Living as Christ's Ambassadors: A Call to Action

Summary

In reflecting on the profound message of being Christ's ambassadors, I am reminded of the immense responsibility and privilege we hold as followers of Jesus. Our lives are not merely about personal achievements or accolades but about representing Christ to the world. As I shared my experiences from Brazil and Uganda, I was struck by the universal need for hope and salvation, and how God uses us as His vessels to convey His love and grace. The staggering statistics of orphans and preventable child deaths remind us of the urgency and importance of our mission. We are called to embody the gospel, not just in words but through our actions, by prioritizing others above ourselves and living sacrificially, just as Jesus did.

The concept of being an ambassador is deeply rooted in the idea that we are representatives of Christ, tasked with making His appeal to the world. This is not a passive role but an active, intentional way of living that reflects the character and love of Jesus. Our lives should be a testament to His grace, forgiveness, and sacrifice. This means stepping out of our comfort zones, letting go of our rights, and serving others selflessly. It is about boasting only in the cross of Christ, recognizing that nothing we achieve can compare to the significance of His sacrifice.

As we navigate our daily lives, we must constantly evaluate whether we are painting an accurate picture of Jesus to those around us. Are we living in a way that draws others to Him? Are we willing to lay down our lives, our comforts, and our desires for the sake of the gospel? This is the essence of being Christ's ambassadors—living in such a way that His name and renown are the desires of our hearts, ensuring that our legacy is not about us but about Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Role in Salvation: It is God who saves, not us. We are called to share His love and truth, but ultimately, it is His power that transforms hearts. This understanding should humble us and drive us to prayer, trusting in His sovereignty to reach those we love. [00:55]

2. The Weight of Being Christ's Ambassadors: As Christ's ambassadors, we have the responsibility to represent Him accurately. Our lives should reflect His love, humility, and sacrifice, showing the world a glimpse of who Jesus is through our actions and words. [12:05]

3. The Urgency of the Gospel: The staggering statistics of global suffering remind us of the urgency of our mission. We are called to prioritize others above ourselves, living sacrificially to bring hope and change to a hurting world. [06:23]

4. Boasting Only in the Cross: Our achievements pale in comparison to the cross of Christ. We should focus on glorifying Him, recognizing that our true worth and purpose are found in His sacrifice and resurrection. [30:01]

5. Living for God's Renown: Our ultimate goal should be to make God's name known, not our own. We are part of something much greater than ourselves, and our lives should be devoted to magnifying His glory and spreading His love. [38:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - Reflections on God's Role in Salvation
- [01:21] - Experiences from Brazil and Uganda
- [03:52] - Visiting Orphanages in Uganda
- [06:23] - The Urgency of Global Needs
- [08:08] - Questioning Our Value
- [11:35] - Being Christ's Ambassadors
- [14:22] - Representing Jesus
- [16:13] - The Example of Jesus
- [18:27] - Our Mission as Ambassadors
- [20:18] - Encouragement from Around the World
- [24:07] - Final Thoughts from Galatians
- [29:46] - Boasting Only in the Cross
- [34:11] - The Eternal Flame
- [38:39] - Living for God's Renown

