AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2)

MEMORY VERSE

2 Corinthians 5: 20

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 - 6:2

May 13, 2018

Lesson prepared by krisha of Solomon FB page

Scheduled teacher: SIS. LIZA F. BIADO

INTRODUCTION:

-         An ambassador is a diplomatic representative that attends international meetings, banquets and parties and acts as a figurehead for their country of origin.

-         Ambassadors are subject to a wide range of responsibilities dealing with foreign relations. Each task is carried out in a diplomatic manner that's engineered to meet the needs of the ambassador's home country while maintaining a positive relationship with that country.

-         One of the primary responsibilities of an ambassador is to notify their home country of economic and political developments in the host nation. They write formal reports in order to communicate foreign development, especially in the area of trade policies. Because of their unique and inside experience with the host nation, ambassadors are able to aid in the development of foreign policy with that nation. All of these actions seek to protect their home country's interests within the host nation.

-          Another responsibility of an ambassador is to act as a representative of their country of origin. They attend social functions, political parties and banquets with the intention of smoothing relationships between nations. As a representative, they also offer up their home country's position on numerous political, social and economic platforms. Additionally, ambassadors meet with important political leaders and greet or host other diplomats. https://www.sokanu.com/careers/ambassador/

-         Jesus thought of his disciples as brothers in a great task. He called them his friends. Jesus placed himself among his disciples as a fellow servant of God. Jesus issued his commission to his disciples as if they were soldiers in Matthew 28:18-20.

-         In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul gives a beautiful picture of a compassionate and gracious God and a graphic and forceful portrayal of the service we are to render: “We are the ambassadors for Christ.” An ambassador is an envoy or minister of a state sent on a mission by one sovereign or state to another. An ambassador is a spokesperson or representative of one state with authority to speak to the authorities of another state.

-         As ambassador for Christ, we have been authorized and clothed with divine authority and power to speak his reconciling message of love to the unsaved world. We are the representatives of the King of Kings. We are the stand in the courts of human conscience authoritatively representing the authority of our King.

LESSON OUTLINE:

1)    AN AMBASSADOR MUST BE CITIZEN OF HEAVEN (2 CORINTHIANS 5:17)

-         You can’t be an ambassador of a certain country if you’re not a citizen in it. Just the same with an ambassador of Christ, we should be a resident of heaven. The hymnal song “This World is not my home” is a good reminder of our residency.  The time we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour was the time we have become the ambassador of Christ.

-         Personally, have you feel blessed upon reading in the Bible that you are a resident of heaven? Most people have the difficulty of getting a permanent residency in a certain country like for example in USA but for being a resident in heaven is free. It was all paid by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.

-         Another thing is when we suffer trials and problems on earth, it’s comforting that these won’t take long because our permanent residency is not on earth.

2)    AN AMBASSADOR IS A REPRESENTATIVE

-         One of the responsibilities of an ambassador is to be representative. An example of this is the news reported last 2016; USA television reported that President Trump ordered the US Ambassador in the Philippines, Sung Kim, to report back in the country because they were reliably informed that the ambassador had been working with De Lima. He was ordered to report back because this might cause problem against the program of the Philippine government against drugs. An ambassador represents the country he is belong and he should represent properly the country he represents to.

-         Spiritually speaking, we are the representatives of the King of Kings. We are the stand in the courts of human conscience authoritatively representing the authority of our King.

-         We represents Christ on earth. We must guard against the peril of misrepresenting the Christ.

We must be diligent to represent Christ properly and adequately by being genuinely Christian.

-         Have you seen and felt the responsibility of being a representative? You should speak and act as representatives of our Lord. The Bible says in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven”

3)    AN AMBASSADOR HAS THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (2 Corinthians 5:18)

Did you notice how many times the word “reconciliation” (or its variation) was used in this passage? Our sin and infidelity with the world has caused separation between God and us. However, God offers to forgive our sins when they are atoned for by the death of Christ (verse 21).

But remember, God has done us no wrong. He has no faults that we need to overlook and forgive. This is why Scripture never speaks of God being reconciled to us. It only speaks of us being reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:12 – 16).

Here’s another key idea about “reconciliation”: the heart of the word in Greek is “change” or “exchange”. When we are reconciled to God, we are not just forgiven and accepted as is. There is a metamorphosis on our part. We begin growing from a stance of resisting God to honoring and obeying Him. The creation of a new heart is the result.

So when we “evangelize” or “share our faith”, we are to act as His representatives; helping others come to peace with their Creator. But the concept or activity of “evangelism” or “sharing our faith” are not the totality of our “ministry of reconciliation”. And the goals are not just getting people to clean up their lifestyle, adopt a certain set of doctrines (rules) or to attend worship services.

