The Mission We're On

    For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
    For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 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. 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. 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. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

(1 Corinthians 9:16-23 ESV)

Remember from the RightNow video when they define what a missionary is?

"A missionary is not defined by where you go, but by the mission you are on"

Having grown up as a missionary kid in Ecuador I've seen a lot of short-term missionaries come and go.  Some do skits, others do projects, most give stuff to people.  I suppose the theme is always related to "Jesus loves you", but sometimes the message has a really hard time coming across.  When you read Paul's heart for the Gospel, the Mission he was on was a driving force that moved him into many different places and circumstances.  He was in love with the Word of God, with Jesus.

When Paul was converted, he had to turn his back on all that was once his life.  He couldn't go back home or back to work, his life had to radically change.  He followed Jesus anywhere.  This makes me wonder, how much do I love Jesus.  Have I turned my back on all the comforts and securities I want so badly to hide behind for the sake of Jesus being known to the world around me?

Paul said that he did it all for the sake of the gospel, that he would share in its blessings with all those to whom he preached.  Let's do this!

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What should the purpose of a mission trip be?
Who should be on a mission trip?
How do we become all things to all people that we might save some?
What must we DO to share the message of Christ effectively?