Contend Ambassadors to Earth - Week 5 5/5/2024 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ESV Contend for the Fatih Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1:3-4 ESV Contend - ἐπαγωνίζομαι (epagónizomai) struggle upon, with skill and commitment in opposing whatever is not of faith; Combination of two words: (epi - focused on) and (agónizomai - a contest completion) Its not about . . . Making friends You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 ESV Pleasing People For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 ESV Living in fear For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 2 Timothy 1:7–8 ESV Keeping your mouth shut So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 Being Tolerant Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV It is about . . . Standing firm Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Stand Firm - στήκετε (stēkete) stand firm absolutely to persevere in godliness Being Brave Act like men - ἀνδρίζομαι (andrízomai) to be responsible and courageous by taking the initiatives God reveals through faith; to act fully mature; to make brave Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. oDo not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV Unashamed For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16–17 ESV Boldly Speaking Truth For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:17 ESV Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians. 4:1-6 ESV Open statement - φανέρωσις (phanerósis) manifestation; disclosure of truth In Love Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 ESV