The Lord's Fellow Workers

One thing we need to note as it relates to Book, Chapter, verse is that it is in place for our benefit. Obviously, when there were scrolls and you wanted to discuss a certain passage it would have been difficult to find the particular spot on a large scroll as to where to study.

So, when the method of placing book, chapter, and verse the breaks were not always placed in the best spot. In other words, a pattern or though may break at a different point than the chapter for example.

Paul is writing a journal here, a letter and the thought pattern does not follow exact break with the chapter we study tonight. And...for that reason, lets begin at 2 Corinthians 5:20 to begin our study tonight.

2 Corinthians 5:20–6:10 NKJV

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Prayer

Message

In our study last Wednesday night we discussed that beautiful verses:

2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

I borrow from John Phillips Commentary:

“For many months each one of us were in the womb in a former world, small and narrow as it was and we were birthed from the womb to the world. The natural birth brought about a radical change. Nobody here tonight in their right mind would want to go back to that former lifestyle. So radical the change that none of us have memory of that life.”

He goes on to say, “In the same way Spiritual birth has changed our lives completely and absolutely, once and for all. We have been sphered or encapsulated in Christ.

Acts 17:28 “28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’”

I challenge you to memorize this verse because it a a verse with great promise.

Hillsong Worship

I Will Never Be lyrics

I will never be the same again I can never return I've closed the door I will walk the path I'll run the race And I will never be the same again

Fall like fire, soak like rain Flow like mighty water Again and again Sweep away the darkness burn away the chaff And let the flame Burn to glory Your name There are higher heights there are deeper seas Whatever you need to do, lord do in me The glory of God fills my life And I will Never be the same again

We talked about reconciliation last Wednesday night.

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 2644. καταλλάσσω

2644. καταλλάσσω katallassō, kat-al-las´-so; from 2596 and 236; to change mutually, i.e. (fig.) to compound a difference:—reconcile.

I shared that there is a mutual change. And I added that God is never changing, He is immutable. Scripture states:

Hebrews 13:8 “8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Does that give you comfort to realize that with everything that is changing, you do not have to worry about the Lord changing? Amen. He is stable, He is steadfast, He is the same....so this lends the question, how does the Lord change when we are reconciled to Him?

Since God cannot change in His nature, reconciliation doesn’t mean that God changes in essence, but rather that our relationship and standing before Him changes. The change is on our side — yet it results in a different posture of God toward us, not because He has changed, but because we are now “in Christ.”

Romans 5:1 “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Colossians 1:21–22 “21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—”

One of our study verses tonight:

Jesus is the bridge builder to our relationship with the Father. He filled that chasm between us and a holy God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

And thus, Jesus made us right in the eyes of God by our acceptance of Him.

Paul goes on to say:

“Now then”-now that you live in that new reality, let’s see what comes next:

Call of Service and Mission V. 20a-21

“We are ambassadors for Christ”

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 4243. πρεσβεύω

4243. πρεσβεύω

2 Corinthians 5:20–21 “20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Last week we spoke about the reality that we are ambassador’s for Christ, you are His representative. I also told you last week that figuratively it means “Preacher.”

There are a bunch of preachers in here, but I’m called vocationally. That is the only difference.

Think in recent days about the Ambassadors who have traveled to Ukraine.

Keith Kellogg-U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia initially and later for Ukraine exclusively. Appointed by Donald Trump on January 20, 2025.

Marco Rubio-U.S. Secretary of State-taken on roles of negotiating peace between Ukraine and Russia-Feb. 2025 & carried delegations.

Pete Hegseth-U.S. Secretary of Defense

Why do I bring these up. Are all these men on the same team along with President Donald Trump and I will add that President Donald Trump has acted as an ambassador for the U.S.A. Are they all on the same team? Are they all working to accomplishing the same objective? But note something important; each of these men come from a different framework, different talents, and specially different areas they serve the country.

