March 09, 2025

                                 RIGHT WAY LIVING: AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST—
CONSECRATED CRAZIES!

March 09, 2025

Teaching Pastor Charles Billingsley

When is the last time you were asked why you were doing something out of the ordinary? Maybe you didn’t fight when you were challenged, or you walked away from a situation—anything where your behavior was not the expected? Hopefully, you have had such an experience, as it would mean you stood for Christ when you could have chosen the world. If you’ve never been asked a question like that, is it possible you are blending in with the world? Do you have one foot in the world, and one in the church? That doesn’t result in happiness or in holiness, but could mean you don’t know the Savior. Is that probable? Believers are in the world, but we are not to be walking, talking, or looking like those that are not believers. Be holy, as He is holy.

Focal Passages: 2 Corinthians 5:2-7:16; Isaiah 49:8, James 1:21, 1 Peter 2:11.

Preserve the ministry of Reconciliation:                                                                                                                 

  • Read 2 Cor. 5:20-21. Do you recall the last verses we read last Sunday, and what was special about them? What mission did God give us in those verses? What does Paul call us in this verse (20)? What does an ambassador do? Who does an ambassador belong to? Who is the ambassador speaking on behalf of? What is special in vs. 21?
  • Read 2 Cor. 6:1-10. What is it that Paul begs us to avoid? Why is he quoting Isaiah?
  • In vv. 3-10, when should our ministry be blameless? Had Paul endured most (or all) of the things he lists? Have you endured any of these? If you have to suffer the type of life Paul was describing, do you have the faith to trust God through it?

Purpose in their heart to be Real:

  • Read vv. 11-13. How does someone act when they are being authentic? Can you give an example of inauthenticity we can all relate to? What did Paul mean that these believers were restricted by their own affections?
  • Is there anything about your personality that bothers you? Do you realize God made you for a specific purpose? What talents do you have? In the area where you live, what are its top characteristics? (For instance, Lynchburg has….) What is your spiritual gift? With God’s help, when you add all of those answers, what could you do in your town or area, that could potentially change lives?

Place a priority on Right relationships:

  • Read verses 14-16. What do we usually associate with these verses? What are other areas of our lives that need this admonition? Why? Does anyone have an example?
  • What are some results that can occur when ignoring the wisdom of this verse?
  • In your life as you are living it now, are there relationships that run contrary to what God has spoken here? What should you do?

Pursue Righteousness:

  • Read vv. 17-18. What verses in Scripture can you think of that indicate we have been called to a life of holiness? What are steps you can take to see that you do this?
  • Does anyone recall from the sermon the literal meaning for “Almighty”? Why does that meaning call us to a higher level of worship?
  • Read 2 Cor. 7:1, Jas. 1:21, 1 Pet. 2:11. What do these passages have in common? Why does God care so much that we live holy lives?
  • Read 2 Cor. 7:2-7. What point was Paul making to the believers? Are there any parts of this which bring you particular comfort?

Practice a Pattern of Repentance:

  • Read vv. 8-9. What is the difference between regret and repentance? How is that like someone saying they’re sorry, but it is because they got caught?
  • Does being ‘sorry’ accomplish anything? Why not?

Produces a life of no-regrets:

  • Why was Paul so exuberant that he had written the letter he spoke of in vv. 8-9? What had been the effect of that letter?

Close:

As we close this study, what are the roles of those who are ambassadors for Christ? Without looking back at the bullet points, can you remember any of them? Why is it so important to have those memorized? Would you go apply for a job without knowing the requirements necessary to perform the work? So it is with our salvation. We are saved by God’s grace because we believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but if we have no idea what to do afterward, will we be effective? If you married without any knowledge of what it takes to be a wife or husband, would you have a good marriage? No. Neither can we be a useful ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ if we have no knowledge of what we should do.

Recently someone said, “Matthew 28:19 is not for everyone.” Is that how you view your role as a believer? If you keep it to yourself, assuming certain parts are meant for some but not all, you will never be a productive witness for Christ. The only way to be a great ambassador is to stay in the Word, walk with Him, pray often, be obedient, and trust Him to guide and watch over you.

By Sandy Day
March 09, 2025                                               

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