Embracing Our Role as Ambassadors in God's Kingdom
Summary
In the exploration of the concept of the Kingdom of God, a foundational Christian teaching is presented, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's identity within this spiritual realm. The Kingdom of God is not a physical location but rather the domain where God's authority and power are recognized and submitted to. It is described as both "already" present in some form and "not yet" fully realized, a tension that reflects the Christian belief in the present reality of God's rule and the anticipation of its complete fulfillment.
The discussion highlights that upon choosing faith in Jesus Christ, individuals are transferred from the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of God, becoming citizens with new rights and responsibilities. This new citizenship demands a transformation of identity, where former affiliations and identities are replaced by one's primary identity as a child of God and a citizen of His Kingdom. This identity should influence every aspect of life, including behavior, relationships, and decision-making, aligning them with the values and principles of the Kingdom.
The role of an ambassador is introduced as a job title that comes with citizenship in the Kingdom of God. Ambassadors are authorized messengers representing their sovereign, Jesus Christ, in a foreign territory—the world. This role involves reflecting the character and will of Jesus, sharing the message of salvation, and inviting others to become part of God's Kingdom. The importance of knowledge, wisdom, and character is underscored for ambassadors to represent Jesus effectively. Knowledge of Jesus' teachings and actions is essential, but it must be coupled with wisdom to apply that knowledge appropriately in various situations. Character is paramount, as it determines the authenticity of one's representation of Jesus to the world.
The practical steps to grow in knowledge, wisdom, and character are outlined. Engaging with the Bible, taking notes during teachings, and utilizing resources like Life University are recommended for gaining knowledge. Wisdom can be sought through prayer, experience, and learning from others. Character development involves walking closely with God, avoiding sin, and staying accountable to others.
The message concludes with a call to action for believers to embrace their role as ambassadors, especially in light of the vast number of people who have yet to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. A period of prayer and fasting is proposed as a time to seek God's guidance on how to fulfill this role effectively. The urgency of the mission is emphasized by the statistic that a significant percentage of the population within a certain radius of the community does not know Jesus, underscoring the plentiful harvest and the need for more workers.
Key Takeaways:
- The Kingdom of God is a central theme in Christianity, representing God's sovereign rule rather than a physical location. Understanding this concept is crucial for believers as it shapes their identity and purpose, aligning their lives with the values and principles of the Kingdom. This alignment affects every aspect of life, from personal behavior to societal engagement. [06:19]
- Citizenship in the Kingdom of God comes with the role of an ambassador, a position that requires representing Jesus Christ in the world. This role is not a passive one but an active commission to share the message of salvation and reflect the character of Jesus in all interactions. [19:21]
- Knowledge of Jesus' teachings is foundational for ambassadors, but it must be complemented by wisdom—the ability to apply knowledge in a way that is sensitive to context and effective in communication. Wisdom can be sought through prayer, experience, and learning from others. [26:12]
- Character is the most critical attribute for ambassadors of the Kingdom. It is through character that the authenticity of one's representation of Jesus is judged. Developing character involves intentional practices such as walking closely with God, renouncing sin, and maintaining accountability with fellow believers. [29:08]
- The mission field is vast, and the need for ambassadors is great. Believers are encouraged to take their role seriously, recognizing that they are the answer to the prayer for more workers in the harvest. Engaging in periods of prayer and fasting can be a powerful way to focus on this mission and seek God's direction for effective ambassadorship. [37:21]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 1:14-15 (ESV)
> "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'"
2. Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV)
> "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
3. 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."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Mark 1:14-15, what was the central message Jesus proclaimed as He began His ministry?
2. In Colossians 1:13-14, what significant change happens to those who believe in Jesus?
3. What role do believers take on according to 2 Corinthians 5:20, and what does this imply about their responsibilities?
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of the "already but not yet" Kingdom of God? [05:44]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for the Kingdom of God to be "at hand" as stated in Mark 1:15? How should this influence a believer's daily life?
