January 8, 2017 NOTES
NOT EDITED
Series: Under God
Part 1: One Holy Nation
Series: Under God
Part 1: One Holy Nation
2Cor. 5:16-6:10
SIS: Christians
have “dual citizenship,” but our highest allegiance is to Jesus Christ, for
Whom we are His ambassadors to this world.
This coming January 20th, our
nation turns a very important page in the book of our political history. Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th
President of the United States. Trump is
a billionaire businessman. Prior to running for president, his only interaction
with politicians was buying their favor for various business deals. Several times on the campaign he bragged
saying something like, “I gave money to everyone, Republicans and
Democrats.”
Trump isn’t the first rich person to be elected president. In fact, six other presidents were business men before they were elected. Warren Harding, the 29th president, was a newspaper publisher. Hoover, the 31st president was a graduate of Sanford who became a mining magnate. Truman, the 33rd president, was a successful mining and oil investor, and also worked as a “haberdasher” from 1919 to 1922 in Kansas City. I’ll let you practice your “googling skills” to figure out what business that was. Carter, and both Bushes, had large business holdings when elected. Interestingly, the four modern presidents that had the most business success--Hoover, Carter, and both Bushes—had the four worst records in gross domestic product performance (Time Magazine Online). In other words, their business success did not equate to economic prosperity for the nation.
Trump isn’t the first rich person to be elected president. In fact, six other presidents were business men before they were elected. Warren Harding, the 29th president, was a newspaper publisher. Hoover, the 31st president was a graduate of Sanford who became a mining magnate. Truman, the 33rd president, was a successful mining and oil investor, and also worked as a “haberdasher” from 1919 to 1922 in Kansas City. I’ll let you practice your “googling skills” to figure out what business that was. Carter, and both Bushes, had large business holdings when elected. Interestingly, the four modern presidents that had the most business success--Hoover, Carter, and both Bushes—had the four worst records in gross domestic product performance (Time Magazine Online). In other words, their business success did not equate to economic prosperity for the nation.
Trump has really shaken the political
foundations of Washington, and continues to send tremors up and down
Pennsylvania Avenue, and throughout the nation—even the world! And . . . he’s not even president yet!
I’m sure that after the nearly “eternal” length of this past election cycle, you are tired of talking about politics—and even more tired of talking politicians! This monumental, historic time in the political life or our nation is a good time to reflect upon the idea expressed in our Pledge of Allegiance that we are one nation, “Under God?”
I’m sure that after the nearly “eternal” length of this past election cycle, you are tired of talking about politics—and even more tired of talking politicians! This monumental, historic time in the political life or our nation is a good time to reflect upon the idea expressed in our Pledge of Allegiance that we are one nation, “Under God?”
What exactly does it mean to be “Under
God?” To whom or to what do we as
believers “Pledge Allegiance?” What does
it mean to be One Nation? What does it
mean to be “Indivisible?” What is the
Christian’s responsibility to seek “Liberty and Justice for All?”
These are some of the issues we will be
touching on as we consider our place in the new administration that will be
inaugurated January 20th. We,
as believers, have an important and strategic place at the political table of
our nations—yes, plural, “n a t i o n s.”
We are citizens of some nation, most of us that would be the United
States, and Paul declares we are also “citizens of heaven” (Phil. 3:20).
Christians have “dual citizenship,” but our highest allegiance is to the Lord Jesus Christ, for Whom we serve as His “ambassadors.” We are One Nation, but most importantly, Christians are citizens of One “Holy” Nation. Let’s read about what it means to be unified as Christ’s ambassadors to this nation—indeed, this world.
READ 2Corinthians 5:16-20
Christians have “dual citizenship,” but our highest allegiance is to the Lord Jesus Christ, for Whom we serve as His “ambassadors.” We are One Nation, but most importantly, Christians are citizens of One “Holy” Nation. Let’s read about what it means to be unified as Christ’s ambassadors to this nation—indeed, this world.
READ 2Corinthians 5:16-20
Before, I tackle the issue of what it means
to be One Holy Nation unified around the calling of being Christ’s ambassadors,
let me briefly discuss the matter of “dual citizenship” and why it is important
to understand the significance of exercising our worldly and spiritual
responsibilities correctly. A good place
to start is an analysis by Don Ratzlaff, whom I know nothing about except that
he hits the nail on the head when it comes to the dangers of not exercising our
dual citizenship correctly. He states:
Too many of us Christians confuse political convictions with spiritual convictions . . . We assume people [of faith] must promote one political agenda. This assumption leads the church into trouble. First, it prompts us to make judgements about people that out to be left to God. Second, when the church confuses spiritual and political convictions (I call this “political citizenship and spiritual citizenship), the church is tempted to use political power to forward a “spiritual” agenda.
