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Home , Romans 16, Tryphena and Tryphosa

BELOVEDS. . Most of my beloved friends in life are the people who have labored side-by-side with me in the Lord’s work. Not just full time workers, but also hundreds of lay people who have put their shoulder to the plow and worked alongside Shirley and me. Tom and Cynthia in the Philippines. We labored together to keep a small seminary alive during some critical years. You never forget being in the trenches together. Or Robin and Nicola from Scotland. A businessman and a mom. They are beloved companions in the journey, now in full time ministry in England. Or Thomas who called us from India Thursday night, just to say hello. Beloveds with a similar passion for . And what can I say about the past 15 years? Hundreds of you who have become my beloveds because we share a common passion to know Christ and to make Christ known. Most of our beloveds are now in this family right here at OPC. Oak Pointe beloveds. The last year has just complicated our beloved list. Pastors and lay people from all over this city, who rallied around us in the EACH vision. When I walk into a room and see Dave Washington, or Chris Brooks, or Chris Lambert, or Doug Schmidt . . . a beloved signal goes off inside of me. They share the dream. They share the burdens. They share the heart. They have my back, and my front, and my sides! Beloveds. As I was writing this paragraph Friday morning, my phone buzzed with an incoming text message. It was from Lorenzo, a prayer warrior of the EACH movement. He wrote: “Bob, this is Lorenzo. I just wanted to send you this friendly reminder … God is always doing 7000 times more that we can see (1Kings 19:18). My family and I love you and we will stay on the mountain for the rain to come.” THAT is a beloved! If Paul lived today, he’d have a huge list of friends on his Facebook page. He knew thousands of people all over the Roman Empire. But he had a special Facebook category called ‘beloveds.’ He usually mentions his beloveds at the end of his letters. More than 30 are named in the final chapter of Romans. Paul sends greetings to his beloveds; he also affirms them in various ways. Like . . .

THE PROTECTRESS. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a in the church in Cenchrea. 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. Phoebe, a sister in the Lord and a leader, carried the letter of Paul to the at Rome. The word “deacon” generally means “servant;” but in the early church it also became an official position in the church. Paul commends Phoebe not only as a deacon, but as one “worthy of honor.” She had been “helpful to many . . . especially to Paul.” The word “helpful” here is literally “protectress” or “patroness.” She must have used her wealth, position or influence to provide for Paul and the wider church in special ways. Paul asks the Christians in Rome to help her “in whatever she needs,” since she has done the same for so many others. She was a woman who lived to protect and provide for the early Church. You know, women, you can have a powerful impact for Christ if you decide you want to do that. People sometimes ask me if we allow women to be in leadership at this church. Of course we do! Some of our best and most powerful leaders in this church are women –

142 like Phoebe. Take a Debbie Brunk, or a Val Herriman, or a Linda Bahbah, or a Nancy Rice. You don’t find better leaders than these in a church today. Powerful, influential, - loving women . . . modern day Phoebe’s. They may not carry Paul’s letters, but they carry the burdens and dreams of modern day ministries like this one. Beloveds.

THE POWER COUPLE. Give my greetings to , my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home (16:3,4). Priscilla and Aquila, wife-husband team, met Paul in the city of Corinth on his 2nd missionary journey (:1-3). Like Paul, they were tent makers by trade; but they used most of their time and energy building up house churches in various cities and mentoring younger believers. They were instrumental in mentoring , a powerful young preacher in the city of Ephesus (Acts 18:24-26). Priscilla is mentioned before her husband in four out of six N.T. references, indicating the importance of her role. They appear in the N.T. narrative in various cities, always hosting a church in their house. Priscilla and Aquila used their time, talents and treasures to help build strong foundations in the 1st century Christian church. They also went out on a limb at some point and risked their lives to rescue Paul. They were so influential that “all the Gentile churches” throughout the Empire were aware of them and thankful to them. Couples, this is something you can do together. You can link arms to have an impact on the kingdom of God. You don’t have to leave your day jobs. Keep making tents; but use some of your extra time together to serve the Lord together. Like Lee and Trina, our LHI founders. Like Kim and Kathy, pulling off Sound of Music together. Like Ron and Mindy being the backbone of the EACH movement. Like Ken and JoAnn being the spiritual parents of hundreds here. Tom and Kathleen. Dan and Jenny. So many power couples here at this church – beloved power couples making a huge impact!

