2 Cor 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Eph 6:20 I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming the kingdom I may speak boldly.
Phil 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven. Col 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. We are citizens of a heavenly kingdom or realm.
A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another. An authorized messenger or representative. Agent, apostolic delegate, messenger, minister, emissary.
Ambassadors of Heaven-Under kingdom authority, A new health service – healing. New economy & financial services. New society & customs. New speech, new attitudes, new lifestyle.
What are the characteristics of the kingdom? What makes us distinctive? Do people notice that we have supernatural abilities, a different outlook, attitude and approach to life? Is it a crisis or an opportunity? Do we do what Jesus would do?
Attitudes of the kingdom-How we think, mind-set, viewpoint, how we act and react. Do we have a Positive or negative attitude to life? Matt 5:1-12 beautiful attitudes, Salt & Light. In the world to influence it but not of it to be influenced by it.
Rom 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans. John 12:36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light. 1 Thes 5:5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Heb 1:7 God’s ministers are flames of fire Ambassadors of Heaven
Matt 13:43- Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Phil 2:15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
It is your destiny to restore light to the universe as revealed sons of light.
Ambassadors of Heaven have Higher standards of behavior. Representing heavens’ superior authority, power, wisdom. Jesus is our example or model. What would Jesus do? What did Jesus do? How did Jesus do it? What am I going to do?
Matt 5-7 manifesto of the kingdom, Values, Standards & Lifestyle of the kingdom. Jesus challenges the religious system with fresh revelation. Matt 5:20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Rom 5:17 those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus. Righteousness is a gift received by faith through grace and cannot be earned. We are ambassadors because we are righteous not to become righteous through our works.
Luke 17:21 the kingdom is within us because God is in us. It is impossible to represent the kingdom as ambassadors in our own strength for our own reasons. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
John 14:10 God in us works through us. John 14:12 God in us enables us to do the works of Jesus and even greater works. Relational intimacy is the key. Jesus redefines everything according to the heart motive not just exterior behavior. Not just what you do but why you do it.
Matt 5:21-22 You have heard but I say to you. Matt 5:21-22″You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. If you carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. If you thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister, then you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill. Murder – or anger the higher standard.
Matt 5: 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Adultery – just looking with lust is the higher standard.
Matt 5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Eye for an eye – turn the other cheek is a higher standard.
Matt 5:40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. Go the extra mile a higher standard.
Matt 5:43 “ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. Matt 5:48 Therefore you are to be mature, as your heavenly Father is mature.
Does this mean Christians are rugs and doormats? No but rather be a doormat that misrepresent God. Kingdom attitudes – rather turn the other cheek than be guilty of wrong attitudes & wrong motives. Be Led by the spirit not soul.
Matt 5:29 If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Our hunger & thirst for righteousness should be that radical.
Kingdom motives. Matt 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise, you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Praying, Giving, Fasting. Challenges the need for self-promotion. Challenges the need for recognition.
Matt 6:2-4″When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure – ‘playactors’ I call them – treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it – quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
Forgiveness. Matt 6:14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your father will not forgive your transgressions. Key principle that keeps us out of the enemy’s torture chamber.
Matt 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Materialism – meeting spiritual & emotional needs with things.
Matt 6:25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, eat, drink, clothes. Matt 6:32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matt 7:1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Matt 7:12 In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, Golden rule – sowing & reaping.
Matt 7:18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits. Roots of the tree – motives spirit or soul. Good fruit comes from the spirit.
Matt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Matt 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
Matt 7:26 Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell – and great was its fall.”
What is the source of my righteousness? What are my motives? Am I led by my soul or my spirit? Where is my treasure – my heart? Am I hearing God’s word & acting on it? Am I building my life on the rock or the sand? Will my life stand against life’s storms?