Title: The Many Thanks
Folks, we are almost there. After three and one-half years, we have only two sermons left in Romans. Unlike the rest of the book, which we worked through very slowly, and deliberately, we will cover the entirety of Chapter 16 in just two sermons.
This is because the first half of chapter 16 (today’s message) is a look at the many names that Paul makes mention of in order to give special thanks as he closes this, the grandest of his letters.
Now, you may be thinking, “How in the world is there a sermon in Paul listing a bunch of names for the sake of thanking them.” But if we look closely, at both the names, and the people’s situations, I think we can draw some very profitable conclusions from our investigation. Let us look to the text.
(Read)
The Thanks goes to:
1. Phoebe: Most likely the bearer of the letter to Rome, a woman that Paul thinks very highly of, and has given a great responsibility to. (Anyone who reads Paul and says he is sexist against women needs to explain many of his exhortations in Chapter 16 to me.)
What we learn: “Cenchrea” was a port of Corinth, suggesting where Paul was when he wrote Romans. Also, Paul calls Phoebe a “servant” using the same word to show her work for the Gospel on equal or greater footing than her male co-laborers.
2. Priscilla and Aquilla:A husband and wife who made tents with Paul in Corinth, they (literally) risked their own necks for the gospel’s sake with Paul. They also had a church gathering in their own home.
What we learn: Believers understood being a Christian could mean your life. (Something that believers in other parts of the world are aware of, but most Americans are not.) Also, that some churches gathered in homes, most likely to avoid being detected.
3. Epanaetus: Paul calls him the “firstfruits” to Christ in Achaia.
What we learn: Paul remembered who this church started with, he recognized the roots, and the work of their labor. I try to acknowledge the same things at Hertiage, which is one of the reasons we’ll be having a homecoming this December.
4. Mary: again, a recognition of the service of women.
5: Adronicus and Junia: They served time with Paul for Christ, and were known among the apostles before Paul was converted. Key: They knew who Paul was before he was saved, and accepted and worked with him after he was saved. How many of us want another to be saved, “because they need it” but then don’t want to have anything to do with them after the fact?
6. Amplias: Very interesting b/c this may be the same person as “Ampilaus” a slave who’s name can be found on the tomb of Domitilla, the Niece of Emperor Domitian. If it is the same person (and several scholars and archaelogists think it is) then than means that the gospel was being shared with the Emperor’s slaves, and possibly even the royal family.
7. Urbanus and Stachys: both common slave names, suggesting a large number of first century converts were slaves. For them the language of being a slave to Christ would have a meaning we would not understand as well as they.
8. Apelles: A Greek name that suggested this person had gone through a trial and had remained faithful. (Any of you been through a trial? The key isn’t success, it’s faithfulness to God.)
9. Aristobulus: May believe this was the grandson of Herod the Great, and a personal friend of Emperor Cladius. Why is this interesting? Because the gospel was being preached, and accepted by both slaves and royalty…because those who understood it, knew that Christ was bigger than “all of this foolishness.”
10. Herodion: Many suggest that this person was a freeman, a former slave under the house of Herod b/c it was custom for a slave to take the name of their former master once they were made free. Now, in this person you have someone who said, “It is not enought that I be made free as a man, now I am free in Christ as an adopted son of the Kingdom”
Even the greatest worldy gifts can’t compare to the gift of Christ.
11. Tryphena and Tryphosa: again, two more women recognized by Paul.
12. Persis: We don’t know what He did, what his “labor” was. We most likely tend to think that he must have been a great man, fleeing the Jews, serving time in prison with Paul, but maybe Persis was just faithful to the congregation and God he served. We know so very little about him, but it is my belief that Persis, and people like him, make the backbone of the Church.
(Ron Cooper writing)
Ministry is a hard thing to judge. I believe God calls some ministers to struggle. Why? Because God just does. I speculate that the best Pastor in America is in some small community that no one has ever heard of. He has pastored the flock faithfully for 30 years. He has buried and married everyone in the town. He has ministered to them in triumph and tragedy. No one will ever ask him to speak at a conference. He will never write a book. He will never be called Doctor. All he does is faithfully minister to the people God gives him. He is obedient and not successful. I hope to be that good.
13. Rufus: I love what Paul says about Rufus’ mother. Any of you have a second mom? I buried my second mom, Dot Whiting, back in June. Few things have ever given me as much honor as delivering the Eulogy at a woman’s funeral who took me into her home when I was in need, debated me on politics, and loved me unconditionally. I get where Paul is on this one.
14. Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, Philogus, Julia, Nerus, and Olympas: I get the impression the orchestra music has started with Paul, and he knew that if he thought for five straight days (and he may have) about who to remember to thank, and then sent the letter to Rome with Phoebe, she’s get about half way, and Paul would be texting her, “I can’t believe I forgot to thank Thermes, please write him in too…”
Paul’s ministry was organic. It was rooted in his relationship with a God that revealed Himself personally to Paul on the Damascus road. Then, after years of laboring in the ministry, he was changed by the people that God called to work along side him. All of these individuals had an indelible impact on Paul’s life and understanding of God.
Our story is similar, isn’t it. I remember being 13 years old and a counselor named Webb was sharing the gospel with me with such authentic enthusiasm that I started getting up early (at summer camp!) To read my bible.
Now, I wouldn’t even become a believer for six more years, but that’s what an impression Webb made on me. And in the 12 ½ years that I’ve been a believer, I’ve had people come in and out of my life.
Some that I wanted to sit at the feet of for days.
Some that I couldn’t see eye to eye with but I sure respected their devotion.
Some that had testimonies that floored me.
Some that claimed to be believers, but, given the passage of time, their conduct sure caused me to wonder.
Some that have gone on to earn double doctorates.
Some that are working fast food.
Some that have died.
One meets me about once every month on a Friday at Lyn-Way to discuss the Bible.
One has lent me countless tools, time, and even vehicles…even vehicles that erupt in flames on the side of the highway.
One has lent me his truck 1,567 times over the last ten years, taken me out to dinner over 100 times, and gave me the greatest gift this side of salvation when he agreed to let me marry his daughter.
One remembers to fold the bulletins every morning, because I never remember.
One encourages me by refusing to let her past and her family define her, instead being rightly defined by the almighty.
One that I saw kicking leaves on the quad at AU, and found myself silenced by her beauty. I married that one.
And one makes me smile and have hope, when she tells me each morning, “Thank you Jesus for the morning.” On our ride together to grandma and grandpa’s.
All of them were used, or are being used by the Almighty in different ways give me an opportunity to be drawn closer
All of them present opportunities to thank God and draw closer to him.
Will you accept or reject those opportunities?