An Ambassador to the King

The Apostle Paul may have been the greatest Christian that ever lived. He served the Lord and was thankful for the opportunity to do so, but we see that Paul while serving God desired his heavenly home too. Paul was in a strait between two desires.

Philip. 1:23–24—For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: [24] Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. He longed to lay aside the body of flesh, departing to the presence of the Lord. He knew, however, the work God had called him to do was incomplete.

As I considered the text, I kept thinking of an ambassador, one who serves away from his homeland for the good of the kingdom.

An ambassador is described as a minister of the highest rank employed by the king or state; a resident representative of the power and dignity of his sovereign, and today, we come to a point where not only are Marty and Donald ambassadors for God’s Kingdom, they are becoming in an official capacity ambassadors for Beech Grove Baptist Church and its ministries.

You have been called to a work that is superior to any known to man. You are serving away from the glorious homeland, representing the power and deity of our Sovereign.

What a privilege to serve the King! Our King has set aside certain responsibilities and expectations for those who represent Him.

As we consider the Christian’s responsibilities , I want to preach on this thought: The Ambassador’s Duty to the King.

I. A Conscious Witness

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

Our conversation is to be regarded as becoming, appropriate or worthy, of the gospel of Christ.

Now we need to understand that our conversation involves far more than the words we speak. The text is dealing with much more than our audible voice. Many have learned to talk the talk, but this goes much deeper than that.

Conversation is a political term. It speaks of the conduct and behavior of citizens.

Philippi was a proud Roman colony, fanatically loyal to Rome. They kept the Roman language, customs, affairs, and dress. They refused to be influenced by the customs or behavior of others. The church well understood what Paul was saying. They were citizens of heaven and should keep close ties to Christ regarding their talk, customs, dress, and allow no infiltration of outside influences. Their conduct and behavior was to be becoming of heavenly citizens.

We must display that same conscious witness in regard to our citizenship. A Christian life involves much more than talking the talk. We must be loyal to our King and His kingdom.

Physically I am an American citizen, but spiritually my loyalty lies to Christ. I am a pilgrim and stranger in this land below. Everywhere I go and whatever I do, I am an ambassador of the King of kings! Unfortunately, many Christians regard their American citizenship more value than their heavenly citizenship.

I have said this before, and this is the way you should view your dual citizenship. I am a Christian-American and not an American Christian. Christ must be number 1. We are here representing Him on earth. Everything a lost person knows about Christ comes from what he or she views in a Christian’s conversation or conduct.

I’m not here to promote my agenda or represent myself, but to serve the King. We ought to live as citizens of that heavenly country, recognized as such! Are you recognized by those that see you as a Christian? Do they view you as something else?

II. A Consistent Life

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell. The church at Philippi was dear to his heart and he was always glad to hear of their affairs. Paul had no way of knowing whether he would ever see them again. He wanted to relay to them that whether he was there or not, he desired to hear good things of the church.

The church had an obligation to continue in the faith, with or without Paul. They had matured in the faith and no longer needed to be “spoon fed.” He urged a consistent lifestyle that bore an honorable testimony unto the Lord.

We as Christ’s ambassadors need that consistent life. We are His representatives unto the world. I will have no influence on the world without consistency. Donald and Marty have constantly revealed that consistency in their lives.

Our Lord is faithful and true; He does not waver. He deserves those who represent Him well. The gospel of Christ still has the power to save men’s souls. We have the awesome responsibility of sharing the glorious gospel.

We can either be a road sign pointing the lost to Christ, or we can be a stumblingblock, and any Christian that is a stumblingblock must remember that he or she will face Christ in judgment in the future.

We must be consistent. We cannot live one life at church and something different at home, work, or in the world. Whether we are surrounded by fellow saints or not, the royal ambassador is to be consistent in his walk.

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

An inconsistent Christian never builds up the church or others. An inconsistent Christian only tears down.

Donald and Marty, this service in which this church has asked you to serve needs you, in that capacity, to help preserve the tremendous fellowship and unity of Beech Grove Baptist Church.

