February 8, 2009

Over the course of the past six weeks, I’ve had the questionable pleasure of distilling the essence and context of our Holy Scripture into rapid fire, 45-minute bullet point presentations.  Our Bible 101 classes look a lot like an episode of the Amazing Race.  Oh look, we’re in Paris. Was that the Eiffel Tower we just passed?  I don’t know.  I glanced down at the map for a moment.  Oh look, there’s the Palace of Versailles.  I don’t think so, we’re in Italy now!  So much to see, so much to learn, so fast a pace.  The good news is that if you don’t care for prophetic literature, no worries. In four minutes, we’ll be onto the psalms.  The bad news is that if you love the psalms, listen quickly, because at any second, we’ll be deep into the Gospel of Mark.  Having just sped through the Acts of the Apostles, I’m now preparing notes on the Epistles. 

With my mind on Paul’s letters to the early church, it seemed natural that this morning’s passage from Corinthians captured my attention.  Reading the words, I was reminded of the circumstances that caused the letter to be written and dispatched.  Seventeen years after the crucifixion, Paul, a former persecutor of Christian disciples, is now an avid supporter of the risen Messiah.  He has begun an impressive missionary career.  He arrived in the city of Corinth in 50 AD and in three years, he established a thriving Christian church.  This was no small feat because, at this time, Corinth was known as “sin city.”  The urban center sat on a protected harbor that attracted merchant sailors from Rome, Greece, Egypt and Palestine.  With trades’ people from foreign lands arriving daily, much cultural and religious diversity took root in the city.  Twelve different temples built to honor twelve different gods looked down on the people when Paul sailed into the port.  He selected Corinth because of its reputation as a wealthy center without culture, as a place of greed and superficial values, as a city where the haves ignored the have-nots.  Paul came to Corinth to bring good news and an alternative way of life.  For three years, he taught, preached, cajoled and encouraged. 

In the fourth year, he thought his work was done.  He surveyed the new church and thought the leadership was steady and skilled.  He looked over the congregation and determined they were well instructed and motivated.  He felt confident and proud and so he packed his bags and set off for Ephesus to replicate his successful efforts.  Within weeks, within weeks, he received a letter from his devoted friends back in Corinth.  They reported that things are not so well.  All his teaching, preaching, cajoling and encouragement was unraveling.  Jews and Gentiles in the church are arguing endlessly.  The rich and the less well-to-do are at each other every week.  Love, acceptance, community, have been replaced with aggravation and suspicion.  “So, Paul, what do we do,” comes the plea jumping off the pages of the first letter.  In his long reply back, Paul takes each of their concerns and patiently leads them back through the message of Christ.  Dear ones, this is how our Lord would answer that question.  Beloved, don't recall my sermon on that very issue?  If you can’t call to mind my exact words, look to my example.  One of Paul’s favorite teaching techniques was to hold himself out as an example of converted living.  He told visitors, newcomers and long time members, “See, I was one of you.  Then I found the good news of Jesus Christ and now I live like this.  Emulate my behavior and you, too, will have abundant and eternal life!”  For every query, for every dispute, Paul had a “way of Christ” answer.

Not every answer pleased the Corinthians.  Not every response instantly soothed the discontent in the body.  Sometimes the church wrote back.  Are you sure?  Would Jesus really insist we do it that way?  Today, reading Paul’s direction on making proclamation, on becoming evangelists, we understand the Corinthians’ unease with his instructions.  He writes, proclaiming, “The Good News is an obligation laid upon me.”  “I am entrusted with this commission.”  “In order to save some, I must become all things to all people.  You must do likewise.  You must commit yourselves to proclaiming what you know about Jesus Christ to everyone, everywhere, every time.  And you must change your technique and message to suit each situation.  Become all things to all people.”

