Read Romans 16
We ended our last series on our values and foundations as a church. I found this to be a fitting way to end my leadership time here at Enrich Life Church–to remind this church on what the values are, and who the foundation is. We focused our series on Acts 2 which was the beginning of the modern church. Throughout the book of Acts we see the birth and the spread of the church over a period 32 years. (From Acts 2-Acts 28:11-31, 30AD-62AD).
“Imagine what it would be like if the Book of Acts wasn’t in the Bible. You pick up your Bible and see the ministry of Jesus ending in the Gospel of John; next you read about a man named Paul writing to the followers of Jesus in Rome. Who was Paul? How did the gospel get from Jerusalem to Rome? The Book of Acts answers these questions. “A great New Testament scholar has said that the title of Acts might be, ‘How they brought the Good News from Jerusalem to Rome.”
–William Barclay
Romans was written by Paul later in his ministry life he had not made it to Rome yet but knew that the church had reached Rome and he heard about this movement that was beginning to pick up traction. Paul wrote Romans in 56-58AD.
“Paul was excited about being able to minister at last in this church, and everyone was well aware of that fact (Romans 1:8-15). The letter to the Romans was written from Corinth just prior to Paul’s trip to Jerusalem to deliver the alms that had been given for the poor there. He had intended to go to Rome and then on to Spain (Romans 15:24), but his plans were interrupted when he was arrested in Jerusalem. He would eventually go to Rome as a prisoner. Phoebe, who was a member of the church at Cenchrea near Corinth (Romans 16:1), most likely carried the letter to Rome.”
We get to witness something remarkable here: The church that started with one God/Man (Jesus) grew to twelve disciples, then to seventy disciples, then one hundred and twenty men praying in the upperroom and getting baptized in the Spirit has now swept across this land from Jerusalem, to Rome and then to Spain.
The Point: Keep on, Keeping on. Focus your whole attention, your whole existence on Jesus Christ, follow Him always and this church will keep going.
As Christians, we are called to obey God’s commands, to build community and to stick together in all seasons.
Romans 16:1-16 is amazing. God’s church has grown! Look at all of the teachers, pastors, servants (deacons), who serve God’s church in the city of Rome.
“What a remarkable chapter! In it Paul greeted at least twenty-six people by name, as well as two unnamed saints; and he also greeted several churches that were meeting in homes. He closed with greetings from nine believers who were with him in Corinth when he wrote the letter. What is the significance of this? It shows that Paul was a friend maker as well as a soul winner. He did not try to live an isolated life; he had friends in the Lord, and he appreciated them.”
–Bible Exposition Commentary
–Phoebe-the woman who carried Paul’s letter to the Romans from Cenchrea Cenchrea was the seaport of Corinth, so Phebe was probably won over to Christ during Paul’s year and a half of ministry in Corinth. The word “servant” is the feminine of deacon meaning she served the church
–Priscillia and Aquilla – A ministry couple who had a strong ministry presence in the early church. Paul had a strong and loving relationship with them. Priscilla corrects Apollos after he preaches the gospel, they also risk their lives to protect/ help Paul (Acts 18:1–3, 18–19, 26).
“–Andronicus and Junia – are called “kinsmen,” which may mean blood relatives of Paul, or only that they too were Jewish, possibly of the tribe of Benjamin like Paul. At one time they had been in prison with Paul. The word “apostle” here does not imply that they held the same office as Paul, but rather that they were “messengers” of the Lord. The word “apostle” has both a narrow and a broad meaning.”
–Bible Exposition Commentary
Notice how Paul is still keeping his community strong without being in close proximity to them. Paul wrote his letters to the early church because he loved the church, he had a relationship with many people who God was spreading His good news through.
Keep your eyes, your hearts, your soul, your mind, your strength, keep your whole being focused and in the presence of Jesus your Lord and Saviour.
“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.”
–Romans 16:17-23
General persecution from the Roman government started under the rulership of Claudius–Claudius outlawed Christians and barred them from citizenship in 52 AD. Nero would take control over the throne in 54 AD and he hated Christians–persecution intensified under Nero. Nero is the one who would later behead Paul and crucify Peter, it is said that he burned Christians alive and ornaments and hunted Christians. Christians were seen as disturbers of the peace whereas jews were not a disturbance.
Paul is writing this later during Nero’s reign to encourage the church and to remind them that God wins in the end, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” vs. 23
He begins this portion by telling the church to beware of false teachers, be careful of their appetites, they over eat, they are selfish, indulgent and sly. They come from within, stay focused, keep your focus on Jesus, on His word and the worship of the one true God of the Universe.
“Any church with the well-deserved reputation of the Romans, who stays on guard against both dividers and deceivers, will see God crush Satan under your feet shortly. We see that God does the crushing, but Satan ends up under the feet of believers. Of course, this will not ultimately happen until Satan is bound and cast into the bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1-3); but every victory God wins for us right now is a preview of that event.”–Enduring Word Commentary
Follow Jesus! For Jesus’ Glory Will Shine Through You!
How does something keep going? How does the church keep moving forward? God pushes it, God commands and calls it and His church then moves according to God’s call. The church must make that step, it must worship their Lord and saviour Jesus Christ together.
“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.”
–Romans 16:25-27
“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ…” vs. 25
Paul is reminding the readers of this letter about the power of God. In your time of persecution, in your time of darkness, of building the church in the midst of this complete oppression find your strength, your hope and your peace in Jesus Christ. Paul is also showing them that God is using him, Paul, to encourage God’s church with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The church is called to obey Christ and His commands, to give all of themselves to the glory and worship of Jesus. The result of that will be the gospel spreading around the world, new Christians being saved everyday and the church continuing to grow around the world.
“But now has been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all the 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.”
–Romans 16:25-27
The Point: Keep on, Keeping on. Focus your whole attention, your whole existence on Jesus Christ, follow Him always and this church will keep going.
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