims, investing in God’s kingdom rather than accumulating treasures on earth. Our true reward and celebration await us in eternity, and this perspective frees us to live generously, sacrificially, and with hope. We are not home yet, but we are on a journey, representing Christ until the day we see Him face to face.

Key Takeaways

1. God is already at work in the world, often in unexpected places and through unlikely people. Our prayers should shift from asking God to work, to asking Him to open our eyes so we can join in what He is already doing. This perspective transforms our sense of purpose and invites us into a dynamic partnership with God’s mission. [12:16]
2. Being an ambassador for Christ is a profound privilege and responsibility. It means living with integrity, not relying on outward appearances or legalistic standards, but allowing our lives to be shaped by genuine repentance and humility. People are drawn to Christ not by our perfection, but by our authenticity and willingness to own our failures and seek God’s grace. [18:57]
3. As Christ’s ambassadors, we are called to speak His words, not our own. This requires surrendering our desire for vindication or self-expression, and instead proclaiming forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope—even when it is costly or counterintuitive. Faithfulness in this area can lead to transformation, both in our own hearts and in the lives of those who hear us. [25:05]
4. Our citizenship is in heaven, and this world is not our home. When we embrace our identity as pilgrims and ambassadors, we are freed from the tyranny of materialism and the need for earthly recognition. Investing in God’s kingdom gives our lives eternal significance, and reminds us that our true reward is yet to come. [32:04]
5. The journey of following Jesus is marked by both sacrifice and promise. We may not always see immediate results or receive earthly accolades, but God’s affirmation and eternal welcome await us. Living with this perspective enables us to persevere with joy, generosity, and hope, knowing that we are part of something far greater than ourselves. [35:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:13] - God’s Global Movement and Our Partnership
[02:41] - The Cost and Privilege of Following Jesus
[06:21] - Transformation Through Humility and Obedience
[08:05] - God’s Surprising Work in Hearts
[11:22] - Testimony of Healing and Evangelism in Mongolia
[12:16] - God Is Already Working—Our Invitation
[13:42] - New Creation and the Ministry of Reconciliation
[15:08] - Ambassadors: Our Calling and Identity
[18:11] - Living with Integrity, Not Legalism
[19:51] - The Danger of Outward Religion
[22:06] - Speaking God’s Words, Not Our Own
[25:05] - Radical Forgiveness and Its Impact
[28:30] - It’s Not About Us—Living for Christ
[30:34] - Ambassadors Live as Pilgrims
[32:04] - Investing in Eternity
[34:09] - The True Homecoming
[35:19] - Living for Eternity and the Promise of Home
[36:08] - Prayer for Faithful Ambassadors

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (ESV) — 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 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.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Observation Questions

According to 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, what does it mean to be a “new creation” in Christ?
What specific task or ministry does Paul say God has given to believers in these verses?
In the sermon, what are some examples given of God working in unexpected places or through unlikely people? ([01:13])
What does the sermon say is the difference between making converts and making disciples? ([02:41])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that God is “not counting people’s sins against them” in the ministry of reconciliation? How does this shape the way believers approach others?
The sermon describes being an ambassador as both a privilege and a responsibility. What are some ways this role can be challenging, especially in places where following Jesus is costly? ([02:41])
The speaker warns against living with “self-righteous legalism” and instead calls for integrity and humility. Why is authenticity so important for Christ’s ambassadors? ([18:57])
What does it look like in practical terms to “speak the words of Christ, not our own,” especially when it comes to forgiveness and reconciliation? ([25:05])

