Ambassadors for Christ

Lesson #10

Matt 15: 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Once again – a hypocrite is a person who is only “playing a part” . . . in our churches – hypocrites are not people who do not KNOW the truth – but they are people who just do not LOVE the truth . .

James 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

This person described in James – he understands enough to see a need in his neighbors life (he recognizes discomfort – and he knows hunger)

He understands enough to know how that need could be satisfied (his own life is comfortable so he has the means to help – and he is not hungry himself – so he does have food to offer)

Notwithstanding (in spite of the fact that you have the ability – the capacity and the opportunity) to “do what is right” YE GIVE THEM NOT those things which are needful . . . what doeth it profit? 

This is an illustration of seeing a physical need – and having the means to satisfy that need – but refusing to GIVE in order to help those in need.

Have we ever been guilty of saying “I know I should do this . . . BUT” -What profit is there in knowing the truth – or in knowing what is right . . . if we refuse to accept the truth - if we refuse to DO what is right?

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

A hypocrite is not blind to the need for the truth in the world in which we live . . . he can see the need for the gospel – he has studied The Bible - he

has access to the truth and he has {the ability – the capacity and the opportunity} to share that truth with others . . . BUT he will NOT GIVE those things that are needful . . . so what doeth it profit?

Hypocrites are people who are offended by the truth – and in an effort to avoid having to conform OR CHANGE their lives TO that truth – they begin lying (with their lives) about what the truth really is.

It is common “for churches” to adapt this same mentality as they replace what Jesus taught – with things (or teachings) that are more popular

and easier for people to accept . . . Have you ever wondered why all of the discussion and all of the disagreement over Baptism and “other” things in

a church are so important – if it is going to cause so many ill feelings – why not do the “Christian thing” and just accept what people already

believe instead of hurting their feelings and trying to change them . . . 

           Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed (or changed) by the                 renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will         of God.

well the most basic answer to this question about trying to "change" everyone so that we all believe the SAME THING – is that it is not OUR church it is God’s church . . . and because “the church” does not belong 

to US – we do not have the “right” to “change the rules” of how God has defined proper worship.

II Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

An ambassador is basically a man that a king has sent on an errand – such as “to deliver a message” to a selected group of people . . . in essence to 

tell those unto whom he was sent “This is what the king says . . .” – As we see in II Cor 5:20 – that ministers of the gospel in particular – and 

churches in a more general sense – are AMBASSADORS or representatives of The King – Jesus Christ.

The Word of Truth is the message of “the preacher” – the most basic message is that – “All men have sinned . . . and all men need a savior” – 

this message has been sent to the world in general – for the obvious purpose of introducing salvation to lost mankind . . . but there is a second message

which has been sent unto those "who have accepted the FIRST message" of salvation . . . and “that message” deals with the behavior and the

attitude that God expects from those who have been saved.  Now as we reflect upon the scriptures – and if we understand the responsibility and 

the LIMITATIONS of an ambassador – we can see that those who have been sent to the lost with “the message” of salvation do not have the 

right to change the contents of that message and to present different paths which we think will lead to eternal life – we are bound to repeat only what the king said.

Likewise – neither do those who have been sent with the message of “how to worship God now that we are saved” – neither do they have the right to 

change the contents of their message so that they make worship easier and more convenient to offer – once again they are bound as one who 

represents (not themselves) but another - to repeat ONLY what King Jesus has said about “how to worship.”

Now once again – we should be firm in our conviction that worship is a TOTALLY separate issue (or concept) from SALVATION.

For by grace are “ye saved” through faith (and NOT through religion/church) . . . The Bible says - He that believeth on Him is not condemned (NOT he that “WORKS for Him” or he who performs good 

deeds is not condemned) – The Bible says that there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby ye must be saved (not that there are several different paths or philosophies that all lead to heaven . . .)

Faith in God and repentance of our sins are what brings salvation into our heart and “saves” our soul –

Acts 16: 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

but worship {which comes AFTER salvation} includes such things as church – baptism – The Lord’s Supper – trying to live right - and all of the other things churches argue about . . . 

After we are saved - it should be our goal (as a child of God) to worship the God that saved us – and to worship Him the way that HE wants us to worship Him . . . 

instead of worshiping Him the way that WE want to worship – or in a way that WE are most comfortable with . . .

This is why such things as Baptism – The Lord’s Supper – Church discipline – giving – and our general life-styles as “Christians” are important.

Proper worship does not save our soul – and improper worship does not condemn our soul . . . proper worship pleases the God that has already

saved us – while improper worship DISPLEASES the God that has already saved us.