I’m not sure how these words resonated with the Corinthians, but I can tell you they don’t sound beautiful in my ears.  “Become all things to all people” comes across more like an indictment than a virtue.  The strategy seems completely hypocritical and more than vaguely political.  “All things to all people,” reminds me of the candidate who spoke to the United Auto Workers in the morning.  “We need to protect American jobs and support our unions.  We need to increase your wages and keep our factories local.”  Later, in the afternoon, he addressed the executives of Ford, Chrysler and GM saying, you owe your stockholders a profits.  You must be free to investigate opening factories abroad where labor costs are lower.  Being all things to all people is also reminiscent of the politician who told the NRA convention, the second amendment right to bear arms must be secured and upheld at all costs.  The next month, he addressed the Police Benevolent luncheon, saying we must get assault weapons off the street so the number of widows and orphans of officers killed in the line of duty diminishes.  “All things to all people,” seems an impossible charge and less than honest.  Is this strategy really what Paul believes Jesus would endorse? 

Hypocrisy is not a new age phenomenon.  Paul knew hypocrites.  Jesus knew hypocrites.  But rather than telling people what they want to hear to further one’s own agenda and increase one’s own power or wealth, perhaps Paul meant something else.  In his insistence on evangelism, or telling the good news of Jesus Christ to others, Paul is not advocating hypocrisy.  He is issuing a call to hospitality.  He tells the Corinthians, listen, when you want to introduce a new idea, a big concept to people, you express it ways they will understand and will likely accept.  You meet people where they are.  You don’t make them adapt to your ways right off the bat.  When you invite people for dinner and they’re vegetarians, you don’t make them eat steak.  When you host a dinner party, you offer a variety of beverages.  You don’t force tea drinkers to guzzle red wine.  Evangelism is an invitation.  Evangelism is expressing what you know and believe to be true about Jesus Christ.  This is good, positive information to share.  But, like all good news, the method of delivery is as critical as the message.  So, to be effective, you need to be insightful and alert.  Be patient and at ease.  Know something about the people you’re inviting to the good news.

Paul says, when I’m talking to Jews about Jesus, I talk about their traditions and Christ’s heritage.  When I talk to Gentiles, I emphasize the steadfastness and reliability of God as opposed to the capricious nature of the gods on Mt. Olympus.  When I’m with new believers, I tell simple stories of faith.  For people long in “the way,” I share theology that is more complex.  Whenever I evangelize, I’m like a good host.  I work hard to create a welcoming setting.  I guide the conversation to areas my guests know and appreciate.  I bring people together and encourage friendships and a sense of share values and interests.

With his insistence on hospitality, Paul makes two additional points concerning the Christian imperative to evangelize.  He says all believers are charged to express the good news.  If you are a believer, you must find a way to be a witness to your faith.  If you are reluctant or timid or unskilled, too bad.  No Christian is off the hook.  Some will be gifted in this charge.  Some will be less adept. All must find a way to share Christ’s message.  Remembering that making proclamation is not a competitive sport or a match to the death or even an elevated academic process, but an invitation to something you find encouraging and worthwhile, makes the obligation less daunting. 

Secondly, Paul tells us clearly, we invite many, we share with many, so that some may be converted.  Our charge is to share the good news.  God, Christ and the Holy Spirit determine the response.  We invite, we ask graciously, we welcome and create the hospitable environment.  The response is not our work.  We trust God’s province to move folk as they need

Our work is to determine how to be the best hosts.  Our charge is to issue invitations people will want to receive.  We decide whom do we know, what are they like, how will I share my faith in ways they will appreciate.  It is a funny and sad commentary on our evangelizing efforts when we will easily, happily, tell a new neighbor, you must try the Thai restaurant down the road, or you should go to my orthodontist, he’s the best in town, but we won’t say, I go to a great church with super, nice people.  If you would like to go with us some Sunday, we’d love to take you.  Paul tells us, you really must extend the invitation.  To believe in Jesus Christ, is to share this good news.

So, dear friends, slap an Episcopal shield on your car.  We have them available, for free!  Put one in your window, and then drive courteously!  Let it remind you, when you get in, when you get out, that you have an opportunity to evangelize, to easily, graciously invite folk to experience the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Meet people where they are.  Be open to all things.  Be a gracious host to all people so that some may be changed and share with you in God’s rich blessings.

Amen.