Too many of us Christians confuse political convictions with spiritual convictions . . . We assume people [of faith] must promote one political agenda. This assumption leads the church into trouble. First, it prompts us to make judgements about people that out to be left to God. Second, when the church confuses spiritual and political convictions (I call this “political citizenship and spiritual citizenship), the church is tempted to use political power to forward a “spiritual” agenda.
The second issue is the one of greatest
importance. The church cannot properly
fight the fight of faith using political weapons. This is not the calling of the church, and it
will at best give only short-term gains.
That is not to say that Christians should not passionately engage in the
political marketplace, but we must do so as “spiritual ambassadors” using
spiritual weapons, not political swords.
Paul reminds us of this (2Cor. 10:3-4):
For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds
Our two most powerful weapons in the fight
for truth and righteousness is the “Sword of the Spirit” and “Word of
Prayer.” After describing the Armor of
God, Paul tells us of the weapons we must use.
Paul concluded his instructions for battle readiess saying:
Take
. . . the sword of the Spirit, which is
God’s word; [and] 18 Pray
at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17, 18).
Our redemption gives us “dual citizenship”
and we must balance our political responsibilities with our spiritual
responsibilities taking careful note that we are “ambassadors” of Christ. An “ambassador” is the highest representative
from one nation to a foreign nation.
I’ll say more about that in a moment.
The war we wage, though it has a political component, it at the
foundation a “spiritual conflict.”
As Ambassadors of Christ we must be unified
around common core values which identify us as citizens of a heavenly realm.
1. We share a COMMON CALLING (16-17)
16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone in a
purely human way. Even if we have known
Christ in a purely human way, yet now we
no longer know Him in this way.
What does it mean to no longer “know
anyone in a purely human way?” It
refers to a new allegiance we have when we become citizens of heaven through
the forgiveness of sins. Look at v17:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; old things have passed
away, and look, new things have come.
As followers of Christ, we are called to a
completely different way of living, that alters every aspect of our lives,
including how we act as citizens in our communities. We live by a “higher law” and according to “higher
standards.” It doesn’t matter what the
law of the land says, as much as what the Law of God in our hearts demands of
us. God calls us through our salvation
into and entirely different way of life.
Our calling in life as ambassadors of Christ is “spiritual, not physical; eternal, not political; and transformational, not just informational.”
That third issue is one that has many Christians stuck in the mud and spinning their tires. Our calling is not merely to give “Biblical information, but to demonstrate spiritual transformation.” I’ve said many times, “People do not care what you know [information] until they know (that is, see) that you care [transformation].” While it is often necessary to declare God’s dictates on a matter, we must always do so in a way that shows we really care about people.
As “Ambassadors for Christ” we share a common calling that is spiritual, eternal, and transformational.
That third issue is one that has many Christians stuck in the mud and spinning their tires. Our calling is not merely to give “Biblical information, but to demonstrate spiritual transformation.” I’ve said many times, “People do not care what you know [information] until they know (that is, see) that you care [transformation].” While it is often necessary to declare God’s dictates on a matter, we must always do so in a way that shows we really care about people.
As “Ambassadors for Christ” we share a common calling that is spiritual, eternal, and transformational.
2. We share a COMMON COMMISSION (18-20)
18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to
Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 That is, in Christ, God
was reconciling the world to
Himself, not counting their trespasses
against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore,
we are ambassadors for Christ, certain
that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He
made the One who did not know sin to be
sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of
God in Him.
As “Ambassadors for Christ,” we are not only
“called,” but we are “commissioned.” The
word commission, comes into English from the Latin verb, committere. In the range of
meaning for this word it referred to “entrusting someone with a message.” The Greek word in our text comes from the
same word often translated as “older or eldest” with the idea of wisdom. When used in a legal sense, as in our text,
the Greek word, presbeuomen, means
“ones sent with a message, or ones sent to negotiate. As “Ambassadors for Christ,” we are “sent
with a message to negotiate in a sense with an unbelieving world.” What exactly is the “message we are
commissioned to bring.”
Believers are sent with a “message of reconciliation, negotiating or pleading with others, ‘Be reconciled to God’” (v20). The Greek meaning of this text is somewhat obscure. It is difficult to establish a basic meaning for the word translated, “reconciled.” One component that word always seems to have is “to change,” or “to make an exchange.” Our text helps us know exactly what our message of reconciliation is all about. Look again at verses 20-21:
Believers are sent with a “message of reconciliation, negotiating or pleading with others, ‘Be reconciled to God’” (v20). The Greek meaning of this text is somewhat obscure. It is difficult to establish a basic meaning for the word translated, “reconciled.” One component that word always seems to have is “to change,” or “to make an exchange.” Our text helps us know exactly what our message of reconciliation is all about. Look again at verses 20-21:
We
plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled
to God.” 21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin
for us, so that we might become
the righteousness of God in Him.
