Being an ambassador for Christ in a world that often feels like enemy-occupied territory is no small task, and that’s exactly what we’re diving into today. We explore how the values we hold as Christians can sometimes feel out of sync with those around us, but this isn’t a sign that something’s wrong with us; it’s just a reflection of reality. Drawing from Hebrews 11 and 2 Corinthians 5, we discuss how our mission is to communicate the truth about a kingdom that many can’t see or believe in. This episode encourages us to embrace our role as communicators of hope, urging us to reflect on how we can share our message with kindness and clarity, even in the face of misunderstanding. As we look ahead, we seek to be ambassadors worthy of our calling, committed to letting others know that the rightful King is coming back.
Takeaways:
This podcast emphasizes our role as ambassadors for Christ in a challenging world.
We are reminded that our values may clash with the surrounding culture, yet that's normal.
The struggle to communicate the message of hope to a skeptical audience is real and ongoing.
Faithful communication involves reflecting the hope we have while acknowledging our alien status here.
As ambassadors, we should create messages that point towards the return of our rightful King.
Prayer is highlighted as essential for our ministries, especially when facing hostility.
Transcripts
Speaker A:
Week 13. You are an ambassador,in Enemy occupied territory. Be prepared to be misunderstood.
I have two verses for you to go along with our devotion today.
The first One is Hebrews:
The second one is in 2 Corinthians 5:20, where it says, "We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us.We pray you in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God."
I often feel sorry for the government spokesman on the evening news.
They're attempting to explain government policies and actions to a frequently hostile audience, though obviously often uncomfortable and frustrated at their inability to communicate as well as they would like. When they're at their best professional government spokespeople don't condemn the press or shout unkind judgments.
They clearly explain their positions, answer questions, and offer sources for more information.
We're in a similar situation, but one that in many ways is much harder because we are spokespeople for a heavenly kingdom that no one can see and many don't believe exists.
In communicating truth about this kingdom, if we feel out of place, if we think our values have little to do with the values of the world around us, if we believe our perspective is wildly at odds with that of our audience, there isn't anything wrong with us.
It is a proper assessment of reality. We are out of sync. We are out of place. Like the old hymn says, this world is not our home.
But just because it isn't home doesn't mean we don't have a job to do in it. As CS Lewis reminded us in Mere Christianity, "Enemy occupied territory--that's what this world is.
Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed. You might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage."
Our sabotage work, as it is for any resistance army, is to create communications that let people know the rightful king is coming back and this world will not always be under the present deteriorating management of sin and sadness.
The early Christians were known as people whose faces were turned toward the dawn.
Our communication should reflect that perspective as we look for the public return of our King.
When we speak and write for the rightful King, pray to do it as an ambassador worthy of his calling, someone with whom God is not ashamed to be called your God.
Let me pray for you as you do your ministry this week,
Lord Jesus.
It can be very frustrating to try to explain you and your words, your work, all that you do to a hostile audience. But Lord, help us to do that with kindness and peace and love in our hearts for the people that so desperately need you. In Jesus name, Amen.
