“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV
In the Wiersbe Study Bible, Warren W. Wiersbe wrote: “Because of his rebellion, man was the enemy of God and out of fellowship with Him. Through the work of the cross, Jesus Christ has brought man and God together again. God has been reconciled and has turned His face in love toward the lost world. The basic meaning of the word ‘reconcile’ is ‘to change thoroughly.’ It refers to a changed relationship between God and the lost world. Since Christians in this world are the ‘ambassadors’ of Christ, this means that the world is in rebellion against God. This world is an ‘imperial province’ as far as God is concerned. He has sent His ambassadors into the world to declare peace, not war. We represent Jesus Christ. If sinners reject us and our message, it is Jesus Christ who is actually rejected. What a great privilege it is to be heaven’s ambassadors!”
TTT Christian Youth Ministries is aggressively evangelistic, Bible believing, and church connected. From my high school days forward, beginning with Mt. Carmel Youth for Christ, our ministry continues to be interdenominational. The final statement concluding every Saturday night is: “Tomorrow is Sunday. So get up and get ready to go to your favorite Bible believing church, Sunday school, and youth group. And don’t just sit there, but get involved. Christ through you can change the world.”
You can be an ambassador for God. Will you?
“Ambassadors are more than messengers. They are representatives of the sovereign who sent them … Christians have been called by their King to serve as ambassadors in a world that is in rebellion against Him. However, God has given His representatives a message of peace and reconciliation” (Earl Radmacher, Nelson Study Bible). Radmacher continues: ” ‘Reconciled us to Himself’: Because of Christ’s propitiation, His satisfaction of God’s righteous demands, God is now able to turn toward us. God has made us new creatures in Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation … We who have been reconciled to God have the privilege of telling others that they can be reconciled to Him as well. God could change His relationship toward us because our sins have been imputed (reckoned) to Christ, instead of to us. … God placed our sins on Christ, who knew no sin. His death was in our place and for our sins. If we believe in Jesus, God counts Jesus’ righteousness as our righteousness. This is the Good News that everyone needs to hear.”
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NKJV
The need: “But even if our gospel is veiled (hidden), it is veiled to those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 4:3 NKJV
Share God’s ABCs of salvation: A – Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 NKJV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NKJV). B – Believe on Christ. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV). C – Confess Christ publicly. “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9 NKJV)
The plan: Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 NKJV
TTT’s mission: Telling The TRUTH to / through teenagers … to win them to Christ and train them for Christ, teaching them how to share their faith through their local churches, on their campuses, throughout their communities, and into their world, wherever God leads them in their future.
Accomplishing the mission requires continuing, cooperative efforts to: Teach, challenge and equip more youth and adults in evangelism. Use every means and media to communicate Christianity compassionately and effectively. Conduct evangelistic youth efforts, including: TTT Saturday nights (every Saturday since February 5, 1966, now in person and online); evangelistic youth efforts between Saturdays, across the Tri-state and beyond; “Project Proclaim” public relations outreach, including newspaper/blog, radio/podcast, billboards, internet/social media, and printed materials.
The result: “And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.” Acts 13:49 NKJV
TTT’s vision: Every youth, before turning 20, to hear the Gospel with an invitation to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
If you are reconciled to God, will you be His ambassador to others?