#Philippians #Practical Christianity #Gospel

Live Out Our Faith: Ambassadors in a Foreign Land

October 5, 2025
Jonathan Braun (Guest Speaker)

passport and bible

Philippians 1:27-2:5

Only lead your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent I hear your circumstances, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul contending side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not letting yourselves be intimidated in anything by your opponents, which is a sign of destruction to them, but of your salvation, and this from God, because to you has been graciously granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on behalf of him, having the same struggle which you saw in me and now hear about in me. Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, complete my joy, so that you are in agreement, having the same love, united in spirit, having one purpose. Do nothing according to selfish ambition or according to empty conceit, but in humility considering one another better than yourselves, each of you not looking out for your own interests, but also each of you for the interests of others. Think this in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

Introduction: Who Are We and What Are We Called To Do?

Tonight we’re exploring a critical question: What does it mean to live out our faith? Not just believe it, not just talk about it—but actually live it out in our daily lives.

We’ll use the acrostic F.A.I.T.H. to guide us:

  • F - Fear Not
  • A - Anticipate Suffering
  • I - Imitate God’s Love
  • T - Terminate Pride
  • H - Honor Others

But before we dive into these five points, we need to establish three foundational truths:

Foundation 1: The Call to Live Worthy

Philippians 1:27

Philippians 1:27 (ESV): Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.

Discussion Prompts:

  • What does Paul mean by “manner of life be worthy of the gospel”? What kind of life would be worthy of such good news?

  • Notice Paul emphasizes unity: “one spirit,” “one mind,” “striving side by side.” How does living out our faith require both individual faithfulness and corporate unity?

  • Paul says this should be true “whether I come and see you or am absent.” How does this challenge us about consistency—living the same way whether anyone is watching or not?

Foundation 2: What Is “Our Faith” That We’re Living Out?

Romans 10:9–11

Romans 10:9–11 (ESV): 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Discussion Prompts:

  • What two actions does Paul identify as essential to salvation? How are both the heart (belief) and mouth (confession) involved?

  • What does it mean to confess “Jesus is Lord”? How would that confession have sounded in the Roman Empire where Caesar was called “lord”?

  • The promise in verse 11 is that believers “will not be put to shame.” How does this relate to living out our faith boldly in a culture that may oppose us?

Foundation 3: We Are Ambassadors in a Foreign Land

2 Corinthians 5:16–21

2 Corinthians 5:16–21 (ESV): 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Discussion Prompts:

  • Paul says we are “a new creation” (v. 17) and have been given “the ministry of reconciliation” (v. 18). How do these two truths shape our identity and purpose?

  • What does it mean that we are “ambassadors for Christ” (v. 20)? What is an ambassador’s role?

  • Notice God is “making His appeal through us.” How does this elevate the importance of how we live and speak?

  • The message we carry is reconciliation—God not counting trespasses against people. How should this message of grace shape our approach to others?

Application:

We are ambassadors in a foreign land. Just as an ambassador represents their home country in a foreign nation, we represent Christ in a culture that doesn’t know Him. An ambassador must:

  • Know their home country well (know the Gospel)
  • Understand the foreign culture (understand the people we’re reaching)
  • Represent their nation with wisdom and grace (live worthy of the Gospel)

This is the frame for everything we’re about to discuss.

Section 1: Fear Not & Anticipate Suffering

Before we dive into the heart of living out our faith, we need to address two realities:

F - Fear Not

Matthew 10:28: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

The Point: Don’t be intimidated by loud voices or popular opinion. Just because something is loud doesn’t make it right. Fear of what others think or say should not silence our witness for Christ.

A - Anticipate Suffering

Philippians 1:29: “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.”

The Point: Living out our faith doesn’t guarantee a life of “rainbows and butterflies.” That’s prosperity gospel nonsense. Christ suffered, and He warned us we will too for His sake. This isn’t pessimism—it’s reality. We need to set proper expectations.

Illustration - The Mission Prayer: A young woman preparing for an extended mission trip to a hard part of the world prayed: “God, I know there will be burdens to bear. I ask not that You would remove them, but instead that You give me a back strong enough to bear them.”

