The Marks of an Ambassador

Introduction

Illustration: Brother Andrew

- Dutch Missionary who smuggled Bibles behind the iron curtains of Soviet Russia

- Arriving to college Glasgow Bible College in England, saw “Have faith in God” on wooden archway at the college entrance, faith would be tested...

- Student trip: No asking for money, go to the field with next to nothing, and only look to God’s direct provision for everything.

- Teen Rally; To the horror of the other college students, one of them guys invites all the teens over for tea and cake the next day at 4pm, knowing well they had no tea, no cups, no silverware, and most of all, no cake. To not provide cake at a tea party was the unforgivable sin of English culture.

- Students pitched in for everything but the cake.

- Prayed all next day

- 3 came along and no cake, 3:30 still no cake.

- 3:45, mailman shows up to the door with a big package sent for Andrew. It was a moist chocolate cake!

As God’s ambassadors, we are never given the promise that our task is going to be luxurious. God puts His servants like andrew and you and I through these difficult, faith-stretching moments that we might come better equiped on the other side to share His gospel to the world.

(Open in prayer)

At this point in Mark’s account of the Gospel, Jesus has been touring around the regions of Galilee, preaching to the Jews, healing the sick, and casting out demons. The tour took a sad turn when they had reached Nazareth in chapter 6. Contrary to what we might expect in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, the people rejected Jesus, and he left Nazareth marvelled by the people’s unbelief. Yet the ministry goes on, and now it was time for the disciples to get their feet wet.

In verse 7, we’re introduced to the theme that will serve as the foundation of tonight’s message. It says, “And he [Jesus] called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth two by two;” The word used for “send” is where we get our word apostle, an apostle is an ambassador, one who is sent to a certain people with an important message on behalf of someone else.

Illustration: Think of a King’s Messenger, they would tirelessly make their way to the recipient of the King’s message to deliver this important note.

The King’s messengers were practically extensions of the king, having been trusted with the King’s message. The disciples were sent out as the representatives of Jesus, and just like them, we represent Jesus in a very real way, bearing His message of the Gospel to the world. But what makes us different from any other ambassador? What does God expect from me as His representative? These are the questions we’ll be answering tonight.

I. Dependent - Mark 6:7-9

A. On One Another - vs. 7

In light of this great responsibility the disciples were being given, Jesus considers it best they be sent in pairs.

Mark 6:7 KJV 1900

7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Jesus recognized something that we’ve all found true in our own experience, that “two are better than one”. In Matthew’s account of this story, there’s no sugar coating of what this mission involves. Matthew 10:16

Matthew 10:16 KJV 1900

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

I’m sending you into hostile places, you’re going to be vulnerable like a sheep surrounded by hungry wolves. They’re going to arrest you and plan schemes against you. I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to a town full of people I don’t know and sharing a message that the world hates, there’s no way you’ll catch me doing that alone. Don’t miss how practical Jesus is here; according to Deut. 17:6, a valid testimony had to have two witnesses, and on top of that, who’s going to keep your battery recharged and encourage you on this tough mission?

As God’s ambassadors, we have no choice but to be dependent on one another.

Illustration: We all know the feeling; you get home from a long day of work, the dishes need to get done, and if you’re like me, you’ve got a Mt. Everest size load of laundry to fold. We could count a million things we’d rather do. But as soon as someone offers to help, it doesn’t seem to bad anymore, doesn’t it?

With all his wisdom and life experience, Solomon spoke to the importance of this principle in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 KJV 1900

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

The truth is that serving God is not always safe. God may send you to places where your head needs to be on a swivel, He’ll make us do things that we are not capable of achieving on our own. The disciples were about to face demon possessed people and all sorts of opposition. And that’s why it’s so key to be dependent on one another. We’re meant to be a team, we depend on one another.

B. On God - vs. 8-9

Even more important than that, ambassadors are depentent on the providence of God. Before He sent the discples on their mission, there were some guidelines Jesus was sure to make clear.

Mark 6:8–9 KJV 1900

8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip [leather bag], no bread, no money in their purse [money belt]: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

We can only imagine the thoughts rushing through those disciples minds as Jesus gave these orders. “Am I hearing you right Jesus, are you telling me I can’t bring food, money, or even an extra change of clothes? This is too radical!” Why would Jesus be so demanding on these poor disciples? We could understand Jesus not allowing certain pleasures so they stay focused, but no food? No money? These are necessities! On top of that, they needed to find their own housing!

Vs. 10 “And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house,”

Anyone feeling a little anxious yet? The uncertainty is endless!

“But Jesus, what am I going to eat? I don’t have any money to buy food, and even if I did, I don’t have a bag to store it! How am I going to find a place to stay if I have no money? I’ll have to sleep outside, what if there’s a lion out there? It’s going to be cold! Too bad I can’t bring a change of clothes, I could’ve used it as a blanket!”