Our message is simple. We plead with the world to “exchange” their lives of sin for the
righteousness that is provided in Christ.
Salvation is at its core a simple exchange: “Christ takes our sin and exchanges our
sinful nature with His righteousness.”
This is the “transformation” I spoke about earlier. In the eyes of God—and the only eyes that
matter—when we are reconciled to Him through Christ, we are “new
creatures.” God looks at us and sees the
righteousness of His Son. We don’t need
to do anything but accept what Christ has done.
In fact, we cannot do anything to earn, or deserve, or acquire
righteousness apart from Christ.
As “Ambassadors for Christ” we are commissioned to go to a lost world and plead with them, “Be reconciled to God through Christ.” Our message is not essentially about political issues, but about the issue of sin. That’s our message.
As “Ambassadors for Christ” we are commissioned to go to a lost world and plead with them, “Be reconciled to God through Christ.” Our message is not essentially about political issues, but about the issue of sin. That’s our message.
3. We share a COMMON CHALLENGE (6:1-6:5)
I’m sure that all of you have heard of the
great tragedy when our Ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, and three
others, September 11, 2012. Ten others
were killed in a battle with terrorists who greatly outnumbered the small
security force protecting the American Embassy in Benghazi, Libya. Many of our ambassadors work in hostile
areas.
Being an “Ambassador for Christ” will certainly bring risk, danger, sacrifice, and challenge. Paul outlines the challenges he faced, and which are common to all Christian Ambassadors (6:1-5).
Being an “Ambassador for Christ” will certainly bring risk, danger, sacrifice, and challenge. Paul outlines the challenges he faced, and which are common to all Christian Ambassadors (6:1-5).
Working
together with Him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive God’s grace in vain.” 2 For
He says: I heard you in an acceptable time, and I helped you in the day of
salvation. y
Look,
now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.
3 We give no opportunity for stumbling to
anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. 4 But as God’s
ministers, we commend ourselves in everything:
by
great endurance, by afflictions,
by
hardship, by difficulties,
5 by beatings, by imprisonments,
by
riots, by labors,
by
sleepless nights, by times of hunger
Paul says that he always sought to live his
life in such a way that when he presented the gospel, people would know he was
genuine. Part of the proof of the
sincerity and credibility of his message was how he endured great suffering to
deliver Christ’s message of reconciliation.
Paul outlines, “afflictions, hardship, difficulties,
beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, and hunger. These challenges are common to all
“Ambassadors of Christ” who carry the “message of reconciliation—the gospel” to
a world that is often hostile to the gospel message. Ambassadors do not go because it is easy, but
we go because it is demanded of all of us who claim to be “Citizens of
Heaven.” Being an Ambassador for Christ
is not easy, and it is not optional.
4. We share a COMMON CHARACTER (6)
Paul not only outlines the “challenges” we
face as “Ambassadors for Christ,” but he sets forth the “character” required of
all those that represent Christ in this world.
6 by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness,
by
the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
People often respond negatively to the
messenger, and never really hear the message.
Be sure of this, the message of the gospel triggered hostility and
outright hatred, even when delivered by the Holy Lord, Himself. So, we should not expect that the gospel will not
be offensive. It will!
But, let us be sure that it is the “gospel” that is offensive, and not you and I as the messengers. Paul’s heart was pure. Paul spoke as someone who knew what he was talking about. He wasn’t just some party hack hawking the party line and filling the airwaves with opinions masquerading as facts. Paul was patient, realizing that we never know where someone is on his or her spiritual journey. Paul was not always an Apostle of Truth, but was at one time a Jewish “Disciple of Death” for believers. We must be patient with others. We must be kind. There’s that old adage, “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” I’m not sure why you would want to catch flies, but it is sure true that kindness will go a long way in preparing someone’s heart to hear God’s message. Of course, being Spirit-filled and Spirit controlled are essential in delivering a spiritual message. Paul concludes his list of the common character of Christ’s ambassador by exhorting us to sincerely love sinners. This kind of love isn’t something a person can manufacture. This type of “sincere love” can only flow from a heart that has truly experience God’s love and forgiveness personally. The Apostle John wrote:\
But, let us be sure that it is the “gospel” that is offensive, and not you and I as the messengers. Paul’s heart was pure. Paul spoke as someone who knew what he was talking about. He wasn’t just some party hack hawking the party line and filling the airwaves with opinions masquerading as facts. Paul was patient, realizing that we never know where someone is on his or her spiritual journey. Paul was not always an Apostle of Truth, but was at one time a Jewish “Disciple of Death” for believers. We must be patient with others. We must be kind. There’s that old adage, “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” I’m not sure why you would want to catch flies, but it is sure true that kindness will go a long way in preparing someone’s heart to hear God’s message. Of course, being Spirit-filled and Spirit controlled are essential in delivering a spiritual message. Paul concludes his list of the common character of Christ’s ambassador by exhorting us to sincerely love sinners. This kind of love isn’t something a person can manufacture. This type of “sincere love” can only flow from a heart that has truly experience God’s love and forgiveness personally. The Apostle John wrote:\
We love because He first loved us. (1Jn.
