WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:11.160 Well, good evening. Lovely to see you. We're in Romans chapter 16, verses 1 to 16. 00:00:11.779 --> 00:00:18.400 But I thought we might start with a bit of a quiz. I'm going to read out a list of names, and I want you to tell me what holds them all together. 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:25.120 There is massive prizes if you get them right, such as the confidence I have in the obscurity of the list. 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:39.420 First group, Carolyn Knot, Jose Perez, Jeremy Woodhead, Rick Findlater, Janine Schneider, Deborah East, Lenore Stewart, Vivian McGillicuddy. 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:44.200 Does anyone know who they are? No? 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:48.780 They were the makeup artists on Lord of the Rings, The Twin Towers. 00:00:48.780 --> 00:00:51.620 What about this group? 00:00:53.100 --> 00:01:04.799 John Kavanagh, Joe Firth, Jodie Grinner, Mickey Hall, Nathan McQueen, Tanya Nadaraja, David Phillips, Jess Stretton, John Stubbs, John Walker, and Vicky Jenkins. 00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:07.939 Who are these people? 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:13.799 They are the Paralympics GB archery team. 00:01:15.299 --> 00:01:16.299 Last group. 00:01:16.299 --> 00:01:27.179 Alana Kirby, Gareth Hill, Simon Holmes, Catherine McClintock, Dora Makeley, Alison Scott, Dawn Walker, and Louise Wright. 00:01:28.759 --> 00:01:29.840 Any ideas? 00:01:30.239 --> 00:01:31.179 Huge prizes. 00:01:33.759 --> 00:01:37.879 They are the radiography department at Queen Margaret University. 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:45.079 And you're all sitting there thinking, who cares? 00:01:46.299 --> 00:01:49.579 I'm also secretly delighted that none of you got it. 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:55.780 Just long lists of names, no real relevance. 00:01:56.340 --> 00:01:57.579 What are they to me? 00:01:57.959 --> 00:01:59.140 Why should I care? 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:04.420 That is what we're going to face when we come into Romans chapter 16. 00:02:04.420 --> 00:02:08.099 It seems that I have got the job today of reading out lists of names. 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:12.699 Because Romans 16, 1 to 16 is just a long list of names. 00:02:13.219 --> 00:02:22.699 It is Paul coming into land for his great letter of Romans, listing a load of people who he wants to greet. 00:02:22.699 --> 00:02:24.699 John Chrysostom. 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:25.699 John Chrysostom. 00:02:25.699 --> 00:02:27.239 That's hard to say without your teeth in. 00:02:27.859 --> 00:02:31.439 The 4th century church father writes this about this passage. 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:37.199 I think that many, even of those who have the appearance of being extremely good men, 00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:43.759 hasten over this part of the epistle as superfluous and having no great weight at all. 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:48.879 John Chrysostom doesn't think this passage of scripture is particularly worth studying. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:52.359 But I want to show you that it really is. 00:02:52.719 --> 00:03:01.439 Actually, if we can get in behind and grasp and see the panorama of what Paul is displaying about the church in Rome, 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:07.039 then I think it will capture us, it will inspire us, and it will send us out transformed. 00:03:08.359 --> 00:03:13.579 This is a tremendously instructive and encouraging passage of scripture. 00:03:14.519 --> 00:03:18.439 I like to have a little cheeky look at other church websites. 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:24.879 And one of the things I love to see on a church website is a photo of the church. 00:03:25.539 --> 00:03:29.599 See, what kind of people go to a church such as that? 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:36.300 I think Romans 16, in many ways, is like a photograph of the church. 00:03:36.659 --> 00:03:39.639 Unfortunately, digital photography wasn't around in the first century. 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:46.740 It's like a photo of the church giving us a snapshot of what the church in Rome looks like. 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:53.100 It's almost like if you went to Rome Evangelical Church, this would be the picture that was on the homepage. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:59.620 And I think as we get into it, we'll see that it's the kind of church that we would love to go to. 00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:01.800 So let me read again. 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:04.080 Some of the names are quite difficult, so I'll just say them with confidence. 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:06.740 We'll all agree that is how you're actually supposed to pronounce them. 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:09.560 Romans 16, verse 1. 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:14.060 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Sancria. 00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:21.980 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you. 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:25.660 For she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. 00:04:26.420 --> 00:04:29.300 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:31.840 They risked their lives for me. 00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:35.639 Not only I, but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 00:04:36.099 --> 00:04:40.099 Greet also the church that meets at their house. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:45.419 Greet my dear friend Eponatus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 00:04:45.959 --> 00:04:48.239 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:52.599 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. 00:04:53.019 --> 00:04:54.879 They are outstanding among the apostles. 00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:57.879 And they were in Christ before I was. 00:04:58.339 --> 00:05:01.980 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:04.420 Greet Abanus, our fellow worker in Christ. 00:05:04.540 --> 00:05:06.100 And my dear friend Stachys. 