On a typical Friday night, my daughters are very busy with activities. My oldest may have a drink with her good friend. My middle child may go to a game with her group of buddies. My youngest may invite her close friends over for a movie. In these moments, I think about what fine young women they have become. And how well they make friends and get along with others. Because they have that Word within them that makes them shine as bright lights. And they’re approachable and friendly. And they are willing to share themselves with others.
And that made me think of a story about two men who lived a couple thousand years ago. They had a goal to meet others, share what they knew, speak God’s Word and to bring others to knowing that an abundant life is available to them. They each had the mindset of an ambassador for Christ. Please turn to the Book of Acts, Chapter 13.
Oh, I forgot. God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ. Welcome to our home bible fellowship in Raleigh. Here's a short spiritual teaching about finding common ground with others. I hope you enjoy it.
Ambassador
What’s an ambassador? An ambassador is a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by a one country to another as its resident representative. An authorized messenger or representative.
To me, there is no greater goal one might have in life than to be the best ambassador of the more than abundant life, an ambassador for Christ, an authorized messenger of God’s Word, a representative of living with the unconditional love of God in a renewed mind in manifestation.
Barnabas and Paul
Now, let's get to these two fellas. These two men who lived 2,000 years ago were Barnabas and Paul. They helped each other live the Word, and they both loved to speak the Word. In fact, they spoke the Word together for a whole year to many people in one city (Acts 11:26). After that, God wanted them to preach the Word in some new places (Acts 13:2,3). One day they were in a city called Antioch with the goal of telling others about the Lord Jesus Christ and God’s plan of salvation for them. Incredible guys.
When they got to the city, they went to the synagogue, a place where they knew that many people of Judean background who had an interest in God would be gathered together. They attended the service there; and when it was done, the speaker asked them if they had anything to say.
What a great question. And opportunity. For an ambassador.
Acts 13: 15: And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
They were given an invitation to speak, given an audience, and a wide open door to walk through and speak about the Lord Jesus Christ. But you know what? They didn’t start right off with waving a finger, yelling about getting saved, or condemnation. Nope. Paul was the one who did the speaking on this occasion, and he began to gain the attention of the Judeans in the synagogue by showing great respect and by finding common ground concerning what people believed in. Respect and common ground. This is a helpful key to beginning a conversation—just simple respect, easy talking, and finding common ground.
Acts 13: 16,17: 16: Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear [respect] God, give audience [pay attention]. 17: The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
Here, Paul reminded them of a very important event in their history as believers—when God delivered Israel out of Egypt. Then he went on to remind them of more that God had done for them, speaking of Samuel the prophet, King Saul, and King David.
After covering these familiar records of believers from the Old Testament, whom they respected, he introduced them to Jesus, explaining that this descendant of King David was a savior.
Acts 13: 23,26: 23: Of this man’s [David’s] seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus. 26: Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth [respects] God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
Paul then told them that Jesus had been slain but that God raised him from the dead.
Acts 13: 28-30: 28: And though they [the Judeans at Jerusalem] found no cause of death in him [Jesus], yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. 29: And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30: But God raised him from the dead.
Paul then told the members of the synagogue in Antioch that they could not be made righteous through Moses and the law — but only through Jesus who had been crucified and whom God raised from the dead.
Acts 13: 38,39: 38: Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man [Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness [remission] of sins. 39: And by him [Jesus] all that believe are justified [legally made righteous] from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
It was important for them to know that Jesus died for them and that God raised him from the dead, because a person gets born again by confessing Jesus as their lord and believing that God raised him from the dead. They also needed to know that through Jesus Christ they could be made legally righteous before God and enjoy God’s grace to them.
Not everyone believed Paul on that day, but some did. And many came back to hear more. The next Sabbath day, almost the whole city came together to hear the Word of God, and as a result, the God was talked about throughout all the region (Acts 13:44,49).
Summary
We just learned about finding common ground with other just like Paul and Barnabas. God’s Word was made known throughout all of that area, because each of these two men went into the city of Antioch with the mindset of an ambassador for Christ. Their mindset sounds a lot like the one we have. You and I. And this gives me an idea for something we all can do. How about we get up each day this week — with the goal of bringing the spiritual truths that we know — into our conversations — as we speak to others? Yes? Some people don’t know about God; others know him only a little bit. I encourage you to reach for that goal in life of being a good ambassador for Christ by reaching out to others with God’s Word.
God Bless.
- Benjamin
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