sign in sign up
<<
Home , 1 Corinthians 1, Erastus of Corinth, Jason of Thessalonica, Olympas, Romans 16, Sosipater

BELONGING Relationally and Functionally Involved

Attend • Connect • Give • Serve OFFERINGS Worship and Stewardship

Online • In Person • EFT PRAYER

Staf • Elders • Prayer Team DAugustr. Miche 21-22, 2021le Knight

Paul’s Ministry (15:16-22) 1. Paul’s ministry was a priestly ministry (16-17). 2. Paul’s ministry was a powerful ministry (18-19a). 3. Paul’s ministry was a pioneer ministry (19b-22). Paul’s Plans (15:23-24) 1. Paul plans to visit Rome (23-24). 2. Paul plans to visit (25-27). 3. Paul plans to visit Spain (28-29). 4. Paul requests prayer for his visits (30–32).

John Stott Paul as Partner

Praying for One Another

Romans 15:30-33 Paul as Partner I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. :30-33 The purpose of prayer is emphatically not to bend God's will to ours, but rather to align our will to his. The promise that our prayers will be answered is conditioned on our asking “according to his will.” Consequently, every prayer we pray should be a variation on the theme, your will be done. John Stott Lessons on Prayer Prayer aligns us with God not the other way around. God seldom answers as we expect. Often we have no idea if God intervened. God knows the best answer, not us. Paul as Partner I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. Romans 15:30-33 The struggle involved in prayer lies in the process of coming to discern God’s will then desiring it above everything else.

