Gateway Church of Visalia
From Separated to Ambassador
From Separated to Ambassador. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Pastor Lance Ainsworth May 22nd & May 25th, 2025
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Introduction:
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 NASB
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
In Christ, we have a kingdom identity.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
In Christ, we have a kingdom identity.
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
In Christ, we have a kingdom perspective.
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
In Christ, we have a kingdom perspective.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
In Christ, we have a kingdom assignment.
presbeuo - an ambassador, a chosen representative of a ruling authority.
In Christ, we have a kingdom assignment.
presbeuo - an ambassador, a chosen representative of a ruling authority.
An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat sent from one country to another to promote and protect the interest of their home country.
As ambassadors for Christ:
We have been chosen.
We have been given authority.
We have been given a message of reconciliation.
We have been chosen.
We have been given authority.
We have been given a message of reconciliation.
From
GateWay Church of Visalia
Pastor Lance Ainsworth, 2 Cor. 5:14-21
May 22
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What do you think of when you hear the word ambassador?
Read Aloud: 2 Cor. 5:14-21
1. v.14-15 “14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” What does it look like to no longer live for us? How does our identity determine what we live for?
2. v.16-17 “Therefore from now on, we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” How does viewing other followers of Jesus as a new creation change our relationship dynamics? How does viewing ourselves as a new creation change us? What old has gone, and what new has come for you?
3. v.20 “20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” What does it look like for you to be an ambassador in your context? Who is God appealing to through you? What hurdles must we overcome to live out our assignment as ambassadors?
GateWay Church of Visalia
Pastor Lance Ainsworth, 2 Cor. 5:14-21
May 22
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What do you think of when you hear the word ambassador?
Read Aloud: 2 Cor. 5:14-21
1. v.14-15 “14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” What does it look like to no longer live for us? How does our identity determine what we live for?
2. v.16-17 “Therefore from now on, we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” How does viewing other followers of Jesus as a new creation change our relationship dynamics? How does viewing ourselves as a new creation change us? What old has gone, and what new has come for you?
3. v.20 “20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” What does it look like for you to be an ambassador in your context? Who is God appealing to through you? What hurdles must we overcome to live out our assignment as ambassadors?