Grace Ambassadors

2 Corinthians 5:14–21 ESV

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

In this final message on the Priesthood of all Believers - the principle of all believers becoming ministers - APEST

We are saved by grace, yes we are recipients of grace

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BECOME CHANNELS OF GRACE

As Channels of Grace:

We have to be givers of grace.

We have to be forgiving, less judgemental, accepting of those around us, most understanding — our church should be family

2. We have live together as people of grace.

What is the difference with the first one?

We must stand shoulder to shoulder in our work for Christ.

Soldiers in an army have to work closely — no one can go rogue

Concept of team ministry

Part of training in the military, you have to look out for the welfare and safety of your comrades in arms.

You have to..

In the middle of the fiercest battle, when you see people, dying, sacrificing their lives around you — your own safety or your own life takes a backseat, it becomes less important — you can also die..

In a way soldiers in battle have died to self.

SOMEONE ALREADY SACRIFICED HIS LIFE FOR YOU (not only for you, not only for country, but for the whole world)

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 ESV

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

When Jesus died, we died with Him.

Romans 6 explains this, that we died to our sins..

But just as Jesus was raised, we are raised in newness of life.

What should be our purpose in life?

Those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised..

we no longer live for ourselves--

but for Him - for Jesus.

What is our motivation? — THE LOVE OF CHRIST

We love those WHO Jesus loves

2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

Regard no one according to the flesh — look at the world with spiritual eyes.. that unbelieving friend of yours is not just earth-bound, he is bound somewhere in eternity..

We no longer look at life the way we used to.. our relationship with Christ has brought about a new relationship to the world and the people around us.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

this is not only about personal transformation...The way we look at people changes..

the lost - like sheep without a shepherd

other believers - as fellow partakers in the grace of God..

Galatians 3:28 ESV

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

There is no room for discrimination in the body of Christ!

We learned that our first motivation as people of God is the love of Christ.

The second motivation is:

The Commission of Christ

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

Because of man’s rebellion, man was the enemy of God and out of fellowship with Him.

Reconcile - “to change thoroughly”

Changed relationship between God and a lost world

God took the initiative in this process of reconciliation and there is only one place by which man can be reconciled with God and that is the cross of Jesus.

Through religion, man makes feeble attempts to reconcile with God..

2 Corinthians 5:19–20 ESV

19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

not counting their trespasses against them.

Bank account illustration - checking account, a savings account, loan account

We owe God a huge amount of debt

explain the transfer of loan to Christ

the transfer of Christ’s riches to our account..

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We are Ambassadors of Christ and this is our message! SIMPLE

tie to the new place..

we should not fear — imperial province, when Paul wrote

We should not be ashamed..

We are Ambassadors of the King of Kings and carriers of the Greatest message of hope!