“So, we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
AS CHRISTS AMBASSADORS WE ARE CALLED TO:
TO REPRESENT JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN
“Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ.” Philippians 1:27 (NCV)
“Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)
TO BE FAITHFUL TO OUR CALLING NOT OUR CAREER
“Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)
“I don't care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God's grace.” Acts 20:24 (NCV)
TO BE EMPOWERED TO SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY TILL THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS CHRIST
Jesus said, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore go to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always…”. Matthew 28:18-20 (TEV)
We have been given “PLENIPOTENTIARY AUTHORITY” - AUTHORIZED TO SPEAK FOR GOD
TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO EVERYONE WE MEET AND SHARE WITH THEM THE LOVE OF CHRIST
“People who do not believe are living all around you and might say you are doing wrong. So live such good lives that they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God…” 1 Peter 2:12 (NCV)
“We loved you so much that we gave you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT)
“Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 (TEV)
TO REALIZE WE’RE ON TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT ON EARTH; WE ARE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN
“If you call God your Father, live your time as temporary residents on earth.” 1 Peter 1:17 (GW)
“…all that other people think about is life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.” Philippians 3:19-20 (NLT)
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:15-18
