Are You on A Cruise Ship Or A Rescue Ship

You can believe the gospel and still go quiet about it, but Scripture won’t let us treat silence as neutral. We close out our “Understanding God’s Work in Us” series with a direct, personal challenge: God entrusts redeemed people with the word of reconciliation, and that means the message can’t stay private. We talk about what the gospel actually is, why it’s more than religious advice, and why it deserves clarity, courage, and love when we share it.

We lean into a striking identity from 2 Corinthians 5: we are ambassadors for Christ. That lands in everyday places, how we represent Jesus to our families, friends, coworkers, classmates, and even strangers. Evangelism isn’t framed as winning debates or showing off theology. It’s a heartfelt plea, “Be reconciled to God,” because eternity is on the line. We also slow down on one of the clearest summaries of salvation in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and unpack the great exchange: Jesus takes our sin, and we receive His righteousness.

Then we zoom out to the church’s mission. Matthew 28 isn’t the “great suggestion” but the Great Commission, grounded in Jesus’ total authority and empowered by His promised presence: “I am with you always.” Disciple making includes sharing the gospel, baptizing new believers, and teaching obedience, and it starts right where you live. Along the way, we confront a tough metaphor: church can’t be a cruise ship built for comfort; it has to be a rescue ship. If this encouraged or convicted you, subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review, then tell us: who is one person you need to speak to this week?

Transcript

Entrusted With The Gospel

SPEAKER_00 0:22

Hello again and welcome to Foundations of Truth. Today, we wrap up our saved understanding God's work in us series. As Christians, we are called to share the gospel with others. That's exactly what this message addresses. Here's part two of why we share the good news with Dr. Timothy Mann.

SPEAKER_02 0:40

The Bible says here that we have been entrusted with the message and committed to us the word of reconciliation. This is an amazing truth that God has entrusted us with this saving message. He didn't write it in the clouds. He didn't give it to the angels. He didn't send it through the angels. No. He gave it to redeemed people. Sinners turned saints, which, by the way, does not mean perfect. It's actually what God calls his children. Every Christian is a saint. And he gave it to us to proclaim it to the world. And this, the word of reconciliation, is the gospel. It's this Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again. And everyone who repents and believes will be reconciled to God. That's the message. And it's a message that we must know. And it's a message that we must love. And it's a message that we must proclaim. Why? Well, because we're ambassadors for Christ. Look what it says. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ as though God were pleading through us. An ambassador speaks on behalf of the one who sent him. A king, a president. An ambassador speaks on behalf of their country, their kingdom. They don't deliver their message, they deliver the king's message. And as Christians, we're not just witnesses, although it's part of it. We are representatives. We're ambassadors. We're representatives. So you know what that means? I want you to think about it personally here. You are representing Jesus to your family. How's that going? You're representing Jesus to your friends. You're representing Jesus to your coworkers. You're representing Jesus to your fellow students at school. You're representing Jesus to your children, to your grandchildren, to random people you meet. You are representing Jesus. When you walk out that door and you carry the name Christian, you're representing Jesus. Not yourself. Not even this church. First and foremost, you're representing Jesus. How'd that go this past week? How'd it go yesterday? Maybe some of y'all need to answer the truth and say, how'd it go this morning, even? You're representing Jesus to your wife. You're representing Jesus to your husband. You're representing Jesus to fellow church members. You're representing Jesus to the cashier at Walmart, or if you're lucky enough to get one of those people now these days, you're representing Christ as an ambassador of him every single place you go. If you say you're a Christian, don't carry his name in vain. Don't use the Lord's name in vain. And when we speak on behalf of Christ, the Savior, the Lord, the Messiah, we're speaking on his behalf to a world that desperately needs to hear him. When we actually speak the gospel, God is speaking through us. When we share our testimony, we carry heaven's authority.