The solemn responsibility (and result) is encouraging a rebellious soul and heart to be re-united to God.

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4)    AN AMBASSADOR IS A MESSENGER (ACTS 8:35, 38)

-         God wants to speak through us to a lost, wayward, and guilty world

A)     We are messengers of the pleading Christ.

B)    We are messengers of the beseeching God.

- Jesus prescribing one of our functions as being that of a witness.

a.      By this commission our Lord intends that each of us should be communicators of the message of redemption to both the eyes and ears of those who live in our world.

b.      Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

-         The message of the ambassador of Christ (v. 21)

a.      Our message is a revelation of what God has done in Christ so as to save people from sin.

b.      God has promised a Savior who knew no sin

Heb. 4:15 “…but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin”

c.        God has placed our sins on the sinless Savior.

Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

d.      The Sinless One suffered for the sinful - 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ hath also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” 2 Cor. 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”

e.       It is now possible for the sinful to be saved from sin and to be treated as if they were righteous (Romans 3:23-25)

(Contributed by Baptist man named, Carl Allen)

-         As ambassador of Christ, we should speak only or give the message what Christ wants us to say to people.

CONCLUSION:

In Acts 21: 10-13, some Christians wept because they saw the possible persecutions & suffering of Apostle Paul may encounter in preaching the Gospel. Then Paul answered in verse 13, “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem FOR THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.” We can see in this verse that Paul was willing to be bounded and died for Christ and let’s try to see our soul winning life; for us in church age with no persecution at all have seldom shared the Gospel. For the worst, weeks and months pass without sharing is a sad situation right?

The need of our world for the message of God’s love is indescribably great. God will use and bless each of us as we yield ourselves to become communicators of his love and ambassadors for Jesus Christ. Let’s try to go out and strive to tell at least one person about our Savior.

I AM WITH YOU ALWAY (MATTHEW 28:16-20)

   

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

I AM WITH YOU ALWAY

MATTHEW 28:16-20

Lesson Prepared by: krisha of Solomon Wisdom FB page

picture taken from Google

may 20, 2018

Scheduled Teacher: Bro. Moises Ramos

MEMORY VERSE

MATTHEW 28:20

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, Amen.

INTRODUCTION:

Let me ask you some questions: Have you found yourself having difficulty in sharing the Gospel? Have you lost the compassion for souls? Most of the times Christians face their days without sharing God’s word; days, weeks and months pass without doing their mission. This way, we become use to it. These are just some problems Christians experience in their spiritual lives.

Remember before Jesus was taken up and he was out of sight, he reminded the disciples to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and in uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8-9). Jesus knows the persecutions they may face therefore He says in John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”  Personalize the feeling of the disciples which they knew that Jesus will leave them (John 14:25) but Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Take note the words: teach you all things, bring all things to your remembrance. These verses are like saying this sentence, “When I’m gone I’m still here with you.” Therefore, if you are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise there’s nothing to have the feeling you’re abandoned. Our lesson for today is taken from Matthew 28:20 entitled, “I AM WITH YOU ALWAY.” Jesus promised his people then and us today that he would always be with them. And this morning, I would like to give you three reasons why we need this promise, why we need to know that Jesus will be always with us:

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.      WE NEED THIS PROMISE “I AM WITH YOU ALWAY” BECAUSE IT’S EASY FOR US TO HAVE DOUBTS AND FEARS (MATTHEW 28:17)

“When they saw Him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.”

Some women had gone to the tomb in order to prepare His body for burial. There hadn’t been time after the crucifixion, and they hoped to be able to assuage (ease) their grief by fulfilling the funerary rites. When they arrived at the tomb, they didn’t find His body. Instead, an angel addressed them, commanding them to take a message to His disciples. They reported that the angel said, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you” [MATTHEW 28:5-7].

The strange events weren’t finished, however. The women reported that Jesus Himself met them and spoke to them. Then, He iterated the message that the angel had delivered to them, He said, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me” [MATTHEW 28:10].

The guards had been bruiting about the city a wild story that His disciples came during the night and stole His body away while they slept. Never mind that guards who fell asleep while on post were guilty of a capital offence. If they were actually sleeping, they were to be executed; there could be no appeal. It was apparently worth the risk in their estimate if there was enough money involved.