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Being Christ's Ambassadors

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 5:20 - "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."
2. Philippians 2:5-8 - "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
3. Galatians 6:14 - "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ according to 2 Corinthians 5:20? How does this role impact our daily lives? [11:53]
2. In Philippians 2:5-8, how is Jesus' humility and sacrifice described? How does this passage challenge our understanding of leadership and service?
3. According to Galatians 6:14, what should be the focus of our boasting? How does this contrast with common societal values? [30:01]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the urgency of the gospel and the global need for hope and salvation? [06:23]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being Christ's ambassadors challenge the way we view our personal achievements and accolades? [12:05]
2. What are the implications of Jesus' example of humility and sacrifice for our interactions with others, especially those in need? [16:13]
3. How can boasting only in the cross of Christ transform our perspective on success and self-worth? [30:01]
4. In what ways does the urgency of the gospel call us to prioritize others above ourselves? How can this be practically lived out in our communities? [06:23]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily life. Are there areas where you struggle to represent Christ accurately? What steps can you take to align your actions with your role as His ambassador? [12:05]
2. Consider a situation where you can step out of your comfort zone to serve others selflessly. What specific action can you take this week to embody the humility and sacrifice of Jesus? [16:13]
3. Identify one personal achievement or accolade that you often boast about. How can you shift your focus to glorify Christ instead? [30:01]
4. Think of a person or group in your community who is in urgent need of hope and support. How can you prioritize their needs above your own this week? [06:23]
5. Reflect on the idea of living for God's renown rather than your own. What practical changes can you make in your life to ensure that His name is the desire of your heart? [38:39]
6. How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to remind yourself of God's role in salvation and your dependence on His power? [00:55]
7. Consider the global statistics of suffering mentioned in the sermon. How can you contribute to bringing hope and change to a hurting world, both locally and globally? [06:23]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereignty in Salvation
Our role in the process of salvation is to be faithful messengers of God's love and truth, but it is ultimately God who transforms hearts. This understanding should humble us and lead us to a posture of prayer, trusting in His sovereignty to reach those we care about. We are reminded that our efforts, while important, are not the source of salvation. Instead, we are called to be vessels through which God can work, sharing His message with love and compassion. This perspective should encourage us to rely on God's power and wisdom, rather than our own abilities, as we engage with others. [00:55]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: Who in your life are you praying for to come to know Christ? How can you trust God more deeply with their salvation today?

Day 2: The Responsibility of Representing Christ
Being Christ's ambassadors means we have the responsibility to accurately represent Him in our daily lives. This involves reflecting His love, humility, and sacrifice in both our words and actions. As ambassadors, we are tasked with making His appeal to the world, which requires us to step out of our comfort zones and serve others selflessly. Our lives should be a testament to His grace and forgiveness, showing the world a glimpse of who Jesus is. This is not a passive role but an active, intentional way of living that draws others to Him. [12:05]

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 ways can you better reflect Christ's character to those around you this week?

Day 3: Urgency in Addressing Global Needs
The staggering statistics of global suffering highlight the urgency of our mission as followers of Christ. We are called to prioritize others above ourselves, living sacrificially to bring hope and change to a hurting world. This means being aware of the needs around us and responding with compassion and action. The gospel compels us to address issues such as poverty, injustice, and suffering, recognizing that we are part of God's plan to bring healing and restoration. Our mission is urgent, and we must be willing to lay down our comforts and desires for the sake of the gospel. [06:23]

Proverbs 31:8-9 (ESV): "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to address a specific need in your community or the world?

Day 4: Boasting in the Cross of Christ
Our achievements and accolades pale in comparison to the cross of Christ. We are called to focus on glorifying Him, recognizing that our true worth and purpose are found in His sacrifice and resurrection. This means letting go of our pride and self-centeredness, and instead, boasting only in what Christ has done for us. Our lives should be centered around His glory, not our own, as we seek to make His name known. By doing so, we find our identity and purpose in Him, rather than in our accomplishments. [30:01]

Galatians 6:14 (ESV): "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Reflection: What personal achievements or accolades do you need to surrender to God, recognizing that your true worth is found in Christ alone?

Day 5: Living for God's Renown
Our ultimate goal as followers of Christ should be to make God's name known, not our own. We are part of something much greater than ourselves, and our lives should be devoted to magnifying His glory and spreading His love. This involves living in such a way that His name and renown are the desires of our hearts, ensuring that our legacy is not about us but about Him. By focusing on God's renown, we align our lives with His purposes and become effective witnesses of His love and grace to the world. [38:39]

Psalm 115:1 (ESV): "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!"

Reflection: How can you intentionally shift your focus from seeking personal recognition to living for God's glory in your daily life?

Quotes

It's God who's going to do it and he is mighty to save and he's the author of Salvation I'm not I can't I can't make someone believe I can't save someone but that's God's job and it was just so good to Proclaim those words to him you know what you are mighty to save you can save anyone you want father please save these people that I love save this city you're the god of the city you're you're the Lord of these people God God you're the you're the king here so so bring this to reality and let me see it during my time. [00:00:47]

The staggering statistics of global suffering remind us of the urgency of our mission. We are called to prioritize others above ourselves, living sacrificially to bring hope and change to a hurting world. Every day there are 43,000 new orphans, and 29,000 children under the age of five will die today from preventable causes. These numbers are overwhelming, but they highlight the importance of our mission as Christ's ambassadors. We must embody the gospel, not just in words but through our actions, by prioritizing others above ourselves and living sacrificially, just as Jesus did. [00:06:56]

