Message: Missions: The Art of "Becoming” Speaker: Rev. Walter Lau

Sermon Passage ： Sermon Passage ： John 1:14; John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-8 Philippians 2:6-8

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, Philippians 2:6-8

7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:6-8

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8

Mission…refers to the total biblical assignment of the church of Jesus Christ. It is a comprehensive term including the upward, inward and outward ministries of the church. It is the church as “sent” (a pilgrim, stranger, witness, prophet, servant, as salt, as light, etc.) in this world. ~A biblical Theology of Missions~ ~A biblical Theology of Missions~

Missions is …the sending forth of authorized persons beyond the borders of the New Testament church and her immediate gospel influence to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in gospel-destitute areas, to win converts from other faiths or non-faiths to Jesus Christ, and to establish functioning, multiplying local congregations who will bear the fruit of Christianity in that community and to that country. ~A biblical Theology of Missions~

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Missions – The Art of “Becoming ” To Stay

People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care!

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, Philippians 2:6-8

7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:6-8

7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:6-8

Henri Nouwen with Adam Arnett

"My movement from Harvard to L'Arche made me aware in a new way how much my own thinking about Christian leadership had been affected by the desire to be relevant, the desire for popularity and the desire for power." ~Henri Nouwen~

Missions – The Art of “Becoming ” To Stay To Serve To Serve

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. ~Jim Elliott~

Missions – The Art of “Becoming ” To Stay To Serve To Serve To Sacrifice To Sacrifice