That’s mature faith—not asking for comfort, but for strength to endure.

Discussion Prompts:

  • How does our culture use fear and intimidation to silence Christian voices? What are you most afraid of when it comes to speaking truth?

  • Why is the “prosperity gospel” so attractive and yet so dangerous? How does anticipating suffering actually prepare us for faithful living?

  • How can we encourage one another when we face opposition or suffering for our faith?

Section 2: Imitate God’s Love

This is the heart of living out our faith. If we get this wrong, everything else falls apart.

The Foundation: God Is Love and Christ Is Our Example

1 John 4:8: “God is love.”

This isn’t just a nice sentiment—it’s God’s nature. And if we’re going to represent Him as ambassadors, we must imitate His love.

Philippians 2:1–11 - Christ’s Example of Humility

Philippians 2:1–11 (ESV): So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Discussion Prompts:

  • Paul calls us to “have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (v. 5). What does Christ’s example teach us about how to approach others?

  • Jesus “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” but “emptied himself” (vv. 6-7). What does Christ’s humility look like in practice?

  • How does verses 3-4 (“count others more significant than yourselves…look to the interests of others”) challenge our natural self-focus?

The Critical Distinction: Don’t Condone Sin, But Don’t Condemn the Sinner

Luke 6:35: “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”

Here’s the tension we must hold:

  • We cannot condone sin—truth matters, and God’s standards are holy
  • We must not condemn sinners—we’re called to love them and shepherd them to Jesus

This is not compromise; this is Christ’s way.

Jesus’ Examples: Meeting People Where They Are

Example 1: The Woman at the Well (John 4:7-26)

Jesus met a Samaritan woman—someone Jews wouldn’t normally speak to—at a well. He:

  • Engaged her with respect (asked for water)
  • Spoke truth about her life (five husbands, current situation)
  • Offered living water (the Gospel)
  • Did not condemn her, but invited her to transformation

Key verses:

  • John 4:9-10: The woman was shocked Jesus would speak to her. Jesus offered her “living water.”
  • John 4:25-26: She says the Messiah is coming. Jesus reveals: “I who speak to you am he.”

Example 2: The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11)

A woman caught in the act of adultery is brought to Jesus by religious leaders ready to stone her. Jesus:

  • Challenged the condemners (“let him who is without sin cast the first stone”)
  • Showed mercy to the woman (“neither do I condemn you”)
  • Called her to change (“go, and sin no more”)

Key verses:

  • John 8:10-11: “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.‘”

The Pattern: Jesus met people where they were, spoke truth in love, and pointed them toward transformation—not through condemnation, but through grace.

Love vs. The Noisy Gong

1 Corinthians 13:1–3: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

The Point: You can have the best theology, the most correct doctrine, the boldest proclamation—but if you don’t have love, you’re just making noise. Love changes the world. Angry shouting and condemnation do not.

Discussion Prompts:

  • What’s the difference between condoning sin and loving sinners? How do we avoid both extremes (approval of sin vs. harsh condemnation)?

  • How did Jesus demonstrate this balance in His interactions with the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery? What can we learn from His approach?

  • Why do you think Paul emphasizes that without love, even correct truth becomes “a noisy gong”? What does this tell us about HOW we communicate truth?

Application:

  • Where in your life are you tempted to condemn rather than love? What would it look like to follow Jesus’ example instead?

  • Who in your life needs to experience God’s love through you—not approval of their sin, but genuine care for them as a person?

  • How can we create space for honest gospel conversations that shepherd people toward Jesus rather than pushing them away?

Section 3: Terminate Pride

If love is what we’re called to imitate, pride is what we must eliminate. Pride blocks love and turns us into “noisy gongs.”

