{"id":3471,"date":"2015-09-02T00:00:51","date_gmt":"2015-09-02T07:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/?p=3471"},"modified":"2015-09-01T23:03:28","modified_gmt":"2015-09-02T06:03:28","slug":"92-you-are-an-ambassador","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/09\/02\/92-you-are-an-ambassador\/","title":{"rendered":"9\/2: You Are an Ambassador (\u8bd7105:1-11 \u6797\u540e5:11-6:2 \u8d5b1:1-2:22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u8bd7105:1-11 \u6797\u540e5:11-6:2 \u8d5b1:1-2:22<\/h2>\n

You Are an Ambassador<\/h2>\n
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The ambassadors I have met have always impressed me enormously. They have clearly been chosen very carefully. They have all been trained in the art of diplomacy. They are skilled at representing their country both by how they act and what they say.<\/p>\n

To be an ambassador is an immense privilege. An ambassador is \u2018a minister of the highest rank sent to a foreign court to represent the\u2026 sovereign or country.\u2019 A British Ambassador is a minister who represents Queen and country wherever they are sent.<\/p>\n

Paul writes that we are \u2018Christ\u2019s ambassadors\u2019 (2 Corinthians 5:20). The Greek word translated as \u2018ambassador\u2019 is presbeuo<\/em>. It shares the same root as \u2018presbyter\u2019, which is one of the words used to describe church leaders. Whilst Paul is talking about himself and his partners in the gospel, the point he makes applies more broadly than that. Whether you are in a recognised leadership role in the church or not, you are an ambassador of Christ, with the extraordinary privilege and responsibility of representing Jesus in this world. You are God\u2019s representative on earth.<\/p>\n

Through you God makes his appeal for others to receive his forgiveness, love and grace. We appeal to them to become friends of God and ambassadors themselves. As royal ambassadors we need to act with diplomacy and skill because we are representing Christ on earth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Ambassadors to the whole world<\/h2>\n

Psalm 105:1-11<\/a>We are called as ambassadors to be a blessing to all nations. Jesus called us to go out to all the world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19\u201320). The people of God are blessed in order to be a blessing to the whole world.<\/p>\n

\u2018Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations <\/em>what he has done\u2019 (Psalm 105:1). Today, there are so many opportunities to travel to other nations. But some of us do not even need to travel to be in contact with many nations. In London, where I live, practically every nation in the world is represented.<\/p>\n

The psalmist writes, \u2018Remember the wonders he has done\u2019 (v.5a), and then he goes on to do exactly that. He goes back through all the things God has done for them. It is so important to keep remembering and giving thanks for all God\u2019s blessings.<\/p>\n

What are some of your favourite memories? Take time to remember God\u2019s blessing and to thank him. Find a diplomatic way, as an ambassador for Christ, to \u2018tell everyone you meet what he has done!\u2019 (v.1, MSG).<\/p>\n

Lord, thank you for all the amazing wonders you have done for me. As I look to the days ahead, help me to make known among the nations what you have done.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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2. Ambassadors with an urgent message<\/h2>\n

2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2<\/a>We are all \u2018Christ\u2019s ambassadors<\/em>\u2019 (5:20). Paul, as an ambassador of Christ, seeks to \u2018persuade people\u2019 (v.11) about the truth of the gospel.<\/p>\n

This is a big responsibility. It is urgent and we should take it seriously: \u2018It\u2019s no light thing to know that we will all one day stand in that place of judgment. That\u2019s why we work urgently <\/em>with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God\u2019 (v.11, MSG).<\/p>\n

God makes his appeal through you. God could have made his appeal direct or through angels. Instead he has chosen to do it through you and me. \u2018God has given us <\/em>the task of telling everyone what he is doing\u2019 (v.19b, MSG). Paul writes, \u2018We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God\u2019 (v.20). \u2018Become friends with God; he\u2019s already a friend with you\u2019 (v.20, MSG).<\/p>\n