"Authentic Ambassadors"
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Watching TV or scrolling through social media, you often find celebrities and influencers recommending some hot new product. But are they genuinely recommending it or just getting a truckload of cash to talk about it? It's enough to make your head hurt! If people only do things because they get paid — well, that's sad. Is there a more authentic way to introduce people to something truly life-changing?
We're Cross Training to develop our joy, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Joy comes when we receive the gospel, build our hope, respond with thanksgiving, and evangelize. So how do we share our joy with the world as authentic ambassadors for Jesus?
What You Need to Know
When heralds used to proclaim the "good news" of a king's victory or a new king's reign, they used the word our Bibles translate "gospel" (e.g. Mark 1:1, 14-15). So as God's heralds, we declare his triumph over darkness through the risen reign of the true King, Jesus Christ (Col. 2:9-15; Rom. 1:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:56-57).
We're Christ's representatives in this world, boldly persuading people to come back to God so he can deliver them (2 Cor. 5:11, 20). We are a "a letter from Christ ... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God" (2 Cor. 3:3). As God "has shone in our hearts" we want him to "give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6). Because we've seen the transformational power of the gospel, we can't stop talking about our newfound joy (Acts 4:18-20). Rather than fearfully hiding in the shadows (John 7:13; 17:14-15), we're "the light of the world" — a "city set on a hill*" (Matt. 5:14-16).
We don't need flowery language or a college degree to teach people about Christ — we already have all the tools and information we need (1 Cor. 1:17; 2:1-5)! Jesus didn't send out scholars or motivational speakers; he sent ordinary people — like you and me — armed with an extraordinary message (Mark 6:7-13; 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19-20). God loves it when the gospel spreads, as Isaiah said, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:14-15).
What You Need to Do
Equip yourself with a constant readiness to speak, "as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:15). From the beginning of the gospel's spread, fear has threatened to extinguish it, but his people met that fear with boldness, prayer, and trust in God (Acts 4:23-31; 5:25-42; 16:22-31). Are you afraid of saying the wrong thing, offending people, or maybe even facing imprisonment? What if someone says "yes" to your invitation — will you be forced outside of your comfort zone? Remember that you go with Jesus, carrying his name. "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me" (Matt. 10:40). When Christ commissioned his followers to make disciples, he promised he would stay with them always (Matt. 28:19-20). So may our joy and faith overwhelm our fear as we shamelessly shout the good news of the Lord's salvation to everyone we can (Rom. 1:16).
Write down the names of people you want to bless with the gospel. Think of each person in your neighborhood, at work, and among your family and friends. Consider workers at local businesses, acquaintances in your groups and activities. Go through each name regularly, praying for God to extend his grace and peace to them. Ask for wise, courageous speech (Col. 4:5-6). And beyond those we know now, pray for new openings, "that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ" (Col. 4:3), praying in faith that God will "advance the gospel" (Phil. 1:12).
Invite people to find out for themselves (John 1:45-46). Ask them to study with you, invite them to worship with you, or make yourself available to pray with them and talk with them about their questions (Acts 8:30-31). Our job isn't to strongarm anyone into submission — even if we think we know what they need. It's simply to invite, to say, "Come" (Rev. 22:17) and allow them to take the free water of life if they want it. When we "reason together" with people (Acts 17:2; 24:25; Isa. 1:18), offering "the Way" (Acts 9:2; 16:17; 18:26), it's like dropping a seed into the soil and letting God's power do the rest (1 Cor. 3:6). God's word is the seed that always brings new life to the willing heart (Matt. 13:18-23; Isa. 55:10-11).
Through the Week
- Read (Mon) — Mark 6:7-13; John 1:40-49; 4:27-42; Rom. 10:10-17; 1 Cor. 9:16-23
- Reflect (Tue) — Who in my life can Christ bring hope and peace?
- Request (Wed) — "Lord, teach me to plant and water, trusting you to provide the increase." (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6)
- Respond (Thu) — Invite someone to hear the good news, whether in a gathering or over coffee.
- Reach Out (Fri) — What blessings do you wish your unbelieving friends knew?
