Sermon Notes
You have a calling.
• You cannot understand that calling apart from your identity.
• You cannot understand that calling apart from living in community
• You cannot understand that calling apart from embracing Jesus’ Divinity
The greatest person (Jesus) has given us the greatest command (love your neighbor) that can have the greatest results (the blessed life) – Matthew 22:35-40
If, Then…
If Jesus is the master interpreter of the Old Testament, and if Jesus is the true Lord over our hearts, then we must follow his instructions carefully.
Consider this for a moment:
What if every single born again believer actually did this for six months?
Paul takes the language of a neighbor (an Old Testament idea) and restates it for a more Greco-Roman Community. – 2 Corinthians 5:11-20
Key Term Ambassador:
The highest rank of a diplomat (i.e. the Emperor’s Legate) who represents his/her nation of origin in an effort to negotiate peace. Ambassadors not only represent the wishes and commands of the sending nation, but they also possess a personal understanding of laws, language and customs of the receiving nation.
Ambassadors:
- Know the will of the king
- Understand the culture of the community
Why should we be ambassadors?
- Because we fear Jesus’ power – 2 Corinthians 5:11
- Because we are moved by Jesus’ love – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For Jesus is awesome in power
And tender in love.
How should we start our Ambassadorship (or love your neighbor)?
- Stop viewing people from a worldly point of view
- Recognize anyone in Christ can be made new.
- Make an appeal based upon God’s love
Key Term Appeal (παρακαλέω):
A calling of someone to your side. A summons or invitation. In a legal sense, to attend a trial for a friend and speak on their behalf.
Key Objection:
Yeah but, hasn’t this job been given to someone else – 2 Corinthians 5:18
Consider:
Have you been reconciled to God?
Then you have been given the ministry of reconciliation.
Application:
Pray and re-read – 2 Corinthians 5:11-20
Be here next week
Discussion Questions:
TALK IT OUT:
- Pastor Rusty said, “The greatest person (Jesus) has given us the greatest command (love your neighbor) that can have the greatest results (the blessed life).” How might this impact our world if every born again believer actually loved their neighbor the way Jesus said we are to for the next six months?
- One of the key terms in today’s text is the word “ambassador.” Pastor Rusty noted that, “Ambassadors not only represent the wishes and commands of the sending nation, but they also possess a personal understanding of laws, language and customs of the receiving nation.” What are the implications if believers understand our calling from God and carry out that calling with an understanding of those we are called to serve?
- Pastor Rusty observes that we are to be ambassadors because: 1) we fear Jesus’ power (vs. 11) and 2) we are moved by Jesus’ love (vs. 14-15). Why do we need both of these if we are going to be good ambassadors?
- We should begin our ambassadorship (loving our neighbor) by: 1) No longer viewing people from a worldly point of view, and 2) Recognizing anyone in Christ can be made new. Which is harder for you, looking at people from a godly point of view, or recognizing Christ can change people? Why?
- Pastor Rusty says we are to “make an appeal based upon God’s love.” The word appeal can mean, calling someone to your side, or attending a trial for a friend to speak on their behalf. How would viewing our role like this change the way we tend to deal with those who are not yet believers?
LIVE IT OUT:
- Have you been reconciled to God? If not please consider asking Jesus to forgive your sin and make you His child right now.
- If you have been reconciled to God, ask God to help you carry out your ministry of reconciliation with those who don’t yet have a relationship with God.
- Ask God to help you become a better ambassador for Him.
- Ask God to help you see those around you that need you to be involved in their lives and to speak up for them.
- Finally, make a list of friends who haven’t yet been reconciled to God and ask Him to show you how He wants to use you in the process of reconciling the friends you have listed.