Evangelism that Adapts!

Paul’s Use of His Freedom 

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Paul spends the first 18 verses of chapter 9 defending his right to make a living from preaching the gospel.  He uses Old Testament scripture and the exampjle of the other apostles to show that those who make a living by preaching the gospel should be supported materially by those who have received a spiritual benefit from it.  Despite Paul's position on this, he denies his own right to receive pay as he says he would rather preach the "gospel free of charge".  We don't know exactly how Paul had his expenses paid, but it seems most likely the early churches he started provided the means for him to travel.

Paul uses the theme of freedom to show that he is also free to relate to different people in different ways in order gain a hearing for the gospel.  As you can see the gospel is always front and center of Paul's decision making.  To the Jews he would use concepts in the Old Testament make his points.  Though he was not under the Law he certainly knew what it was all about, being a Pharisee before he was converted.  Paul could also relate to those who did not have the law, because he was freed from being in bondage to the Law when he was converted to Christ.   

So what does this mean for us?  The old model of the church was, "If we build it they will come."  All our church has to do is open its doors and the people will come rushing in.  And while in a previous era this may have been true, it is no longer true.  We have gone from a "churched" culture to an "unchurched culture". So we need new strategies to connect with our neighbors and introduce them to the Good News.  If you are trying to reach a friend or neighbor like Paul, you are probably going to have to "become like them" in some way.  Critically this does not mean compromising your Christian values. You can be "in" the world and not "of" the world.

It's time my friends to be "all things to all people" so that we might win some.  Paul's strategy, which he modeled for the early church, helped the church to grow in places where the gospel had not been preached.  Let's be like Paul and become all things to all people so that we might reach some.  Note it does not say reach "everyone", but "some".  We can't control people's response to the gospel but we can plant a seed that God can make grow.