“An Ambassador of the King”
Text: Ephesians 6:19-24
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
(KJV)
Introduction:
Our text says “I am an ambassador in bonds.” Paul was in prison when this book was written. It is no difference for you and I today as ambassador for the King of Kings. We are not in literal bonds in a prison, but we are in bonds when it comes to being limited in what we can say or do for the Lord in our own home towns.
Let us see what an ambassador is and does for his/her nation. Webster’s Dictionary says: “The highest-ranking diplomatic representative appointed by one country or government to represent it in another country or government. An official agent with a special mission. An unofficial representative or messenger.” Ambassador is a messenger of one nation sent to give a message to another nation. You and I as Christians are ambassador on a special mission for our King to spread the message of God’s Word the Bible. The Bible says that we need to do it fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12 say, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” In being an ambassador for the King of Kings we need to make sure that we are dressed in our protective uniform as is mentioned in Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” The reason for doing this is we should “Never underestimate the strategy and strength of our enemy the devil.” (Wiersbe)
1.What is an ambassador of the King?
An Ambassador of the King is a Christian. A Christian is someone who is Christ-like. Christ was a messenger since from God. So, we as Christians are messengers also if we are to be Christ-like. Mark 16:15 gives us our instructions. It says, “Go ye into all the world, and preach, (teach and spread) the gospel to every creature.” Verse 20 of that chapter gives some encouraging words. It says, “And they went forth, and preached, (taught and spread the gospel) every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Second Timothy 4:2 says we need to; “Preach or teach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”
2.What does an ambassador of the King do?
The first thing that an Ambassador of the King does is found in Luke 9:23; “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” If we are going to good Ambassadors of the King we will need to be selfless servants for Him no matter what the circumstances maybe. We may go through some suffering just as Ercan Sengul did.
Illustration:
“When he committed his life to Christ in the Muslim nation of Turkey, some saw it as turning his back on his heritage and nation. When he said that he would do anything for God, he had meant it then. But what about now?
Ercan sat in a dark, dank prison cell surrounded by cell mates. He had been arrested by local police who said that he’d ’insulted Islam’ by distributing books for a Christian publisher.
Ercan dried out to God, begging to be rescued. He knew that he’d done nothing wrong and didn’t deserve to be there. “You said you’d do anything for Me,” God whispered to Ercan’s heart. “Did you mean it?”
Broken before God, Ercan wept and worshipped. He told God in his heart, ’I really mean it!’ Ercan began to preach three hours each day in prison. He learned that God allowed him to be imprisoned to give him a new mission field! Ercan was in prison for thirty days until witnesses admitted that police had pressured them to sign statements, and the judge found no evidence of any crime.
The arrest has furthered Ercan’s witness. Since his release, many who shared his cell have visited his church, asking about the God who gave him peace while locked in prison. Ercan still joyfully gives out Christian books, knowing he could be arrested.”
(Extreme Devotion)
The second things that an Ambassador of the King does is spoken of in Isiah 50: 4 “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.” We are to be good listeners just as Jesus was and is yet today.
A third thing that an Ambassador of the King does I have already alluded to in my first point on what is an Ambassador. It was found in Mark 16:15 ““Go ye into all the world, and preach, (teach and spread) the gospel to every creature.” God wants the whole world to know of not just about the Gospel of Jesus Christ His Son. Are you willing to be an Ambassador for the King of kings to its fullest extent no matter what my be done to you?
Conclusion:
“Most Christians would admit that suffering is not exactly what we have in mind when we say we want to be used by God. Sure, we want to live out our faith—but not to the point of persecution. We resent being overlooked for promotions at work or excluded from social events. We feel slighted. Cheated. Ripped off. However, we must be willing to prayerfully seek God in the midst of our desperation. The moment we do, we find prayer changes our perspective. We begin to see opportunities for growth. We receive hope. We find promise amid pain. Eventually we begin to discover our current situation, however unfair and undeserved, may be part of God’s perspective on persecution, we find the courage to be obedient at all costs.” Once again I will ask, “Are you willing to be an Ambassador for the King of kings to its fullest extent no matter what my be done to you?”
