Kingdom Ambassadors

Introduction:

The job of a pastor is never easy. No matter how good of a speaker you are, chances are most would prefer to be somewhere else. The following are remarks that have been made to pastors following the morning sermon.

• “You always manage to find something to fill up the time.”

Parishioners hard pressed for something to say to the clergy after the service have, according to one minister’s friend said to him,

• “You always manage to find something to fill up the time.”

• “I don’t care what they say, I like your sermons.”

• “If I’d known you were going to be good today I’d have brought a neighbor.”

• “Did you know there are 243 panes of glass in the windows?”

• “We shouldn’t make you preach so often.”

Arthur Myers in Berkshi

We are currently looking at the Life and Teachings of Jesus from the book of Luke. The book of Luke is too large for me to preach every scripture. The selections I am using come from the Lectionary. If you are unfamiliar with what the Lectionary is, It is “a book or listing that contains a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian or Judaic worship on a given day or occasion.” The advantage of the Lectionary is to help pastors to preach from the entirety of the Bible. The downside is it jumps around a lot. However, this spring & summer it seemed to remain in the book of Luke and I felt God directing me to preach from there up until Advent. The teachings of Jesus seemed to fit well as a follow up to what we had been in. However, we started in it a bit late and I have been skipping some that I know we have already touched on in the past couple years. Last week we were in and today we are looking at , but only the first part. Allow me to give you a quick recap of chapter 10 as the other two stories are ones we have discussed in the past.

No really, I

A Recap of

The Ministry of Christ Followers:

10:1-24 Ambassadors sent to represent Christ in this world

10:25-34 (Good Samaritan) Neighbors showing mercy in the name of Christ

10:35-42 (Martha & Mary) Worshipers listening & communing with Christ

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Ambassador

Ambassador

Paul

Paul considered himself Christ’s ambassador. What is an ambassador? He is an authorized representative of a sovereign. He speaks not in his own name but on behalf of the ruler whose deputy he is, and his whole duty and responsibility is to interpret that ruler’s mind faithfully to those to whom he is sent.

Paul used this “ambassador” image twice -- both in connection with his evangelistic work. Pray for me, he wrote from prison, “that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:18–20). He wrote also that God “gave us the ministry of reconciliation…So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:18–20).

Paul called himself an ambassador because he knew that when he proclaimed the gospel facts and promises and urged sinners to receive the reconciliation effected at Calvary, he was declaring Christ’s message to the world. The figure of ambassadorship highlights the authority Paul had, as representing his Lord, as long as he remained faithful to the terms of his commission and said neither less nor more than he had been given to say.

Your Father Loves You, by James Packer, (Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986), page for July 24

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Ambassador

Ambassador

Paul

Paul considered himself Christ’s ambassador. What is an ambassador? He is an authorized representative of a sovereign. He speaks not in his own name but on behalf of the ruler whose deputy he is, and his whole duty and responsibility is to interpret that ruler’s mind faithfully to those to whom he is sent.

Paul used this “ambassador” image twice -- both in connection with his evangelistic work. Pray for me, he wrote from prison, “that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:18–20). He wrote also that God “gave us the ministry of reconciliation…So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:18–20).

Paul called himself an ambassador because he knew that when he proclaimed the gospel facts and promises and urged sinners to receive the reconciliation effected at Calvary, he was declaring Christ’s message to the world. The figure of ambassadorship highlights the authority Paul had, as representing his Lord, as long as he remained faithful to the terms of his commission and said neither less nor more than he had been given to say.

Your Father Loves You, by James Packer, (Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986), page for July 24

Paul

Paul considered himself Christ’s ambassador. What is an ambassador? He is an authorized representative of a sovereign. He speaks not in his own name but on behalf of the ruler whose deputy he is, and his whole duty and responsibility is to interpret that ruler’s mind faithfully to those to whom he is sent.

Paul used this “ambassador” image twice -- both in connection with his evangelistic work. Pray for me, he wrote from prison, “that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (). He wrote also that God “gave us the ministry of reconciliation…So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” ().

Paul called himself an ambassador because he knew that when he proclaimed the gospel facts and promises and urged sinners to receive the reconciliation effected at Calvary, he was declaring Christ’s message to the world. The figure of ambassadorship highlights the authority Paul had, as representing his Lord, as long as he remained faithful to the terms of his commission and said neither less nor more than he had been given to say.

Your Father Loves You, by James Packer, (Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986), page for July 24

The truth is, we are all called to be ambassadors of Christ. Today we will look at occasions when Jesus sent out ambassadors, most specifically, the commissioning that occurred in and see how it relates to our commission.

Luke 10:1 NASB95

Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.

(Share, witness, help draw crowd, make ready the people for Jesus coming)

John the Baptist

The sending of 12

Billy Graham & Luis Palau

Luke 10:3 NASB95

“Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

- Sending of 12 Disciples/to Galilee/Preparing for Jesus coming

- Sending of 72 anonymous disciples/Judea/Preparing for Jesus coming

- Sending us/to the whole world/making disciples, baptizing in the name of God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit, and preparing for Jesus second coming

(Demonstrates the expansion of the Good News)

(The Messiah has arrived)

Today, our job has changed. Jesus has come and gone. We are now the messengers of the Good News that the Messiah came and died for our sins. We are now called to make disciples, to baptize the saved, and to prepare for Jesus 2nd coming.

This is where we will spend the bulk of our time this morning. The mission has changed somewhat, but the warnings and expectations are the same.