We are therefore Christ ambassadors as though God were making his appeal through us and I was thinking this this verse just popped in my head as I was as I was preaching and this guy is translating I'm thinking I can't say anything without him I have put myself in a position where I am completely dependent on him and then I thought about this verse where it says we are Christ's ambassadors as though God were making his appeal through Us in other words God is not going to open up the Heavens today I wish he would and just speak and just show his face to everyone goes no way okay whatever you say whatever you say whatever you say right I mean wouldn't that be great but he says I I'm not doing it that way I'm going to make my appeal through you. [00:11:41]

I want to leave my rights my Comforts my luxuries and say you know what I'm going to put these other people above myself and I want to rescue them you understand that's the mentality behind this out door Amphitheater um we have every right we have every right to to build a giant Sanctuary let's let's let's get a sanctuary that seats three four 5,000 people let's spend 20 $30 million doing it you know we have the right we are in that sure we can argue about that all day long but what's a better picture of Christ what if we say yeah we could have built that for ourselves but we wanted to paint a better picture of Christ and say you know what it's a little hot today but you know what we'll we'll we we'll humble ourselves we'll foro a few luxuries I I'll sweat a little bit I'll deal with a little bit of mist or rain or cold or whatever because you know what I want to rescue I want to rescue 29,000 that are going to die today that that's a little more important than me being in a nice air conditioned comfortable seat you know it's like this is this is a big this is a mission and I want my life is to be an ambassador to be a picture of Jesus that's not just with my words it's got to be with my actions. [00:17:39]

