Paul's Motivation

For February 5, 2012

All Scriptures are from The Message Version
It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link
http://www.textweek.com/pauline/1cor9a.htm

Paul spent most of his ministry in some sort of conflict. He raised the ire of both Jews and pagans as he preached the gospel message, argued with other Christians about the Jewish dietary laws and the need to be circumcised, and suffered personal criticism from members of the congregations he help found. In this section of the letter he is dealing with discord among members of the Corinthian Church, urging them to avoid practices, in this case dietary, which might offend others. He uses his own example of not accepting financial support from the congregation for his work even though he strongly supports the obligation they have to do it for others:
1 Corinthians 9:16- 18 If I proclaim the Message, it's not to get something out of it for myself. I'm compelled to do it, and doomed if I don't! If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I'd expect some pay. But since it's not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don't even have to pay my expenses!

• Here Paul speaks about his motivation for proclaiming the gospel. What words stand out for you and what are the feelings and emotions behind his ministry? He is even more blunt in 1 Corinthians 9:1-2:

Haven't I been given a job to do? Wasn't I commissioned to this work in a face-to-face meeting with Jesus, our Master? Aren't you yourselves proof of the good work that I've done for the Master? Even if no one else admits the authority of my commission, you can't deny it. Why, my work with you is living proof of my authority!

• Where is Paul coming from in this argument? What is the essence of his view of the work he is doing in bringing the gospel message to Corinth? How do you picture Paul as he dictates these words to his secretary – demeanor, attitude, voice? Do you see the powerful feelings that are behind his long and demanding journeys to spread The Message?
• Do you react to his assertions? Would you have liked to be around him for any period of time?
• Do you feel all Christians have an obligation to share the gospel message with others? Paul felt personally called to do it, should we? What do you understand to be the gospel message we are to share? Have you ever done it? If so how did it work out?
• What do you think that people really might want to hear from us about our faith life? Will they necessarily immediately relate to the Good News or is hearing about other aspects of our faith journey a better path for building understanding among non-believers?
• We have all had the gospel message shared by someone with us, apparently effectively. What made the Christian faith something you wanted to commit to? Have there been persons who shared the message with you that you that was offensive or in some way made you uneasy? Is it bad to be made uneasy?
• What would have happened if you had not had the message shared with you? Would your life have been different? How so?

Paul continues with some comments about of his approach to sharing The Message:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

• What is Paul’s strategy to effectively share the gospel message? What does he really mean by this description of his approach to others? Does it involve any compromises? If so do you think that ends justify the means?
• Do you think that this is good advice for us as individuals? What are some of the plusses and minuses of taking this kind of approach? Did Jesus take this approach through the sometimes questionable (in the minds of his contemporaries) character of the company he chose to keep? Can you think of any examples of people who have chosen to minister to those who might be looked down upon?
• What is your response to the word evangelism? Does it have a positive or negative connotation to you? What is behind the feelings you have about this word? What has motivated you to share your faith in the past? What inhibits you?
• Where did the power behind Paul’s work come from? Do you think that that power and a similar call to share our faith comes to us from the same place?

Closing Prayer

Holy one, who makes all things possible, empower us so that we are truly feel free to share the story of our faith with those who need to hear it. Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Mark 1:40-45, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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