Go! And Proclaim the Message of Reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 5:20
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT): "So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”"
Introduction: The Privilege and Urgency of the Ambassador
We live in a world saturated with noise, opinion, and confusion. But there remains one message that rises above all others — the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, we continue our "Go! And..." series with a message titled: Go! And Proclaim the Message of Reconciliation.
This is not merely a message for the church; this is a message through the church. God is making His appeal through us! We are not tourists in this world. We are ambassadors of heaven!
Let us dive into the truth of God's Word with a hunger to know Him and a passion to make Him known.
1. The Role of the Ambassador
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT): "So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!'"
Greek: "ambassador" = presbeuomen (p?esße??µe?) This is the same word used for an official representative of a king or government. We represent the Kingdom of God with divine authority.
Paul is speaking to a reconciled people who are now entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18). This is a continuation of Jesus' mission (Luke 19:10).
Charles Stanley said, "Obedience always brings blessing. We may not see it immediately, but God honours faithfulness."
As ambassadors, we don't craft our own message. We simply deliver the King's truth. And we must do so with both urgency and compassion.
Are you living as Christ’s representative?
Are your words seasoned with grace and truth?
2. The Time to Speak is Now
Ecclesiastes 3:7 (NLT): "A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak."
We are living in a time when silence can be deadly. The Gospel is too important to be kept private.
Imagine standing by a house engulfed in flames, knowing people are trapped inside. Would you quietly walk away? Of course not! You would shout, knock, plead, and act. That is the urgency of Gospel proclamation.
Tim Keller said, "If you understand what the Bible says about sin, the lostness of the human condition, and what Jesus has done, you won’t be able to be silent."
Church, now is the time to speak. Not just to argue morality or politics, but to proclaim the risen Christ!
3. The Fulfilment of the Law
Romans 10:4 (NLT): "For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God."
Greek: "telos" (t????) = end, goal, or fulfilment.
The law reveals our sin, but Jesus fulfils the law’s demands. He did what we never could.
John Piper said, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
Satisfaction comes not from striving to earn righteousness but from resting in Christ’s finished work. And when you're satisfied in Him, you'll want to tell the world!
Are you trying to earn what Christ has already purchased?
Rest in Jesus and proclaim His sufficiency.
4. The Fire in the Preacher's Bones
1 Corinthians 9:16 (NLT): "Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!"
Paul uses the word anagke (??????) — meaning necessity, compulsion. It is the holy burden placed upon every believer.
A missionary once said, "I cannot sleep until they hear." That’s the burden of Gospel urgency.
R.T. Kendall said, "We are not called to make the Gospel acceptable. We are called to make it available."
You may never stand behind a pulpit, but your life can preach. Your kindness, your testimony, your words — all tools to carry the message of reconciliation.
5. The Message of Love and Rescue
Romans 5:8 (NLT): "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
Romans 5:6 (NLT): "When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners."
We were helpless, hopeless, and hostile to God. And yet He loved us.
Greek: systesin (s???st?s??) = to commend, to prove by demonstration.
Max Lucado said, "God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus."
The cross is God's megaphone shouting, "I love you! I want you back!" This is the message we proclaim. Not condemnation, but reconciliation!
6. The Weight of Knowing and Not Acting
James 4:17 (NLT): "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it."
When we know the truth and remain silent, we are not neutral — we are negligent.
Leonard Ravenhill said, "The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity."
If you know Jesus is the only way, how can you stay silent? Speak up. Souls are on the line.
7. The Simplicity of Salvation
Romans 10:13 (NLT): "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Greek: epikaleo (?p??a???) = to cry out with earnestness, invoking someone with authority.
Salvation is not complicated. It's a cry of the heart, a calling on Jesus in faith.
Billy Graham said, "Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have."
We don’t need a theological degree to proclaim this. Just a surrendered heart and a willingness to speak.
Gospel Presentation:
Friend, Jesus lived the life you could never live — sinless, obedient, perfect. He died the death you deserved — as a substitute, bearing your sin. He rose from the grave in power and victory.
You don’t have to earn His love. You only need to respond.
Romans 5:8: He died for you while you were still a sinner.
Romans 10:13: Call upon Him, and you will be saved.
Turn from sin. Trust in Christ. Receive eternal life.
Call to Action:
Go, and live as His ambassador.
Go, and speak up when it's time to speak.
Go, and trust in Christ's sufficiency.
Go, and proclaim the Gospel without shame.
Today, God is making His appeal through you.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ, this is your moment. Pray: "Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust in You alone as my Lord and Saviour. Amen."
Benediction:
Go now in the strength of the Spirit. Be Christ’s ambassador. Proclaim His truth. Live His love. Speak His Word. And may your life echo heaven’s invitation: "Come back to God!"
In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
