Ambassadors for Christ are God’s messengers who call people to be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20). Such a task is often wrought with danger and difficulty. The events of Paul’s work in Philippi demonstrate this fact. After seeing initial success in the salvation of Lydia and her household, demonic, social, cultural, political, and legal difficulties arise, leaving Paul and Silas in prison. However, through these God ordained circumstances and God’s direct intervention, the church in Philippi grew and was strengthened. The main lesson we learn is that God makes His appeal of reconciliation through us, by the one Gospel, using various means, to save all kinds of people. This passage shows us four things ambassador for Christ do:
- Ambassadors carry the Gospel (vv. 11-15)
- Ambassadors defend the Gospel (vv. 16-18)
- Ambassadors are willing to suffer for the Gospel (vv. 19-34)
- Ambassadors support the Gospel (vv. 35-40)