Perseverance Ambassadors to Earth – WEEK 9 Recap: A 16-month journey that included knowledge, belief, understanding, purpose, direction, and call to action. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 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 Cor 5:17-20 ESV The role and measure of an ambassador is how well they represent and perform the duties of the entity commissioning them. To minister (verb) requires service to others. From the Greek word diakoneo, meaning “to serve” or douleuo, meaning “to serve as a slave.” Ministry (noun) is a vocation – profession, occupation, calling. Reconciliation: the process of bringing two people or groups of people together again after separation or conflict. Perseverance is critical to the role we have as ambassadors for Christ. It can be a conundrum and a challenge to believers. • Indicative and Imperative • Heavenly and temporal • Unfathomable and knowable Perseverance: hypomone the idea of energetic resistance, steadfastness under pressure, and endurance in the face of trials Galatians 6:1-10 Restoration is available before transgression • Goes against our nature • Not without risk Romans 5:1-5 Peace exists before suffering • Justification precedes our ambassadorship • Rejoice in the face of hardship • Gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to persevere James 1:2-4 Joy is certain in times of trouble • Our faith will be tested • Process leads to confidence • Confidence is what has already been accomplished Philippians 3:12-16 The race was won before we run it • Christ has made us his own • Nothing to add juxtaposed with striving for Him • What is present versus what is eternal The enemy has three half-truths, lies really, that he uses to distract believers. Limit their role and effectiveness as ambassadors. • I am an ambassador because or who I am in Christ • I am an ambassador because of what I do for Christ • Being an ambassador has limitations Two questions believers must ask themselves: • Without reconciliation where would I be? • Is there any greater vocation available to me?