Week 3 – Jeff Maness – August 25, 2019
God uses unknown, unlikely and unworthy people to do unbelievable things for his Kingdom. That is good news because that is who we are. In this message we’ll be encouraged by how God used a number of different people mentioned by name in Romans 16 who were also unknown, unlikely and unworthy.
Glory — Unknown
Romans 11:36 36 For everything comes from him (God) and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
Main Scripture: Romans 16:1-16
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Romans 16:1-16 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me. 3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. 6 Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. 12 Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me. 14 Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. 15 Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. 16 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
Big Idea: God uses unlikely, unknown and unworthy people to accomplish unbelievable things for His Kingdom.
Romans 16:1-2 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.
The title of Phoebe as a deacon accounts for the first recorded ‘deacon’ by name in the history of Christianity. Phoebe is tied to a specific local church, Cenchrea, which makes her appointment a local function. “Minister” would be an acceptable translation in this regard. — Elizabeth McCabe
Romans 16:7 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did.
Romans 16:5b Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ.
Romans 16:6 6 Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit.
Romans 16:10b 10b And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus.
Romans 16:11b 11b Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus.
Romans 16:13 13 Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.
Mark 15:21 21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)
1 Timothy 1:12-17 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. 15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
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