1. Benghazi
I used to think being an Ambassador for the US would be a plush job -- until Benghazi. I realized that being an Ambassador may be prestigious when all goes well. However, it can be a dangerous, even deadly enterprise.
2. Yet, We are called to be ambassadors for God in our world.
3. 2 Corinthians 5.1-21
a. Temporary Nature of Life
b. Eternal Nature of Life
c. Our Ministry of Reconciliation
d. Our Authority as Ambassadors
4. Consider the person of an Ambassador -- God's Representative
I. An Ambassador Has a Special Residency (Citizenship) -- 4.16-5.10
While Secretary of State during the Regan presidency, George Shultz kept a large globe in his office. When newly appointed ambassadors had an interview with him and when ambassadors returning from their posts for their first visit with him were leaving his office, Shultz would test them. He would say, "You have to go over the globe and prove to me that you can identify your country." They would go over, spin the globe, and put their finger on the country to which sent--unerringly.
When Shultz's old friend and former Senate majority leader Mike Mansfield was appointed ambassador to Japan, even he was put to the test. This time, however, Ambassador Mansfield spun the globe and put his hand on the United States. He said: "That's my country." On June 27, 1993, Shultz related this to Brian Lamb on C-Span's "Booknotes." The Secretary said: "I've told that story, subsequently, to all the ambassadors going out. 'Never forget you're over there in that country, but your country is the United States. You're there to represent us. Take care of our interests and never forget it, and you're representing the best country in the world.' "
We must never forget where our home and our allegiance is -- the Kingdom of God. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3.20
A. A Type of Dual Citizenship
[People with dual citizenship; amphibians
1. A Temporary Position
a. Limited time in another country
b. Limited time in this world -- 2 Corinthians 4.16-18
2. A Permanent Citizenship -- 2 Corinthians 5.1-5
[Missionary returning home did not realize the President was on the same cruise ship; saw the crowds in the harbor and assumed they were waiting for him; by the time he had gotten off the ship the crowds were gone and no one was there to greet him; "I thought someone would have come to welcome me home;" his wife replied, "You're not home yet."
a. A Place of Heritage (grafted into Israel -- Romans 11)
b. A Place of Belonging and Loyalty
c. A Place of the Heart -- 5.2; Deuteronomy 6.4ff
B. A Guaranteed Return Home
1. A Passport is a fairly common document. It allows me right to travel around the world, it shows not only where I come from but also who I am. It shows that I am a citizen of the United States of America; therefore I am also a representative of my country to the rest of the world. The way that people abroad view me will have an impact on how they view my county.
2. Holy Spirit is Our Guarantee of a ticket home -- 5.5
C. An Essential Accountability
1. "People do not do what is expected; they do what is inspected."
2. We are accountable to our King -- 5.10
a. In Reality -- Matthew 7.21
b. Parable of Talents
c. Separation of sheep and goats
3. Whom are we trying to please? -- Galatians 1.10
Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.
II. An Ambassador Has a Special Role -- Representative
A. "Sent Ones"
1. Ambassadors of Influence
A traveling man came into a hotel to secure a room for the night. Upon being informed that every room in the building had been taken, he was naturally quite perturbed, until a portly gentleman standing nearby kindly offered to share his room with him. The offer was thankfully accepted.
Upon retiring, the portly man knelt and prayed, tenderly mentioning his guest for the night in his petition. In the morning his host informed him that it was his custom to read a portion of the Word of God and pray before taking up the responsibilities of the day. The effect upon the man was moving; that he determined to become a follower of Jesus. A soul had been won!
But who is this humble ambassador of Christ, who so strikingly resembles a member of President Wilson's cabinet? When business cards were exchanged before parting, to the guest's amazement he read, "William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of State."
2. Synagogue Positions
Shaliach Public Announcer Apostle (sent to announce Good News)/Missionary today
Maggid Itinerant teacher; spoke to various congregations Evangelist
Tzakin ("old" in maturity more than age) Provides Counsel to members of the congregation; plurality in every community Elder
Shamash Took care of the public facilities such as a synagogue Custodian/Caretaker/Deacon
B. Sent Ones with a Powerful Message in a Powerful Name (Matthew 10.1)
1. When Jesus first sent Peter and the others out to heal the sick, He gave them the necessary power to do it. The Greek word for this power is exousia (ek-su-sia), which carries with it the meaning that the power is not inherent but delegated by a higher authority. It is similar to the power an ambassador has been given by the president. U.S. ambassadors, for example, would get nowhere in foreign countries by presenting themselves in their own names. Rather, they say, "I come in the name of the President of the United States." That is exactly why Peter said he had come, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth."
2. Message of "Good News"
a. Message of Hope
b. Message of Peace/Reconciliation
c. Message of Warning (Except you repent you shall perish)
d. Message from Above -- 1 Corinthians 2.1-2
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
C. Sent to Create Good Will
1. God's Appeal -- Reconciliation -- 2 Corinthians 5.20
a. God Willingly Pursues Us -- "Where are you?; Moses; Abram; US
1) Living Acts of Concern; Attentiveness
2) Compassionate
3) The Hunt -- (you would hunt me like a lion) Job 10.16
b. The Proof --
But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against Isaiah 63.10
"Without God's aid, man cannot find him."
c. Will we, in turn pursue him?
For what I desire is mercy, not sacrifices,
knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6.6
But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4.29 (cf. Jeremiah 29.13)
(Prayer seeks help and the helper)
d. How deeply will we purse? Psalm 42.1-2;
My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. Isaiah 26.9
e. God seeks seekers --
The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, seek after God. Psalm 14.2
2. Our Amazement -- Job 37.14-22; (M)
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance? Isaiah 40.12
D. One Message -- Two Outcomes
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, 20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." Deuteronomy 30.19-20
1. One God, many aspects -- Love and Fire
2. One Pillar at Red Sea -- Dark (for Egypt) and light (for Israel)
3. One gospel -- salvation or condemnation
1. Likeness of the Son
On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: "James Butler Bonham--no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom." No literal portrait of Jesus exists either. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of His true followers.
2. Let us be the house of the LORD, representing him among all People
