Pastor Greg Laurie shares his testimony and encourages us to give all our worries to God, trusting His plans for us are good.
This sermon focuses on the concept of being ambassadors for Christ, drawing from the speaker’s experience visiting Washington D.C. with his daughter. Using the analogy of diplomatic ambassadors who represent their country abroad, the speaker explains how Christians are called to be ambassadors for God in the world. Just as political ambassadors deliver messages on behalf of their government – even when those messages aren’t popular – Christians are called to speak God’s truth with love and gentleness.
The speaker emphasizes that being an ambassador for Christ comes with both responsibility and protection. While the world may not always receive the message favorably, God provides ‘diplomatic immunity’ – His protection for those who faithfully represent Him. The sermon concludes with a call for listeners to accept this assignment as Christ’s ambassadors, speaking on His behalf to the entire world with love and courage.
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and minds, ready to receive what You have for us in this time together. As we gather to discuss Your Word and what it means to be Your ambassadors in this world, we ask that You would speak to each of us individually and as a group. Help us to decrease so that You may increase in our lives. Give us ears to hear, hearts to understand, and the courage to apply what You teach us. We pray that Your Spirit would guide our conversation and draw us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
If you could be an ambassador to any country in the world, which country would you choose and why?
This week, identify one specific situation or relationship where God is calling you to be His ambassador. Commit to speaking His truth with love and gentleness in that situation, trusting in His protection and guidance. Whether it’s standing up for what’s right, sharing the gospel, or simply living out Christian values, take one concrete step to represent Christ well in your daily life.
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling us to be Your ambassadors in this world. We accept this assignment with both humility and boldness, knowing that You have equipped us and will protect us as we represent You. Help us to speak Your truth with love, to live with integrity, and to be faithful representatives of Your kingdom wherever You send us. Give us courage when we face opposition and wisdom to know how to respond in every situation. May our lives bring honor to Your name and draw others to You. We commit to being Your ambassadors this week and always. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.
Called to Represent
DevotionalHave you ever wondered what it means to truly represent someone? When a country sends an ambassador to another nation, they’re entrusting that person with their reputation, their message, and their values. That ambassador doesn’t just carry a title – they carry the weight of an entire nation on their shoulders. Jesus has given every believer this same incredible honor and responsibility. You don’t need a seminary degree or a pastoral title to be His ambassador. The moment you accepted Christ into your heart, you received your diplomatic credentials for the Kingdom of Heaven. This calling isn’t reserved for the ‘super spiritual’ or those in full-time ministry. It’s for the student sitting in algebra class, the parent dropping kids off at school, the employee working the night shift, and the retiree volunteering at the local food bank. Each of us has been strategically placed in our unique circumstances to represent Christ. What’s beautiful about this calling is that God doesn’t expect you to be perfect before you can represent Him. He simply asks you to be available and willing. Your workplace needs to see Christ through you. Your neighborhood needs to experience His love through your actions. Your family needs to witness His peace through your responses to life’s challenges. Today, remember that you carry the most important message in the world – the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You’re not just living your life; you’re representing the King of Kings in everything you do.
Bible Verse
‘You sent me into the world, and I have sent them into the world.’ – John 17:18
Reflection Question
In what specific areas of your life do you feel God is calling you to more intentionally represent Him as His ambassador?
Quote God put that in my spirit when we were in DC how we all represent him, not just, not just Minister Pugh, right? Not just Pastor John, not just Ms. Evelyn, but each and every one of you who’s accepted him into your heart.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for choosing me to be Your ambassador. Help me to see every interaction as an opportunity to represent You well. Give me the courage to accept this calling and the wisdom to know how to live it out faithfully. Amen.
Different by Design
DevotionalHave you ever been in a place where you could immediately tell who the locals were versus the visitors? There’s something unmistakable about people who belong to a different place – their mannerisms, their speech patterns, even their priorities often give them away. As ambassadors for Christ, we’re called to live with this same kind of distinctiveness. We’re citizens of Heaven temporarily stationed on earth, and that heavenly citizenship should be evident in how we live. This doesn’t mean we become weird or disconnected from the world around us. Instead, it means our values, our responses to challenges, and our treatment of others should reflect our true home. People should be able to sense something different about you – a peace that doesn’t make sense during storms, a love that extends even to difficult people, and a hope that remains steady when circumstances look bleak. This difference isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being transformed by your relationship with Christ. When your coworkers are consumed with anxiety, your peace should stand out. When others respond with anger or bitterness, your grace should be noticeable. When the world around you operates on selfishness and competition, your generosity and kindness should shine like a beacon. This distinctiveness isn’t meant to make you feel superior to others – it’s meant to make them curious about the source of what they see in you. Your different way of living becomes a bridge that draws people toward the God you represent.
Bible Verse
‘I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one.’ – John 17:14-15
Reflection Question
What specific aspects of your character or lifestyle currently reflect your heavenly citizenship, and what areas need more transformation?
Quote They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is. Is truth.
Prayer
Father, help me to live in a way that clearly shows I belong to You. Transform my heart, my words, and my actions so that others can see Your love and truth through me. Keep me in the world but not of it. Amen.