TWO STANDOUT . 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 (v.7). Here are two Jewish believers, a man and a woman, who were also “apostles.” This is a reference to the wider group of Christian leaders who were called apostles (i.e. “messengers”) in the less formal sense. They were at one time his fellow-prisoners, and they had been Christians longer than Paul. The fact that they were put into prison with Paul indicates the level of their influence and visibility in the early church. Paul notes that they were “highly respected.” The Greek word here means “splendid” or “outstanding.” In the work of the Lord, there are those who stand down, those who stand around, and those who stand out. Like Jim and Daryl. Guys who were in the business world, but then God called them to come alongside of me to lead this church. They haven’t gone to prison with me, yet . . . but they are in the trenches with me every single day. And they are standouts among the Christian leaders of this region. They are beloved leaders.

143 A TRIED AND TRUE MAN. Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves (v.10). Apelles got one short line from Paul; but what a line! The word “good” here means “tested and found worthy,” or “tried and true.” Through whatever difficult circumstances God had put this man, he turned out to be the real deal, a sample of what a genuine Christian man should look like. Paul knew a ton of Christian men. And he knew a lot who faded when the heat was turned up. A lot who fell when temptation came knocking. And then he knew a few exemplars – men who stood the test. Apelles was the kind of man Paul would point to and say: There’s a guy who has won the approval of Jesus. We’ve got so many men like this here. It’s hard to single out just a few. If I were writing I’d say: Greet Wendell and Blaine and Bill and Armando and Bob . . . good, good men who have won the approval of Christ. Follow beloved men like these!

THE WORKING WOMEN. Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit (v.6). Give my greetings to , the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord (v.12). Paul knew who the workers were, who he could count on to roll up their sleeves and get involved. Interesting fact: The four he mentions are all women! Hard-working women in the cause of Christ. Persis is a Persian woman’s name. A Persian woman, living in Rome, working so hard for the Lord. We have no idea who this Mary was; but she worked so hard to benefit and bless the Christians in Rome. Tryphena and Tryphosa – now there’s a little story. They were sisters, probably twins. It was common for Romans to give twin sisters similar sounding names. The fun fact about these two girls is that their names mean “dainty” and “delicate,” yet, they are described as “the Lord’s workers.” Dainty and Delicate rolled up their sleeves and worked hard for Jesus. It’s still true in the church today. Many of the hardest working, fruitful servants are the faithful women in our churches. Gail and Grace and Sue and Deborah and Joan. On the list goes of beloved hard working women. During the EACH campaign last year one such woman here used her nursing skills to serve in the mobile medical clinics . . . and she learned how to use a nail gun rebuilding a house . . . and she was going to nursing school . . . and she was raising three young boys alone . . . and she attended all the prayer rallies . . . and she decided at the end of the 40 days that she would initiate the production of a 2wordstory book for this year which comes off the press shortly. A modern day Tryphena or Tryphosa. Look – it all comes down to your heart! You don’t have to be big and strong and have a ton of time on your hands. It comes down to your heart!

SIMPLY BELOVEDS. Greet my beloved friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ (v.5). Greet Ampliatus, my beloved friend in the Lord (v.8). Greet my beloved friend Stachys (v.9).

144 Paul just calls some people “beloved.” Like Epenetus, the very first convert to Christ from Asia. Ampliatus and Stachys – It’s interesting that scholars have found inscriptions from the Emperor’s household that include these names as Imperial slaves. Paul had beloveds in very high places, even if their station in life was that of the common slave. It didn’t really matter who you were or where you lived for Paul. What mattered was your passion to know Christ and to make Christ known. Beloved Ampliatus. Beloved Stachys.