The Problem with Pride

The pride we’re talking about isn’t just thinking highly of yourself—it’s the pride of righteousness that says:

  • “I’m right, you’re wrong”
  • “I’m better than you because I follow God and you don’t”
  • “I need to WIN this argument”

This kind of pride leads to:

  • Finger-wagging at sinners
  • Angry shouting instead of loving conversation
  • “Preaching AT” people instead of shepherding them TO Jesus
  • Making it about US winning rather than THEM being saved

What Scripture Says About Pride

Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Proverbs 11:2: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”

Proverbs 29:23: “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”

Quick to Hear, Slow to Speak

James 1:19–20: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

The wisdom: Before we speak, we need to listen. Before we correct, we need to understand. Our anger—even “righteous” anger—doesn’t accomplish God’s purposes.

Judge Not

Matthew 7:1-5 teaches us about the plank in our own eye before we address the speck in someone else’s. (Summarize: We’re so quick to judge others while blind to our own sin.)

The point isn’t that we never address sin—it’s that we address it with humility, recognizing we’re sinners too, saved only by grace.

Discussion Prompts:

  • How does pride shift our focus from loving people to “winning” arguments? What does this reveal about our hearts?

  • James says “be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” How would this change our conversations about controversial topics?

  • Why is it easier to see sin in others than in ourselves? How does remembering our own need for grace change how we approach others?

Application:

  • Where do you see pride creeping into your faith conversations? When have you been more concerned with being right than being loving?

  • What would it look like to practice James 1:19 this week—quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger?

  • Who do you need to approach with more humility, remembering that you too are a sinner saved by grace?

Section 4: Honor Others - The Practical Heart of It All

This is where the rubber meets the road. How do we actually DO this in our daily lives?

The Foundation: They Are Image-Bearers

Every person—no matter their sin, no matter their beliefs, no matter how they treat us—is made in the image of God. This means they have inherent dignity and worth.

Our role vs. God’s role:

  • God’s role: To change hearts
  • Our role: To shepherd people FROM where they are TO the One who changes hearts

We are NOT called to change hearts. We ARE called to love people and point them toward Jesus.

God’s Kindness Leads to Repentance

Romans 2:4: “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

The principle: It’s God’s KINDNESS—not His condemnation—that leads people to repentance. If kindness is God’s method, shouldn’t it be ours?

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Note on kindness: The fruit of the Spirit includes kindness, but it’s not just “being nice.” It’s deeper than that—it’s genuine care for others’ well-being. (But yes, also be nice!)

Give a Reason with Gentleness and Respect

1 Peter 3:15: “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

The balance:

  • Be prepared to give reasons for your faith (substance)
  • Do it with gentleness and respect (manner)

Truth + Love = Effective witness

Walk in Wisdom, Season Your Speech

Colossians 4:5–6: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each person.”

Key principles:

  • Walk in wisdom toward those outside the faith
  • Speech should be gracious (full of grace)
  • Seasoned with salt (preservative, flavor—meaningful and helpful)
  • Know how to answer EACH PERSON (not one-size-fits-all)

Discussion Prompts:

  • What does it mean that every person is made in God’s image? How should this truth change how we view people who sin differently than we do?

  • Romans 2:4 says God’s kindness leads to repentance. How does this challenge the “hellfire and brimstone” approach to evangelism?

  • 1 Peter 3:15 calls us to give reasons for our hope with “gentleness and respect.” What does this look like in practice? How do we balance truth and love?

  • Colossians 4:6 says to “know how to answer each person.” Why is it important to adapt our approach to different people and situations?

The Thumbs-Up Illustration: Cultural Sensitivity as Ambassadors

Story: Before going on an international mission trip as a teenager, Jonathan learned that in the country he was visiting, the “thumbs-up” sign was interpreted very differently than in America—it was actually considered offensive. Knowing this, he made sure not to use a gesture he was comfortable with for the sake of better relationships and being able to communicate with the locals in a way they would accept.

Application: As ambassadors for Christ, we live in a “foreign land.” We need to understand the culture we’re trying to reach. This doesn’t mean compromising the message, but it does mean adapting our METHOD to reach people effectively.

Truth is consistent, but audiences change. We must be wise about how we communicate unchanging truth to a changing culture.