III. A Confident Faith

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

Paul was well aware of the saving power of Jesus. If ever a man lived whom the world would have denied the power of Christ to save, it was Paul. We sometimes forget Paul’s background and his transformation once he encountered Christ.

Acts 9:1–2 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”

Paul went from persecuting Christians to being persecuted as a Christian. He stood fast. He had a confident faith.

Paul was gloriously saved and fully confident in his faith in Christ. His salvation was not secured by personal works or merit, but in the power of Jesus and His sacrifice.

We need to share the confidence Paul had. There is no other gospel, none other name whereby men must be saved. We have the truth of the gospel. It is in the power of Jesus alone that men are redeemed!

I can’t fully explain all that Jesus did for me, but I know He completely transformed my life. I have nothing to glory in of myself, only in my precious Lord. We all came through the blood of Christ and He must remain the focus of our affection and faith.

If our faith is based on anything but Jesus, we are misrepresenting our King.

Ephesians 4:4–6 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

As a Christian, everything I am is because of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. Marty and Donald, I challenge you, as Paul was, to be confident in the faith.

IV. A Cooperative Spirit

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

Paul had certainly met many who were striving against the gospel. We might as well face the fact that Jesus is not accepted in this world. We serve Him as our Lord and Savior, but most do not recognize Him as Lord. There is more than enough opposition from the world, and there is absolutely no place for it in the church among believers.

Paul urged a spirit of unity and cooperation among the church. The phrase striving together has the idea of an athletic contest.

It pictures a team working together to overcome the opponent in victory. We as ambassadors must work together as a team, each serving with the ability God has given us. We face a determined adversary and the church needs each member striving together.

The need for unity is dealt with often in Paul’s letters. The early church struggled with internal opposition and it continues today. We will never achieve what the Lord desires of us if we aren’t working together. Each of us has different gifts and abilities. It takes all of us working together, doing our part, to be successful for the Lord.

Donald and Marty have much to contribute, and Beech Grove certainly needs you to share what God has given you to contribute.

V. A Courageous Stand

Philippians 1:28 “And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”

The early church faced much adversity and persecution. They were hunted and persecuted by the religious Jews and the pagan Romans. It appeared as if trouble loomed on every hand. Paul had dealt with persecution and adversity since his conversion.

Our adversity is nothing compared to what the early church faced, but it exists nonetheless. I’m sure most of us have been mocked or ridiculed for our faith. Serving the Lord will have its share of difficulty. Remember, we are ambassadors in a foreign land. The world doesn’t share our views or understand our faith. Satan is using the power of government and the influence of worldly men to further hinder our faith.

There may come a day when the church will have to meet “underground” here in America.

Regardless of what comes, we are victorious in the Lord. This life of difficulty is but a stepping stone for the glory that awaits the child of God. We can claim the promise given to Israel prior to crossing Jordan.

Deut. 31:6—Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

The church needs those like Marty and Donald who will stand strong in the face of adversity.

VI. A Complete Obedience

Philippians 1:29–30 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

As we consider the last of our responsibilities, may I remind you that an ambassador is a servant of the King? We are called to serve at His leisure. The work we are called to do may not always appeal to the flesh.

Our faith must include total obedience to the Lord.

There may come a time when we are called upon to suffer for the Lord. We can rest assured that the Lord will provide the grace needed to stand.

Luke 22:31–32 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Marty and Donald have been great friends and brothers in Christ, and I know that they have felt Satan’s attacks in the past, but I want them to know that those attacks will only increase as they represent this church in what we are asking of them.

None of us have the time to be convenient Christians. We need to be willing to serve the Lord in whatever capacity, in whatever circumstance, He desires!

If you are saved, you are an ambassador to the King. We have an awesome responsibility of representing Him well. Our service isn’t limited to the times that we gather here, but it includes our everyday lives. It may not always be easy, but it is the most rewarding task you could ever do. I encourage Donald and Marty to serve the Lord with gladness and serve Him well.

If you are lost, Jesus stands ready to save today. If the Spirit has dealt with your heart and you realize your need for salvation, come to Jesus!