John Stott Resources

"PRINCIPLES FROM THE TEXT" (Romans 15:14-33) "FALSE TEACHERS THEN AND NOW" "THE BODY OF CHRIST " "THE ABCs OF AUTHENTIC AFFECTION" Douglas Moo (:17-20) (Romans 16:1-16) (Romans 16:1-16) Douglas Moo (Chuck Swindoll) (Chuck Swindoll) What principles can we isolate from Paul's travel plans in 15:14-33 that are significant for the church today? I think three principles emerge clearly, and one other more tangentially. As I reflect on these verses—which are too easily dismissed as we near the end of Paul's The truth of is, of course, formally opposed by adherents of other religions, Successful Ministry. One clear principle is this: Successful ministry is always God's doing. Paul implicitly letter—I find several truths concerning the body of Christ illustrated. Paul and his companions in Rome didn't share a lukewarm love. The hardships and philosophies, and worldviews. Buddhists, Muslims, animists, Marxists, atheists, and so forth gives himself a significant role in salvation history as he describes his ministry in verses 16-22. Yet he gives all The body of Christ has variety within its unity. Paul's close associates included singles, victories of ministry had bound their hearts together in a deep, abiding affection that neither propagate worldviews that are explicitly set in contrast to Christianity. The battle lines are drawn, the credit for his ministry to the Lord, to "the grace God gave me." His role as to the Gentiles is not married couples, widows, and widowers. He greeted men and women, slaves and social elites, time nor distance could diminish. He hoped this same kind of affection would bind the and we understand the need to oppose these worldviews with a vigorous and reasoned defense one he has earned through hard study or by virtue of intrinsic talent. God chose him, prepared him, gave him new Christians and mature believers, Greeks, Romans, and . He had met some in prisons, believers in Rome into an indivisible, tight-knit community. As a matter of fact, he would want of our own. the ministry, and empowers it. All is of grace. The Gentile converts he offers as a sacrifice to God are many in synagogues, several in market places, a few in churches. . . yet all of them in the the same for us today. But Christians must also deal with false teachers—people within the church who claim to be acceptable only because they are "sanctified by the Holy Sprit" (v.16). What Paul does is no more than what course of proclaiming Christ. They came from all over the empire, from multiple backgrounds As I review the list of twenty-seven persons greeted or commended and then reflect on Christians but who deviate in some way from an essential truth of the . False teachers have "Christ has accomplished through me" (v.18), as the "power of the Spirit" enabled both his deeds and his and traditions, but they all shared one thing in common: salvation by grace alone through faith Paul's personal connection with each individual, I find that he had diligently applied the words (v. 19). always plagued the church, and they are not going away. What Paul says in verses 17-19 may help alone in Jesus Christ alone. lessons he taught in 12:1-15:13. To help make these lessons easier to remember—and "Successful ministers are prone to pride, one of the most basic of all sins. It is frighteningly easy to fall into us spot these false teachers and deal with them once we have identified them. The body of Christ is held together by those who serve in obscurity. was a unifying therefore apply—I have reduced them to four simple commands. Think of them as the ABCs of a mode in which we begin taking credit for whatever positive spiritual impact we are having. The people with Paul's message about the false teachers reiterates what is said almost everywhere in the New force in the church near Corinth and someone the Lord called upon to carry this monumentally love within the body of Christ. whom we minister will often be the innocent inducers to this pride. In an effort to be supportive and Testament on such people. What we have is a stock profile of typical false teachers. In addition to important letter to Rome. Yet we know nothing more about her. Mary, Urbanus, Tryphaena and A—Accept one another. Accept variety. Not only did God create people with diverse encouraging, they will often flatter us about the sermon preached, book written, or life changed. Our dutiful errors in doctrine, Paul says three things about them: (1 ) They serve themselves rather than Christ; Tryphosa (twins, perhaps?), and Persis were noted for their faithful labors. Nothing more is appearances, He gave us a broad range of opinions, values, interests, gifts, and abilities. Some response, "Glory to God, it was his doing," can become both formulaic and insincere. (2) they are crafty and effective speakers, and (3) they create divisions in the church. Paul, in other known of them, neither from Scripture nor any reliable historical documents. Priscilla and think, eat, breathe, and dream missions. Many pursue opportunities to teach. Others cannot God, of course, has his own ways of humbling our pride. For every parishioner who flatters us, God sends words, describes the motives, the means, and the results of their ministry. two others to ask, after we preach, "Was you week particularly busy?" Or "Did you lose your watch?" Yet the Aquila served with Paul in Corinth, stabilized the church in , and undoubtedly did the imagine devoting themselves to anyone other than special-needs children. Still others are False teachers often go wrong at the level of motivation. Instead of focusing on the glory of Care natural inclination for many of us is to listen to the flatterers far too much. Moreover, pride is not only wrong in same in Rome. Yet, again, we know nothing of them beyond these brief acknowledgments in wonderful conduits of music. We need them all. God and the good of the church, they become preoccupied with themselves. Pride is often their itself, it can lead to so many other