A Chance to Change the World: Part 2
Life can be an adventure, or life can be a bore. Life can be fruitful, or fruitless. God offers us the chance to do something eternally significant with our lives; to make a difference; to live life on purpose, with vision and vitality. From Romans 16 we get to learn from a man who lived like that. As he closes the letter to the Roman church he expresses four values that shaped his life and work, and are foundational for any healthy, fruitful church.
Romans 16:1-27
Personal Greetings
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you."
Final Instructions and Greetings
"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you."
Doxology
"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen."
3 Values for the Christian Community
1. Affectionate Unity
In this short text (but long goodbye) Paul uses the word Greet 22 times! He could have as he did in other letters said, and Great all the Brethren.
Paul uses the word Beloved 4 times and In Christ 11 times
They were united in 1 common family...they were united through Christ!
Also, in vs 17-20 Paul breaks back into teaching mode...about Unity!!!
Jesus died for the Unity of His Church!
John 13:35
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Ephesians 4 is also a great chapter that talks about Unity in the Body of Christ!
2. Teamwork
Paul listed off 28 people by name!
Paul understood that we are not in this by ourselves and if we go about the work of Christ alone, we will fail and fall flat on our faces!
There are no Superstars!...except Jesus Christ!
Every single person has a calling, a value, a purpose!!!
Still don't believe me?
Paul uses these phrases in writing to the Romans:
A. Fellow workers
B. Fellow Apostles!!!
Paul understood that we are all equal in Christ, but we all have different callings and duties! Each one as important to the work as the other!
We are all on the same level, we just have different jobs!
3. Perseverance
Staying in the Game...Day after Day, Week after Week, Month after Month, Year after Year...
We must continually ask, "Jesus, what is next? Lead us forward in what you have for us!"
The Church should never coast!!
We are workers...that is what we were designed to do.
We must stay engaged!
1 John 5:4-5
"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
1 Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Every Church should hold fast to this promise, and use is as one would a life verse!
I heard a story about a woman from Sao Paulo Brazil. A missionary had met her and noticed that she was wearing a small disfigured ring. He asked her about it and what was inscribed on it. She replied, when I was very young the government was in danger of being taken over. They asked people for money and jewelry so that they could afford an army to protect the city. Many gave even their wedding bands. But I as to young, so I offered them a silver brush that I had. In return they gave everyone a tin ring with the inscription: I gave my gold for the good of Sao Paulo, 1932.
We are called to give not just our gold, but our very lives to the cause of Jesus Christ!
In Christ,
David
Romans 16:1-27
Personal Greetings
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you."
Final Instructions and Greetings
"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you."
Doxology
"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen."
3 Values for the Christian Community
1. Affectionate Unity
In this short text (but long goodbye) Paul uses the word Greet 22 times! He could have as he did in other letters said, and Great all the Brethren.
Paul uses the word Beloved 4 times and In Christ 11 times
They were united in 1 common family...they were united through Christ!
Also, in vs 17-20 Paul breaks back into teaching mode...about Unity!!!
Jesus died for the Unity of His Church!
John 13:35
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Ephesians 4 is also a great chapter that talks about Unity in the Body of Christ!
2. Teamwork
Paul listed off 28 people by name!
Paul understood that we are not in this by ourselves and if we go about the work of Christ alone, we will fail and fall flat on our faces!
There are no Superstars!...except Jesus Christ!
Every single person has a calling, a value, a purpose!!!
Still don't believe me?
Paul uses these phrases in writing to the Romans:
A. Fellow workers
B. Fellow Apostles!!!
Paul understood that we are all equal in Christ, but we all have different callings and duties! Each one as important to the work as the other!
We are all on the same level, we just have different jobs!
3. Perseverance
Staying in the Game...Day after Day, Week after Week, Month after Month, Year after Year...
We must continually ask, "Jesus, what is next? Lead us forward in what you have for us!"
The Church should never coast!!
We are workers...that is what we were designed to do.
We must stay engaged!
1 John 5:4-5
"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
1 Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Every Church should hold fast to this promise, and use is as one would a life verse!
I heard a story about a woman from Sao Paulo Brazil. A missionary had met her and noticed that she was wearing a small disfigured ring. He asked her about it and what was inscribed on it. She replied, when I was very young the government was in danger of being taken over. They asked people for money and jewelry so that they could afford an army to protect the city. Many gave even their wedding bands. But I as to young, so I offered them a silver brush that I had. In return they gave everyone a tin ring with the inscription: I gave my gold for the good of Sao Paulo, 1932.
We are called to give not just our gold, but our very lives to the cause of Jesus Christ!
In Christ,
David
posted by Mark 1:17 at 12:18 PM
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