There was nothing for the disciples to lose, so the eleven did as they were commanded; and they went to Galilee. At the least, it would get them out of the city where things could explode into a riot at any moment. The disciples followed the instructions precisely, arriving at the mountain to which He had previously directed them. There, they saw Jesus. It was actually the Lord who came to them. When they saw Him, all of them worshipped. However, even as they worshipped, some doubted. Think of that! Some doubted despite seeing the Risen Saviour!

In verse 17 says, “… some doubted;” maybe we say why some disciples doubted. Before you begin to think ill of the disciples, recall how Thomas had reacted when the others spoke of seeing the Lord. This is the account as John, Jesus’ cousin, recorded the incident. “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’

“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So, the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’

“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, believing.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed’ [JOHN 20:19-29]. https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/but-some-doubted-michael-stark-sermon-on-faith-224650?page=2

None of us can live a Christian life with our own strength because it’s easy for us to have doubts and fears in fulfilling our mission that’s why if we feel this way, remember God said before He left on earth, “...and lo, I am with you alway.” The word “lo” is an interjection which shows great feelings which means “behold.” The word “always” means “throughout all time. “This give an emphasis that says like this, “Look, I am with always even unto the end of the world.” No reason to fear and have doubts.

2.     WE NEED THIS PROMISE “I AM WITH YOU ALWAY” BECAUSE GOD HAS GIVEN US MISSION TO FULFILL (MATTHEW 28:19-20)

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

A grocery store owner in England decided that he had to ban customers from coming into his store. He said that he was forced to take such drastic action because of people’s bad manners. First, he banned smoking, then crude language, baby strollers, pets, and finally, customers themselves. Shoppers must now look through the window, spot the items they want, and then ring a bell to be served through a small hatch in the door. The owner admitted, “I have lost business, but I cannot say how much. But I am a man of principles, and I stand by my decision!” (FlagLive [June 4-10, 1998.) That storekeeper had lost sight of his mission!

While that story is ridiculous, it’s easy as a church to lose sight of our mission. If they’re not careful, churches begin to accumulate various programs, many of which were legitimate when they started. But over time, those running the programs forget the church’s mission and drift off course. Pretty soon, the church becomes cluttered with cherished programs that keep everyone busy, but don’t help work toward to the church’s mission (see Simple Church[Broadman & Holman], by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger.) We’re doing many good things, but we’ve forgotten the main thing. So it’s important to answer and then keep coming back to the question, “What is the church’s mission, our mission” It’s already mentioned in verse 28.  https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-3-mission-church-matthew-2819-20-2237-40

We’re thankful because CBT focus on evangelism; our programs’ aim focus on evangelism but personally most of times we forget our mission. Weekdays pass without thinking our mission especially in our jobs, right? We need this promise, “I am with you always because we have a mission to fulfill.” A reminder that God is always with us every time we open our mouths about the Gospel.

This mission is for all Christians, no exempted. Remember Jeremiah was called by God when he was young to be a “prophet to the nations”---but he was scared to death: Jeremiah 1:6-8

Then said I, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child”

What was God’s response?

“Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I have commanded thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee.”

As we share the good news and make followers of Jesus, our confidence is this: “I am with you always, even until the end of the world.”

3.     WE NEED THIS PROMISE “I AM WITH YOU ALWAY” BECAUSE IT WILL KEEP US GOING WHEN WE FEEL LIKE QUITTING (HAGGAI 2:4).

In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel refused to be a light to the nations, and God judged them and made them live 500 miles away in Babylon for 70 years. But when God allowed them to return to Israel, they came back to a city and temple that was destroyed. They rebuilt their homes, but not God’s home. And God said to them:

But now the Lord says:

“Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and WORK: FOR I AM WITH YOU, saith the Lord of hosts:

In the same way that God wanted his Old Testament saints to build for him, he wants us, his New Testament saints, to build for him. Mathew wrote his gospel about 15-30 years or so after Jesus’ death to remind God’s people of the commission Jesus had given a few decades earlier! Go…make disciples…baptize…teach… WHY? I am with you always, even until the end of the world.

CONCLUSION:

Even though we are prone to doubts and fears, even though sometimes we see our mission is difficult to fulfill and even though we get weary and feel like quitting remember our mighty fortress, the Lord Jesus Christ has promised us: “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world

I'M READY TO DIE (LUKE 2:25-35)

I'M READY TO DIE

Picture taken from Google

LUKE 2:25-35

Prepared by krisha of Solomon FB page

MEMORY VERSE:

LUKE 2:30

“For mine eyes have seen thy salvation”

INTRODUCTION:

-         If we are asked, “Are you ready to die?” Christians would reply, “YES, AMEN!” Could you still answer “YES” if we talk about your ministry? Did you already your best for it? This question can only be answered by ourselves.

