From Adversary to Ambassador
Introduction:
A poor criminal stood before an Eastern monarch, trembling for his life. A moment later his head was to be severed from his body. He asked for a drink of water. They brought it, but his hand trembled so that he could not drink. The king cried to him, “Do not be so alarmed; your life is safe till you drink that water.” In an instant the glass fell to the pavement and the water untasted, and looking boldly up to the king, the condemned man claimed the royal word. The monarch smiled bitterly, and said, “You have fairly won your life: I cannot break my word even to you. You are saved.”[1]
1) Because of the word of the King, an adversary became an ambassador –
reconciliation took place between these two parties
2) Reconciliation implies that the parties being reconciled were formerly hostile to one another.[2]
3) Prior to Salvation provided by Jesus Christ, we were hostile towards God
4) Reconciliation is a relationship that moves from hostility to communion
5) Reconciliation is the work of God done through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Proposition:
Reconciliation to Christ requires Ambassadorship to the World
Interrogative:
What are we supposed to do the doctrine of Reconciliation?
1) Can theology lead to practical living? It has to!
2) 2 Corinthians 2 is an excellent example of deep theology leading to
3) It teaches that you don’t have to go down deep in God’s Word and come up dry.
Transition:
2 Corinthians 2 tells us that we are required to be God’s representative in the proclamation of the message of salvation. In order to be an Ambassador for God we must first of all understand…
1) The Ministry of Reconciliation v18 Romans 5:10
A- Paul is referencing v17 and the 180 degree change in one’s position at the moment of salvation when he says “All this” in v18a
1- Christians see the world in a new way and become new when they are joined to Christ.[3]
2- The old order that ruled one’s life prior to salvation is replaced with a new determination, a new focus and a new desire
- these are evidences of salvation and true heart change
- the concept of changing one’s mind, coming to a new way of thinking.[4]
B- It is the ministry of reconciliation that provides this restoring of God’s relationship with man
1- It was man that moved out of fellowship with God and therefore it is man that must be reconciled to God
Genesis 3 – striving to live independently of God
2- Reconciliation happens when one places faith in the work of Christ and the previous relationship of hostility is severed
3- Reconciliation is when a “bridge” is built to unite again to conflicting parties
Illustration: Golden Gate Bridge (information found on Wikipedia)
- The crossing of the Golden Gate Strait was for many years accomplished by a ferry
- Construction began on January 5, 1933
- on an average day there are 100,000 vehicles crossing the bridge.
- The bridge has six total lanes of vehicle traffic, and walkways on both sides of the bridge.
- The Gulf between San Francisco and Marin County is like the gulf between us and God prior to salvation
4- Reconciliation comes solely at God’s initiative to save sinful man.[5]
Romans 5:10 - For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
C- The ministry of Reconciliation is act of service by God to us v18
1- διακονία, ας, ἡ (1) generally service (HE 1.14); (2) as charitable giving aid, support, arrangement for provision (AC 6.1); (3) as preparing meals serving, preparation (LU 10.40); (4) as the role or position of one serving God in a special way task, office, ministry (RO 12.7; 1T 1.12)[6]
2- In being reconciled to Christ we can see Christ’s care for us in that he changed our position before Him from one of hostility to one of fellowship
- Reconciliation shows His worthiness to be worshipped
- Worship and service is the only logical response – this is a true emotional heart response
Application:
1) Have you changed your old ways to harmonize with what God has done for you?
2) Does your life reflect the dissonance of two musical notes that don’t go together?
3) Don’t continue to live in hostility and rebellion to God because He has already changed that
4) When was the last time you thanked God for changing your position before Him
Illustration: Do you think Paul was thankful for reconciliation to Christ?
Transition: God can reconcile individuals because through the substitutionary death of Christ He provided…
2) The Reconciliation of the World v19
a- This reconciliation has been provided for the whole world, but it is applied only when it is received by personal faith in the death and resurrection of Christ
b- v19 shows us that God’s desire in reconciliation is to have all mankind come to faith in Jesus Christ
c- Paul is explaining here what God desired to do through the death and resurrection of His Son
d- He chose to not give us what we deserve
e- God’s love to us is crystal clear in the doctrine of reconciliation
Application:
1- Are you aware that God has made the world ready for salvation by generally reconciling mankind to himself?
2- Are you sharing your faith with confidence knowing that God has done a preparatory work for you?
3- What kind of compassion do you have on those that are still enemies of Christ
Matthew 14:13-14
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Transition: After clarifying for us what reconciliation is, now Paul tells us…
3) The Response to Reconciliation v20
1- It is important to note that it was the message of reconciliation was given to the apostle and not the ministry of reconciliation
2- Like the apostles we too are commissioned to proclaim that hostile relationship the man is in
*****Salvation Application*****
“It is my duty before God to tell you today that you are an enemy of God.”
3- We are commissioned to tell them that the one who is their enemy due to sin wishes to bridge the gap and restore the relationship with them
2- We are commissioned to tell them that they can pass from God’s wrath into God’ blessing by placing their faith in Him
- We are to show them by our lives that we live by God’s set of rules (Scriptural Authority)
4- The believer’s response to reconciliation is to be an Ambassador of Christ to the unsaved
A- We are representatives of Christ as we minister the message of reconciliation to those around us
B- An ambassador does not act on his own authority but on the authority of the one who sent him
Disciple: this position gave legally recognized authority to represent the master and speak on the master’s behalf
Illustration: story of the disciple who divorced his master’s wife and it held up in a court of law
(from Dr. Bookman’s Foundation Conference Lecture – 2001)
C- Paul’s statement that God makes his appeal through us still holds true two millennia after he penned these words to the Corinthians, and his words remain forceful and convincing and can be ignored only at great peril.[7]
Conclusion:
1- Reconciliation requires a thankful heart for what Christ was done for us at salvation
2- Reconciliation requires that you are a living, breathing accurate representative of Christ in this world
How do you know of you are a good ambassador? Answer: Whose rules are you living by?
3- Reconciliation requires a response from you today:
A- If you have never placed your faith in Christ today for salvation from sin then the requirement for you is to accept Christ by faith or remain in hostility toward the creator God of the universe.
B- if you are saved today then reconciliation requires you to proclaim the message that has change your path
C- Proclaim the change from adversary to ambassador
4- Reconciliation requires Ambassadorship on the part of the Child of God
- Are you living your life so that the ministry of reconciliation can affect others?
- What kind of representative are you on behalf of Christ?
1- How do you react when the waitress doesn’t bring you your food in a timely manner
2- What do you do when the store has overcharged you? Under charged you?
3- If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
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[1]Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland TX : Bible Communications, 1996, c1979
[2]Wood, D. R. W.: New Bible Dictionary. InterVarsity Press, 1996, c1982, c1962, S. 1002
[3]Garland, David E.: 2 Corinthians. electronic ed. Nashville : Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1999 (Logos Library System; The New American Commentary 29), S. 287
[4]Achtemeier, Paul J. ; Harper & Row, Publishers ; Society of Biblical Literature: Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed. San Francisco : Harper & Row, 1985, S. 861
[5]Garland, David E.: 2 Corinthians. electronic ed. Nashville : Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1999 (Logos Library System; The New American Commentary 29), S. 288
[6]Friberg, Timothy ; Friberg, Barbara ; Miller, Neva F.: Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Baker Books, 2000 (Baker's Greek New Testament Library 4), S. 109
[7]Garland, David E.: 2 Corinthians. electronic ed. Nashville : Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1999 (Logos Library System; The New American Commentary 29), S. 298