Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5.20

The Christian Ministry: Part I, chapter III
Charles Bridges (1794-1869)
“If there be a treaty of peace to be negotiated between the Majesty of heaven and a world of rebels, he [the pastor] is the ambassador, entrusted with ‘the Ministry of reconciliation;’ and praying them in Christ’s stead – ‘Be ye reconciled unto God.’”

Ambassadors spend most of their time on the turf of foreign peoples, representing their President and country. Pastors are to be ambassadors for Christ. We can’t do this without being out among the lost, speaking on behalf of our King and His Kingdom. Jesus said that shepherds should “bring other sheep” into the fold, and Paul urged Timothy to bring his ministry to fullness by doing the work of evangelism. (Jn. 10.16; 2 Tim. 4.5) How much do seeking lost sheep and calling lost sinners to repentance take up your work as a shepherd in God’s flock? We cannot expect the people of God to take seriously the work of being witnesses for Christ and bringing other sheep into the fold unless we are leading the way by our example and our prayers.

What is your present approach to fulfilling your ministry by doing the work of an evangelist (2 Tim. 4.5)?

What is the Good News?
It’s the Good News of the Kingdom! And if you’re a little unsure of how to share that Good News with others, or if you need a helpful tool to encourage others in this work, order a copy of The Gospel of The Kingdom from our online store by clicking here.

The work of evangelism
Evangelism is a process, not an event. Every member of our church should be actively and consistently involved in the work of evangelism. But what is that process, and what does it include? Our course, One in Twelve: Introduction to Christian Worldview, answers these questions and situates the local church’s mission within the larger framework of the Kingdom of God. You can learn more and register for this free, online, self-pace study by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.