We have a high calling — even now in this life….
Definition: An ambassador is a diplomatic official accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, to serve as the official representative of his or her own country.
What is the application of this for us today?
You will find that we are called to be Ambassadors!
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ
Our office of Ambassador is very similar to that of the definition that we previously read
In other words, an Ambassador:
- Position by appointment
- Not citizens of the country they serve
- Represents their head of state or government
We are Appointed to the Position
John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
We are not elected. We did not choose to get this position, but rather it was given to us.
Where is the least likely place that you would like to work as an Ambassador?
I can think of a few places…
Doing Works in Satan’s World
Revelation 2:13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Let’s look a little more at how our role is further described and defined in the Bible–
We are to Come Out of the Country that we are In
Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed [transferred; turn away] us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
The Place Where we Reside is not Where our Citizenship Is
John 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 17:16 “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
John 17:18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
John 18:37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
This is why we do not participate in the affairs of the world around us such as voting, jury duty, military service etc. This isn’t the only reason for not doing these things but just as an Ambassador goes into a foreign country and doesn’t participate, we do not either.
Living Before the World
1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
1 Peter 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Represent God and Jesus Christ
Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh [“take no forethought.”], to fulfill its lusts.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
We don’t have an Ambassador College at the moment and may never have one again, but where we are sitting now can be our Ambassadorial training that we put into effect wherever we may be.
We are to be Acting in this Capacity Now!
Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
He Expects us to be Doing Something While He is Gone
Matthew 25:14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
Matthew 25:15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
Matthew 25:16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
Matthew 25:17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
Matthew 25:18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.
Matthew 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
Matthew 25:20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Matthew 25:22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
Matthew 25:23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Matthew 25:24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
Matthew 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
Matthew 25:26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
Matthew 25:27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
Matthew 25:28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
Matthew 25:29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
Matthew 25:30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
We all Have Gifts
Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
Romans 12:7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
Romans 12:8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
Romans 12:11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
We Serve
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 5:24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.
1 Timothy 5:25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
1 Corinthians 10:33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Will They see the Father in Us?
John 14:8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
John 14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
We will be Known by our Words and our Works
John 14:10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
John 14:11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
John 14:12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
We are to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. Those are the words that we are to speak when someone questions us.
We are also to have works. Faith without works is dead! [James 2]
Be all things to all people which a summary of what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9; you do it for their benefit that they might see the God that you represent, not only Him but what He stands for His laws, His way and His values
What God has Entrusted Us With
Mark 13:34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
Mark 13:35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—
Mark 13:36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
Mark 13:37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Conclusion:
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
When we take actions in the future, we need to do it with the thought in mind that we are Ambassadors. We need to think of ourselves as Ambassadors who are serving, working, representing God and Christ in a foreign country.
What do you think of when you think of an Ambassador– (outside of what we previously read) diplomatic plates, flags, caravan of SUVs or Limo’s etc.
They are often readily identifiable…
When people see you how do they identify you?