Topic: Christ’s Ambassadors [Open Heavens Tuesday 16th January 2018]
Memorise: 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. 2 Corinthians 5:20
Read: John 15:13-16 (KJV)
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Bible in One Year: Genesis 34-35, Revelation 14:14-15:8, Hymn: Sing Hymn 12: Take My Life And Let It Be
MESSAGE
An ambassador is a worthy representative of a kingdom and its people in general. In particular, he or she represents the head of the realm. Our memory verse today describes us as Christ’s ambassadors. It also spells out our responsibilities as the mouthpiece of God as He persuades all people to come over to His side. We are to speak for our Lord Jesus Christ concerning the work of redemption which He has finished for all mankind. As Christ’s ambassadors, we are not just His servants or errand boys; our relationship with Him goes deeper than that. The Lord Jesus Christ made us to understand from today’s Bible text that following His decision to choose us, He has promoted us to the level of a friend, and He is ready to reveal things He and His father discuss in secret to us. What a privilege! Psalm 25:14 says,
“The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”
Why has the Lord made us His ambassadors? Some of the reasons are revealed in Mark 3:14-15:
“14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:”
Ambassadors for Christ are ordained, first, to fellowship with the Master. In addition, they are to go out and preach the gospel of the kingdom they represent. They are to exert the dominion of their King over all obstructions to the expansion of His kingdom, by ministering healing and deliverance to all those who are oppressed of the devil. The ambassadors of Christ are expected to do what He did, and even greater works than He did (John 14:12). There are lots of benefits attached to being Christ’s ambassadors. One of these benefits is speedy answers to prayers. Elijah is a classical example of an ambassador for Yahweh. He prayed down fire that could quench water and God answered him immediately (1 Kings 18:36-38). Another benefit of being an ambassador for Christ is that after your tenure here on earth, you will live eternally with Him in heaven. The Lord gave us His word on this in John 14:2-3:
“2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
To be an ambassador for Christ, you must live a life that represents the Holy God. Choose to represent Christ everywhere you go, and you will not regret doing so.
Prayer Point: Father, please grant me grace to be a worthy ambassador of Your Person and Your Kingdom everywhere I go.
Hymn 12: Take My Life, And Let It Be
1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2.Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3.Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Open Heavens 16th January 2018, Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
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