Luke 10:2 NASB95

And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

ask not for relief from labor, but for more labors

ALL are called (there is no such thing as a Christian without a call)

Now - Are we working hard to make a name for our-self or are we working hard to serve our heavenly Father?

Luke 10:3 NASB95

“Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

Lambs among wolves - we will experience the same rejection and persecution as Jesus

Now - Persecution exists. Persecution is ramping up in the U.S.

Luke 10:4 NASB95

“Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way.

a. Their task is of an urgent nature (Do not pass go. Do not collect $200)

a. Their task is of an urgent nature

b. Time is short

Now - The signs of the times are all around us.

Luke 10:5–6 NASB95

“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ “If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

Luke 10:10–15 NASB95

“But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ “I say to you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. “But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. “And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades!

Notice the amount of scripture given to this topic compared to the other topics. The reception received is always questionable. An ambassador needs to remember that it is not us they are rejecting, but it is God. (My teen year experiences).

Notice the amount of scripture given to this topic compared to the others

Luke 10:16 NASB95

“The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

The Pharisees wanted to please God. They did all kinds of crazy things to try to please Him, and yet by rejecting Christ, they rejected teh very one they were trying to please.

God responds in kind to the reception an ambassador receives.

a. Reception

Peace resides in the home (5)

Peace leaves home(5)

Returns to us. We do not force ourselves on people. If we are turned away, we walk away in peace. God’s peace returns to us. We can leave in peace as we have fulfilled what we were asked to do.

Condemnation comes on town (10-11)

leave a warning

Luke 8:11 NASB95

“Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.

Luke 10:11 NASB95

‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’

2. It is one thing to be ignorant of the truth, but another to reject the truth (12-15)

(Worse for Korazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum than Sodom. These three have seen and witnessed it all. He compares these Jewish towns (who should know and understand what is happening) with the Pagan Gentile cities of Tyre & Sidon, saying if they were to witness the things these places have (even though they were not Jews), they would repent.

a. Serious consequences for rejecting God’s ambassadors, then and now (B.W. story - Extreme circumstances)

Pray for your adversary, that they will wake up in time to prevent disaster in their lives. (King David was wise in being cautious of coming against King Saul.)

Luke 10:7–8 NASB95

“Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. “Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you;

a. For the worker:

Do not be proud - eat and drink what is given, even if it is generous. It is right for people to take care of your needs so you can bring the good news. (This goes both ways. People receiving a worker should be faithful and generous recognizing the worth of God’s messengers. Wrong attitude: They shouldn’t expect anything much. (God is saying is messengers of worthy of their keep.) (7a)

Do not be greedy - do not be looking around for what is better (7b)

Be Polite - do not refuse food you would not normally eat (8)

Luke 10:9 NASB95

and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

a. Healing makes evident God’s presence

a. Healing the sick makes evident God’s presence

b. Healing is never a stand alone action. It is always meant to be accompanied by the gospel.

Luke 10:17 NASB95

The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

(Touch on just briefly)

a. Accomplishment

b. Rebuke:

Luke 10:18-19

i. Rejoice over the right thing! Salvation: Theirs and ours.

ii. What is achieved is by the power and authority of Jesus. It is not us, but Him in us! This authority over demons is nothing new to Jesus. He was there from the beginning when Satan was cast out from heaven.

Rejoice over the right thing! Salvation: Theirs and ours.

Luke 10:18–19 NASB95

And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

What is achieved is by the power and authority of Jesus. It is not us, but Him in us! He is the very one who removed

Luke 10:20 NASB95

“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

Luke 10:21 NASB95

At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.

Father’s approval of a job well done.

The Father wants us to understand. He reveals is plan and His ways to us.

A Father who includes us in the plan. He entrusts us with many important things.

Warren Wiersbe points out the most important

Conclusion:

Many lived a long time and were faithful, but we are now living in the time they all waited for. One day, we will all stand side by side and worship the Father and receive our reward. However, even that is not the most important thing.

Allow me to end with a quote from Warren Wiersbe.

“But our highest joy is not found in service or even in our salvation, but in being submitted to the sovereign will of the heavenly Father.”

I am convinced, that when we really begin to understand this concept, we will really begin to get the rest of it correct. It is not about us, not about gain or reward, but it is about God, Almighty, Most High, Creator of all things. In Him, all else exists and revolves. There is no other!

Pray

Ending Hymn: A New Name Written in Glory

Kingdom Ambassadors

Kingdom Ambassadors

I. Kingdom Ambassadors

A. Ambassadors Commissioned (v 1)

Purpose

Purpose

1. Preparation

Commissions

Commissioners of...

1. Peace (5-6)

2. Healing (9)

3. Deliverance (17)

4. Good News (9, 11)

Warnings & Expectations for an Ambassador of the Kingdom

1. Hard work - harvest is plentiful, workers few (2)

2. Dangerous Work (3)

3. Travel lightly & swiftly (4)

4. Reception & Rejections are handled by God (5-6, 10-15)

a. Reception

b. Rejection

5. Trust God for His provision (7, 8)

6. Heal the sick & Proclaim the Good News (9)

B. Ambassador Reward (10:17-23)

1. The Joy of Service (17-19)

1. The Joy of Service (17-19)

2. The Joy of Salvation (20)

2. The Joy of Salvation (20)

3. The Joy of the Father’s Pleasure (21-23)

3. The Joy of the Father’s Pleasure (21-23)

a. A Father’s approval

a. A Father’s approval

b. A Father’s revelation

c. A Father’s inclusion