A Message by Pastor Michael Palmer

Given to Green Ridge Baptist Church

January 10, 2010

 

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE GOSPEL

Romans 16:1-16

 

This passage demonstrates to us the breadth and depth of relationship meant to be built as people serve the Lord and passionately labor for the Gospel together.  Today we are going to look at this wonderful list of names and the comments Paul makes about them.  Then we are going to reflect on our mission, our relationships, and how we need to adjust our lives in light of this passage.

 

I.    PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL—THIS IS TIE THAT BINDS!

 

1.    Phoebe (vss 1-2) – a servant of the church

·        Servant = DIAKONOS

·        The word “deacon” was not used here for the office of deacon; the context does not fit that usage.

·        We miss the point here when we go off into a major discussion of the office of deacon.  That discussion is further complicated because the office of deacon in some Baptist churches is not viewed scripturally (it is a partial ruling body as well as a serving body).  This mixture of elders and deacons is confusing.  There needs to be a delineation between the two.  We will discuss this more at another time.  Let’s return to this precious sister – servant – Phoebe!

·        Phoebe was a businesswoman of some type.

·        She was apparently a wealthy person and had financially supported the church.

·        She may have been a participant in the “arts” – her name means bright or brilliant.

·        The greatest thing said about Phoebe is that she was a helper of many.

·        She was traveling to Rome and was the bearer of the letter to the church at Rome.

·        Phoebe was held in high esteem by others.

·        Paul’s recommendation here was for the church to “receive her in the Lord.”

·        We ought to receive all who are “in the Lord.”

 

2.    Priscilla and Aquila (vss 3, 4, 5a)

·        They were called fellow-laborers (workers) with the great apostle Paul!

·        Paul met them on his first visit to Corinth.  They had fled from Rome when all the Jews were expelled by the Emperor Claudius.  Priscilla was a Gentile, but Aquila was a Jew.

·        Priscilla and Aquila were tentmakers like Paul.

·        They received Christ, and Paul stayed at their house in Corinth as he began his ministry there.

·        They risked their own lives for the gospel.  Apparently they had a sound knowledge of the gospel, great ability, and outstanding courage.

·        They were well known to the churches at Rome and elsewhere.

·        They had gone back to Rome and were now hosting “the church that meets in their house.”

 

3.    Epaenetus (vs 5) – his name means “praiseworthy”

  • He was the first convert to Christ in connection with the ministry to the province of Achaia.
  • It would be natural that he would have a special place in Paul’s heart.

 

4.    Mary (vs 6)

  • Who labored much = willing to grow weary in service

 

5.    Andronicus and Junia (vs 7)

  • Were saved before Paul was!
  • Distinguished as servant-leaders of the church – “who are of note”
  • They were not a part of the twelve apostles, but shared in apostolic spirit because they were a fruit of the apostolic ministry AND they may have actually seen the Living Christ before His crucifixion and resurrection.

 

6.    Amplias (vs 8)

  • “Whom I love in the Lord,” demonstrating the reality and depth of Christian friendship that had developed between him and others who may be obscure to us.  Paul was a man who gave himself to the people among whom he served and to those who worked alongside him.

 

7.    Urbanus (vs 9) = refined or elegant

 

8.    Stachys (vs 9) – my beloved – or my dear friend

 

9.    Apelles (vs 10) – approved in Christ

 

10.          Household of Aristobulus (vs 10)

  • This is the grandson of Herod the Great who lived in Rome and apparently died there.  Aristobulus was either not a believer or had died before Paul wrote, since he was not personally greeted.

 

11.          Herodion (vs 11) – my kinsman

 

12.          Household of Narcissus (vs 11) – who are in the Lord

 

13.          Tryphena and Tryphosa (vs 12)

  • Possibly twin sisters
  • Names meant “delicate” and “dainty”
  • But yet they “labored in the Lord” = they worked hard

 

14.          Persis (vs 12)

  • Labored MUCH in the Lord
  • The definite article suggests she was loved by everyone who knew her.  She may have been an older saint, since this work is spoken of in the past tense.

 

15.          Rufus (vs 13) = Latin for “red”

  • This is the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man who was made to carry the cross of Christ on the way to Calvary!
  • Rufus is referred to in Mark’s gospel.
  • He was well known to the church at home.  This was due to his fruitful service to the Lord and, of course in some part, because of his connection with the experience of his father and Jesus.  Certainly the Cross of Jesus Christ and the message of the Cross changed Simon and his whole family.

 

16.          “his mother and mine” (vs 13)

  • Somewhere along the way in Paul’s travels and ministry, Rufus’ mother had cared for the apostle as if he were her own son.

 

17.          Other servant-leaders Paul knew at Rome (vss 14, 15)

·        Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes (all in verse 14)

·        Philologus and Julia, Nereus (his sister), Olympas (all in verse 15)

 

GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH A HOLY KISS! (vs. 16)

 

 

II.   IMPLICATIONS OF ROMANS 16:1-16

 

1.    THE GOSPEL SHOULD COMPEL US TO BE OUTWARD TO THE LOST WORLD

 

2.    THE GOSPEL SHOULD COMPEL US TO LOVE THE BRETHREN

 

3.    THE GOSPEL SHOULD COMPEL US TO MAKE THE GOSPEL THE FOUNDATION FOR TRUE FELLOWSHIP . . . QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS

 

4.    WE NEED OTHERS – WE NEED TO BE A PART OF A TEAM IF WE ARE GOING TO BE TRULY EFFECTIVE FOR CHRIST

 

5.    THERE IS A DEPTH AND TENDERNESS THAT SHOULD DEVELOP AS PEOPLE WORK TOGETHER FOR THE LORD / HIS WORD

 

6.    AMERICAN CULTURE, CULTURAL CHRISTIANITY, AND AN AMERICANIZED (S.E. U.S.A.) UNDERSTANDING OF CHURCH WORKS IS AGAINST PAUL’S MISSIONAL / RELATIONAL BASED MODEL FOR CHURCH

 

7.    WE CAN AND MUST DEVELOP DEEPER INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

·        Use our Connect Groups as a “launch pad” for this

·        Open your home to others

·        Pray together

·        Do missional projects together

q     Visit others

q     Help others practically

q     Be a witnessing team together

·        Give some of your Friday nights to Jesus

 

 

What are we doing in our lives to develop relationships with God’s purposes at the center of them?  How many people could we name that we know with the depth that Paul shows us?

 

Let’s allow the call of God on our lives grip our hearts together as we serve the Lord.  What steps of action can you take to develop better Christian relationships as you walk together with Christ?