Living as Ambassadors of Christ's Reconciliation
Summary
In today's message, I focused on the profound ministry of reconciliation that each of us as believers is called to. This ministry is not about grand titles or positions within the church; it's about being faithful disciples and ambassadors of Christ, reflecting His love and kindness in a world that often mirrors the opposite. I emphasized that our primary role is to bring people back to God, sharing the transformative work He has done in our lives, much like the woman at the well who, upon meeting Jesus, immediately went to invite others to come and see Him.
I also addressed the importance of testimony, urging the congregation to share not only their current blessings but also their past struggles. This transparency can inspire and encourage others who are facing similar challenges, reminding them that they too can overcome through faith. I highlighted the significance of the Passover lamb, drawing parallels between the Old Testament practice and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Passover lamb, who reconciles us to God.
Moreover, I challenged the congregation to live out their faith authentically, applying the principles of God's Word to their lives rather than merely listening to messages without action. I warned against the dangers of having a form of godliness but lacking its power, which can lead to a superficial faith that does not impact our daily lives or those around us.
As we approach the celebration of the resurrection of our Savior, I encouraged everyone to reflect deeply on the sacrifice of Christ and to elevate their faith and relationship with God. I also spoke about our upcoming mission trip, highlighting the importance of giving, praying, and going as expressions of our faith in action.
Finally, I called on the congregation to pray for those who are spiritually blind, to invite others to experience the love of Christ, and to participate in worshiping God not just for what He is doing now but for what He has already done for us through Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Our ministry is one of reconciliation, where we are called to be living testimonies of God's transformative power in our lives. By sharing our stories of redemption, we invite others to experience the same grace that has changed us. This ministry is not about titles but about being true disciples of Christ. [01:04:06]
- The Passover lamb in the Old Testament was a foreshadowing of Christ, our perfect sacrifice. As believers, we must understand the depth of this symbolism and share the completeness of God's love, which is too vast for just one person or family—it is for the entire world. [55:24]
- Authentic faith requires application, not just information. We must move beyond hearing the Word to doing the Word. This means living out the principles of Scripture in our daily lives, which leads to the manifestation of God's promises in every area, including our relationships, health, and finances. [01:08:55]
- The principle of sharing our faith is not just a spiritual mandate but also a practical one. As we are blessed, we are called to be a blessing to others. This reflects the fullness of the Abrahamic promise, where we move from being recipients of God's blessings to conduits through which others can be blessed. [56:28]
- True freedom in Christ comes from understanding our identity in Him and applying the truths of His Word to break free from anything that hinders us. As we embrace our God-given purpose, we experience a life of fulfillment and are empowered to help others find their way back to God. [01:22:19]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 5:19 - "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."
2. Exodus 12:26-27 - "And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’"
3. John 1:29 - "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Corinthians 5:19 say about the role of believers in the ministry of reconciliation? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on our calling? [01:04:06]
2. In Exodus 12:26-27, what is the significance of the Passover sacrifice, and how does it relate to the sermon’s discussion on the symbolism of the Passover lamb? [40:03]
3. According to John 1:29, what title does John the Baptist give to Jesus, and what does this title signify about Jesus' mission? [45:28]
4. How did the sermon describe the importance of sharing our testimonies, including both blessings and struggles? [01:02:11]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding our role in the ministry of reconciliation change the way we interact with others, especially those who are spiritually blind? [01:04:06]
2. What parallels can be drawn between the Passover lamb in Exodus and Jesus as the Lamb of God in John 1:29? How does this deepen our understanding of Jesus' sacrifice? [45:28]
3. The sermon mentioned the danger of having a form of godliness but lacking its power. What does this mean, and how can we ensure our faith is authentic and impactful? [01:09:01]
4. How does the concept of being a blessing to others, as discussed in the sermon, reflect the Abrahamic promise? What practical steps can we take to live this out? [56:00]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal testimony. How can sharing both your blessings and struggles help others in their faith journey? Can you think of a specific person you could share your story with this week? [01:02:11]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of living out our faith authentically. What specific actions can you take this week to apply the principles of God’s Word in your daily life? [01:09:01]
3. Consider the upcoming celebration of the resurrection. How can you deepen your reflection on Christ’s sacrifice and elevate your relationship with God during this season? [34:01]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of giving, praying, and going as expressions of faith. What is one practical way you can contribute to your church’s mission efforts, whether locally or globally? [35:00]
5. Think about someone in your life who is spiritually blind. How can you pray for them and invite them to experience the love of Christ? What specific steps will you take this week to reach out to them? [01:14:25]
6. The sermon warned against having a superficial faith. What are some signs that your faith might be superficial, and how can you work towards a deeper, more genuine relationship with God? [01:09:01]
7. Reflect on the principle of being a blessing to others. Identify one person or family in need and plan a specific way to bless them this week, whether through your time, resources, or encouragement. [56:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Living Testimonies of Grace
We are each a vessel of God's transformative power, a living testimony to the grace that has altered our lives. This is not a role that comes with a title or a position within a church hierarchy; it is the essence of being a disciple of Christ. By sharing our personal stories of redemption, we extend an invitation to others to encounter the same life-changing grace. It is through our testimonies that we can demonstrate the reality of God's love and the possibility of reconciliation with Him. Our lives, marked by the transformative work of God, become a beacon of hope to those still walking in darkness, showing that change is not only possible but promised through faith in Christ [01:04:06].