A BROTHER AND A MOM. Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me (v.13). Rufus. :21 tells us that , the man who carried Jesus’ cross, was “the father of and Rufus.” Mark’s was written for a Roman audience. The way Mark mentions Alexander and Rufus, it is apparent that his readers knew who they were. Simon of Cyrene must have become a follower of Christ on that day he carried the cross. He led his family to faith in Christ . . . and then decades later, his two boys were well known leaders in the Christian community in Rome. Rufus was special to Paul; like a brother. Fathers – the way you live out your love for Jesus is sending your biggest message to your sons and daughters. Your spiritual temperature infects the whole family. Live with passion for Christ. Maybe your passion will produce a beloved Rufus for the future church. Paul also mentions Rufus’ mother, as “his mother and mine.’ Mrs. Simon of Cyrene must have adopted Paul as her very own son. Everyone needs a mom, even Paul! Women, maybe your key role in the kingdom will be using your home and your tender mother’s heart to nurture the lives of the young men and women God brings through your doors. You never know the impact that your nurturing, caring love will have. You could be loving on a future Paul. Rufus and his mom were both beloved to Paul.

THE HOUSE CHURCH LEADERS. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus (v.10,11). Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to and all the believers who meet with them (v.14,15). This reads like Pastor Greg’s beloved list. They used their homes to host house churches. They were the ancient version of Life Group Leaders. There were no church buildings until the mid 4th century after Constantine declared to be the religion of the Empire. Prior to that time, all of the Christian churches were small gatherings in the homes of wealthier people, homes capable of holding anywhere from 10 – 100 people. The “Church” in Rome was, in reality, composed of a large number of these house churches scattered throughout the city. This meant that quality leaders needed to be developed to shepherd these groups of believers. That’s who Paul is saying hello to here – these beloved house church leaders; men and women devoted to caring for the flock of God. The same need exists today. The church today needs many qualified, spiritually maturing leaders who care enough about God’s people to welcome them into their home, love them,

145 teach them, them and help them make progress in their walk with God. Do you know something – when you become a Life Group Leader, you are really becoming a pastor? You are becoming a shepherd, just like these people in Paul’s letter. God sees what you are doing when you care for His flock. That is an extremely valuable role in God’s sight. Plus, it will put you on Pastor Greg’s beloved list! Paul also mentions a few beloveds who are with him who want to send along their greetings. Sort of like when you’re on the phone and you’re talking to a relative and just when you’re about to hang up, someone in your house shouts out: Tell them I say ‘hello.’ ‘Give them my love!’ That’s what happens here. Paul is about to sign off, and a bunch beloveds over here with Paul also want to send their greetings. Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and , my fellow Jews. I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers. says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother (v.21-23). Timothy – a beloved spiritual son. I could write in there all the names of the beloved young men of God who are rising up in this church. Jack. Mark. Tim. Ryan. Jim. Brent. There are so many beloved Timothy’s here today. These guys give evidence of a true passion for Christ and for His work in this world. Tertius – a beloved composer who makes Paul’s words look. What can I say about a beloved , or Kurt, or Bethany, or Tony or a Mike who help me creatively compose weekends to impact people’s lives. Gaius – a beloved host. Erastus – a beloved treasurer. Quartus – a beloved brother. Paul had friends. And Paul had beloveds that his heart reached out to touch at the end of a very important letter. They are mentioned because in some way, their heart captured a piece of his heart. To be a beloved of Paul . . . . You would have to: 1) Love Jesus more than anything else. 2) Be passionate about the things that matter to Jesus. 3) Be willing to pay a price for your devotion to Jesus. If Paul were writing today, to our church, would his heart find a reason to touch your heart, as he came to the closing lines? Would he feel compelled to mention you by name? Would you be on Paul’s Facebook list of friends? Or, would you be on his special page of Beloveds?

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