Mission 04: The Cost of Mission
Orientate
I vividly remember in one of my high school assemblies an outspoken Christian senior asking all the Christians in the school to stand up. I’m pleased to say that I did stand up (maybe on the third call), but sad to admit that my face was burning in embarrassment as I was not pleased about being outed for my faith, especially when my friends were laughing at me.
Christians are the most persecuted group of people on earth (Source: The Guardian, 2019) and for many Christians around the world the decision to follow Jesus means being cut off from family, employment, and even facing prison and death. Being a Christian in a democratic nation such as Australia eliminates most of this type of extreme persecution, but it doesn’t mean that there is no cost. Jesus says that following him costs your entire life (Matthew 16:25). How come? In our reading today, Paul explains why he has given up his rights and freedom to become a Jesus follower and missionary.
Explore: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
19 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.
Journal
1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?
2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?
3. What do I need to do?
4. What does being a ‘slave to everyone’ actually mean? What does it look like in practice?
Reflect
Paul certainly meant what he says here about giving up his rights to an easy life in order to see people meet Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 11, he gives a list of all the dreadful things that happened to him due to his effort to share the Jesus story with everyone he could. He faced shipwreck, torture, prison, stoning... That’s just the start. It is quite the list.
You probably won’t find yourself being tortured for sharing your story about what Jesus has done in your life or for inviting someone to church, but you may very well find it difficult or embarrassing. There is a guarantee about Christian mission: some way or another, it will be costly. It will cost you time, reputation, money and even relationships. I (Dan) remember telling someone at my work in a media company that I was a Christian. They said to me, “How could you be so brainwashed?” They never treated me with quite the same respect again.
So why do it? Paul gives his answer: "So that I might save some." Christians don’t see mission as a dreaded obligation or annoying side-task. They are driven by a passionate love for those around them. We have a desire to see people saved from a life without God into an abundant life with him. The mission of disciple-making is the call to do whatever is necessary, whenever it is necessary, to help people follow Jesus.
Thankfully, there is another guarantee that Paul gives in this paragraph: bearing the cost of God’s mission means sharing in incredible blessings (1 Cor 9:23). I can assure you that there is nothing better than seeing someone you love come to trust Jesus.
Pray
Lord I know that sharing my faith is going to be costly at some point. Help me to be ready when the moment comes. Please place in me a driving passion to see my friends and family (and others I encounter) meet you. I will do whatever you want. Lead me on and show me what to do and say.
Respond
What are you scared of happening when sharing about Jesus? Why? Write it down and bring it to Jesus. Pray for freedom.