Ambassadors Who Plead For Souls

SPEAKER_02 4:05

When we plead with someone to believe, Christ's heart pleads through us. And that should give us both confidence and it should give us urgency. You are an ambassador for Jesus, the King of Kings. How are you representing? What do we do? Look at the Bible. We plead. Be reconciled to God. He says, we implore you on Christ's behalf. Be reconciled to God. I want you to hear me well. Evangelism isn't just cold theology. In fact, it should never be that. It should never be cold theology. Instead, it's a heartfelt plea. The apostle Paul didn't say, we suggest you study the doctrines. No. He said, we implore you on Christ's behalf. We implore you, we beg, we urge, we plead. He didn't say, we want to teach you the mystery of the sovereignty of God in salvation. No, he said, be reconciled to God. Be reconciled to God. He calls on them to do something. Be reconciled to God. Why? Why would he say, be reconciled to God? Because eternity is on the line. Because hell exists. Because people are dying without Christ. Because every single person's most crucial need is to be reconciled with their creator. That's your mother, that's your father, that's your grandkids. That's everybody you come across in the path of your life. And this isn't manipulation. When you say, be reconciled to Christ, be reconciled to God. That's not manipulation, it's compassion. We're not trying to win arguments or teach systematic theology. We're pleading with souls. We're calling on them to respond to God. You're calling for the verdict. Let me tell you this. If you share the gospel with somebody and you never tell them what they should do in response to it, that's an incomplete witness. Then we see, look at the last verse. I want to get to Matthew 28 for a minute. Look at verse 21. This is the gospel in one sentence. For he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Verse 21. For he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him. This is, I think, one of the clearest summaries of the gospel in the entire Bible. He made him, God the Father, sent God the Son, who knew no sin. Jesus was perfectly holy and sinless in every way. To be sin for us, he became our substitute, bearing our guilt on the cross, that we might become the righteousness of God. He took our sin and we receive his righteousness. This is the great exchange, and it is the foundation of our message. This is the message that we deliver. Not behavior improvement, not religious rules, not moral effort, but reconciliation through Jesus Christ. So remember the message this morning. Remember the message. You've been entrusted with the gospel if you're saved, if you're in Christ. Understand it. Speak it confidently. Share it courageously. Your obedience might change someone's eternity. You might not know all the theology yet, but you know Jesus. So share what he's done for you. You're already an ambassador. And again, look, if you're still an unbeliever, you're still lost, you're still not saved, then this message is for you. God is not counting your sins against you if you trust Christ. If you trust Christ. Be reconciled to

The Great Exchange That Saves

SPEAKER_02 8:35

God. So we've witnessed the miracle of reconciliation. We've discovered the message that we've been given to share. Now, I want us to turn to the final part of our calling. And that's the mission that we're to embrace. Matthew 28. Because this isn't just for pastors. This isn't just for missionaries. This isn't just for evangelists. And the Great Commission isn't optional. It's not the great suggestion. It's not optional. It's not a side project for the church, in fact. It's the heart of Christ's plan for the world. In fact, it's the mission. If any entity that calls itself a church names the name of Jesus and takes on anything else as its primary mission, then it's not behaving as a biblical church. It's not behaving as a New Testament church. Mercy ministries are good things. That's good. That's fine. But the primary ministry, the mission of you and us, and the church is this mission. It's the mission.

SPEAKER_00 9:55

You know, the world offers uncertainty at every turn, but God's word gives believers something solid to stand on. At Firm Foundations Ministries, we're committed to proclaiming biblical truth clearly, faithfully, and without compromise. And your prayers and financial support help make this radio and podcast ministry possible. Allowing across the country and the world to hear the life-changing message of God's grace. If Foundations of Truth has encouraged your walk with Christ, would you consider partnering with us? You can learn more or give securely online right now at firm-foundations.org. Now let's return to today's message.

SPEAKER_02 10:33

Let's read Matthew 28, 18 through 20, one more time. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I've commanded you,

The Great Commission And Disciple Making

SPEAKER_02 10:50

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Let's talk just for a minute about this mission we embrace. And then we'll introduce some new church members and introduce Victoria. Jesus starts this great commission that he gives us with a very bold declaration, and that's this: that he is Lord over everything. Lord over everything. That's heaven, that's earth, that's every person, every place, and every soul. There is no area outside of his rule, and there's no mission beyond his power. So that means that your evangelism, our evangelism, is more than just a good idea. It's actually a divine command, supported by the authority of the King of Kings. You don't have to be clever, you don't have to be popular. You only need to obey the one who holds all authority. Look what he says. Go, therefore, and make disciples. So the central command here isn't just go, the central command is actually make disciples. Make followers of Jesus. Make disciples. Yes, we go. We go every day as we live life. As you go, as you are living life and doing what you do as you go, but you go with a purpose. Make disciples. Evangelism, sharing the gospel, isn't just about scoring spiritual wins or merely inviting people to church. As necessary and as helpful as that is, it's actually about making followers of Jesus. Those who hear the gospel, those who believe it, and those who begin to live a life of obedience to Him. And so what does that include? That includes actually telling the gospel, sharing the gospel so others can be saved. That means baptizing them like we witnessed this morning, like we're going to witness at the beginning of the second service. Identifying these believers, these followers of Jesus with Jesus and with his church. And then teaching that is that's grounding them in the truth so they can grow in obedience. And I'm submitting to you this morning that every Christian, every single Christian, every saved person is called to be a disciple maker. We are sent to help others know and follow Jesus, whether that's nearby or whether that's far away. You are sent to your children. You are sent to your grandchildren. You're sent to your neighbors in your neighborhood. You're sent to your friends and whoever God brings your way. You're sent to them. Look at the scope of the mission of all nations. The mission is worldwide. That's from local neighborhoods to entire nations. The gospel is for all people. So that means there's no people group, there's no language, there's no tribe, there's no nation beyond the reach of God's reconciling love. And this mission crosses every boundary: ethnic, political, generational, and cultural. And it begins, guess where? Right where you are. Right where you live. At your house. Your workplace. Your school, your neighborhood, the city you're a part of. That's your mission field. Acts 1.8. Jesus again speaking, you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in Judea, a little further out, in Samaria, a little further out, and to the end of the earth. The call is clear. Everyone needs Jesus. Do you believe that? When's the last time you actually lived like it? Woe is me. I don't like the conviction that comes with it for me. Everyone needs Jesus, and we're the ones called to go. I want you to see the power behind the mission before we wrap it up. And lo, Jesus is saying, look, pay attention. I'm with you always, even to the end of the age. But in the context of what he's talking, yes, he's with us as Christians, always. But the context here is you have my authority and you have the mission I'm giving you, and I'm with you as you do this. This promise actually sustains the church's mission. Jesus goes with us. You are never alone when you share the gospel. You don't have to summon your own strength. You're actually empowered by the presence of Christ Himself through the Holy Spirit who lives within you. That's why you can actually boldly witness, humbly, but boldly. That's why we actually, as a church, sinned. That's why we go, that's why we speak. Not because we feel ready, but because he is with us. Imagine you're on a ship. You're on a ship. For most people these days, and

Rescue Ship Church And Personal Challenge

SPEAKER_02 16:05

it's not their fault in and of themselves, we've trained people this way. For most people, church feels like a cruise. How many of y'all like going on cruises? I know some of you do. Some of you go a lot on cruises. Patty and I have been on three or four. For most people, church feels like a cruise ship. Comfortable seats, for the most part, entertainment, and staff serving your every need. It's about relaxing, consuming, and being catered to in most churches. But a biblical church isn't a cruise ship, it's a rescue ship. Because the waters around us are full of people drowning and struggling and gasping and perishing and lost. Look, they don't need our entertainment, they need a lifeline. They don't need a show. They need a savior. They need a savior. So you you were not, you were saved and brought aboard, put it that way. Not to find a deck chair, but to man a lifeboat. How's that land? Your role isn't just to ride out this journey to heaven. I don't care how old you are. It's to go back into the storm. It's to go back into the waves and bring others in. To help do that in some way. We're going to explore this more in the coming weeks as we consider our future as a church. Who we're going to be. Jesus didn't save you to sit, He saved you to send you. How will people believe if they never hear? Romans chapter 10, verse 14 and 15 say that. It says, How shall they call on him in whom they've not believed? And how shall they not believe in him of whom they've not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? That's you, preacher. And how shall they preach unless they're sent? You're the one sent. You're the one called. You carry the mission of the message of reconciliation. Don't keep it to yourself. Step confidently into the mission. You carry the message of life. So don't let fear. I'd say most of us aren't all that afraid, but I'd say a whole bunch of us are probably apathetic. From the pastor on down. It's time to stop letting apathy stop us from speaking out. I would say to you, begin where you are and let God and then and then go where God guides. You don't need to wait to be used by God. Share what you know. Point others to the one who saved you. Let your story open the door for the gospel. And again, if you're not a genuine follower of Jesus, you're hearing good news today because someone has accepted the mission. God is calling you to be reconciled through his word and through his people. So don't wait. Come to Christ today. Turn from your sin and trust in Jesus. Ask him to save you now. Right now. We started with a very straightforward and, but I think life-changing question. And it's this why do we share the good news? Well, now we know the answer, biblically. It's because we've been reconciled to God. It's because we've been given the message of reconciliation. It's because we've been sent on a mission backed by the authority of Jesus and empowered by his presence. And so evangelism isn't about personality, it isn't about perfection, but it's about participation in God's great plan to save the lost, to save lost people you know. And you are part of that plan. You're not just saved from something, you're saved for something. God didn't just change your destination. He actually gave you a new path. He gave you a new purpose. I want to remind you: you are a new creation. You are an ambassador. You are a disciple maker. You are a gospel bearer. You are sent. I want you to think right now. Think right now about the person who shared the gospel with you. Who was it? Was it a friend? Was it a parent? Was it a pastor? A teacher? Now imagine if they'd stayed silent. Imagine if they decided it's not my job. Oh, I don't want to offend anyone.

SPEAKER_01 21:25

Or I'm too afraid. Aren't you glad they spoke? Aren't you glad they told you? Now it's your turn.

SPEAKER_02 21:40

Who will be glad? No, you didn't stay silent. You carry the most excellent news the world has ever known. Don't hide it. Don't keep it to yourself. Don't lock it away.

unknown 21:55

Let it out.

SPEAKER_02 21:57

Let it out. Speak up. Invite, share, testify, plead. Be an ambassador for Christ in your family, in this community, and to the ends of the earth. If that's how God is calling you. And you are not alone. Jesus said, I am with you always. So that you are not without power. The Spirit lives in you. You are not unqualified. You've been made new. You are not uncertain. The message is clear. So go. Speak. Send. Serve. Tell. Because the world needs to hear.

How To Support And Connect

SPEAKER_02 22:35

And we have the only message that saves. To God be the glory.

SPEAKER_00 22:43

Thanks for listening to Foundations of Truth with Dr. Timothy Mann. If you'd like more resources or to listen to this program again, go to first foundations.org. You can also listen weekdays at 10 a.m. on 990 a.m. 101.5 FM for Word, Orlando, Florida. We are a listener-supported program. Your donations on the air. You can do the tip right now at first dash donations or Dr.

SPEAKER_01 23:09

TimothyMann. And if you are a regular listener to the program, I would like to speak specifically to you right now. I would appreciate it if we could hear from you. Send me an email at TimothyMann at FirmDash Foundations.org. That's TimothyMan at FirmDash Foundations.org. I would love to know what is gonna help to you. What you'd like to hear more of. I just get to know you a little more. So feel free to reach out. I'd like to hear from you very much publish you. Before we close today, I want to tell you about resources. I believe it's anyone helped you. I've recently published my first book studies. Understanding us working out. Over 30 years of astrologistry work questions. I think more than almost any other is this. That deserves a careful answer. That is exactly what this book is idea. If you want to understand something working, please stand on your face. Understanding God's work is Dr. Timothy Matheus strengthens your face. Thanks for being with us today. God bless you.

SPEAKER_00 24:23

You've been listening to foundations of five teaching ministry of Dr. Timothy Man. Thank you so much for listening to Grassworth for our face. The word of God stands forever.