1 Corinthians 9:19-23 “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
This last Sunday, Pastor Obie continued in our church’s sermon series through the Epistle of the Apostle Paul – 1 Corinthians. There is an old saying: When in Rome, do like the Romans do. Pastor Obien told the story of British Missionary to China – James Hudson Taylor, who stated: “Let us in all things not sinful become like the Chinese that by all means we might save some.” Likewise, the Apostle Paul lays out His main motivation for doing what does as” “I do it all for the sake of the Gospel.” The gospel means “the “Good News” to reach the lost in sin for salvation.
The Gospel includes the history of the miraculous birth, the sinless life, godly redemptive actions, the atoning sacrificial death on the Cross in the Sinners place, the death defeating resurrection, Divine ascension and life-changing doctrines of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world; a revelation of the grace of God to fallen man through a Mediator, including the character, actions, and doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ, with the whole scheme of salvation. Jesus himself tells us in John 3:14-17 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” There is no greater news than that eternal message. This is why the Apostle Paul does what He does and lays aside his liberties and Rights so that he can become all things to all people for the sake of the Gospel of Salvation. We are called to do likewise. But, how?
Pastor Obie gives us four Steps to be all things to all people for the sake of the Gospel. The first step is to be strategic with your relationships. God has placed specific relationships in your life for a purpose. Even though the Apostle Paul was free in Christ from the Law and traditions (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ), he decided to act and live in a way that was appropriate and respectful considering the local customs and traditions. He related to the people outside the Law of God, but would not compromise to the point of sinning against God’s Law. It was very important that he would be like them, but not sin like them. He was very thoughtful in his strategy, identified and planed out how he would appropriately interact with the different relationships he had in his life without sin; being a strategizer, not a compromiser. So, what does that mean for us today?
There are three ways to be strategic in our relationships; identify, pray & plan. (A) Identify – Recognize, take an inventory and be intentional with the consistent relationships that God has placed in your life. (B) Pray – Pray for them. Talk to God and seek His guidance in your relationships, and that God would be working in their hearts to be open to the Gospel message for their redemption and reconciliation through Christ. (C) Plan – Be intentional and conceive how to deepen your (family or friend) relationship with them to share the Gospel with. Start building relational bridges; being all things to all people; being the best that you can be.
Let's continue Pastor Obie's message on "being all of all for the Gospel" in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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