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ through which the the world has been crucified to me and I to the world I just want us to focus on this verse may I never boast may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ this one convicted me this week because I do boast about other things I I like like everyone else in this room there's there's a desire in me to lift up things that I do or accomplish there's a desire to talk about me and I I start thinking through my conversations with people when I get off the phone or whatever and I and I I look and I think wow I talked about me a lot and it's embarrassing you know cuz I I go God I don't want to be this I I I don't want to ever boast I I want this to be true of my life where I never boast about anything except the cross because the truth is is what am I really going to accomplish in my lifetime that even compares even hold a candle to the Cross right I mean really what are you going to accomplish in your short little time here on Earth that's going to compare to the Cross what's there to boast about you're going to be this great athlete you're going to run a company that you know where you made $6 billion dollar let just say let's just throw it out there you're the best a best athlete in the world you you're the you know you're the best business man in the world your most beautiful woman on Earth what are you going to do that compares to the cross I mean how do those things compared to the cross the cross the cross the the story of the Cross is you've got God the creator of the whole world creator of the universe who comes down on the earth and he rescues people like you and and me where we were so sinful we done so many things that he absolutely hates and then he he lets go he's sitting in heaven with all these angels worshiping him this is Jesus Christ your creator is sitting in heaven all these angels are worshiping him he leaves that comes down takes and becomes nothing becomes a human being God became a human being and then then he dies on a cross he he sits there and he he allows himself to be tortured spit on mocked the Creator the Creator is allowing himself to be mocked by human beings nailed to AC cross and is going forgive them forgive them they don't know what they're doing why because you you were headed for hell you were headed for an eternity of punishment for all the crimes that you had committed and Jesus says I'm going to save him from all of that I will save them from all that I will take the pain myself I will take the hurt myself and then he rises from the grave and ascends back into heaven he took me I I was lost I was dead I was headed for God's punishment and then now I'm a Son of God I am a child of God I'm a friend of God I am righteous I'm completely pure forgiven of everything I've done and I'm going to spend eternity forever in heaven enjoying his riches forever and ever under his protection his kingdom and I'm going to brag about me what I've done that's why Paul says oh God may I never I I just don't ever want to talk about me what's there to what's there to say about me if God did all of that shouldn't I be spending my life talking about that why why do I waste my breath talking about Francis and what he's done and that's what Paul's saying he these guys are trying to build a name for themselves they're trying to say hey look what we've done look at our converts look at the Paul's saying oh I just want to talk about Jesus can we just not talk about anyone else there's just not a whole lot to me you know Paul Paul goes through his life he goes this is all I did but the cross the cross the cross see that's what it means to be Christ's ambassadors I don't want to talk about me I want to talk about him he's Eternal the Bible talks about this God being this consuming fire imagine just an eternal flame okay then when they you when people encounter God they talk about this brilliant light this light that they can't even look at and and and when John sees Jesus in Revelation 1 he says his eyes were like fire you know it's just like this blazing fire Ezekiel said the same thing you know and and and uh and we see all these these prophets that got to see just the glimpse of God and it's just all about this bright light this fire and then uh then there's us you see to me this is this is my life this is my life this is me and I have a choice I have a choice of what I'm going to do during my time on Earth but this is it right and uh you know we can we can do some creative things to make it last a little bit longer and uh shine a big light but during my time on Earth I'm going to burn out right these bodies aren't here to last forever and we can try to you know protect this flame and keep it going and and oh you know some of you are out here right now and uh you know and uh it's it's just this whole idea of I I don't want it I don't want it Blow I don't want it uh blown out but then it's it's gone right see that's your life and you can spend your life talking about yourself you can spend your life you know just saying hey everyone look at me look at me look at me look at me burn you know watch watch what I can do I can do this and it'll make me burn even bigger and everyone's looking at you looking at you looking at you but you know at any moment any moment you can be blown out anytime it's over that's all you are meanwhile over there there's this eternal flame right that never goes out and I was trying to think oh man I was looking at all these different ways to bring a big old flame here but I thought I better not risk it you know um see that's maturity and uh there's uh it's not the old BB gun Francis anymore so uh but here's the thing is so we'll just imagine a big fire here okay imagine this huge fire see I can choose with my life to just kind of throw my match into that Eternal Flame you know what I mean I can just hide myself and once my flame connects with that giant flame I'm just I just disappear into it it's not like God going oh good look how bright I am now Fran has added his match to me you know it's just I jump into this flame I become a part of this eternal flame where no one sees me no one notices me I'm just all about look at what I'm a part of look at what I'm a part of I'm a part of this eternal God this amazing being who sits on his throne I I'm a part of this eternal flame and and we're a part of something so much bigger and that's what I want to devote Our Lives to let me just close with one last uh one last verse um I didn't put it on the screen but uh Isaiah 26:8 you know this group that I've been um going with you know with the bands and stuff like that to these different countries it's this movement called the passion movement and is just raising this awareness amongst University students college students because there's college students all around the earth literally that are part of this movement that are saying you know what I don't want to spend my life drawing attention to myself I don't want to be this match that's just going to die out and I don't want to be screaming Francis Francis Francis my whole life I want to be like those Brazilians going Jesus you know and and then just scream in the name of Jesus and then when we were in Uganda they're all screaming Jesus Jesus Jesus and everywhere around the world they're screaming the name of Jesus why because we're all saying what's the point in bragging about what we do I'm just here to boast about Jesus I'm just here to be an ambassador for him and Isaiah chapter 26 verse 8 it says yes Lord walking in the way of your laws we wait for you your name and Renown are the desire of our hearts your name and Renown are the desire of our hearts can you say that about yourself that the desire of your heart think about this the desire of your heart is that at the end of your life no one will remember you but everyone will remember the name of Jesus Christ that his name and his Renown that's a desire of your heart that I want to work overtime in making sure that no one remembers who Francis Chan is and everyone remembers this God that I was a part of that somehow that I could just be lost in this eternal flame and that his name and his Renown is the desire of my heart and uh that's pretty much in a nutshell what cornerstone's all about what we want to be about is you know what we're nothing why do I spend life preserving myself and my name and you know everything else it's it's pointless there's an eternal flame that's blazing and I just want to be a part of it I just want to jump in because he's a part of that will never die um the flame will never go out I'm a part of something so much bigger and uh I don't know what that means for you practically what you need to do I I don't know I don't know for you I'm not going to give you a a clear detail so this week go do this this no just think through the big picture of your life don't miss it and for some of you maybe you're saying I've never actually joined this movement I've never actually joined this flame I've never actually entered into this this thing that's bigger than myself that's what baptism is that's why we have baptis ISM every service that's why people get baptized every weekend here is because they're saying you know what I'm dying to me you know like that verse says I'm crucifying I I've been crucified with Christ it's no longer I who live but Christ lives in me he's saying I'm dead to the world I I don't care about making a name for myself on this planet I'm dying to the old me and I'm joining myself with Christ so when I come out of the water I am taking the new name of Christian I'm Christ I I'm a child of Christ so forget my name just call me call me Christian that's why I love you know in some Churches why they just just call you brother you know it's like I don't really care what your name is brother you know cuz you're you're a brother you're a child of God we are Christians here and is not about any person making a name for himself it's about all of us saying you know what Jesus is everything to us and so if you leave here don't think about a message that I gave or you know oh he communicated well or that guy that sang he sings good ooh that band is neat what what's there to even talk about no Our God's an amazing God and let's not boast about anything about the cross of Jesus Christ because that The Only Thing Worth bragging about right and so I'm going to have the worship team come up and we're just going to forget about ourselves we're not singing any songs to Bruce or Jamie this morning sorry um we're just going to sing some songs to everyone's looking at you now Isn't that cool don't you like that it's not about them we're we're going to say we're going to sing some songs just to Jesus we're not having anyone come up and you know we're not going to isolate one voice in the sanctuary it's just all of us getting lost and getting a part of this flame and just just jumping into this fire and saying it's all about him it's all about his Renown because he's the great one and if any of you guys need prayer some of you guys want to get baptized there'll be some pastors and some counselors up here by the prayer room and uh and if you want to join join us in bragging about him and the cross and nothing else then I invite you to die to yourself quit living for yourself your Flame's going to go out any second anyways jump into something that's Eternal with us let's worship Him. [00:29:46]

