OPENING PRAYER
Father of mercy and grace, open the doors of salvation to the nations that are resisting the gospel of Jesus.
BIBLE PASSAGE:
[19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
[20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
[21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
[22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
[23] And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
MEMORY VERSE
[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:20
INTRODUCTION
Cross-cultural missions involve connecting with people whose culture is different from our own. Thus, we need to make efforts to remove the barrier between the gospel and the people we are ministering to, without changing the gospel message or changing who we are. The gospel should be communicated in a manner that is clearly understood in the culture and worldview of those who are intended to hear it.
Apostle Paul in the scripture according to 1 Corinthians 9, says he himself lived diverse life style for the sake of the Gospel just so he could win souls to Christ, he lived as a servant to many so he could bring them to the feet of Christ with easy, he wasn’t in anyway a servant to them, but he humbled himself to become a servant just so he could win those in high and powerful places to the kingdom. He wasn’t genetically a Jews, but he lived like Jewish; dress like them, eat what they eat even when it is not palatable with himself, became a nobody, dress like a nobody, lived like a nobody to gain those who were nothing and did not matter.
Becoming a cross-cultural missionary take more than we can even explain, sometimes takes learn their language, their local or familiar dialect, living in the dungeons, sometimes suffer loss and hard times during this call.
OUTLINES
1. CHALLENGES OF CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-30, Apostle Paul mentions some of the challenges he faced as a cross-cultural missionary. They include persecution, hunger, shipwreck, rejection, and suffering from harsh weather conditions, infirmity, and so on (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). Missionaries are often faced with all these challenges and even more. Having to leave one’s family, friends, vocational identity, familiar environment, and, in some cases, modern conveniences to cross geographic, cultural, and/or linguistic barriers can be extremely challenging (Acts 22:2-3; Philippians 3:8). Many missionaries battle with serious health issues which affect their work in a negative way (2 Corinthians 12:9). Language and culture learning takes time and practice and this can be challenging as well.
2. STRATEGIES FOR CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
Anyone who intends to engage in effective cross-cultural missions must be ready to learn new ideologies, cultures, norms, values, language, etc. (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). Do not stick to a single style of communication but learn how to adapt to the culture of the people you are sent to. Never shift ground on your conviction of faith, despite the respect for the foreign culture (Galatians 6:1). Develop a friendship atmosphere among the people (Proverbs 18:24). Have a target of how many souls you want to reach and win for Christ within a particular period and do a periodic evaluation of the target (Daniel 12:3). Above all, be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:16).
As a cross-cultural missionary, Paul’s goal was to bring as many people as possible to faith in Jesus (1 Corinthians 9:22). He adapted his method and his language to the culture of the place where he was (1 Corinthians 9:20). He learned how to connect with different people so that he could be an effective witness for Christ (Philippians 3:5). In Athens, Paul spoke to the philosophers using their poetry to make his point (Acts 17:16-34). When he found himself among the Jews, he spoke to them using the Jewish Scriptures and history (Acts 13:13-42), but when he was among the Gentiles, he used the language and references they understood (Ephesians 3:6-8).
CONCLUSION
The missionary should be assured of God’s presence at all times and therefore be encouraged (Matthew 28:19-20).