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

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Sess i on 7: A Ca l l to Suf fer i ng

3. Enduring God’s discipline in the wilderness for unbelief and backsliding, Num. 14.26-35

4. Fighting in holy war against the enemies of God according to God’s means of consecration and blessing, Josh. 1.1-9

5. Persevering in fidelity to the covenant in the face of idolatry, oppression, backsliding, and error, Josh. 24.14-24

B. Principles for the people of God today

1 Pet. 4.12-16 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. [16] Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

1. The place of lowliness: sharing Jesus’ mind , Phil. 2.5-8 (ESV) – Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, [8] he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

2. The struggle against evil: sharing Jesus’ fight

a. Matt. 10.24-25 (ESV) – A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. [25] It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

b. Matt. 12.30 (ESV) – Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.