1 Corinthians 9: 20 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 I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

The good news of Jesus did not change in Paul’s preaching and teaching over the years. However, his METHODS for preaching and teaching changed regularly – depending on context. He understood the importance of presenting his message in the culture of the hearers in order to be effective.

The message was eternal, but the packaging was constantly changing.

This is a hard lesson for modern Christians to grasp. We tend to make our own preferences the priority, which is perhaps why so many churches are dying. This morning I’m wondering what it would look like for the church I lead to more fully embrace the lesson Paul is offering here.