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

5. The certainty of glory: sharing Jesus’ reward

a. Rom. 8.16-17 (ESV) – The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. b. John 12.25-26 (ESV) – Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. c. 2 Tim. 2.10-13 (ESV) – Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. [11] The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; [12] if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him,

he also will deny us; [13] if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.

C. Case studies illustrating the call to suffering

The call to suffer is God’s summons for all his redeemed to share in the sufferings of his Son, Jesus Christ, in order that we may also share in his glory.

1. Gideon

a. Receiving and resisting the call, Judg. 6.11-15

b. Uncertainty about the wisdom of the call, Judg. 6.36-40

c. Getting confirmation about the right team, Judg. 7.2-7