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

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Ses s i on 6: A Ca l l to Ser v i ce

and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?

3. This call to deliverance, holiness, freedom, and covenant community was intended to make Israel a light to the nations , the instrument of God’s declaration of salvation to the nations.

a. Isa. 9.1-2 (ESV) – But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. [2] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. b. Isa. 60.1-3 (ESV) – Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. [2] For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. [3] And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 4. Israel was to serve as a Lighthouse for the nations: by fulfilling God’s covenant, Israel would become God’s ambas sador to the Gentiles , Isa. 49.6 (ESV) – he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

B. Principles for the people of God today

1. The Already/Not Yet Kingdom: the people of God in the age of the Spirit