INSIGHT
 
   Every independent nation has some government agency that handles foreign affairs. In the United States it is called the Department of State, and its chief officer is the secretary of state. In Great Britain it is the Foreign Office, whose chief officer is the foreign secretary. These agencies act under the direction of the head of government to carry out foreign policies.
   Every foreign service agency sends out field agents who are stationed in foreign countries to protect and promote the interests of the nations from which they come. These agents are known as ambassadors.
   This structure in government is also found within the kingdom of God. Like a nation whose head sends out representatives of its government, so does God send out ministers of His kingdom: servants that proclaim the message of the gospel. Paul saw himself as an ambassador of Christ (Eph. 6:20; 2 Cor. 5:20) and knew that his purpose was to bring hope through Jesus Christ. We too, as Christians, ought to see ourselves as ambassadors of Christ: people bringing the message of God's mercy to a lost and dying world.
   Our duty is to evangelize the nations. The word evangelism is derived from the Greek word euaggelion, meaning "gospel" or "good news." The verbal forms of euaggelizesthai, meaning "to bring" or "to announce good news" occur over 50 times in the New Testament and are normally translated with the appropriate form of the word "preach." (Lk 4:18; Acts 8:40; 1 Cor. 9:16).
   Let us not lose our focus and purpose as Christians, for we are God's ambassadors. He gave us the message of reconciliation, so that it may be passed on in us. Don't let the Gospel message die with you!
Becoming Like Christ
Evangelism, Boldness and Tact


Key Text:        2 Corinthians 5:20 
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

Theme:

Evangelism requires us to be both bold and tactful. Many Christians go from one extreme to the other. They are so tactful that they say little or nothing, while others may be so bold that tact is thrown out the window. As disciples of Christ, we need to pray for boldness in preaching the gospel (Eph. 6:19). We also need to let our conversation be full of grace (Col 4:6). This can be learned through careful observation of those who are diplomatic.

 

Application:

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Let your life be a reflection of the

    beauty of the gospel.

2. Go evangelizing with someone

     regularly.

3. Set a weekly goal for visitors.

4. Make a list of all your relatives,

    friends, and co-workers who need to

    hear the gospel. Pray for them and

    share the message of Jesus with them.

5. Draw strength and wisdom from God

    through reading the Bible and prayer.

6. Take advantage of every opportunity.

    Whenever you come in contact with a

    soul, let them know of the saving

    grace of Christ--either by word or by a tract.

May the Lord richly bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon Outline


Ambassadors of Christ

I. How Can They Be Saved?

  A. Romans 10:13-15
    1. God's four-step plan in reverse order
      a. Believe the message--the gospel
      b. Hear the message
      c. Proclaim the message
      d. An ambassador sent from God

  B. An Ambassador of Christ: 2 Cor.5:11f

    1. Ambassador defined
      -- a diplomatic official of the highest
      rank appointed as a representative
      in residence by one government to
      another.
    2. Applied in Christianity
      a. Diplomat (skilled with people; tactful)
        --Col. 4:6 Seasoned with salt
        --1 Pt. 3:15 with gentleness...

      b. Appointed by God
        --chosen people (1 Pt 2:9)
        --goal: proclamation 

      c. Representative (spokesperson)
        --The message is from God

      d. In residence (foreigners)
        --John 17:14--not of world 
        --Context: evangelism (Jn 17:20) 

II. Conclusion
"...go and proclaim the kingdom of God"
Small Group Study

Warm-up:

If someone were trying to sell you a product, what will it take to persuade you to purchase the item?

 

See To It                          2 Corinthians 5:6-11

1. What was Paul confident about?

 

2. What is our hope as Christians?

 

3. Explain verse 7 in light of the context of this

    passage.

 

4. What is the goal of the Christian in this

     present life?

 

5. From these verses, what motivated Paul to

    say “...we try to persuade men”?

 

Seeing It Closer:

 

1. What persuaded you to become a

    Christian?

 

2. What must we do in order to be effective

    in our persuading men with the gospel?

 

3. What would help us to be consistent in our

     evangelism?

 

Getting To It:

Pray for one another that each of us would boldly preach the gospel of salvation and have it in our hearts to try to persuade men.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week's Quiet Times:

Evangelism, Boldness and Tact

MONDAY
This week we are going to examine some crucial attitudes that need to be present continually within ourselves. Those of us who have participated actively in a college ministry will be able to relate greatly with the topic of this week’s lesson. If you haven’t had the chance to participate in a college ministry, you will greatly benefit from what a brother/sister can share with you that has participated in one. Prayerfully examine 2 Cor. 5:10-21 . Why would you try to persuade others about God’s truth? Whose ambassador are you? What ministry has God given to us? On whose behalf are you speaking? Would this speech be bold and passionate, or weak and monotone? It is definitely something to be done with the Spirit! Write Philemon 6 on an index card and memorize it. Realize that the more you share your faith, the more understanding you will gain of every good thing you have in Jesus. What kind of attitude do you think this understanding will produce? Thankfulness? Boldness? Humility? Call a brother/sister and set a time to go evangelizing with them this week.

TUESDAY
Many of us often forget and lose sight of the task at hand. We have been appointed to do a holy work for the rest of our existence on Earth. This holy task is to reach out and plead to others to be reconciled. Read carefully Matthew 28:18-20. What did Jesus command His disciples to do? What does Jesus command you to do today? Read Luke 9:23-26 . What must you do in order to follow Jesus? What will happen if you are ashamed of Jesus? Being ashamed often has to do with low self-esteem. In Christ, our esteem is redeemed through Him and strengthened because of His Spirit. We belong to Him and He reassures us as His Sons (remember Heb. 12:5ff ?). Write Ephesians 1:7-8 on an index card and memorize it. Reflect on the things that God has lavished upon you. Look up “lavish” in a good dictionary. Share God’s message of reconciliation with someone at work today.

WEDNESDAY
As you let God strengthen your heart and your confidence grows, you will notice the Spirit fervently moving you when you persuade people. Read Romans 1:16-17 . Why was Paul not ashamed of the Gospel? What is the Gospel? (See 1 Co. 15:3-4. Of what kind of importance is the Gospel? Why? Write Proverbs 28:1 on an index card and memorize it. Pray for boldness! (See Acts 4:29-31). God will answer your prayers if you remain faithful to Him. Call a family member today (or plan to call them on the weekend) and share with them why you are so excited about the Gospel.

THURSDAY
In John 12:49, Jesus reveals that how you say something might be just as important as what you say. Read Philip. 2:14-15. What kind of attitude should you maintain in every situation? Why? Read 1 Peter 3:15-16. How should you answer those that question you about your beliefs? Part of doing things tactfully comes from the attitude of sanctifying the Lord in your heart. "Sanctify" (holy) means "set apart." Having established a special dwelling for God in the heart, you should be ready always to give an answer to those who seek a reason for this hope. 2 Timothy 2:23-26 is packed with holy attitudes. List them all and rate yourself in each attitude listed. Pick a verse from the Bible, using a concordance, dealing with an attitude you need to improve in and write it on an index card and memorize it. Call your discipler today and share with him/her this verse and the reason why you chose it.

FRIDAY
Our task on this Earth is very exciting! Keeping the ministry of reconciliation in mind (The Gospel) always helps me focus on the task at hand wherever I am. This involves you extending yourself toward others; something that is not always comfortable. Read 1 Corinthians 9:20-23. What did the Apostle Paul do in order to save some people? What are some things that you have done to save some people? Think about some ways in which you can extend yourself to reach some people that you come in contact with every day. Write John 4:35 on an index card and memorize it. Open your eyes! Invite someone you meet during the day to listen to something exciting you want to share with them. Let them know how much God loves them through what you say and how you say it!