Application Questions

The sermon says God is already at work in the world and invites us to join Him. How can you shift your prayers from asking God to work, to asking Him to open your eyes to what He’s already doing? Is there a situation in your life where you sense God is inviting you to join Him? ([12:16])
Think about your daily life—work, school, family, neighborhood. In what ways are you acting as an ambassador for Christ? Are there areas where your actions might not match the message you want to share? ([18:11])
The speaker shared a story about radical forgiveness in the face of tragedy. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive, even if it feels impossible? What would it look like to “speak the words of Jesus” in that situation? ([25:05])
The sermon challenges us to invest in God’s kingdom rather than accumulating treasures on earth. Are there practical ways you can live more generously or sacrificially this month? What might you need to let go of? ([32:04])
The idea of being a “pilgrim” or “not at home” in this world is repeated in the sermon. How does remembering that your true home is with Christ in eternity change your perspective on current struggles or disappointments? ([35:19])
The speaker said people are drawn to Christ not by our perfection, but by our authenticity and willingness to own our failures. Is there a recent failure or weakness you can be honest about with someone, to point them to God’s grace? ([18:57])
The Great Commission is for every believer, not just a select few. Who is one person you can intentionally disciple or encourage in their faith journey this week? ([02:41])

Sermon Clips

So many people see their salvation as the end. It's the beginning, friends. It's the beginning. God's now got to work for you. And that work is to reconcile others to himself and not only get them converted, but get them discipled. So that they are followers of Jesus and they're making other disciples for his glory. [00:15:23] (26 seconds) #SalvationIsTheStart

What an honor. awesome privilege. He's created us anew. The old life is gone. The new is here. And I am his ambassador. I am his spokesman. I'm not speaking my own words. I'm speaking the words of Jesus. And this morning, I want to tell you, you're all very important people. This is the VIP lounge you're sitting in. The ambassadors of Jesus Christ. [00:17:37] (34 seconds) #NewLifeAmbassadors

The second thing about an ambassador is an ambassador cannot speak their own opinions. Have you ever heard an ambassador, you know, what do you think about the situation with A and B? Oh, well, I think they should do this. Not a chance. They've got a script. And they read off the script. And whether they believe that or not, they proclaim the message that they've got to speak. That's what Paul is saying here. He's saying, Christ has given us this message. We are his spokesperson. We're not proclaiming what we think. We're proclaiming the word of God. [00:22:47] (49 seconds) #ProclaimGodsWord

In a world that is fighting and grabbing to get to the top, we live according to our king's command. Let me be a servant. Let me serve. In a world that says, grab everything you can, we generously give. And I tell you, I just want to say this morning as well, I thank God that you are such a generous church. May God bless you for your generosity. And you can never out give God. Never. Never. [00:23:41] (44 seconds) #ServeWithGenerosity

Why? Because one ambassador said, it's not about me. And, you know, the problem is, in the challenges of life, we often think it's about us. It's not about us, friends. It's about Jesus. Sometimes we want vindication and justification. I want to prove. Don't try and prove anything, friends. Leave it to God. He will turn the situation around. And he'll use it for his glory. Our command, our responsibility as ambassadors is to speak the words of Jesus. Not our own words. [00:28:56] (52 seconds) #ItIsAboutJesus

And then the third thing about an ambassador. Very, very simple thing. An ambassador doesn't live at home. This isn't our home, friends. And when we really begin to understand that, we start living differently. We can accumulate so much here on earth, you're never going to take it with you, friends. So invest it in something that's going to give eternal value. [00:30:14] (41 seconds) #InvestInEternity

If you want to really invest well, invest in God's kingdom. Because this is not home. We are passing through, friends. And when we understand that, we start living for eternity. We're not living just for today. You know, sometimes we live as though we're going to be here forever. And you're not. We're passing through. We're ambassadors. We're headed home. [00:31:52] (31 seconds) #PilgrimsOnTheJourney

We're not home, friends. We're on a journey. We're pilgrims on a journey. We're ambassadors for Jesus Christ. One day we're going to get home, and we have that great promise we'll see Jesus, and in an instant, in a moment, we'll be changed into his likeness. And all these things we're worried about down here won't mean a thing anymore. [00:35:57] (29 seconds)

``We are Christ's ambassadors. He says, ambassadors, we watch the way we live our lives. We speak his word, and we live like pilgrims, investing in his kingdom. [00:36:26] (19 seconds)

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