4:19)
Let me pause to review where we are so far in
understanding what it means to be “Citizens of One Holy Nation” and
“Ambassadors for Christ. We share a
common calling: spiritual, eternal, and
transformational. We share a common
commission, being sent with the message of reconciliation that brings life
transformation. We share common
challenges. If the world hated Christ,
it will hate those that Christ sends in His name. Ministry is difficult. We share a common character that proves the
sincerity and validity of our message.
As Ambassadors of the City of Heaven we also
5. share COMMON RESOURCES (v7)
7 by the message of truth, by the
power of God; through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left.
Anytime we, as Ambassadors for Christ, engage
people in the political arena we call, life, and we share the message of the
gospel as presented in the Word of God, we can be sure of one thing: we are right!
We serve as Ambassadors, “by the message of truth.”
One of the best known statements in regard to truth come from the pen of William Shakespeare. Nearly any middle school student can quote it: “This above all; to thine own self be true.” I think Shakespeare was near to a complete understanding of the power of truth, but Shakespeare’s words can be strengthened by saying, “This above all; to God’s Word be true.” The “grass will wither and the flower will fade, but the Word of God will last forever” (Isa. 40:8) Stand on the truth, and a legion of thousands cannot knock you over!
One of the best known statements in regard to truth come from the pen of William Shakespeare. Nearly any middle school student can quote it: “This above all; to thine own self be true.” I think Shakespeare was near to a complete understanding of the power of truth, but Shakespeare’s words can be strengthened by saying, “This above all; to God’s Word be true.” The “grass will wither and the flower will fade, but the Word of God will last forever” (Isa. 40:8) Stand on the truth, and a legion of thousands cannot knock you over!
As Ambassadors for Christ, we also have the
very “power
of God, at our left hand and our right.”
Let me say this, “if you are not convinced 100% that God can
and will empower you to deliver His message to the world, forget trying to be
an Ambassador. Trying to serve Christ in
one’s own strength is a sure and certain path to defeat in life!”
Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God share the resources of God’s truth and power.
Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God share the resources of God’s truth and power.
6. We represent a COMMON COMMANDER IN CHIEF (20)
Let me sum up our ministry as “Ambassadors
for Christ,” by giving you the most important principle of all that unites us
as “One Holy Nation.”
As Ambassadors for Christ, we represent “His” wishes and plans, not our own. This is the most freeing principle in being an Ambassador. The message is His. The battle is His. The results are up to Him! Look again at verse 20:
As Ambassadors for Christ, we represent “His” wishes and plans, not our own. This is the most freeing principle in being an Ambassador. The message is His. The battle is His. The results are up to Him! Look again at verse 20:
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing
through us.
I have been calling us, “Ambassadors for
Christ,” but the original text actually says, “For Christ Ambassadors.” In the original Greek, one way they added
emphasis was to change the normal word order and put something first. “For Christ” appears first in verse
20 in the original.
A nation only has “One Commander in Chief.” You and I would do well to recognize that, we are not that person. We are simply His messengers carrying His message.
A nation only has “One Commander in Chief.” You and I would do well to recognize that, we are not that person. We are simply His messengers carrying His message.
Any success that our ambassadorship might
have, is God’s success, not ours. To God
must go all the glory. Our honor, our
reward, our glory comes from walking with the Lord.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of
his Word
What a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, he abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey. (J. Sammis, D. Towner)
What a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, he abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey. (J. Sammis, D. Towner)
We do not have to manufacture a message. We do not have to muster the resources to
prop up God’s plan. We don’t have to try
to manipulate circumstances to gain a majority opinion in the world.
We just need to “trust and obey” to be effective as “For Christ Ambassadors.” It’s His message. It’s His plan. It’s His power. It’s His glorious victory. We are blessed to ride along.
As believers we have “dual citizenship, but our highest allegiance must always be to the Lord.” We must always be united as “One Holy Nation Under God.”
We just need to “trust and obey” to be effective as “For Christ Ambassadors.” It’s His message. It’s His plan. It’s His power. It’s His glorious victory. We are blessed to ride along.
As believers we have “dual citizenship, but our highest allegiance must always be to the Lord.” We must always be united as “One Holy Nation Under God.”
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