Ambassadors of Christ_329_3-06_PM Transcriptions are done by students of SC and bear responsibility for any errors.

"AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST" All Christians should be ambassadors of Christ. Ambassadors make the best of any situation. Even when faced with a negative, we should be able to turn it into a positive for our Lord. We could think of ambassadors as representatives. If you call yourself a Christian, you are a representative of Christ. Make certain you are a good representative for Him. Always protect your credibility. I want to talk about God's gift to mankind in this lecture. That gift, of course, is salvation through Messiah. We are going to be starting in the Old Testament where we will learn of His call, His mission, and the purpose therof. Open your Bibles to Isaiah 49.

Isaiah
49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. Yes, even in the Old Testament we learn of the calling of Jesus Christ to be Savior of all mankind. 49:2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; Do you know what the weapon is? It is the Word. The Word that changes your life, strengthens you and gives you comfort and direction.This sword is mentioned again in Rev.1:16. The tongue of Christ is a two-edged sword. The Word gives ambassadors for Christ the power and authority to accomplish their mission. This becomes particularly important as we enter the accepted time. 49:3 And said unto me, Thou [art] my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. "Israel" means "prince of God" (Comp. Bible) Messiah is making this use of , and applying the name to Himself. Jesus Christ is the Prince of God. This is His mission. 49:4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: [yet] surely my judgment [is] with the LORD, and my work with my God. Don't worry. This was the first advent, and the second advent lies before us. Christ was not a failure. He brought forth salvation. This was His purpose. 49:5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb [to be] his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. Where is your strength? If you think your strength is anywhere other than God Almighty, you are mistaken. 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. What is His call? Savior. He is able to restore and preserve you. Is your life a little messed up? Turn to Him, and allow Him and His Word to save your eternal life.

49:7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, [and] his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, [and] the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. He will also choose you, if you believe and follow Him. It is just that simple, friends. 49:8 Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; This is His misson and His qualifications. And Messiah is looking for some believers to serve as ambassadors to help Him accomplish this mission. How about you? 49:9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that [are] in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures [shall be] in all high places. Where do you feed on the Word of God? I hope it is in all high places. Unfortunately, many today are not feeding on God's Word at all. They are starving to death. 49:10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. This is quite a promise. Yet, you have people that will slip and fall and struggle through life, when they've got Him right there all the time. All they have to do is say, "Father, I love you. Please help me." He will turn to you and guide you. That is His promise, and He always keeps His promises. 49:11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. 49:12 Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. Sinim is probably China. When you travel with Christ, you can travel the high roads. 49:13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. How? Through Messiah we find mercy, that is to say unmerited favor. None of us deserves it. But you can always count on Christ. Can He count on you? As we near the acceptable time, it is important for you to focus. Don't allow anyone to sidetrack you with nonsense. Stick to His promises and His Word. Turn with me to the Book of Romans as we continue our study.

Romans
5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Do you have peace of mind? If not, you need to learn how to acquire true peace. It is through Jesus Christ. He is our peace. He is our rest. And He loves you. 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Everything moves in our favor. His whole plan circulates around those who love Him, regardless of whether they are gentile or of Israel. That is your way. That is your path and

that is the key. That key will open doors that no man can shut, and shut doors that no man can open. The key is the truth of God's Word. Be careful not to forget this fact as we near the acceptable time. 5:3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Ambassadors of Christ do not mind tribulation for His sake. Some run at the first sign of trouble. True Christians stand for Jesus. Patience is endurance to overcome. 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Experience is character, and hope is confidence. Do you have the character and confidence in yourself to do God's work? If you have studied His Word, you do. Because you know we have the victory. 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. The love of God floods the earth.It is a gift to us. Ambassadors of Christ make "hay while the sun is shining."All for the love of Christ. Always take advantage of an opportunity to erase falsehoods and bring truth to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Be gentle and have patience, or you can turn them away. 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. Jesus gave His life for sinners. That is all of us. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God proved His love for us by sacrificing His Only Begotten on the cross. He loves you very much. 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. It amuses me that many Christians shutter at the thought of God's wrath. If you are justified by His blood, God's wrath doesn't apply to you. He isn't angry with you. 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Don't struggle through life. Reach out and take hold of the peace of mind God has offered to you. Be a good ambassador for Christ, and help others find that peace. 5:11 And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Where would we be without that atonement? Don't forget to thank Father for His gift. Turn with me to II Corinthians. Ambassadors carry God's Word forth.

II Corinthians
5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new. It is a great thing, when you receive salvation. You come to realize you are never going to taste death. 5:18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; You have been given the ministry. How often do you work for the ministry of reconciliation? Some might ask, "How do I do that, Pastor Murray? Do I need to become a preacher?" No, you become an ambassador for Christ. You live your life so that others want to find the peace of mind and happiness that you have found. 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 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. Live your religion. Allow the light of Christ to shine through you. Others will see, and want to be reconciled. 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Righteousness is doing what is right. As Christians, reconciled to God, we should want to do what is right.

II Corinthians
6:1 We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.) The time of salvation is this advent. The time of salvation is now. Work with Christ to bring truth to as many of our brothers and sisters as possible. Be an ambassador of Christ. In His Service, Arnold Murray