Do you want to find real joy in your service to the Lord? There in lies the secret. You were no saved only be saved, but to be surrendered and serve the Lord.

If you want to find real joy as a Christian, invest in this life seeking your gifts, your talents, your abilities and devoting them to Him for His will. Use them and sharpen them for His service.

What is His will for us? That we would do our part in bringing people to reconciliation with God.

With growth in the church comes more opportunity to use your gifts for His glory. Now, are there gifts you use that might not be as mainstream to direct evangelism? Sure, staying in the nursery during Extended Session. We will be asking ladies to sign up or a husband/wife situation to sign up and rotate each week so that parents can be in worship and they are confident their children are attending to. That allows time for those parents to be discipled. In the nursery you have the opportunity to plant the first seeds that Jesus loves them.

That role is a support to the bigger picture. Cutting the grass, counting the offering on Sunday morning, opening the building and turning on the lights and the heat or A/C, all of these roles are a support to the bigger picture of leading souls to Christ. They all make for an environment that is conducive to the moving of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 6:2–4 “2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.””

The apostles were becoming overwhelmed with other responsibilities. Thy needed to keep the main thing the main thing. If you feel uncomfortable with direct witnessing, I challenge you to get off in the water and get your feet wet. The more you witness the more comfortable you will become. But note:do there are roles you can do that strengthens the witness?

When I go out sharing I enjoy taking someone with me because it is a time to mentor in sharing the gospel.

If you have ever wanted to learn to witness or become more comfortable in sharing your faith I invite you to come back to the church on Sunday afternoons or early Wednesday afternoons as I make visits

The question you might ask is how can I assist in the visit? I have someone praying silently with their eyes open as they sit there with me, someone entertains the kids that are interrupting the flow of the sharing or asking “may we turn down the TV.” Another great thing you bring going with me is an accountability pardner. I attempt to visit women with someone with me. That protects your pastor. What you may think is the most mundane roles, God can use to His glory.

2. Convicting Stimulation VV. 6:1-2

2 Corinthians 6:1–2 “1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

How do we avoid receiving the grace of God in vain?

What is grace-unmerited favor, unmerited kindness.

When we look back on 2 Corinthians 5:21 “21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Paul convicts us in that what Christ did for us and has made us new and we are joint heirs with Christ, we are a new person with a new identity, and a new home in heaven, how could we receive that grace in vain?

He goes on to convict us of the urgency to bring reconciliation in the lives of others.

“In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.”

Quotes these verses from Isaiah 49:8

Isaiah 49 is one of the “Servant Songs” of Isaiah (specifically Isaiah 42, 49, 50, and 53). Here, the “Servant” is the Messiah, speaking as the One whom God has chosen to bring salvation not only to Israel but to the nations (Isa. 49:6 — “I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles…”).

So, in Isaiah 49:8, God the Father is speaking to the Messiah (Christ) — assuring Him that at the appointed time, His redemptive mission will succeed. God will hear Him, help Him, and make Him a covenant for the people — meaning, through Christ, salvation will be mediated to all.

Thus, the “acceptable time” and “day of salvation” in Isaiah were prophetic promises looking forward to the era of the Messiah, when God’s grace would be openly extended to all peoples.

The message of reconciliation carries a time stamp: now. Paul warns against receiving grace “in vain” — he’s urging immediate response.

Paul quoted Isaiah 49:8 because that time had come. Jesus had come to earth and died for our sins. Christ finished the work to reconcile us to the Father.

In Isaiah’s day, the “day of salvation” was a promise.

In Paul’s day — and ours — it’s a present reality.

For every listener, that makes it a personal opportunity.

3. Comprehensive Standard of Behavior VV. 3-10

A. Our Character Must Be Above Reproach (v. 3)

“Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry may not be blamed....”

Paul has called us all to service, he offered a statement of mission that we are all to be about, reconciling the world to Christ ,and now as His ambassadors-if we represent Christ, the obvious is that we should act like Christ. We would not behave in anyway that would be a mark against our Savior.

