I am an Ambassador
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Identity Series
Identity Series
God has prompted me to focus on the area of discipleship
Part of this discipleship program is to identify who you are
This is the first of the series
Identity, who am I? Who am I in Christ
if you know your identity, then you know your
rights, privileges, authority
expectation, freedoms and boundaries
on top of that, since God is calling WMBC to be more about discipleship
and I don’t want anyone to thrown off by the discipleship process
if you know that you are a basketball player, won’t be surprised by the basketball player process
run those lines, shoot 100 free throws a day
if you know your identity in Christ, you won’t be surprised by the discipleship process
live according to the Bible, memorize scripture, hold each other accountable
Several words used in the Bible to help us comprehend our identity in Christ: children, servants, friend, overcomers, joint-heirs . . .
today we look at Ambassador
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
some background to this verse
some background to this verse
There’s some history behind this letter
Paul established this church in Corinth (witnessed to people, organized the church)
4 letters written to this troubled church in Corinth, we have 2nd and 4th letters
Paul wrote a letter to them to correct some things, that we don’t have this letter
they responded not to favorably, and he learned of even more situations
So Paul wrote a second letter (1 Corinthians) to follow up (church divided, man having relations with step mom, people misusing Lord’s Supper, suing each other )
well . . . the christians at Corinth didn’t like this letter either, and then false preachers had shown up too
Paul went back in person - painful visit (probably kicked people out of the church)
Then Paul wrote another letter
This letter was better received, and now Paul writes again to try to bring full reconciliation
but there are still a few problems . . .Many, but not all repented. Some were still a little slow to acknowledge the truth, some are still hung up on those false teachers.
though Paul founded the church, but they came enamored with some of those false teachers: well dressed, prosperous, and fancy speakers (part of the city’s culture - you could move up in society by speaking well, and you always tried to connect to someone more prosperous than you)
But Paul was poor, always suffering, barely making it. On top of that he didn’t talk fancy
So some did not want to listen to Paul, He’s not important enough
Some had even requested a letter of recommendation and his credentials to prove his importance
Paul says you all are my letter of recommendation, that fact that you are saved
Paul shows them that Jesus himself did not come in some impressive packaging . . . but was rejected, suffered, and died. Jesus suffered for all.
he tells them . . .
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
I have suffered, but I am still here . . . this should tell you that I speak for Christ
back to
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Paul is telling them . . WE ARE ambassadors . . . emphasis on the WE ARE . . . so listen to us, not to the false teachers, WE are the ambassadors for Christ
So are you saying this only applies to Paul? He had a special job as an ambassador for Christ
no, when you look at the qualities and duties of an ambassador, they fit what all Christians should be
I am saying, that YOU ARE an ambassador for Christ . . . emphasis on the YOU ARE . . . so accept the assignment/appointment, do your duty, do your job
Just like parents remind their children: YOU ARE a Caver, Phillips, Wallace
Ambassador: General Description
Ambassador: General Description
God is the king of kings, so I will use the word king as I describe our ambassador relationship
Ambassador is an important position, so they are often friends and strong supporters of the King
ambassadors are to represent their king in a foreign country’
Live in a foreign country but are citizens of their own co untry
live in a foreign country, but are responsible to their own country
they are the legal spokesperson for the king of country they represent
they have been given instructions and authority to operate in the name of their king
an ambassador might negotiate a trade agreement for his country
“If you supply the raw materials, my country will supply the technology”
they let the country they are staying in know how their home country will react to different situations
If you go to war with country X, my king will support you . . . or
my country will then declare war on you
in this world, Christians are visitors/foreigners . . . this world is not our home . . . not our co untry
we are citizens of the kingdom of God
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
Paul said this, and he had all the rights and privleges of being a Roman citizen, but he knew his real citizenship came from above
and God desires that while you live in this foreign land, that you be an ambassador for HIm
a spokesperson for him
a representative for him
that you would speak for and represent the God of the Universe
God does not look at you first as a students, construction workers, sales person, janitor, social workers, teacher, travel agent, nor doctor . . . he sees a potential ambassador!
who also teaches, does social work, sales cars, goes to school . . .