Practical Scenarios: How Do We Honor Others?

Let’s get specific. How do we honor people as God’s image-bearers while standing firm in truth?

Scenario 1: LGBTQ+ Friends or Coworkers

  • Honor means: Treating them with dignity, using their name, being kind, not making them a project
  • Standing firm means: Not affirming sin as good, being honest about what Scripture teaches when asked
  • Shepherding looks like: Building genuine friendship, listening to their story, sharing your story, letting them see Jesus in you, trusting God to work in their heart

Scenario 2: Political Disagreements with Family

  • Honor means: Listening without interrupting, assuming good intentions, not demonizing those who disagree
  • Standing firm means: Not compromising biblical values for family peace, speaking truth when appropriate
  • Shepherding looks like: Keeping relationship primary, choosing battles wisely, modeling grace under pressure

Scenario 3: Neighbors Living Together Unmarried

  • Honor means: Being neighborly, welcoming them, not treating them as “less than”
  • Standing firm means: Living out biblical marriage in your own home as a witness, not pretending their situation is God’s ideal
  • Shepherding looks like: Building friendship over time, creating opportunities for spiritual conversations naturally, letting your life ask questions their life can’t answer

Scenario 4: Coworkers Who Mock Faith

  • Honor means: Not responding with anger, showing grace, continuing to treat them well
  • Standing firm means: Not being ashamed of the gospel, gently correcting falsehoods when appropriate
  • Shepherding looks like: Letting your consistent character speak louder than their mockery, being ready to explain when they ask (and they often do)

Discussion Prompts:

  • Which of these scenarios do you find most challenging? Why?

  • How does the principle of “shepherding people TO Jesus rather than changing hearts ourselves” relieve pressure while still calling us to engagement?

  • What other practical scenarios would you add to this list? How can we apply these principles there?

Application:

  • Who is one person in your life that you need to honor better this week? What would that look like practically?

  • In what situation do you need to remember that your role is shepherding, not heart-changing?

  • What’s one way you could adapt your approach (like the thumbs-up illustration) to better connect with someone who needs to hear about Jesus?

✅ Wrap It Up: Living as Ambassadors

We are ambassadors for Christ in a foreign land. This world is not our home, but it’s where we’ve been sent to represent our King.

Living out our faith—F.A.I.T.H.—means:

F - Fear Not: Don’t be intimidated by loud voices or popular opinion. God is with you.

A - Anticipate Suffering: Be realistic—following Christ will cost you. Ask for a back strong enough to bear the burdens.

I - Imitate God’s Love: Meet people where they are, speak truth in love, shepherd them to Jesus who changes hearts.

T - Terminate Pride: Put away the “I’m right, you’re wrong” attitude. Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

H - Honor Others: Remember they are image-bearers. Show kindness, gentleness, and respect. Be wise in how you engage.

The Gospel we live worthy of (Philippians 1:27) is the message that Jesus is Lord, died for our sins, and rose from the dead (Romans 10:9-11).

Our commission (2 Corinthians 5:20) is to be ambassadors of reconciliation, representing Christ to a world that desperately needs Him.

Our method is love, humility, and wisdom—following Jesus’ example of meeting people where they are and pointing them to transformation through grace, not condemnation.

🕊️ We are ambassadors for Christ. Let’s live worthy of that calling.

💬 Final Discussion Questions:

  • Of the five points in FAITH, which one challenges you most? Which one encourages you most?

  • What’s one specific way you can live out your faith more effectively this week?

  • Who is one person God is calling you to shepherd toward Him? What’s your next step with them?

  • How does understanding yourself as an “ambassador in a foreign land” change your perspective on engaging culture?

Closing Challenge:

This week, look for one opportunity to live out your faith in a way that:

  • Shows love without condoning sin
  • Demonstrates humility over pride
  • Honors someone as God’s image-bearer
  • Points someone toward Jesus rather than trying to change their heart yourself

Remember: Truth is consistent, but audiences change. Be wise. Be loving. Be faithful.

You are Christ’s ambassador. Live worthy of that calling.

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