AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST
II CORINTHIANS 5:16-21
II CORINTHIANS 5:16-21
Introduction:
The purpose of this message is to show that we, as Christians, are in the eye of the world. The believer in Christ is marked in public. God has also marked us in a very special way – He has made us NEW CREATURES in Christ Jesus. Being thus marked by the Lord we become spectacles before those around us. What are these marks?
I. THE MARK OF REGENERATION
A. Now we know Christ by faith, vs. 16-17 “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
1. It is not after the flesh that we know Jesus Christ.
2. We know Him after the Spirit, that is, by faith as our Savior.
B. We are NEW CREATURES in Christ, v. 17, Galatians 6:15, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”
1. Religion isn’t important in regard to salvation. Being a Jew does not open the gates of heaven, John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
a. Circumcision had no value regarding salvation. It was always just a sign of ones faith in God’s Word.
b. Being a new creature in Christ Jesus is what matters to God.
C. Old things are PASSED AWAY, All things are BECOME NEW, v. 17. 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
II. THE MARK OF RECONCILIATION
A. Sin in our lives has offended our God, Habakkuk 1:13, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:”
B. Reconciliation is possible, vs. 18-19.
1. The God of Heaven offers His Son as Mediator, 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” See also Hebrews 8:6; 9:15.
2. It is our privilege to be reconciled to God by faith in Jesus Christ our Mediator, vs. 19, 21.
a. Jesus did not know sin, v. 21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
b. He took upon Himself our sins on the cross of Calvary, Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
c. In Christ we are JUST in God’s eyes, Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
III. THE MARK OF SANCTIFICATION
A. The word means “SET APART.”In Christ the believer is different from the rest of the world.
B. We are AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST,v. 20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
1. The ambassador is a representative of another person or another country.
2. The ambassador does not express his own message.
a. In Latin-American countries Mary is called “Medianeira,” that is, a woman mediator.
b. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:5 that Jesus is the Mediator, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
3. The message of the ambassador comes from the President or the king. The message of the believer is from God.
C. What kind of ambassador are you?
1. One who represents HIMSELF with his own message?
2. One who honors HIS GOD? Psalm26:8, “LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.”
a. With a GOOD TESTIMONY among the people.
b. ACTS WITH DIGNITY knowing that he REPRESENTS the God of Heaven and Jesus Christ, His Son.
1) He DRESSES as if he was going into the presence of the Lord.
2) His LANGUAGE and EXPRESSIONS ARE TEMPERED with every bit of knowledge that he has to express the message of the Lord in a DIGNIFIED MANNER.
3) He REMEMBERS WHO HE IS and WHO HE REPRESENTS at all times.
CONCLUSION:
I want to be an ambassador of the highest quality; the best representative for my Lord possible. I want to dress and act in a manner that OTHERS WILL KNOW that I am an AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST that BRINGS NO SHAME ON MY LORD AND SAVIOR.
AFTER ALL I AM A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST, AM I NOT?????