Special guest Mark Phillips joins us this week for a look into missions work. [powerpress] John 12:20-26 (ESV)
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 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.
We’ll miss out on what God has invited us into when…
- We misunderstand the mission of God. (vv. 20-23)
- False assumptions:
- Missions is for missionaries.
- Missions is what happens over there.
- False assumptions:
- We misunderstand the method of God. (vv. 24-26a)
- False assumptions:
- Suffering is not God's plan for us.
- Suffering is not normal.
- False assumptions:
- We misunderstand the reward of God. (v. 26b)
- False assumption:
- Obedience makes my life better now.
- False assumption:
Parent Connection Questions:
- What do you think it means to be a missionary?
- Who are some people in our family and among our friends that need to hear the Gospel? What are some ways we can begin to talk about Jesus with them this week?
- If I told you we had to leave our house never to come back, what one thing would you want to take? Why is that thing so valuable/precious to you?