Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
To explore the concept of being God's stewards and ambassadors on Earth, representing Him in our actions and words, and understanding the responsibility and privilege that comes with this role.
Good morning, family. Today, we're gonna delve into a meaty part of scripture, Ephesians 6:20, where Paul refers to himself as an ambassador in chains. He says, "For which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." What a powerful depiction of his role and responsibility, don't you think? Well, today we're going to explore what it means for us to be God's stewards, His ambassadors here on Earth, and how we can live out our calling in that capacity.
You know, John Muir once said, "When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." Think about that for a moment. Stewards of the mystery of God. That's a massive responsibility, but it's also an incredible privilege. We're not just bystanders in our faith; we're active participants. We're called to represent God in our lives, in our actions, in our words.
Let's pray together as we start. Heavenly Father, open our hearts and minds today as we dig into Your word. Help us understand what it means to be Your stewards and ambassadors. Guide us in living out our calling, in representing You in our lives. Empower us to take this responsibility seriously and joyfully. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Alright, folks, let's dive into this together. Are you ready to explore what it means to be an ambassador of God?
Firstly, being God's steward means living a life of integrity. As representatives of God, our lives should reflect His character. God is holy, just, loving, and merciful, and these qualities should be evident in our lives. We should strive to live in a way that is consistent with God's character, even when no one is watching. This means being honest, fair, kind, and forgiving in all our interactions. It means making choices that honor God, even when those choices are difficult or unpopular.
Secondly, being God's steward means being a conduit of His love. God's love is not meant to be hoarded; it's meant to be shared. As His stewards, we are called to love others as He has loved us. This means showing kindness and compassion to those around us, even when they don't deserve it. It means reaching out to those who are hurting, lonely, or marginalized, just as Jesus did. It means forgiving those who have wronged us, just as God has forgiven us.
Thirdly, being God's steward means being a bearer of His message. We are entrusted with the greatest news ever - the gospel of Jesus Christ. As God's stewards, we have the responsibility to share this message with others. This doesn't mean we have to be preachers or missionaries; we can share the gospel in simple, everyday ways. It could be through a conversation with a friend, a word of encouragement to a coworker, or even the way we handle adversity.
Lastly, being God's steward means being a model of His grace. We are not perfect, and we will make mistakes. But even in our failures, we can represent God by showing others what it means to receive and extend grace. When we mess up, we can admit our mistakes, ask for forgiveness, and strive to do better. When others wrong us, we can choose to forgive and extend grace, just as God has done for us.
Being God's steward is not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one. It requires selflessness, courage, and humility. It requires us to put God's interests above our own, to love others as He has loved us, and to share His message with the world. But as we do so, we experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life that is aligned with God's purposes.
One aspect of being an ambassador of God is living a life of integrity ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO