The document discusses the importance of reconciling with God through Christ, highlighting the message of salvation and the eternal rewards of living a life of faith. It emphasizes the role of believers as ambassadors for Christ, sharing their faith and the transformative impact of a personal relationship with Jesus. The text also reflects on the spiritual significance of suffering, perseverance, and the crowns promised to believers in heaven.

1. and Talking the WalkWalking the Talk

2. Three people died this weekInfluential… famous…. leaving a legacy

3. So did 131 other Rhode Islanders

4. Every one had connections

5. Each was loved by GodBut did they know it?

6. Was there some connection who knew Christ?

7. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 3:23Not knowing God results in deathWith ChristEternal LifeWithout ChristEternal Death

8. Walk the TalkTalk the WalkOur Responsibility2 Corinthians 5:14-21

9. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

10. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21(continued) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 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.

11. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. compelsconvincedlive for Him

12. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.reconciliation

14. …he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 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. AmbassadorMessage to tell

15. Ambassador1. a diplomat of the highest rank; accredited as representative from one country to another 2. an informal representative; "an ambassador of good will"

16. …Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.Philippians 3:20Citizens of another kingdom

17. We must live in both worlds, even though heaven is our real home, and where we will receive our eternal rewards.

18. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.Psalm 103:2-5We are figuratively crownedFor the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4

19. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.2Timothy 4:8We will be getting crownsBlessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:4

20. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27Not a perishable crown

21. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.Revelation 3:11 There will be trialsDo not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

22. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.1 Peter 2:9

23. John 4:4-42

33. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." John 4:39-42What was her impact?

34. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." John 4:39-42What was her impact?

35. What if…

36. With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:11-12Are you worthy of the crown?

37. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.Matthew 5:14-16

38. What if she had shared Christ with him?

39. He told them

40. They told others

41. All because one woman shared her faith

42. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18God is working in us

43. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.1 Peter 3:15Be ready to explain

44. I met ChristBEFOREI met ChristHOWI met ChristSINCEI met ChristYour Story, God’s Glory

45. A-B-C’s of SalvationAdmityou are a sinner.All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)BelieveJesus died for you."For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)ConfessJesus as Lord.“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

46. Who do you touch?

47. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads….Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”Revelation 4:4, 9-11What about that crown in heaven?

48. In the end, Jesus wears the crowns I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. Revelation 19:11-13

49. Who will be at the throne because of you you?How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?Romans 10:14Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.John 14:6