Go: Growing From One to the World (Jn 6:51) Chris Altrock, John Chen, David Ralston, Lawana Maxwell – May 8, 2016

The World

Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist. His research is foundational for the way we understand how humans grow up. I majored in psychology in college and studied Piaget. He believed that we mature through four stages. I want to quickly describe those four stages. I want to just focus on one aspect of those stages – the way the children slowly move from just being concerned about themselves to also being concerned about others in the world around them.

• In stage one, children are almost totally self-focused–so much so that they believe people and objects in the world cease to exist when they go out of sight. That’s why it is so alarming when Mom or Dad or their favorite toy seems to disappear even though it’s just under a blanket or behind a door!
• In stage two, children struggle to take the perspective of other people. They are likely to end up in conversations like this:

• In stage three, children begin to realize that not everyone shares their emotions, opinions, and thoughts.
• And in stage four, they finally become capable of beginning to enlarge their worldview.

You don’t have to study psychology or Piaget to understand the importance of this. The bottom line is this: we don’t begin life with the ability to think about others beyond ourselves. It takes time for us to develop the ability to think sensitively about the world around us. Some never seem to get there. For many of us, the greatest problem-person at work, at school or in our family is the person who has simply never learned to see beyond himself or herself, never really learned to consider the needs and perspectives of people beyond his or her world of one.

In fact, one of the greatest signs of spiritual maturity is the growth from a concern for one to a concern for the world. This is one of the important themes in John’s Gospel. Notice how often John and Jesus refer to the “world”:

• The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (Jn. 1:9 ESV)
• The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (Jn. 1:29 ESV)
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:16 ESV)
• Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12 ESV)
• As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (Jn. 17:18 ESV)

Again and again John and Jesus express concern for the whole world. To follow Jesus means that we too are called to care for the world.

As individuals we strive to continue to grow in this area. As a church we strive to grow in this area. That’s why we’ve engaged in missions in places like the Philippines, Ukraine and Papua New Guinea–because we’re called to care for the world. That’s what it means to be spiritually mature.

 

China

And that’s why have invested much time recently in China. For many years China has been “on the radar screen” of Highland as we’ve engaged in ministry to Chinese and others from Asia who have moved to Memphis. But about six years ago, after a period of prolonged congregational prayer, we discerned God’s call to invest in China itself.

John Chen is from China. After moving his family to Memphis several years ago, he came to Highland, learned about Jesus, came to faith in Jesus, and became a leader in Highland’s Chinese ministry. John, could you tell us why it’s important for Highland to focus on ministry not just to the world in general, but in particular to those in China? [No text available]

 

Hangzhou, China

Recently, Highland members John Chen, Clint Boyd, David Ralston, Lawana Maxwell and myself returned from a survey trip of Hangzhou, China. This is one of four cities which, after months of prayer and research, we have identified as potential sites for future work by Highland.

Lawana, could you give us your perspective on the city of Hangzhou and your recent visit there?

Hangzhou is a vibrant city, a city of marked contrasts just like every one of the cities we visited last year.  These contrasts are a reflection of the culture itself: a mix of ancient and modern, of centuries old traditions and new, western influences.  Hangzhou captured that perfectly for us.  Pictures of the city showing old and new.
Hangzhou is a city of 8 million.  It’s a major tourist city both now and historically and is also playing a significant role on a worldwide scale as it gets ready to host the G20 summit in September, when the political leaders of the top 20 countries in the world will meet there to discuss political and economic issues.
Our purpose in going to Hangzhou was to learn a little about the city in general but specifically to see what God would show us about the spiritual climate there.  We knew we had to squeeze as much as possible into 1 or 2 days there.  And once again, just like our trip last year, we were struck by how intently people of all ages and from different walks of life are looking for God and something to fill the spiritual void.  Let me share some of the things we witnessed.

1. One of the places we visited was the Lingyin Buddhist temple , which is 1600 years old. While we were there, we were able to witness one person after person – men and women of all ages – walk up to burn incense and bow in prayer to Buddha.  This was not planned, but we were also able to see for ourselves Buddhist monks praying and chanting as they worshipped Buddha.
2. Then we visited the Chongyi government sanctioned church where 10,000 members gather on Sundays to worship. This is believed to be the largest Protestant church in China.  These are Jesus believers. Clint and Linli Boyd are members here at Highland and Linli’s parents attend this church in Hangzhou, which is officially recognized by the government.
3. That same night we gathered with a tiny house church in a small apartment to spent time in worship.  This house church is tucked away in a huge apartment complex that we found after winding through several streets and alleyways. Gathering together for them is illegal but they gladly do it because of the joy and hope they have found in Christ. This is a house church of around 12 – 15, mostly women. These are our sisters. They are led by Frank, who has a full time career and leads the church in his spare time. What we have found is that many house churches have few interactions with each other and very few have more mature Christians to help them go deeper in their walk, so what they need more than anything is encouragement and more teaching in the Word.  You could not find more devoted and joyful Christians than the ones we have seen in these house churches.

I used to think of China as just a place on the map, but now I know and I’ve experienced that China and Hangzhou are made up of people. People created by God and where God is alive in so many of their hearts. David is going to tell you about 1 sister that we grew to love in our short time there.

David, could you give us your perspective on the city of Hangzhou and your recent visit there? [No text available]

 

Outreach Contribution

One of the greatest signs of spiritual maturity is moving beyond just a concern for one to a concern for the world. That’s why China matters. That’s why the 30 ministries funded through our biannual Outreach Contribution matter. Each year we fund these 30 outreach ministries through two Outreach Contributions. These ministries touch lives in Memphis, throughout the United States, and across the world. You can find a complete list in the Go brochure at the Go Center.

This fiscal year we committed approximately $400,000 toward these ministries. We took one Outreach Contribution toward that goal last November. You gave very generously. To complete our commitment of $400,000 we need to raise $126,000 next Sunday. That’s about 3.5 times what we give on an average Sunday these days.

Jesus reminds us that sacrificial giving is essential to gaining a heart for the world:

And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (Jn. 6:51 ESV)

Jesus cared so deeply for the life of the world that he would give his own flesh. Next Sunday we are asking for far less. We are asking for your gift of 3.5 times what you give normally. But even that gift will be for the life of the world. It will enable us to continue to take steps toward China. It will keep funding the good work we’re doing in the PHilippines and in Ukraine and in Papua New Guinea. It will invest in the life-changing ministry of HopeWorks and Agape and FIT. It will be your way of continuing to grow into people concerned not just for one but for the whole world.