We Are God’s Ambassadors

1. We Are God’s Ambassadors 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

2. What should a Christian Ministry look like? What should the Christian Life look like? • 1. • 2. • 3. • 4. • 5.

3. What should a Christian Ministry look like? What should the Christian Life look like? • Prayer (the Christian Missionary should be spending time in prayer and seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit) • Evangelism (the primary role of the Christian Missionary is to reach into the lives of others with the Gospel Message) • Loving (the Christian Missionary cares about people & their well-being) • In the Word (The Christian Missionary should be in their knowledge of the Bible) • Sufferance (the Christian Missionary will go through trials & persecution)

4. The History of the Text2nd Corinthians

5. The History of the Text2nd Corinthians • Why Did Paul Write this letter? • This letter was in defense of his ministry

6. The History of the Text2nd Corinthians • Why Did Paul Write this letter? • This letter was in defense of his ministry • What is the overarching Theme of 2nd Corinthians? • What true Christian Missions look like/What the Christian Life should look like

7. The History of the Text2nd Corinthians • Why Did Paul Write this letter? • This letter was in defense of his ministry • What is the overarching Theme of 2nd Corinthians? • What true Christian Missions look like/What the Christian Life should look like • What is the Theme of Chapter 5:11-6:2? • We are Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven/the Ministry of Reconciliation

8. 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 (ESV) The Ministry of Reconciliation (We Are God’s Ambassadors) 11) Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12) We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13) For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

9. 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 (ESV) The Ministry of Reconciliation (We Are God’s Ambassadors) 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.

10. 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 (ESV) The Ministry of Reconciliation (We Are God’s Ambassadors) 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.

11. 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 (ESV) The Ministry of Reconciliation (We Are God’s Ambassadors) 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. 2 Corinthians 6 (ESV) 1) Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2) For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

12. Key Topics of the Text

13. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled

14. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • 5 V. 14 that one has died for all, therefore all have died

15. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • 5 V. 14 that one has died for all, therefore all have died • 5 V. 16 we regard no one according to the flesh • (NLT) We have stopped evaluating others by a human point of view

16. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • 5 V. 14 that one has died for all, therefore all have died • 5 V. 16 we regard no one according to the flesh • (NLT) We have stopped evaluating others by a human point of view • 5 V. 17 if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation • …The old has passed away; behold, the new has come

17. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • 5 V. 14 that one has died for all, therefore all have died • 5 V. 16 we regard no one according to the flesh • (NLT) We have stopped evaluating others by a human point of view • 5 V. 17 if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation • …The old has passed away; behold, the new has come • 5 V. 19 Christ God was reconciling the world to himself • …not counting their trespasses against them

18. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • 5 V. 14 that one has died for all, therefore all have died • 5 V. 16 we regard no one according to the flesh • (NLT) We have stopped evaluating others by a human point of view • 5 V. 17 if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation • …The old has passed away; behold, the new has come • 5 V. 19 Christ God was reconciling the world to himself • …not counting their trespasses against them • 5 V. 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

19. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him

20. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • 5 V. 15 he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him

21. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • 5 V. 15 he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him • 5 V. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself

22. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • We have a job to do

23. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • We have a job to do • 5 V. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others

24. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • We have a job to do • 5 V. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others • Paul was drive by the fear …of what??

25. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • We have a job to do • 5 V. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others • Paul was drive by the fear of the Judgment Seat of God. • 5 V. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

26. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • We have a job to do • 5 V. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others • Paul was drive by the fear of the Judgment Seat of God. • 5 V. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. • This is not an issue of Salvation, but an awards ceremony.

27. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • We have a job to do • 5 V. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others • Paul was drive by the fear of the Judgment Seat of God. • 5 V. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. • This is not an issue of Salvation, but an awards ceremony. • 5 V. 15 he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him

28. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • We have a job to do • 5 V. 18 God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation

29. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • We have a job to do • 5 V. 18 God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation • 6 V. 1 we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain

30. Key Topics of the Text • The Law has been removed/fulfilled • Those that receive Christs life belong to Him • We have a job to do • 5 V. 18 God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation • 6 V. 1 we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain • 5 V. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ

31. Job Title: Ambassador

32. Job Title: Ambassador Functions of an Ambassador: The Ambassador is in Charge of the Embassy

33. Job Title: AmbassadorFunctions of an Ambassador: in a Foreign Land Represents the Home Country

34. Job Title: Ambassador Functions of an Ambassador: Develop and protect the home-countries interests

35. Job Title: Ambassador Functions of an Ambassador: Develop and protect the home-countries interests • Never be afraid to speak up

36. In Closingwhat might the Christian life look like 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 (NLT) Paul’s Hardships 3) We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4) In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5) We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food

37. In Closingwhat might the Christian life look like 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 (NLT) Paul’s Hardships 6) We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.  7) We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8) We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.

38. In Closingwhat might the Christian life look like 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 (NLT) Paul’s Hardships 9) We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10) Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

39. Three Challenges for the next Week Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

40. Three Challenges for the next Week • Pray the Lord’s Prayer out loud on your knees (or bowing down) before you leave the house every morning. Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

41. Three Challenges for the next Week • Pray the Lord’s Prayer out loud on your knees (or bowing down) before you leave the house every morning. • Meditate on the list we made this morning and make a small change to align your life with where you know that God would like you to be. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

42. Three Challenges for the next Week • Pray the Lord’s Prayer out loud on your knees (or bowing down) before you leave the house every morning. • Meditate on the list we made this morning and make a small change to align your life with where you know that God would like you to be. • Never be afraid to Speak Out about your beliefs Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.