Yes Lord walking in the way of your laws we wait for you your name and Renown are the desire of our hearts your name and Renown are the desire of our hearts can you say that about yourself that the desire of your heart think about this the desire of your heart is that at the end of your life no one will remember you but everyone will remember the name of Jesus Christ that his name and his Renown that's a desire of your heart that I want to work overtime in making sure that no one remembers who Francis Chan is and everyone remembers this God that I was a part of that somehow that I could just be lost in this eternal flame and that his name and his Renown is the desire of my heart and uh that's pretty much in a nutshell what cornerstone's all about what we want to be about is you know what we're nothing why do I spend life preserving myself and my name and you know everything else it's it's pointless there's an eternal flame that's blazing and I just want to be a part of it I just want to jump in because he's a part of that will never die um the flame will never go out I'm a part of something so much bigger and uh I don't know what that means for you practically what you need to do I I don't know I don't know for you I'm not going to give you a a clear detail so this week go do this this no just think through the big picture of your life don't miss it and for some of you maybe you're saying I've never actually joined this movement I've never actually joined this flame I've never actually entered into this this thing that's bigger than myself that's what baptism is that's why we have baptis ISM every service that's why people get baptized every weekend here is because they're saying you know what I'm dying to me you know like that verse says I'm crucifying I I've been crucified with Christ it's no longer I who live but Christ lives in me he's saying I'm dead to the world I I don't care about making a name for myself on this planet I'm dying to the old me and I'm joining myself with Christ so when I come out of the water I am taking the new name of Christian I'm Christ I I'm a child of Christ so forget my name just call me call me Christian that's why I love you know in some Churches why they just just call you brother you know it's like I don't really care what your name is brother you know cuz you're you're a brother you're a child of God we are Christians here and is not about any person making a name for himself it's about all of us saying you know what Jesus is everything to us and so if you leave here don't think about a message that I gave or you know oh he communicated well or that guy that sang he sings good ooh that band is neat what what's there to even talk about no Our God's an amazing God and let's not boast about anything about the cross of Jesus Christ because that The Only Thing Worth bragging about right and so I'm going to have the worship team come up and we're just going to forget about ourselves we're not singing any songs to Bruce or Jamie this morning sorry um we're just going to sing some songs to everyone's looking at you now Isn't that cool don't you like that it's not about them we're we're going to say we're going to sing some songs just to Jesus we're not having anyone come up and you know we're not going to isolate one voice in the sanctuary it's just all of us getting lost and getting a part of this flame and just just jumping into this fire and saying it's all about him it's all about his Renown because he's the great one and if any of you guys need prayer some of you guys want to get baptized there'll be some pastors and some counselors up here by the prayer room and uh and if you want to join join us in bragging about him and the cross and nothing else then I invite you to die to yourself quit living for yourself your Flame's going to go out any second anyways jump into something that's Eternal with us let's worship Him. [00:38:39]

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