2. How does being transferred from the domain of darkness to the Kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13-14) change a believer's identity and responsibilities? [08:46]
3. What are the implications of being an ambassador for Christ as described in 2 Corinthians 5:20? How does this role affect how believers interact with the world? [15:15]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of character for ambassadors of the Kingdom. Why is character considered the most critical attribute, and how does it impact one's representation of Jesus? [29:08]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current understanding of the Kingdom of God. How does this understanding shape your daily decisions and interactions? [03:57]
2. In what ways can you actively embrace your new identity as a citizen of God's Kingdom? Are there specific old identities or affiliations you need to let go of? [10:07]
3. As an ambassador for Christ, what practical steps can you take to grow in knowledge, wisdom, and character? Identify one area to focus on this week. [21:41]
4. How can you incorporate prayer and fasting into your routine to seek God's guidance and strength in fulfilling your role as an ambassador? [37:21]
5. Think of a situation where you struggled to represent Jesus well. What could you have done differently, and how can you prepare to handle similar situations better in the future? [29:50]
6. Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you intentionally build a relationship with them and share the message of the Kingdom? [19:59]
7. What specific actions can you take to ensure that your character aligns with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God? How can you stay accountable in this journey? [33:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Kingdom Identity
Understanding one's identity as a citizen of the Kingdom of God is transformative, affecting every aspect of life. This new identity supersedes all former affiliations, aligning one's behavior, relationships, and decision-making with the values and principles of the Kingdom. As children of God, believers are called to live out this identity authentically, reflecting the nature of the Kingdom in their daily lives. [06:19]
Colossians 1:13-14 - "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: How does your identity as a citizen of the Kingdom of God shape your daily interactions and choices?
Day 2: Living as Kingdom Ambassadors
As ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, believers are tasked with actively representing Jesus Christ in the world. This role involves sharing the message of salvation and exemplifying Jesus' character in every interaction. It is a commission that calls for dedication and a deep understanding of what it means to be a representative of the Kingdom. [19:21]
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: In what ways can you more effectively represent Jesus in your daily life as His ambassador?
Day 3: Cultivating Wisdom and Knowledge
Knowledge of Jesus' teachings is essential for Kingdom ambassadors, but it must be paired with wisdom to be applied effectively. Wisdom allows believers to navigate different contexts and communicate the Gospel in a manner that resonates with others. It is through prayer, experience, and learning from others that wisdom is cultivated. [26:12]
James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
Reflection: What is one situation where you need God's wisdom today, and how can you seek His guidance in it?
Day 4: Authenticity Through Character
The authenticity of an ambassador of the Kingdom is judged by their character. Walking closely with God, renouncing sin, and staying accountable to fellow believers are key practices in developing a character that truly reflects Jesus. It is through character that the world sees the reality of the Kingdom's transformative power. [29:08]
Ephesians 4:22-24 - "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What character trait do you need to develop to better reflect Jesus, and what practical step can you take today to cultivate it?
Day 5: The Urgency of the Kingdom Mission
The mission field is vast, and the need for laborers is urgent. Believers are called to take their role as ambassadors seriously, recognizing the significant number of people who have yet to hear the good news. Prayer and fasting are powerful tools in seeking God's direction for effective ambassadorship in this plentiful harvest. [37:21]
Luke 10:2 - "He told them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
Reflection: How can you participate in the urgent mission of the Kingdom this week, and who can you invite to join you in this endeavor?
Quotes
"The Greek word used for Kingdom... it's not about a location, it's actually better translated as the reign of the king... it's this word that's used to depict the power and the authority of the king not the location of the king." [07:26] (Download)
"In Christ, it doesn't matter what you were, it doesn't matter what the world says your identity should be. The moment you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you are given a new identity that is immeasurably more important than any other identity you may have once claimed." [11:21] (Download)
"Your salvation in Jesus came with a job title; you are all now ambassadors... sent from his kingdom back into your Old Kingdom so that you can reflect and represent him to the world around you." [15:15] (Download)
"Knowledge and wisdom are crucial, but the third thing that you need as ambassadors is the most important thing, and that is character. Our character becomes the most important thing about us because when the world looks at you, if all they see is a reflection of themselves, that is not a good representation of Jesus." [29:08] (Download)
"Jesus said to his followers there is such a big Harvest of people to bring in... but there are only a few workers to help Harvest them... we would be praying and asking God to send the workers while at the same time recognize that we are the answer to the prayer we're praying." [37:57] (Download)
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