Speaking with Authority
DevotionalWhen an ambassador speaks, they’re not sharing their personal opinions or preferences. They’re delivering the official message from their government, carrying the full weight and authority of their nation behind every word. This is both an incredible privilege and a sobering responsibility. As Christ’s ambassador, you have been given the authority to speak on behalf of the King of the Universe. The message you carry isn’t your own – it’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the most powerful and life-changing message ever delivered. This message has the power to transform hearts, heal broken lives, and offer eternal hope to those who are lost. But with this authority comes great responsibility. You’re not free to change the message to make it more palatable or popular. The Gospel includes both God’s incredible love and the reality of sin. It speaks of both grace and the need for repentance. It offers both eternal life and warns of eternal consequences. The world might not always want to hear what you have to say. Some people will reject the message, and by extension, they might reject you. But remember, they’re not really rejecting you – they’re rejecting the One who sent you. Your job isn’t to make everyone happy; it’s to faithfully deliver the message you’ve been entrusted with. This doesn’t mean you should be harsh or unloving in your delivery. Even when speaking difficult truths, you can do so with gentleness, respect, and genuine care for the person you’re addressing. The authority you carry should be matched by the love you demonstrate.
Bible Verse
‘As an ambassador, you’re going to speak on his behalf. I want you guys to know that that’s a very serious responsibility.’ – John 17:17
Reflection Question
How can you better prepare yourself to speak God’s truth with both authority and love in your daily conversations?
Quote When you get to speak on someone’s behalf, when you’re doing this, you’re going to speak the words that he give you to speak, okay?
Prayer
Lord, help me to understand the weight of speaking on Your behalf. Give me boldness to share Your truth and wisdom to do so with love and gentleness. May my words always honor You and draw others closer to Your heart. Amen.
Protected in Purpose
DevotionalOne of the most comforting aspects of being an ambassador is knowing that your government stands behind you. When you’re representing your country in a foreign land, you carry diplomatic immunity – a special protection that comes with your role. As Christ’s ambassador, you have something even better: divine protection. Jesus didn’t send you into the world defenseless. He prayed specifically for your protection, asking the Father to keep you from the evil one. This doesn’t mean you’ll never face challenges or opposition – in fact, Jesus warned that the world might not receive your message well. But it does mean that as you faithfully carry out your ambassadorial duties, God Himself covers you. This protection isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual, emotional, and eternal. When you speak truth in love and face rejection, God protects your heart from becoming bitter. When you stand for righteousness and encounter opposition, He gives you strength to persevere. When you share the Gospel and people respond with hostility, He shields your spirit from discouragement. Sometimes this protection might look like supernatural peace in the midst of conflict. Other times it might be wisdom to know what to say or when to remain silent. It could be favor with people who should be your enemies, or simply the inner assurance that you’re exactly where God wants you to be. This divine protection should give you confidence to step boldly into your calling. You don’t have to fear what others might think or say. You don’t have to worry about the consequences of faithfully representing Christ. Your job is to be obedient; God’s job is to protect and provide.
Bible Verse
‘Now, he says that the world might not like what you got to say. They might not receive you. But did you hear where the Word says he would protect you?’ – John 17:16
Reflection Question
In what situations do you need to trust more fully in God’s protection as you represent Him?
Quote As you’re going through the world, as you’re speaking what he told you to speak, as you’re doing what he told you to do, he’s going to cover you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise of Your protection as I serve as Your ambassador. Help me to trust in Your covering when I face opposition or rejection. Give me courage to speak Your truth, knowing that You are with me always. Amen.
Love in Every Word
DevotionalThe way you deliver a message can be just as important as the message itself. A harsh word spoken in anger can close hearts that might otherwise be open. A gentle word spoken in love can open doors that seemed permanently shut. As Christ’s ambassador, your delivery method matters tremendously. You might have the most important message in the world – and you do – but if you deliver it without love, gentleness, and respect, you risk pushing people away from the very God you’re trying to represent. This doesn’t mean compromising the truth or watering down the Gospel. It means wrapping that truth in the love of Christ. Think about how Jesus interacted with people. He spoke truth boldly, but He also showed incredible compassion. He confronted sin directly, but He did so with a heart full of love for the sinner. He never compromised His message, but He always considered His audience and spoke in ways they could understand and receive. When you’re sharing your faith, remember that you’re not trying to win an argument – you’re trying to win a heart. When you’re correcting someone or addressing sin, remember that your goal isn’t to embarrass or condemn, but to restore and redeem. When you’re standing for truth in a hostile environment, remember that your gentle spirit can be more powerful than any harsh words. People may forget what you said, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. As Christ’s ambassador, make sure they feel loved, valued, and respected, even when they disagree with your message. This kind of love-filled delivery honors God and creates the best possible environment for hearts to be changed.
Bible Verse
‘While you’re doing this, you’re going to say some things that are going to ruffle some feathers. It’s important that you say it with a. With the gentle spirit.’ – John 17:13
Reflection Question
How can you better demonstrate Christ’s love and gentleness when sharing difficult truths or facing opposition?
Quote Because as ambassadors, we’re not trying to embarrass our God, right? So we gonna speak it with love.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to speak Your truth with the same love and gentleness that You showed. Guard my heart from pride or harshness, and fill me with Your compassion for those who need to hear Your message. May my words and my spirit always honor You. Amen.
