A sermon for Christians on their role as ambassadors for Christ, reminding them of their influence on their world.

1. and Talking the Walk Walking the Talk

2. Three people died this week Influential… famous…. leaving a legacy

3. So did 131 other Rhode Islanders

4. Every one had connections

5. Each was loved by God But did they know it?

6. Was there some connection who knew Christ?

7. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 3:23 Not knowing God results in death With Christ Eternal Life Without Christ Eternal Death

8. Walk the Talk Talk the Walk Our Responsibility 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

9. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

10. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21(continued) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 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. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

11. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. compels convinced live for Him

12. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. reconciliation

14. …he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 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. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Ambassador Message to tell

15. Ambassador 1. a diplomat of the highest rank; accredited as representative from one country to another 2. an informal representative; "an ambassador of good will"

16. …Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20 Citizens of another kingdom

17. We must live in both worlds, even though heaven is our real home, and where we will receive our eternal rewards.

20. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Not a perishable crown

22. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

23. John 4:4-42

33. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." John 4:39-42 What was her impact?

34. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." John 4:39-42 What was her impact?

35. What if…

36. With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:11-12 Are you worthy of the crown?

37. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

38. What if she had shared Christ with him?

39. He told them

40. They told others

41. All because one woman shared her faith

42. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 God is working in us

43. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 Be ready to explain

44. I met Christ BEFOREI met Christ HOWI met Christ SINCEI met Christ Your Story, God’s Glory

45. A-B-C’s of Salvation Admityou are a sinner. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) BelieveJesus died for you. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) ConfessJesus as Lord. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

46. Who do you touch?

47. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads….Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:4, 9-11 What about that crown in heaven?

48. In the end, Jesus wears the crowns I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. Revelation 19:11-13

49. Who will be at the throne because of you you? How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:14 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6