Paul is saying, “We don’t want to discredit the gospel by the way we live.” An ambassador’s reputation reflects directly on the one who sent him.

If the U.S. Ambassador to another nation behaves rudely or breaks laws, that nation doesn’t just blame the man — they blame the United States. Likewise, when Christians are dishonest, divisive, or unkind, the world doesn’t just judge us — they judge Christ.

Application: People may never read the Bible, but they’re reading you. How we respond to stress, temptation, or criticism tells the world what kind of Lord we serve.

B. Our Commitment Must Be Proven Through Suffering (vv. 4–5)

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses…”

Paul gives a list that would make most of us want to resign our ambassadorship:

Afflictions, hardships, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleeplessness, hunger…

He’s showing that true ministry is not cushioned; it’s costly. And yet, in every hardship, Paul sees another opportunity to prove his authenticity.

Mark Bethea made a Facebook post of one of his deacons that had stayed afterwards in a large area within the church vacuuming after the Fall Festival. No one asked him to do it. He knew they had church the next day and he just proceeded to clean the facility.

Having titles in the church is one thing, but we are to put feet and end endure hardship for the betterment of the ministry.

Ill. Ron is custodial staff. he cleans the church each week. What you may not know is that Terry puts the chairs down every Sunday morning in the Fellowship Hall for the Life Groups hour along with opening the building, turning on lights, regulating the temperature, etc. Nobody has asked him to do it. He just does it.

Conni Sikes never announces or draws any attention to herself, but she does a great job maintaining all of our beds around the church.

These examples I just gave are not examples of Afflictions, hardships, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleeplessness, hunger…

I pray none of us are dealing with these struggles, but I do ask how is your testimony when the world is against you. That is the real test of our faith. Do you stay the course, are you steadfast?

Illustration: Steel isn’t proven until it’s tested by fire. The same is true of believers — God’s ambassadors shine brightest when life is hardest.

Application: Maybe your suffering isn’t imprisonment, but criticism, loneliness, or financial strain. Paul’s word encourages you: “Endurance in the trial is your testimony.”

C. Our Conduct Must Be Marked by Integrity (vv. 6–7)

“By purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God…”

This is what distinguishes a pretender from a true ambassador. Notice — Paul doesn’t say “by success” or “by popularity.” He says “by purity,” “by kindness,” “by sincere love.”

Illustration: If you’ve ever seen a soldier standing guard at an embassy, their posture is steady, their uniform is pressed, and they are alert. They don’t act that way to impress people — they do it because they represent a higher authority.

Application: In a world of compromise, our purity and kindness are our uniforms of representation. When people see consistency, they begin to believe the message we carry.

D. Our Circumstances Do Not Define Us — Our Christ Does (vv. 8–10)

“By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report… as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

Paul ends with a series of paradoxes — he’s showing that God’s servants live in tension between how the world sees them and how heaven sees them.

Illustration: A missionary once said, “We are immortal until our work is done.” Paul lived that truth — beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, yet unstoppable. Why? Because he knew whose he was and whom he served.

Application: Don’t measure your ministry by what you see on earth — measure it by what’s being stored in heaven. When the world says you’re losing, God may be saying you’re winning.

Church, this is what it means to be Christ’s ambassador — not a title, but a testimony. The world doesn’t need more polished Christians; it needs more proven ones. People who endure hardship with grace, who forgive when wronged, who keep shining when the lights go out.”

Closing

“Paul reminds us — we don’t represent ourselves. We represent a risen Savior who suffered, yet conquered. The same grace that reconciled us to God also sustains us to represent Him well, even when it costs us.”

Modern Ambassador Parallel: You could mention that U.S. ambassadors often serve in unstable countries — they stay even when violence escalates, because they represent peace on behalf of their nation. Likewise, Christians stay faithful in chaos because they represent Christ’s peace.