29 April 2012

WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST
Text: 2 Corinthians 5

Series:
Triumphant in Christ

Message Notes

(I) THE LEADING OF GOD

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14

1. He leads us in triumph

2. The knowledge of God and His leading is refreshingly fragrant

(II) THE CHALLENGE TO SERVE THE LORD JESUS AS HIS AMBASSADORS

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us” 2 Corinthians 5:20

1. The imagery of an ambassador

a) Representing the Kingdom

b) Representing the King

c) Seal of the Kingdom

d) Authority of the Kingdom

2. Ambassadors for Christ

a) We have Divine authority

b) We have a Glorious ministry

c) We have Divine power to be successful in ministry

(III) THE OUTWORKINGS OF THIS MINISTRY

1. God is speaking through us

“As though God were pleading through us” 2 Corinthians 5:20b

a) God will work in us

b) God will work through us

c) God is speaking to people through His ambassadors

2. A Ministry of Reconciliation

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

a) The offer of reconciliation

b) The forgiveness of trespasses

c) The word of reconciliation

d) The ministry of reconciliation

(IV) THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS MINISTRY

1. The world needs to know of such a God

2. Many need to hear this message of reconciliation

3. Many lives can be wonderfully restored