sins. I am positive that many prominent ministers fall into sexual sin Scripture. The twenty-seven names in this list represent countless others who quietly and Moreover, we are a community of Christians at varying stages of growth and growing at root sin. More status, prestige, and publicity come to people who teach new or strange things precisely because they begin to think that they are immune to such ordinary temptations or, worse yet, they profoundly enrich the body of Christ. different rates. We have brand-new Christians who still cuss (and some older Christians who begin unconsciously thinking they are above the law. than to those who plod along, following the lines of truth laid down in Scripture and in the history Community cuss and try to hide it). We have people who've been in the church all their lives and many of the church. Time magazine does not run articles on orthodox theologians. Only what is new The body of Christ is characterized by simple, down-to-earth love. Paul's greetings are How can one fight the temptation to pride and imitate Paul in giving all the glory to God? I have no magic who are still discovering what life in the body is all about. We're a diverse family, not a and different is newsworthy. Thus, people can drift into false teaching out of a concern to stand relatively unadorned, considering the bond he shared with many of the individuals. Phoebe formula, but I am convinced that interaction in a small group of peers to whom we are accountable can be a collection of clones. Rejoice in variety, and accept—"receive unto yourself"—those who are Discernmentout from others around them. And once a teacher has gone public with a new view, it is was crucial to the church in Cenchrea. He shared his vocation of tent making and his ministry great help.Ministry Many ministers tend to be isolated, spending all their time with people to whom they minister and of making with in Corinth, Ephesus, and now Rome. He shared a not like you. never developing any genuine peer relationships. Any isolated Christian is in a dangerous situation. That humiliating to back down in the face of opposition. One gets a vested interest in the view. Each of dungeon with Andronicus and Junias, and labor with Mary, Urbanus, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and situation is doubly dangerous for the pastor who may be a special target of the evil one. All of us in ministry us needs, then, to make sure that we teach and minister for the right reasons. We need to B—Become a servant. Communities work best when we serve one another. Find something Persis. He shared history with these twenty-seven men and women, and his love for them need at least one peer (in addition, of course, to our spouse!) Who will feel free to "tell us off" when evaluate, as best we can, what it is that that needs doing or someone who needs help and don't hold back! If you aren't sure where to necessary. motivates those who teach us. transcended the need for flowery words. Instead, Paul used words to demonstrate the value begin, find someone who's been around awhile and he held for them rather than merely tell of his feelings. Balancing Spontaneity and Obligation. A second principle we can validly derive from this text is the By definition, the views that false teachers ask, "What can I do to help around here?" If you want need to balance spontaneity and obligation in giving to the Lord propagate are contrary to biblical teaching. Paul's list of greetings reflects his vision for the local to see a pastor faint, walk up and ask him. Most and to his people. As Paul describes the collection for the saints in They are often illogical as well. They will mask church. A congregation should be no less diverse than people want to find only the best fit for their gifts or Jerusalem, he emphasizes that those who gave "were pleased" to these problems in a flurry of rhetoric. False the community surrounding it, yet its people should be the precise place to exercise their gifts without regard do so (vv.26-27). This verb (eudekeo) has the idea of a free teachers are usually glib and convincing. They unified by singular devotion to their Savior. A congre- for the most pressing needs. Servants aren't picky. decision (c.f. TEV, "their decision was their own"). Yet Paul can say, pull out every rhetorical trick in the book to try gation should be filled with people who desire to work, C—Cultivate esteem for others. I use the word in the same verse, that the gentiles "owe it to the Jews to share to win converts. Paul himself often faced these serve, share, and suffer without accolades. A congre- "esteem" in the archaic sense, meaning "to show with them." kinds of people, and some of his converts gation should be eager to express appreciation for one value or worth." The best way to appreciate the worth Paul combines these same points in 2 Corinthians 8-9 when he compared his own rhetorical abilities rather another for specific reasons that can be called to mind of another is to treat him or her as you would a VIP. talks about giving. In the famous words of 9:7, God loves "a unfavorably with those of his opponents (see quickly. And a congregation should be so united in love cheerful giver," who does not give by compulsion (9:7; cf. also 8:2; Think of someone you greatly admire. For me, that esp. 1 Cor. 1-2; 2 Cor. 10-13). But Paul prided that a kiss on the cheek would feel as natural as a hug or 9:5). Yet the Corinthians' giving is also a matter of might be Lincoln. If this great president were a handshake. "obedience" (9:13). Of course both Romans 15 and 2 Corinthians himself on being a plain speaker, seeking to to enter my home, I would behave in a certain manner 8-9 are about the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, and that convey the truth of the gospel as clearly and But don't kiss me if you don't love me. to express my immense respect for him. Because our collection, as we pointed out above, has certain unique “Networking with a Purpose”

