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  GOING OUTSIDE THE CAMP
  by William MacDonald
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Summary: William MacDonald emphasizes the necessity of following Christ
outside the confines of earthly religious systems, embracing the
reproach that comes with true obedience.

Topics: "Following Christ", "Reproach of Obedience"
Scripture References: Genesis 49:10, Psalm 50:5, Matthew 10:34-39, John 15:18-19, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 3:20, Colossians 3:1-2, 2 Timothy 3:5, Hebrews 13:13, 1 Peter 4:14

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DESCRIPTION
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William MacDonald emphasizes that Christ is the sole gathering center
for His people, urging believers to move away from earthly religious
systems that dishonor Him. He explains that going to Christ outside the
camp means leaving behind the prestige of traditional church
associations and embracing the reproach that comes with true obedience.
MacDonald challenges Christians to consider whether they are willing to
bear this reproach for the sake of following Christ, who calls them out
of the world and into a deeper relationship with Him.

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CONTENT
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Â"Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his
reproach.Â" (Heb. 13:13)

We learn first from this verse that Christ is the gathering center for
His people. We donÂ't gather to a denomination, a church, a building or
a great preacher but Christ alone. Â"Unto him shall the gathering of the
people beÂ" (Gen. 49:10). Â"Gather my saints together unto me; those
that have made a covenant with me by sacrificeÂ" (Psa. 50:5).

A second lesson is that we must go to Him outside the camp. The camp
here has been defined as Â"the whole earthly religious system adapted to
the natural man.Â" It is the religious sphere in which Christ is
dishonored or downgraded. It is the pagan monstrosity that masquerades
today as Christianity, Â"having a form of godliness but denying the
power thereof.Â" Christ is outside, and we must go out to Him.

We also learn that meeting to Christ alone outside the camp involves
reproach. It seldom occurs to Christians that there is reproach
connected with obedience to the Lord in the matter of church fellowship.
More often church associations carry a measure of prestige and status.
But the closer we get to the New Testament ideal, the more likely it is
that we will have to share His reproach. Are we willing to pay that
price?

He called me out, the Man with garments dyed,

I knew His voiceÂ--my Lord, the crucified;

He showed Himself, and oh, I could not stay,

I had to follow HimÂ--had to obey.

It cast me outÂ--this world when once it found

That I within this rebel heart had crowned

The Man it had rejected, spurned and slain,

Whom God in wondrous power had raised to reign.

And so we are without the camp, my Lord and I,

But oh, His presence sweeter is than any earthly tie

Which once I counted greater than His claim;

IÂ'm out, not only from the world, but to His Name.

Selected

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/william-macdonald/going-outside-the-camp/
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