The Ambassadorial Avocation.
I’ll never forget it!! My wife, Joan, and I had been married about three years. We had bought our first home in Venice, Ca. But, we were young and naive. A salesman came to the door on a Saturday. He was selling a freezer food plan. We were really tight financially. This plan looked like it would save us a bunch of money. We signed on the dotted line. To make a long story short, after that debacle, we decided we’d always wait at least 24 hours before we made a big decision. Why did we decide that? We found that we never bought that freezer program. A high pressure smooth salesman had sold it to us. Stop and think. Have you ever been sold something by a salesman you didn’t want? You may have signed on the dotted line, but in your heart, you didn’t buy it.
When it comes to the gospel, it must be bought. It can never be sold. That means that a simple emotional yes. Or a hard-sell manipulated yes. A yes to get them off your back or out of the house doesn’t get a person saved. If we sell the gospel like this, we might have the individual thinking he’s saved when he isn’t. But, since we, everyone of us, have been given an ambassadorial ministry which was spelled out in 2 Co 5:17-21 and 1 Co 3:21-4:5, we need to find out what this ministry means.
2 Co 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
1 Co 3:21-4:5 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. 4:1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
What is an ambassador? He is a person who explains [pleads exhorts] the policies of his sovereign as clearly and diplomatically as possible. He is not a salesman. He doesn’t misrepresent the policies and requirements of his sovereign to make them easier to accept. He doesn’t make them look any harder to accept either. But, he does try to get them to understand and accept the terms and conditions of, let’s say, a treaty.
What is our ministry? We know from Acts 20:24 that the ministry to testify to the gospel of the grace of God was received by Paul. Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
According to 2 Co 5:17-21, we’ve seen this same ministry was given to us. But, the second part of our ministry is the mystery of the gospel. We find in Col 1:24 that Paul was given a secret stewardship. Col 1:24b-2:3 “for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fill up the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in [among] you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. 2:1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” When Paul asked for prayer, it was that God would open a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ. Col 4:2-4 “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
How do we do this two-fold ministry? In power and the Holy Spirit. 1 Th 1:5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. By teaching and discipling. 1 Th 1:6-10 “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” By being bold. 1 Th 2:1,2 “For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.” By completely honest means. 1 Th 2:3-6 “For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness; God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.” By being wise and gentle. Right after Paul asked the Colossians to pray that God would open a door for him to speak the mystery, he wrote Col 4:5,6: “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Then, back in 1 Th 2:7-14 he wrote, “But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus.”
Now, how can anyone, shy or bold, articulate or tongue tied, steeped in the word or a new Christian, do this twofold ministry?
Tracts - anyone can leave a good tip and a tract. They can be left at the bank, post office, laundromat, etc. To those who have had an abortion. Singles - the fastest growing group in America. To those in need of food. Similar interests P.T.A. Little League - kids and the parents. Nursing homes. Youth work. Sunday school. Counseling. Seniors. You can be friendly on Sundays when new people come to your church. Bible studies - teach one or organize one for someone else to teach. Foreign students - invite for holidays or weekends. Invite your friends to church. By not yielding to threats. 1 Th 2:14-16 “For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.”
What will be the results of this ministry? Joy, 1 Th 2:19,20 “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.” Comfort and life in their growth, 1 Th 3:7-13 “Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10, 11, 12 may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming [in the presence] of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”