What could possibly be the purpose behind all of this? Why would God send His servants in a hostile place with only a stick, sandals, and one change of clothes? They’ve got to learn trust! Like them, we’ll never grow if we aren’t stretched and made uncomfortable.

Jesus calls us to a radical faith, leaving the simplest necessities in the hands of God, trusting that He is able and willing to provide for all our needs as we serve Him. His will cannot lead you where His grace cannot keep us. God’s ambassadors are dependent.

II. Careful - Mark 6:10

Secondly, God’s ambassadors are careful. Careful of what? You might ask. Verse 10 says,

Mark 6:10 KJV 1900

10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

This order was given in order to avoid offense. Jesus tells the disciples to remain in the home who took them in first until the time they left for another city. It would be pretty offensive to the host if you leave their home for some place that’s nicer up the street. Remember, the disciples were preaching in Galilee, there isn’t much up there. I think it’s safe to guess that most towns they were ministering in would’ve been small. We all know how fast word speads in a small town.

“You know the two preachers in town? They just left Mary’s place because there was no air conditioning or wifi. They went to Pete’s house instead where there’s the hot tub and tennis court in the back yard. Not too moral if you ask me.”

As God’s ambassadors, our conduct and decisions reflect on our master’s reputation. We dare not allow our self-centered preferences get in the way of the Gospel we share! Jesus is calling His ambassadors to handle themselves with great care. The cause of the Gospel is more important than our comfort.

In Paul’s requirements for pastors in 1 Timothy 3, he discusses the necessity of our good testimony and the danger the contrary.

1 Timothy 3:7 KJV 1900

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Let’s be careful in how we manage ourselves and think twice before we act. We ought never to allow our selfish ambitions to get in the way of Gospel opportunities. That’s why, God’s ambassadors are careful.

III. Faithful - Mark 6:11

Next point, God’s ambassadors are faithful.

Jesus promised the disciples in Matthew’s account of this story that their message will not always be received well.

Matthew 10:24–25 KJV 1900

24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

In our fallen state we are blind to the light of the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 2:14 “14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Mark 6:11 KJV 1900

11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them.

This might seem strange at first glance, why wipe the dust off your feet? What’s the deal with that. Results are never guaranteed when we go out with the Gospel, but what we do know is people will deny our message. And when this happened, the disciples wiped their feet as a symbol of their separation. This was common in the Jewish culture of the day; Gentile land was considered unclean, so whenever an orthodox Jew left a Gentile area, they’d wipe the soil off their feet to let everyone know they had nothing to do with the Gentiles. In this context though, the difference was not Jew and Gentile, it was believer and unbeliever.

You were basically saying, “You want to reject Jesus? Your blood is not on my hands, you are responsible for yourself now.”

This by no means is an easy thing to do. In wiping your feet, you’re loosening your grip on them and leaving them in the hands of a just God. Judgment is coming, and I’m staying back. This is heavy!

Mark 6:11 KJV 1900

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

There’s an awful load of punishment reserved for those who deny the Lord. God’s punishment for those who reject Christ is so terrible that the fire and brimstone rained down on Soddom and Gomorrha will seem more bearable than this. The Soddomites rejected God in their hearts and acted out wickedly, but those who reject Christ had every advantage possible. Yet they rejected the Son of God!

If you’ve found yourself here tonight, and you’ve rejected Christ up to this point, be warned. Your destiny isn’t bright if you keep rejecting Jesus. Everlasting torment in hell is not a joke, and trust me, you do not want to be there. But your destiny can be different, you don’t need to be condemned to hell. God has provided a way out, and His name is Jesus Christ. Stop rejecting Him, He is the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the father but by me.

As God’s ambassadors, we need to be ready and faithful to share the whole Gospel. The of the Gospel is incredible and exhilirating to share, but the bad news comes first. The most loving thing we can do for the lost is tell them they are lost. God’s ambassadors are faithful.

IV. Fruitful - Mark 6:12-13

Not only are God’s ambassadors faithful, careful, and dependent, they are obedient. Jesus made a promise back in Mark 1:17

Mark 1:17 KJV 1900

17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Now it was time to act out on that promise.

Mark 6:12 KJV 1900

12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Isn’t it incredible what God can do? He took average fishermen, tax collectors, and misfits, and made them into messengers for the King of kings and Lord of lords. All God needs is an obedient servant who will heed His call. If we’re honest, we don’t have much on the disciples, just like them, we’re average people, in Saint John, New Brunswick. Most people on earth have no idea where we are on the map. And yet we represent the God of the universe. God can do incredible things though us if we obey His call to bring the Gospel to the whole world.

The disciples obeyed, and verse 13 is the results of their actions,

Mark 6:13 KJV 1900

13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

With God’s power, the diciples authority was powerfully shown, the sick were healed and demons cast out. God’s ambassadors are fruitful

Conclusion

We represent the King of kings and Lord of lords...

Marks of an ambassador

Dependant

Careful

Faithful

Fruitful