-         Death is a concern to us to some extent. We hear people say from time to time, “I am not afraid to die, but I am concerned about how I am going to die.” I think that statement is true for most of us here. We don’t want to spend some agonizing weeks or months actively dying. That is something to be concerned about. We also think our family; most Filipinos are very attached to our families and we don’t want to leave them. That’s why we are concern also in our health.  Are we ready to leave our families? Are our families ready for our death?

-         In our lesson for today from Luke, there was a man in Jerusalem who told the Lord that he was ready to die, and we’ll try to understand what he meant by this statement. This lesson is titled “I AM READY TO DIE.”

LESSON OUTLINE:

1)     I’M READY TO DIE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (LUKE 2:25-28)

-         Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was probably an old man, though we are not told this, and no indication is given of his position in life, nor as to whether he was rich or poor. However, there is one very important thing which we are told about him, and that is that day by day, as he lived and worked, he was “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25); that is, he was waiting for and living in the expectation of the coming of the Messiah.

-         When the child Jesus brought in the temple, Simeon took him up in his arms and blessed him. In this verse shows Simeon welcomed Jesus.

-         How about us? Spiritually speaking, when we found Jesus in our lives, we are ready to die; we are saved from the penalty of sin from hell and we can now go to heaven.

2)     I’M READY TO DIE BECAUSE THERE’S A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES (LUKE 2:32)

-         Simeon is serious and sincere; it is mentioned in verse 25 “just and devout,” waiting for the consolation of Israel.

-         The Spirit-controlled life is a life which is endued with the Spirit, taught of the Spirit and led by the Spirit. Simeon had an insight into dispensational truth, as verses 30-32 indicate. In verse 32 he stated that the Lord Jesus was to be, first, “a light to enlighten the Gentiles”; and second, “and the glory of thy people Israel”. He knew that although He had come to His own people they would reject Him, and the gospel would be preached to the Gentiles (John 1:11; Acts 28:28). Notice also that the Holy Spirit always leads to and glorifies the Lord Jesus –- compare verse 27 with John 16:13-14.

-         Simeon was ready to die because there’s a light to lighten the Gentiles. He had seen the glimpse of the future salvation of the Gentiles. Have you seen what this verse implies? Let’s personalize this verse; we can say we’re ready to die if our love ones, friends, relatives, neighbors, community or anyone who are under our responsibility have found the Lord in their lives or heard the free gift of salvation. Also we can see in these verses our real purpose here on earth, share the free gift of salvation.

-         One important thing we can see in Simeon’s life is ‘True achievement comes upon seeing the salvation of the Gentiles and Jews through Jesus Christ.’ Simeon’s reaction was he was fulfilled and satisfied for the salvation of people. What is the achievement we can say in our spiritual journey? Personally, we can notice in most of the people’s reaction when they hear announcement that there are people heard the Gospel or get saved, Christians have no reaction and they don’t shout Amen! Remember the verse in Luke 15: 7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth…” Let’s show that we’re rejoicing for even one person who accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour.

3)     I’M READY TO DIE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE PEOPLE, ISRAE (LUKE 2:32)

-         And the glory … - The first offer of salvation was made to the Jews, John 4:22; Luke 24:47. Jesus was born among the Jews; to them had been given the prophecies respecting him, and his first ministry was among them. Hence, he was their glory, their honor, their light.  

Christ was the glory of Israel.

a)  Because He was a Jew by birth.

b)  Because His history has vindicated all that was peculiar in the Jewish polity.

c)  Because He confined His personal ministry to the Jews.

d)  Because He has stamped the impress of Jewish thought on the mind of man.

e) Because He has invested the condition and prospects of the Jews with universal interest. (G. Brooks.)

-         How about us? Who is our glory? When we say that Christ is our glory, we mean that WE GET ALL THE GLORY WE HAVE THROUGH HIM. Some men go to the schools for glory, others to the camps of war. In all kinds of places men have sought after honour, but the believer saith that Christ is the mine in which he digs for this gold, Christ is the sea in which he fishes for this pearl; he gives up all other searchings and looks for glory in Jesus, and nowhere else.

CONCLUSION:

Simeon says in verses 29 and 30 “Lord , now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” Let’s paraphrase and personalize these verses, “Lord, I’m ready to die because I have seen your salvation.”  Can we say these words?

-          We are imperfect people and we possibly can’t say these words but we have a great work God has entrusted in us which mentioned in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”. WE SHOULD DO OUR PART! And for those Christians who are presently doing it “DON’T GIVE UP. KEEP ON SHARING!”