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Ambassadors on Mission

Matthew 28:18–20 & 2 Corinthians 5:17–21
Tim Klaassen, FEB International, Missionary to Nanaimo
June 8, 2025

Tagline:

God has called ordinary people to an extraordinary mission: making disciples through his presence, power, and reconciling love.

Summary:

Tim Klaassen opened with humorous but relatable stories of getting lost—on Mt. Benson, on boating trips with his kids, and even just finding his way in Courtenay—all as a prelude to the reality that even Christians can get spiritually disoriented. But God has given us both a map and a compass: his living and active Word, internalized in our hearts, leads us on the path of discipleship. From there, Tim walked the congregation through Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20, inviting everyone—out loud and together—to reflect on what Jesus says about himself (“all authority”) and about us (“make disciples of all nations”). Jesus could have said anything, but he chose to send us as disciple-makers. Not just pastors or missionaries—all of us.

The second part of the message focused on 2 Corinthians 5:17–21 and our identity as new creations and ambassadors of reconciliation. With warmth and honesty, Tim offered a pastoral confession: for 30 years, he had not always equipped the church well in sharing Jesus confidently. Now, he’s passionate about helping every believer grow in “significant conversations”—where spiritual opportunities arise from ordinary moments. With practical examples, he encouraged the church to move from weather talk to gospel talk, from guilt to boldness, and from hesitation to obedience. The message concluded with a call to prayer and an invitation to step into Spirit-led witness this summer, making connections that carry eternal weight.

Group Discussion Guide

Icebreaker Questions (choose one to begin your group time):

  1. Have you ever gotten embarrassingly lost—even in a familiar place? What happened?
  2. What's a time when someone gave you directions—and you still got confused?
  3. When you think of being an “ambassador,” what kind of images or roles come to mind?

Read Matthew 28:18–20 & 2 Corinthians 5:17–21 together and reflect and discuss any questions that come up. Use a few of the following questions to direction conversation as needed.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In Matthew 28:18–20, what stands out to you about Jesus’ authority and his commission to us? What words or phrases do you think our church especially needs to hear?
  2. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if anyone is in Christ, “the new creation has come.” How should this truth shape the way we view ourselves—and others?
  3. Tim described “significant conversations” as Spirit-led steps that begin with ordinary topics. How have you seen a conversation shift from everyday to spiritual? What made that possible?
  4. One powerful metaphor in the sermon was the image of GPS vs. compass—internalizing God’s Word to guide us from the inside. How have you experienced Scripture guiding you like that?
  5. What holds you back from sharing your faith more openly? How can we help each other become more confident ambassadors for Christ?

For Further Study

  1. John 20:21 – “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
  2. Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel...”
  3. Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power... and you will be my witnesses...”
  4. Isaiah 6:8 – “Here am I! Send me.”
  5. Matthew 5:14–16 – “You are the light of the world...”
  6. 1 Peter 3:15 – “Always be prepared to give an answer...”
  7. Colossians 4:5–6 – “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders...”
  8. Luke 15:1–7 – Parable of the lost sheep
  9. Jonah 3:1–10 – God’s desire to save even reluctant outsiders
  10. Revelation 7:9 – A great multitude from every nation before the throne

Gospel Connections

Let’s discuss how we can apply this message to our lives as we seek to make the following connections as we follow Jesus

  1. God: How does knowing that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation deepen your understanding of his love and trust in you?
  2. The Church: What can we do together as a church to grow in confidence and skill in sharing Jesus with others?
  3. Our Group: How can we support each other in building significant conversations—starting even this week?
  4. Our City: Who in your neighborhood, workplace, or community could be a divine appointment this summer? How will you respond?
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