Agents of Christ

Audio message

 

Agent: one who is authorized to act for, or in the place of, another; a representative; one entrusted with the work of another.

Scripture:

• Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (NIV).
• Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus…” (NLT).

Other texts on our role as agents for Christ: Matthew 5:13-16; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8

“(20) We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (II Corinthians 5:20-21, NIV) 

NLT- (20) “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!

Essential characteristics of Agents of Grace

What should we expect to observe in his or her character when we meet someone who represents Jesus Christ?

• Christlikeness – (I John 2:6)
• Full of grace and truth – John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Colossians 3:12, 14

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with

• compassion,

• kindness,

• humility,

• gentleness

• patience.

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Three characteristics

1.Humility (Matthew 5:3; 18:1-4)

  (II Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:3-8)

2. Love (John 13:34-35)

  (I Corinthians 13:4-8a)

3. Hope (I Peter 3:14-15)

   (Romans 8:18-25; II Corinthians 4:16-18)

On humility

Matthew 18:1-5

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (See here for further explanation of this text)

Philippians 2:3-11

3-4 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6-8 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. (New Living Translation)

Further reflection:

• “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
• “For this is what the high and lofty One says, He who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit’” (Isaiah 57:15).
• “This is what the LORD says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.  Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the LORD. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2).
• Psalm 18:27- You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
• Psalm 25:9-   He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
• Psalm 147:6- The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.
• Psalm 149:4- For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation.
• Proverbs 3:34- He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
• Isaiah 29:19- The humble will rejoice in the Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.