Freedom to Be all Things

Introduction

One of the core values of Reliant the Word of God. We are Bible Believers: “The Bible is our final Authority for all life and practice.” I realize in making such a bold statement that it places me and even us in a certain “Echo Chambers.”

Say this with me, “We are Bible Believers. The Bible is our final authority for all life and practice.”

For some that statement will pit you against science.

For others that will say you hate the LGBTQ community.

For even others you will be accused of being a Republican.

The list goes on and on. We live is such a divisive country right now. Everyone has gathered up in these huddles that believe like they do and everyone else is wrong.

None of these statements are true by the way. But what really makes me sad is what people don’t know about the who we really are.

Lovers of God and lovers of people.

We are accepting of all people knowing they are all made in the image of God.

We desire to bring people to an everlasting relationship with their Creator.

We help those in need.

We care about the wellbeing of our community: lost or saved.

We believe God’s way of life is the best way of life and will save you from the heart aches of this world.

We believe in growth and development in order to achieve the best version of yourself toward God and humanity.

So, how do we close the gap of what people say about us “Bible Thumpers” and what it really means to be a follower of Christ. Paul’s ministry as one of the first missionaries is key in this discussion. Paul was taking a brand new message and way of life to people that had never been exposed to it before. His job of was to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus. He knew that he had to become all things to all people so that he could win some. He knew he wouldn’t win them all but there would be some that would follow Christ.

What tactics did Paul use to enlighten and change the minds of people. Paul used his freedom in Christ to minister to others.

Passage Breakdown

1 Corinthians 9:19 ESV

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

Freedom allows us to serve in the Spirit of Christ.

Servitude out of obligation is a form of bondage or slavery.

Freedom creates opportunities to serve from the heart.

Financial Freedom affords generosity.

Freedom from sin affords grace.

Serving freely causes others to want to serve freely.

Mark 10:42–45 ESV

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Freedom allows us to become all things.

The Insiders (those under law.)

1 Corinthians 9:20 ESV

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.

Paul had a desire for his kinsmen to accept and follow Christ.

The Jews were stuck in a religious system but had missed the Savior.

When Paul entered a new town where the gospel had not been preached he would go first to the synagogue to preach the gospel.

He knew the way they thought and the things that were important to them.

He intended to find common ground from which to share his message of love from God.

He desired to persuade and challenge the status quo to bring some to the knowledge of Christ.

Modern Day Application:

We live in a place where most people were churchgoers at one time. Parents made their kids go to church until they could decide for themselves. More than likely, at some point, they "got saved" and baptized. The church is a set of rules and or morals by which they try to live, but they don't see the necessity to go to church to do these.

We must know how our community thinks and what drives their daily lives.

What is important to them? What holds value?

What is the ultimate goal of life, and how do they achieve it?

What is their view of God?

What common ground can we build on to share the gospel?

When I travel to share the gospel, it has been chiefly to the Muslim world. You must break down 5 pillars of their faith if they are going to hear the message of the gospel. As the pillars begin to fall to the truth, new thoughts can emerge and take hold. It is usually a long process.

We must find common ground and build relationships before sharing the gospel.

When I was in Iraq, my group traveled to a college town area where we wanted to start a church. That Friday, we went to the river where family and friends gathered. Some college students invited me over. We ate together, danced together, and became friends. Several of the college students became my friends on Facebook. One of them began to share his life with me, and I arranged a meeting between him and the missionary we had sent to that area and received Christ.

While we were there, we came upon a military base of American soldiers that we wanted to encourage. They were on high alert as we approached the gate until they knew we were American's. A young guard said, "What are you doing out here without an escort." Then he said, "There's something going on at the river every Friday. We think they are plotting something."

It’s easy to make wrong assumptions when you are an outsider looking in.

You must become vulnerable if you want the truth of any situation.

The Outsiders (those without law.)

1 Corinthians 9:21 ESV

21 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.

Paul also knew the beliefs of those outside the law in order to find common ground with them has well.

We call these “world views.” In Mentor Training we go over many of the current world views so we can understand the thought a process.

With the those under law we start with the Bible. With those without law we start with world view questions?

1. Who am I? 2. Where did I come from? 3. Why am I here? 4. What is my purpose in life? 5. Where will I go when I die?

The Weak (the helpless)

1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV

22 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.

Weakness is the inability to change the circumstances or situation around you.

In our weakness, God is strong.

When we were weak in the flesh, Christ died in our place.

You don’t win the weak by showing yourself better or stronger.

We have a terrible habit of hero syndrome. “Have no fear! I will save you.”

They don’t need a hero: they need a friend and a Savior.

You win the weak by first joining in the weakness and guiding them out.

Freedom allows us to fulfill the law of Christ.

John 13:34 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

I love because I am loved.

I forgive because I am forgiven.

I bear the burdens of the group instead of just myself.

I sacrifice for the good of others.

I have to preach the gospel to others as someone preached to me.

Galatians 6:2 ESV

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Paul’s tactics were simple

Go in with a servant’s heart and serve those around you.

Find common ground for friendship and conversation.

Share the love of Christ.

Next Steps

1 Corinthians 9:22–23 ESV

22 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. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Find the common ground that allows you to share the gospel.

Live in bondage only to the law of Christ.

Live under obligation to share the gospel.

Love one another with the love of Christ.

Bear one another’s burdens.

Share the blessings of the Savior.

Search out someone this week that you can serve.