Romans 16:1-23 Patrick Lencioni

Lessons on Teams Never do ministry alone. Find good teammates Be a good team member. Be honest with yourself. Continue to grow. Paul asks the Romans to greet twenty-six individuals, two families, and three house churches.

Doug Moo Commendation of Phoebe

Some people serve the Lord with signifcant fnancial and tactical support.

Romans 16:1-2 Commendation of Phoebe I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant (/) of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

Romans 16:1-2 Although Paul does not say explicitly that Phoebe will take the letter to Rome, it is very likely that this is why he mentions her here. Greek speakers commonly use the term “commend” (συνίστημι) to introduce one person to another and it appears often and letters of recommendation. Frank Theilman help, aide, patron (προστάτις) The word is used in general of a woman set in some position over others. It can be a female guardian but is often used of a patroness or benefactor caring for the affairs of others and aiding them with her resources. She seems to have some wealth and uses this to support ministry. We use this term when we say someone is a “patron of the arts.” Greeting Partners in Rome

Everybody can and should make a contribution to the progress of the gospel.

Romans 16:3-16 A Few Observations Paul knew most of them but not all. Many women are on the list with significant responsibility. Many of those listed are special assistants. Latin, Greek, and Roman names indicate a diverse group. Some house churches are greeted (Pricilla and Aquila, v.14, v. 15). Some servants (slaves and freed) in households are greeted (Aristobulus and Narcisus) Greeting Partners in Rome Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house.

Romans 16:3-5 Priscilla and Aquila After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. :1-4 Priscilla and Aquila

After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. Acts 18:18 Priscilla and Aquila

Now a Jew named , a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:24-26 Priscilla and Aquila

The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord :19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of . :19 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the frst convert to Christ in Asia.

Romans 16:5 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.

Romans 16:6 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the , and they were in Christ before me.

Romans 16:7 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.

Romans 16:8 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.

Romans 16:9 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.

Romans 16:10 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.

Romans 16:10 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet my kinsman Herodion.

Romans 16:11 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.

Romans 16:11 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa (twins?).

Romans 16:12 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.

Romans 16:12 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.

Romans 16:13 Rufus and His Mother

And they compelled a passerby, , who was coming in from the country, the father of and Rufus, to carry his cross.

Mark 15:21 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them (house church?).

Romans 16:14 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and , and all the saints who are with them (house church?).

Romans 16:15 Greeting Partners in Rome

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16:16 Warning about Troublemakers

Keep your distance from false teachers and divisive people.

Romans 16:17-20 Warning about Troublemakers

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 fattery 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. Romans 16:17-19 The Marks of False Teaching • Divisive • False Doctrine - Unbiblical • Self-centered • Power Hungry • Persuasive • Manipulates the gullible • Destined for Judgment Romans 16:17-19 Warning about Troublemakers

The God of peace will soon crush under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Romans 16:20 Verse 20 should not be separated from the rest of the text. The presence of the adversaries is due to the Adversary. Satan's infuence will be short-lived for God will crush him quickly “under your feet” (Gen. 3:15). Thomas Schreiner Greetings from Partners in Corinth

Work hard to maintain partnerships for the gospel.

Romans 16:21-23 Paul’sPAUL’S Missionary SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY Companions c. AD 49 – 52 (Ac 15:39 –18:22)

Aristarchus THRACE Black Sea A C E D O N I N D P O N T US SecundusM A A Philippi Byzantium I A Amphipolis Neapolis N Thessalonica Y Samothrace Nicaea H A Berea Apollonia T t I I A Gulf on I sp Prusa B C lle T He Luke O A Troas A Dorylaeum D e MYSIA g e L A a Thyatira A n I P A

A C H A I G Pisidian P A S ASIA

e G a Y Antioch A Athens Ephesus . Corinth R C s Iconium t H TimothyCilician M Saronic Lystra Cenchreae Tychius P Gates Derbe I A s Gulf d Sila Paulu C n s l a I Pau n L Tarsus a I Silasm C Seleucia A Rhodes Pieria Antioch S Y as ab R CRETE S arn k U B ar . R d M A R I P an C Y I s e A M C t e I n d o i N t r e E r r O a Sidon O n e a n S e a H Damascus Tyre P

Caesarea I A Route of the Egnatian Way 0 100 km. PALESTINE A B R 0 100 miles Jerusalem A Greetings from Partners in Corinth

Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and , my kinsmen.

Romans 16:21 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not fnd them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. :5-9 Sopater of Berea After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, and Trophimus. :1-4 Greetings from Partners in Corinth

I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

Romans 16:22 Amanuenses [a secretary who wrote down the dictation of another] were common in the Greco-Roman world, and it is apparent that Paul used them in his other letters (1 Cor, 16:21; Gal. 6:11; Col. 4:18; 2 Thes. 3:17). Thomas Schreiner Greetings from Partners in Corinth

Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother , greet you.

Romans 16:23 Gaius of Corinth

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.

1 Corinthians 1:14 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia [at Ephesus] a little longer. :22 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. Acts 19:22 Erastus of Corinth Discovered 1929 Dated 50 AD “Networking with a Purpose” The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The Grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (Romans 16:20) NEXT STEPS

Be a team player. Develop a strategic community. Watch out for Satan's tactics. PRAYER TEAM