An Authentic Calling: Representing Christ and His Kingdom through the Church

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An Authent i c Ca l l i ng: Represent i ng Chr i s t and Hi s Ki ngdom through the Chur ch

D. Unique insights for spiritual leaders: How does the call to freedom affect and impact the leader called to edify and equip God’s people?

1. For those specially called, freedom in Christ must be defined in terms of self-death and unconditional availability to the service of Christ for the Gospel’s sake.

a. They must embrace the freedom won for us by Jesus Christ, 1 Tim. 1.12-16 (ESV) – I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, [13] though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, [14] and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. [15] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. [16] But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

b. They must demonstrate in their lives and experience the power of the liberty of the Holy Spirit, 2 Cor. 3.17.

2. This level of radical freedom serves the purpose of making those who have received a special call more able to become all things to all people, 1 Cor. 9.19-23.

3. The freedom of the leader is intended to allow them maximum flexibility and availability to God for the sake of service to others, 1 Cor. 4.9-13 (ESV) – For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. [10] We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak,