Vision for Mission: Nurturing an Apostolic Heart

58

Vi s i on for Mi s s i on: Nur tur i ng an Apos to l i c Hear t

suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

1. Christ selects his messengers with a full knowledge of what they will have to endure for his name’s sake.

2. Christ already knows the extent of the struggle we must endure as his messengers.

3. It is a high honor to suffer for the name of the Lord (e.g., Acts 5.41 – Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.)

C. As soldiers of Christ, we are to endure hardship for the sake of his honor and glory.

2 Tim. 2.1-3 – You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2 Cor. 8.9 – For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 1 Pet. 4.1-2 – Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

1. We are good soldiers as we suffer hardship for the sake of Christ and his Gospel.