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV)
"All this is from 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."
Reflection: How has your life changed since you encountered Christ, and how can you share this change with someone this week?
Day 2: The Ultimate Sacrifice Revealed
The Passover lamb, a significant symbol in the Old Testament, was a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. As believers, it is crucial to delve into the depth of this symbolism and comprehend the magnitude of God's love, which is not confined to an individual or a family but is extended to the entire world. The story of the Passover lamb is not just a historical account; it is a narrative that finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus, who became our Passover lamb. By understanding and sharing this profound truth, we can help others grasp the fullness of God's redemptive plan for humanity [55:24].
1 Corinthians 5:7b (ESV)
"For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding of Jesus as our Passover lamb and share this insight with others?
Day 3: Faith in Action
Authentic faith is not merely about absorbing information; it is about applying the principles of Scripture to our lives. It is a call to action, to live out the teachings of the Bible in our everyday experiences. This active faith leads to the manifestation of God's promises in every aspect of our lives, including our relationships, health, and finances. It is not enough to listen to messages and nod in agreement; we must be doers of the Word, allowing the truth to transform us and to be evident in our actions. This is the kind of faith that has a tangible impact on our lives and the lives of those around us [01:08:55].
James 1:22-24 (ESV)
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can apply Scripture to a current situation in your life today?
Day 4: Blessed to Be a Blessing
The principle of sharing our faith is both a spiritual mandate and a practical one. As we receive blessings from God, we are called to be conduits of those blessings to others. This reflects the fullness of the Abrahamic promise, where we transition from being mere recipients of God's favor to becoming channels through which His blessings flow to the world. Our generosity, prayers, and willingness to go on missions are expressions of this faith in action. By embracing this calling, we participate in the divine cycle of giving and receiving, which not only enriches our lives but also furthers the kingdom of God [56:28].
Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV)
"And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Reflection: Who can you be a blessing to today, and what practical step can you take to make that happen?
Day 5: Embracing Our God-Given Purpose
True freedom in Christ is found when we understand our identity in Him and apply the truths of His Word to break free from anything that hinders us. As we embrace our God-given purpose, we experience a life of fulfillment and are empowered to help others find their way back to God. This journey of self-discovery and purposeful living is not just for our own benefit; it is a pathway that leads us to assist others in their spiritual walk, guiding them towards the love and salvation that is found in Christ [01:22:19].
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel called to serve or help others, and how can you take a step towards that calling this week?
Quotes
1) "Your ministry is the ministry of reconciliation. That's your ministry. Your ministry is to reconcile people back to God, is to share people, share with people what God has done to you. Your ministry is doing what the woman at the well did when she met Jesus and she dropped her water part and went into this and said, hey, come see a man that told me all about, that's your ministry." [01:04:06]
2) "The lamb was shared. It was perfect. It had to be sacrificed and it had to be shared and this is important don't miss it. Exodus 12 4 says this here I want to get the symbolism even for the New Testament. It says if any household is too small for a whole lamb they must share one with their nearest neighbor." [55:24]
3) "I go so far as to say is as God is blessing you if we really want to go deep and share for you from the Abrahamic blessing where God said Abraham I'm going to bless you and make you a blessing if we really want to take our faith deeper with God as many of you have you don't went from you being blessed to now you position yourself to be a blessing." [56:28]
4) "I submit to you that there's not a lack of information today. It's a lack of application. Some of you are debounding with you. You don't need another sermon. You don't need another message. You got enough in you right now. What you're missing is you're not applying. You're not putting in the work. You're not doing what you have already been formed about." [01:08:55]
5) "I'm telling some of you right now, there's a prophecy hanging over your life, and God's about to release you from every tree, from every problem, from every addiction, from every circumstance. Come on, somebody that's holding you back. And if anybody asks you why you ain't going to the club no more, why you ain't cussing no more, why you ain't stealing no more, why you ain't drinking no more, because the Lord has need of me." [01:20:13]
6) "I believe when order is restored in your life, the blessings will be released. It's about priorities. It's about order. And then the third one, and then I'm done. Pray. Invite. Let's participate this week in worshiping the lamb. Some of you so focused on your problems that you can't even worship God." [01:16:07]
7) "They see your mountaintop. They don't see your valley. They don't see what you almost threw in the towel. We need to share. I'm going to close by sharing this right here. Pastor Corey. Let me give him one more scripture. Second Corinthians 519. The lamb was shared. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ." [01:02:32]
8) "He's trying to reconcile the world to himself, but he can't reconcile the world to himself if we, his people, are not referencing him in a way that will make the world want to know him. Many people don't want to know God because we're not a good reflection of him." [01:07:14]
9) "Like you said, Jeremiah, before I form you in your mother's womb, I knew you and ordained your prophet unto the nations. Father, I declare today for many people who, before they got free from what was holding them back, they messed some things up in their life." [01:22:19]
10) "I want to give Jesus your heart today. I want to make Hope City Church your home. Let me just quickly, quickly see your hand. Will there be one? No pressure, no prime. Will there be one? Lift your hand. Will there be another? Will there be another? Will there be another? Don't miss it." [01:25:16]
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