The call today is that somebody get some urgency, sense of purpose, take this Christian walk more seriously than ever before
Your job as an ambassador for Christ
Your job as an ambassador for Christ
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
your job main job is let God speak through you in order that people get reconciled to God
bring people to God, get folk saved
convince people to become Christians
your mission is to tell them what’s up
Jesus was truly the son of God
he lived, suffered, bled, and died and rose again
He is the Lord of all
you want to be ready to meet him when you die
or if he comes back before you die
The great commission
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
you want them to switch citizenship, to defect from this world . . . make disciples for Christ
if they are Christians who have messed up, like in this book of 2 Corinthians, you want them back on the right track
we have a ministry of reconciliation
So, some things you need to be aware of if you are going to take this job on
So, some things you need to be aware of if you are going to take this job on
remember that this is not your home
so don’t you get too attached to this world
The Bible says we are in the world but not of the world
so easy to get caught up i try ing to make it, that you forget why you are here
and you are always on call! No vacation from this job
visiting a loved one at the hospital, and find yourself comforting a stranger
you will be thinking about throwing in the towel, and someone will call you to get encouragement
when Dad died, a few were so broke up, I had to put my grief on hold, and help th em
even if things have been slow, you are still on duty, be ready for action
let some situation arise at work or school
let some tragedy strike
you’ll find out real quick that people know you are an ambassador
you are a diplomat, so you will have to show diplomacy
because you are the face of the kingdom
so you have to be the bigger person, the grown up, the reasonable one, the calm one
you not supposed to have a bad temper
The Bible says
let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry
be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God
so, you reach people and work with people on their level. . . that’s your job
20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.
Example, a large percent of Black people are used to formality when it comes to titles
a sign of respect to even the closest of friends is to use their title, Pastor, Doctor, Rev, Judge
I called my dad Pastor Caver all the time, was not a sign of distant relationship, but endearment and respect
I’m real close to Dr. West,
a sign of respect for some white people is to use first name, sign that we are friends
my first time worshipping with predominantly white church, I was shocked
that’s a little disrespectful I thought . . . but it was just the opposite
they were welcoming him as a brother and equal
When I call people, I consider who I am speaking to
This is . . . Dimitri
This is . . . Pastor Caver
This is . . . Dimitri Caver, pastor of WMBC
The point is that it’s not about me, let me do what I need to do in order to fulfill my duties as an ambassador
I have the TMZ app on my phone, so I can keep up with celebrity news, beefs between rappers
I will at least read about the Oscars, so that I can engage people . . . my job
I keep up with sports . . . because I like it, but it does help me engage
sometimes, I dress up or down, depending on who I will meet
I don’t dress for myself, I dress for the kingdom
since you speak for the king, You will have to be in constant communication with the king
prayer
avail yourself to be taught the Word of God
memorize the Word of God
you should have an embassy
your home away from home, headquarters
that’s like your local church (should find yourself there often)
your personal home is like the consulate (working in your sphere of influence)
the job does not guarantee easy days
if they turn on your country, they turn on you
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Restrictions of an Ambassador
Restrictions of an Ambassador
you are under authority, you have a boss
our main Scripture says that you are ambassadors for CHRIST
Also, you can’t just do anything, you represent the kingdom, God
16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
you have to live right in front of folks, people are watching . . .
friends, family, neighbors, fellow ambassadors
we are doing long term watching
Also, You are expected to speak only what the king wants spoken
they do not speak to please their audience, but to please the King
YOUR opinions mean very little
you say what you have been sent/commissioned to say
your job is to repeat the official position
There is only one way to salvation, through Jesus
there is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved
you cannot negotiate any new terms . . . because of modern times
just whatever religion seems right to you . . . No!
Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life,, no man . . .
praying in Jesus name
it’s more than just a tag line, or an ending to a prayer
your are supposed to be praying under his authority, mister/madam ambassador
Jesus would pray just like this
speaking of Authority
The Authority of an Ambassador
The Authority of an Ambassador
since you are legally represent the king who sent you
you are given an amount of authority and power from the king
you represent a major power, the power, a prosperous place, the prosperous place
19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
people debate on what all that includes, but no one doubts authority is being given to us
ambassadors can get things done when it comes to their country
visas, help you with customs, special permissions, cut through the red tape
people should be coming to you with prayer request . . .
you are an ambassador from the heavenly kingdom
you can get a prayer through!
you should be offering to help people with kingdom business
I can tell you how to get saved
you need wisdom? in Proverbs, the Bible says . . .
you are not feeling at peace . . . Here’s what you need to do, let’s look at Philippians 4
I try to treat ambassadors right
their country will go to war over you because an attack on you is an attack on the country
2 Samuel 10, a war was started over the bad treatment of ambassadors
an attack on you is an attack on the kingdom of God, an attack on God
Reimbursement of expenses
29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
if you have been sacrificing for the kingdom, spending for the kingdom, could have had that/this but you knew it would mess up your walk with God . . . .you better get a reimbursement form!
add that to your prayer
Lord, I know I owe you everything, but you word says . . . . I would be reimbursed many times over
your word says I will reap if I faint not
Diplomatic immunity
on judgment day, you get off scott free
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
Question is: who are you an ambassador for?
Question is: who are you an ambassador for?
we all represent somebody
When people think of you, what do they think?
Democrats/Republicans
liberals/conservatives
White folks, black folks
People who play church
Real Christian