NOTE: Following is the discussion guide we’ll use tomorrow (Sept. 14) in our LIFE groups at MoSt Church. This guide will enable your follow-up of my sermon that morning. To find previous group discussion guides, look under the category title “LIFE group guides” and you’ll find an archive of previous issues.
Reason
Stated in a single sentence, this is the purpose of this morning’s sermon.
To explore the meaning of, preparation for, and engagement in spiritual warfare.
Revelation
These Scriptures form some of the foundation of this sermon.
• Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1.26-27 NLT)
• … from this point on we won’t recognize people by human standards. Even though we used to know Christ by human standards, that isn’t how we know him now. So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you as Christ’s representatives, “Be reconciled to God!” God caused the one who didn’t know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5.16-21 CEB)
• Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood … And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6.10-12,18-20 NRSV)
• As, therefore, God’s picked representatives of the new humanity, purified and beloved of God himself, be merciful in action, kindly in heart, humble in mind. Accept life, and be most patient and tolerant with one another, always ready to forgive if you have a difference with anyone. Forgive as freely as the Lord has forgiven you. And, above everything else, be truly loving, for love is the golden chain of all the virtues. (Colossians 3.12-14 J.B. Phillips)
Relation
Use one of the following icebreaker questions to prime the pump, to help the conversation begin. Choose one to discuss.
1. Pull out some cash or currency. Who’s likeness is depicted on it? How exactly did they represent our nation?
2. Have you served as an official representative of a group/organization? Tell us about the experience.
Research
These exercises/questions are meant to help us grapple with the Scripture(s) related to this sermon.
1. Compare 2 Corinthians 5.16-20 and Ephesians 6.10-18. How can a Christian be an “ambassador” and a “soldier?”
2. Compare the wording of Colossians 3.12a in several English translations with the Phillips edition above.
Reflection
These questions assist our sharing what we sense God’s Spirit is doing with us in our encounter with God’s word.
1. As a Christian, you are an ambassador representing King Jesus. How does that make you feel?
2. What does being Christ’s ambassador , his representative, have to do with spiritual warfare?
3. What does an “ambassador” seek to accomplish? What abilities and skills suit an ambassador well?
4. As the personal messenger (ambassador) of King Jesus, what is the message we carry and deliver?
5. “What we are when we aren’t consciously trying to represent Christ might influence most of all.” How?
Response
These ideas/suggestions are for your use beyond the group meeting; to aid in living out today’s message in the coming days.
1. Consider well the message of Christ you can share with someone who is yet to believe. Write it down so it can be said in 20 seconds.
2. Pursue God’s peace in your life. Do this for the sake of others, so that you can share the Prince of Peace.
