constrained - Paul defines his church planting ministry as one in which he has little choice-a "constraint" or an inner compulsion; it is his destiny. Paul understands his work as "a charge of stewardship laid upon him." [1]

missionaries, church planters, & itinerants - Church planters and missionaries are a rare breed; seldom sedentary, these itinerants continually break new ground to offer the gospel. One of the most critical requirements is adaptability-the ability to discern clearly between culture and message. Here, Paul reflects that kind of adaptability. He writes that he can adapt to Jewish and non-Jewish culture alike if that will help earn him the right to share the gospel. He then moves over to "weak" Christians who struggle with guilty consciences over meat offered to idols. While among them, he too, becomes hyper-sensitive to their sense of right and wrong. The rule of thumb that guides such planters and missionaries closes verse 22: So I become all things to all people, that I may save some of them by any means possible. [2]

the learning curve? - For Paul, whatever advances the gospel is what governs his comportment . . . He goes to people, where they are, on their own terms. He does not require that they come to him or that they meet him on his own ground . . . He knows that the gospel bridges ethnic boundaries and works it power in whatever context. Paul’s is a noteworthy confidence that the gospel does not have to be protected by issuing it only in pre-approved containers. [3]

 

[4] What group especially are you aware of who need ours and God’s love? Those living in impoverished neighborhoods? The homeless? Certain ethnic groups? Small religious groups? Gays / Lesbians? Youth? Customer service clerks? Teachers?

How would you describe you "Gospel readiness" training program: a. I haven’t found the gym; b. I’m not sure I’m ready to be that adaptable; c. I’m ready anytime if only I had a team of people to train with me; d) I’ve run the race and I’m exhausted; e. I’m rarin’ to go.

 

The lesson reflects both Paul’s thinking about his calling-as being under orders, or as receiving a special mission rather than picking and choosing at a job fair-as well as how people with such missionary and church planting calls function in their fields of expertise.

What is true about the call of missionaries and church planters is also true about the call to follow Jesus: we all need to listen to our culture and to discern between culture and gospel, between tradition (local color and practice) and Tradition which we pass on faithfully from one generation to the next.

A sermon might explore the ways that we can meet people on their terms, meet them where they are in order to make the gospel more accessible.

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[1] Hans Conzelmann, Hermeneia Series: 1 Corinthians (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975), p. 158.
[2] John Paul Heil in New Proclamation 2002 (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002), page 271.
[3] The New Interpreter’s Bible X (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), page 911.3
[4] Serendipity Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Co., 1998), page 354.