Ambassador's of Change - In A Very Strange World
1 Peter 2:11-12
By Alan Walker

Learn to say "no," let your light show, and get ready to go. You're an ambassador of Christ!

John Bolton is the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. If you follow Washington politics or read the newspaper, you are aware he wasn't exactly a shoe-in for the job. President Bush chose him and sent his name to the Senate for approval, but approval didn't come easily, actually not at all. The President of the United States has the Constitutional Authority to do what is called an appointment while Congress is in recess. That is how Mr. Bolton has come to be called Mr. Ambassador.

I don't have an opinion as to whether Mr. Bolton should or should not be the UN Ambassador. You may, or may not.

I do have an opinion on another Ambassador however, and that's you! Yep, you, Mr. Ambassador or Madam Ambassador.

When we give our lives to Jesus Christ, we become ambassadors of change to the world we live in. We are ambassadors who by our very lives show that Jesus Christ has made a difference in our direction, and that He is prepared to make a change in every person who is willing to bow the knee to Him.

We did not receive Senate confirmation, nor were we appointed to this position through Presidential authority, but we are ambassadors, because we have been called by the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:20: "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." NIV

Another word used to describe our role in this world is one used to remind us of who we are as well as to show the world that there is in truth a difference because of Jesus.

That is the word we've been looking at this month from 1 Peter - the word "strangers".

Our text today is 1 Peter 2:11-12:

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. NIV

Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

As Ambassadors of change and as strangers in this world, Peter reminds us of 3 things. The first one is…

1. Learn To Say No.

The NIV translates: abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against your soul…

We are at war. Not just in Iraq, but I'm talking about a war with far more casualties. It is a war in which the territory fought for is our soul. Yes, for other souls as well, but notice - don't miss this - don't shine this on, and don't read it too fast - this says the war is waged against your soul!

Yes, you are that important. You are that valuable. A war is being fought for you, even as we speak. The entire forces of Hell, the army of Satan, the powers of evil, are doing everything they can to bring you down.

The enemy is far better trained than the terrorists in Iraq and far shrewder than Usama Bin-Laden. This enemy knows exactly where you live. He knows your strengths and weaknesses. This enemy knows what you struggle to say "NO" too.

So you see this is very good advice: Abstain from flesh lusts for they do wage war against your soul.

I know, I know, you are strong enough to deal with them. I'm not to worry; you can wade right in there and not be touched.

You know I love you and respect you but I don't believe that about you, and I hope you don't believe that about me. We are growing stronger in Jesus daily, and part of the reason is we have learned to say "no" to the sinful choices of this world.

Let me give you a couple of things to think through this week - Let me tell you when it's a good time to say "no." Since everything in the world is not black and white, and I mean by that the Bible doesn't specifically mention everything that would be sinful…here are two thoughts.

#1. Say "no" to the things God's Word says "no" to.

If the bible says…

Then say "no" to it! God has as a loving parent shown us area's that are dangerous and practices that will not edify us, or glorify Him.

#2. Say "no" to the things that simply feel wrong.

I know this calls for…well, call it wisdom, call it an opinion, call it reasoning.

God doesn't have to spell it all out for us since he has given us the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who lives within us.

I know and so should you that in these areas not everyone will agree. That's why the scripture says regarding these gray areas:

Rom 14:22-23 - Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe - some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them - then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

Learn to say "no" Mr. and Madam Ambassador - but also…

2. Let Your Life Show.

"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds…"

Did you know your life shows loudly whether you are living what Peter calls a good life or not?

Did you know your neighbors watch your life?
Your co-workers are checking out your life.
Your very own children, the stinkers, are looking at your life.

That's a good thing, isn't it? Or, is it? I guess the answer depends upon how you are living your life. As ambassadors for Jesus, we should live our lives among the pagans…in a good way.

"Pagan" is a word you don't hear often. Peter is referring to those who have yet to surrender their lives to Jesus.

