The Call of the Cross

Intro: Paradox and the Christian Life

1. The Call of the Cross to Willing Suffering

A. Jesus' Pattern & Promise

B. 2 Illustrations

C. Are you embarrassed by this call?

D. Are you distracted from this call?

2. The Call of the Cross to Faithful Dying

John 16:33 — "In the World you will have tribulation…"
1 Cor. 1:23 — "…we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles."
Von Moltke — "Dear heart, my life is finished. This doesn't alter the fact that I would gladly go on living and that I would gladly accompany you a bit further on this earth. But then I would need a new task for God. The task for which he made me is done."
Chesterton: "Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live, taking the form of a readiness to die."