Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Sermon Series / Romans

Romans 16:1-24

INTRO: People love to be recognized for their accomplishments. But, then they don't, they often get mad or depressed.
  Rarely, however, are people recognized for their character. Paul was a rare individual who did just that in Chapter 16 in his letter to the Roman believers

      In this final chapter Paul demonstrates his love for people, his brothers and sisters in Christ. In this one short chapter he mentions 33 different people byname.  Isn't it amazing that Paul  could maintain so many affectionate relationships with his busy schedule? Imagine the amount of time it must have taken him to keep in touch with all those people.  Paul has once again set the example for us individually and as a church.

TRANS: Open your Bibles to Rom. 16 where we will find that God's church is a careful church..careful

I. To give encouragement to it's people (Rom. 16:1-16)
  In the first 16 verses, Paul greets 26 people by name and a few others not named. The names and the things that Paul remembers about them are not insignificant.  Each of these names belonged to people who meant a great deal to Paul and he acknowledges them by sending his greeting.

    A. Phoebe
         Paul begins by mentioning Phoebe and he says 4 specific things about her:
1. She is their sister in Christ, she was a believer.
2. She is a servant of the church in Cenchrea. The word for servant is also our word for  'deacon'. This verse  is the cause of
    much controversy in the church today. I really don't see the problem. Those of you who attended the Adult SS class on
    Leadership remember I showed that there really is no office of deacon in the Bible. A deacon is one who serves in any
    capacity in the church. Phoebe served the church, she was part of  the diakonon. The office of deacon came later in church
    history.
3. She is a saint, holy and separated unto the Lord.
4. She is a helper to Paul and others. She was willing to  help in whatever the need.

      Paul  tells the Roman church to receive her and give her any help she may need, as they would him. This is what Paul expected of all believers everywhere. Christians help and care for other Christians.

      Phoebe had the great privilege to have been selected by Paul..and by God, to hand deliver this wonderful letter.

ILL: The great biblical expositor Donald Grey Barnhouse said ' Never was there a greater burden carried by such tender hands. The theological history of the church through the centuries was in the manuscripts which she brought with her. The Reformation was in her luggage. '

      Yes, a great honor was bestowed on this woman of God, no doubt because she was a sister in the Lord, a servant of the church, a saint separated unto the Lord and a helper to all.

APP: Are these not character traits that we ought to be displaying as we carry with us the Living Word of God to those who most desperately need to hear it. What a challenge! What a responsibility!

TRANS: The rest of the individuals in verses 1-16 I would like to list according to how Paul remembers them..according to the character traits that best describe their life in Christ.

    B. Fellow Workers in Christ/Lord
      1. Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila, Urbanus

    C. Risked their lives
      1. Prisca and Aquila

   D. Hospitality (church meets in their home)
      1. Prisca and Aquila

   E. Beloved of Paul
      1. Epaenetus, Ampliatus, Stachys, Persis

    F. Hard workers in the Lord (to the point of exhaustion)
      1. Mary, Tryphaena and Tryphosa(dainty/delicate) Persis

    G. Kinsman (relatives or could mean fellow Jews)
      1.  Herodion, Andronicus and Junias

Note: 'outstanding among the apostles' is ambiguous in the Greek text. The clearest interpretation is that they were well
           spoken of by the apostles because of their character and faith in action. I don't believe they were apostles themselves.

APP: Think about this for a moment. If these people were relatives, and they were Christian before Paul, do you think they
         witnessed to him, perhaps during the time he was persecuting the church? Do you think their Christianity had an impact
         on Paul's conversion? If so, what does this say about witnessing to our family members..especially those who are
         antagonistic to spiritual things or who we think will never come to Christ?

    H. Approved in Christ
      1. Apelles, one who must have gone through some great  trial and was faithful to the Lord. Paul remembered it.

    I. Slaves
      1. Household of Aristobulus
      2. Household of Narcissus (who are in the Lord)

    J. A choice man in the Lord
      1. Rufus (A man of high moral and spiritual character)

Note:  Mark 15:21 . Rufus' father may have been the one who was chosen to carry the cross of our Lord. His sons,
           probably walked beside both he and Jesus on the way to Golgatha. Think of the impact that must have had on
           young Rufus.

    K. A godly mother
      1. Rufus' mother
          This was not Paul's mother but a woman who walked with God and was wise in the way of the Lord.

APP: How many of you mothers walk so close to the Lord that another believer, would come to you as a son or daughter
         seeking your help, and guidance?

    L. The Saints
      1. Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister,
          Olympas and all the saints and brethren with them.

      Nothing is said about them except that they are saints. as if that weren't enough. Oh that someone could say that of us. That our lives would demonstrate the qualities of holiness, obedience, faithfulness and consecration to the Lord.

      Finally Paul tells them to greet one another with a holy kiss. It is biblical to express our love and affection for one another even to the point of embrace and kiss. What a difference authentic Christianity can have on a cold and compassion-less world.

APP: How could Paul remember all those different people and the character traits that best describe their lives? Because he was always thinking of others and not himself.  This week, make a list of the people who have done something for you to bring you closer to the Lord. Write down what they did and begin to thank God for them.  If you can't think of anyone, then at least start serving others so that they can add your name to their list of people not to be forgotten.

TRANS: As Paul was remembering the love he has for the people he knows in Rome, his heart begins to beat quickly as he thinks that they, may be led astray by divisive people.

 So he lets them know that God's church is careful...
II. To give attention to problems (Rom. 16:17-20)

      One of Satan's strongest weapons is not an overt attack on the church but the subtle placing of a divisive person in the midst of the fellowship.According to the text, a divisive person causes division and lays stumbling blocks in the way of spiritual growth. They do that by : grumbling, complaining, criticizing, gossiping, arguing, being prideful, ambitious, unloving and teaching a different doctrine.

 What does Paul tell us to do with these people?
    A. Keep your eye on them
      -Mark those who are causing strife, and enmity in the fellowship.

    B. Turn away from them
      -Avoid them, remove yourself from them.
        -Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Robert  Tilton,  Benny Hinn, Peter Popoff, Frederick Price.

      -Why? Because they are not motivated by the Lord but by their own sinful desires.

Instead Paul tell them to...
    C. Be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
          He is saying I want you to know what is evil but you don't have to know it experientially or know everything about it. Instead, know and seek what is good, pure, right, holy and lovely. And the promise of God is that He will defeat Satan's work in your midst.

Next Paul tells us that God's church is careful...
III. To give honor to friends (Rom. 16:21-24)

      Paul had friends who loved  him.  Paul surrounded himself with godly individuals. Men he knew would be there for him. Men he knew would challenge and encourage him.

APP:  The company one keeps as a Christian speaks volumes of your character. The strength of your personal witness is often influenced by those closest to you.

  Let me challenge you..especially you men,  to have
  friends who are godly,
  friends who are fellow workers in ministry,
  who are saints, hard workers in the Lord,
  friends who can help you when in need,
  friends who will keep you from straying from what you have learned in Christ.
  Spend time with them.

      When the opportunity presents itself, take the time to recognize them for their contributions to your life and ministry.

  Paul took the time to allow his friends to say hello in the letter he was writing to the Roman believers. Do you take the time to recognize your friends for the contributions they have made to your life? I hope you do...I pray you will.

Trans: Last but certainly not least, Paul tells us that God's church is careful
IV. To give glory to God (Rom. 16:25-27)

  Although there is not enough time to get into that part of the text this morning, there is always time to do what Paul says...  to give glory and honor to God.