David and I took a long awaited anniversary trip to the Ohio Amish country for a few days. It is our happy place for a number of reasons, but primarily because the simplicity of life there allows the hecticness of our lives to be reset. I’ve struggled with my mind shutting down, way too many thoughts… way too many directions of thoughts. But one direction has been forefront in my mind for 28 years… church.
The local body of Christ for which I serve with. I love them. Not only my own church, but they of course are who I serve with and have the greatest concerns over. I’ll call them my Romans 16 relationship. As I read through Romans 16, I imagined writing as Paul did, the list of salutations to the saints. I could put the names of church members into the list of Paul’s mentioning of saints and what they’d done to encourage him in the Lord.
Romans 16:1-27 KJV – 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
Succourer of Many
Succourer was defined in a commentary as a “patroness of many of the saints in necessity and distress.” Although it’s hard for us in America to identify with the necessity and distress of Paul’s day we have versions of our own. We live in a world filled with heartaches, diseases, abuse and the lists go on. Any given Sunday a suffering saint arrives at the churches in our towns needing compassion. Needing a Phebe. Are you such a one?
There was one from the church I grew up in who called me last night to check on my Mother. Her voice on the phone is like a warm blanket in the winter. She is such a comfort to the saints. Just a phone call, but it was made to succor her friend in knowing that they were prayed for and cared for. Is there someone you could call?
Helpers in Christ Jesus
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
Priscilla and Aquila were a husband and wife team who served with Paul. They opened up their home to hold services, which no doubt put them at great risks for persecution. One of the many convictions in my life is that I don’t do more entertaining of saints in my home and encourage pop up bible studies. As a new convert that was such a vital part of my growth. I learned as much outside the church as I did inside. Our lives are our ministries. I’ve heard it said “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” How can they, without actions in our lives to prove it. I don’t know what Achaia did to win Epaenetus to Christ, but he obviously did something to warrant a mention in Paul’s letter to Rome. When have you invited someone to your home and share what God is doing?
These questions are question for my self as much as the reader.
Labourers for Christ
6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
There are for certain those who labor for Christ in the church; many of whom go unseen and seldom if ever acknowledged. That’s not why they do what they do, but accolades go much further than you think when someone is serving Christ and is often tired. I would imagine that Mary’s labor would have been providing meals, perhaps opening up her own home, fiscally responding to the churches needs. The work can be very physical labor. There are a few women in our church that have labored this entire summer to create beauty throughout the church. I doubt that was the case with Mary, but their efforts show that the people of our church care about the structure of the church as well as the body of Christ. Both are important!
Prisoners in Christ
7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
How far are we willing to go for Christ? To prison? Would you? I doubt any of us have had to face that problem, but we don’t know what the future holds. In 1 Peter 3:15-17 Peter says “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: [16] Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. [17] For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”
Paul, Andronicus and Junia had that fervor of the Spirit, in that they all went to prison, rather than denying Christ. This too was not as in today’s standards. There were no posh prisons in Paul’s day. They were crude and demoralizing, and the men of that day were willing to suffer at the hands of the evil ones rather than cower to them. We need strong men (and women) in our churches today. Forget going to prison, they won’t even go to board meetings and defend the gospel. But rather they allow them convert and pervert doctrine to accommodate the sins of the world. Do you know where your church stands on the hot topics of the world today? Homosexuality, transgender, sex change operations, abortion? Are we protecting our children and defending the Word of God that is clear on such matters? The threat of prison is ever looming in the minds of our wicked government to make it illegal to defend the gospel. It’s a question that we all may face if the Lord tarries His return.
Chapter 16 continues with more accolades of the saints of Jesus and friends of Paul. But in verse 17 Paul changes his tone, and reminds us that not all churh folk have good intentions. 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
This message was a real bell ringer for me. Paul’s closing words to the Romans are needful today as they were then. Same battle. New Day. Are you Ready?