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

Session 7 A Call to Suffering Understanding an Authentic Call as a Call to Suffering

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

~ Hebrews 5.8 (ESV)

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, [30] engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

~ Philippians 1.29-30 (ESV)

When they had preached the Gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, [22] strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God. ~ Acts 14.21-22 (ESV)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ~ 1 Peter 5.10 (ESV)

At the outset of any study of spiritual leadership, this master principle must be squarely faced: True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. True service is never without cost. Often it comes with a painful baptism of suffering. But the true spiritual leader is focused on the service he and she can render to God and other people, not on the residuals and perks of high office or holy title. We must aim to put more into life than we take out.

~ J. Oswald Sanders. Spiritual Leadership . 2nd Edition. Chicago: Moody Press, 1994. p. 15.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

81