It's for these good people you live near, work with, attend classes with, spend more time with perhaps than you do with your spouse, that we are challenged to live good lives. So they can see our good works.

So they can say, "I still believe the church is full of hypocrites, but my neighbor, I can tell you, is the real thing, and if I ever come to Jesus, it will be due to his or her example…"

A couple of things to think through...

We as God's people, strangers to this world, need to be out there among them, around them, infiltrating them, beside them.

The people in our community should come to know us by sight.

"Me, be involved with people? Why?"

A bright shining light, regardless of its wattage, cannot be seen if it is hidden. You are great people. You are lights for Jesus, mingle, mix, join, connect, bond, and relate.

Let your good words show how good God is. Let your good life show what Jesus can do, and what he has done for you.

"It all sounds good, but I'm an introverted person. I am not comfortable around people."

I do understand. However, there are some things worth coming out of the closet for, and this is one. Go slowly, don't start by going door to door tomorrow, but maybe take a walk, the same route each day, and smile at people.

Well, Mr. and Mrs. Ambassador:

Now our third thought for the day…

3. Get Ready to Go.

"…glorify God on the day he visits us."

I was chatting with Elbert, my 88 year old, cancer stricken friend from my old Church in Springfield. He's been given about 4 months. He told me that he will either get better, or soon, "He'll fly away…"

I don't know what will happen, but I can tell he's ready to go. Knowing Elbert, he'll take as many along as he can.

As growing, maturing, and excited, vivacious Christians, we are getting ready to go. We may be in no big hurry to make the trip, but we know one day the train will leave the station house and we will be among the passengers.

As ambassadors for Jesus, we are not only getting ready to go, but helping others pack their bags for the ride as well. Our life, our good words and our good works will help them prepare for the trip of a lifetime.

Eugene Peterson shares it this way in his paraphrase, The MESSAGE: Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

Peter also says in 1 Peter 4:5 - But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. NIV

When they stand before God - and they will - to give an account, may they be able to say to the Father, "I don't remember their name now Lord God, but years ago, one of the folks there at 13th and J - the Arcata Church of something or another talked to me about Jesus, and not only shared with me verbally, but cared enough to show me by their life and testimony what Jesus can do. I didn't then, but later on, I gave my life to you…oh, there they are now...." (The scene closes with the two hugging and weeping)

Well, my dear and fellow ambassadors…
My dear and fellow strangers in this world…

1. Learn - even when it's hard - to say NO!
2. Let your life Show - Jesus
3. Get ready to go - Prepare for eternity by helping to prepare someone else as well

There is someone God has laid on your heart. I know He has, because I know a little about how He works. The person may be your son or daughter. He or she may be your spouse. They may be a member of your extended family, or a life-long pal, or a girl-friend of yours since High School, ladies. They might be that grumpy old person next door who is always rude, or the young and shy couple that moved in next door that just waves when you wave at them. It could be that new person at work that just looks lost and out of place, or the single mom who has not one but two kids, both by different men who she was not married too that moved in around the corner and always looks so tired. It might be that homesick student, or the middle aged person that lives nearby that is trying so hard to break a drug habit. It might be your grown grandchild, or a cousin that just moved here. It might be the paper boy who always smiles as he drives by tossing the paper or the waitress at Denny's. It could be…well, you know who they are, God has laid them on your heart, so that you, an ambassador of change, a minister of transformation, can help them, bless them, prepare them for an exciting life now, as well as an eternal life to come.

Will you, today, accept the challenge God has laid on your heart? Don't wait. This week, if at all possible, touch base with them. Share with them the blessed news of Jesus Christ.

It's one thing you don't have to say "no" too.

Copyright © 2005. Alan Walker is minister of the Arcata Church of Christ in Arcata, California. Used by permission. Permission is granted by the author and by The Preacher's Study to use this document in total or in sermon preparation in the context of the local congregation only. Publishing it in a book, on the Internet, or any place beyond the local congregation is prohibited.