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:09.860 Greet Apollas, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:13.300 Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 00:05:14.019 --> 00:05:15.560 Greet Herodian, my fellow Jew. 00:05:15.699 --> 00:05:18.680 Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:20.719 Greet Dryphena and Dryphosa. 00:05:20.779 --> 00:05:21.779 I like to think they're twins. 00:05:21.779 --> 00:05:25.319 Those women who work hard in the Lord. 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:29.459 Greet my dear friend Parsis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:32.579 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother. 00:05:33.039 --> 00:05:34.639 He has been a mother to me too. 00:05:35.219 --> 00:05:42.979 Greet Asyncretus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the other brothers and sisters with them. 00:05:43.319 --> 00:05:51.599 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the Lord's people who are with them. 00:05:51.779 --> 00:05:54.059 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:58.479 That all the churches of Christ send greetings. 00:05:58.659 --> 00:06:00.979 That is our passage for this evening. 00:06:02.359 --> 00:06:08.839 And I think at the outset it is worth reminding us why Paul writes the letter to the Romans. 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:11.459 And I think there's three and a half reasons. 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:16.359 The first reason is this, that Paul is near the end of his ministry. 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:18.459 He's writing from Corinth. 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:25.579 And it is his chance to write a summary, a doctrinal summary of the timeless gospel. 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:28.679 That Romans is about the Lord Jesus. 00:06:28.899 --> 00:06:31.439 Who he is, what he's done, and what it means to follow him. 00:06:31.599 --> 00:06:32.939 What the church looks like. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:34.859 Some rich and deep theology. 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:40.040 So Paul at the end of his ministry writes it down for the Roman church. 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:41.280 It's a doctrinal summary. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:45.360 I think secondly it heals church unity. 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:50.980 There has been a massive division in the Roman church. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:57.080 It all started in 49 AD with the Emperor Claudius who expelled all the Jews from Rome. 00:06:57.079 --> 00:07:03.919 Up until that point, most of the positions of authority in the church were taken by the Jews. 00:07:04.539 --> 00:07:06.979 Obviously they had the schooling in the Old Testament. 00:07:07.159 --> 00:07:11.300 They knew more and therefore rose to the surface of the early church in Rome. 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:16.180 With Claudius' expulsion of the Jews, obviously there's a huge vacuum filled. 00:07:16.919 --> 00:07:22.060 A huge vacuum left which is then filled by Gentiles as they grow in knowledge and truth. 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:24.479 And are transformed by the Holy Spirit. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:30.580 Five years after 49 AD, which for those that are good at maths is 54 AD, Claudius dies. 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:36.220 And with his death, the exile of the Jews, the edict is rescinded. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:40.600 So now the Jews start coming back to Rome. 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:45.840 One group, one couple we know who did this was Priscilla and Aquila. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:48.460 They left Rome. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:50.160 Paul meets them in Corinth. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:53.920 And now we find them back some years later. 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:56.439 Well, you can see there's going to be a bit of a power struggle. 00:07:57.060 --> 00:08:01.480 That as the Jewish Christians come back, they find that their seats have been filled by the Gentile Christians. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:04.000 And suddenly there's a little bit of friction. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:10.759 And church meetings are a lot more exciting than they were during those five years where the Jews were away. 00:08:11.780 --> 00:08:17.520 So there is a real thing in it about healing the unity between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians. 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:26.799 I think that is explicit in the letter, particularly when you see what Paul writes in chapter 7, 8 and 9 about how the Gentiles are included. 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:38.220 Thirdly, and Ian alluded to it last week, that Paul writes the letter to the Romans to try and garner their support for his pioneer mission trip to Spain. 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:41.220 Just look back with me at chapter 15, verse 24. 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:43.300 I plan to do so. 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:44.759 That's visit the church in Rome. 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:51.960 When I go to Spain, I hope to see you while passing through and that you will assist me on my journey there. 00:08:52.680 --> 00:08:55.460 After I have enjoyed your company for a while. 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:57.820 He's about to go to a new frontier. 00:08:57.820 --> 00:09:03.520 He's about to preach what he wanted to preach the gospel where Christ was not known. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:10.660 And he wants the Roman church's help to fund and to enable that ministry. 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:12.460 There's the first three. 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:14.960 And I think this is like half a reason tagged on at the end. 00:09:15.640 --> 00:09:18.180 I've called it number four, but that's more in hope than in faith. 00:09:19.520 --> 00:09:21.560 It is also to commend Phoebe. 00:09:21.700 --> 00:09:23.760 That's how chapter 16 starts. 00:09:24.640 --> 00:09:27.200 That Phoebe is a woman from Sencraia. 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:31.360 That is a suburb, actually the port suburb just outside Corinth. 00:09:31.900 --> 00:09:40.700 And it seems that Phoebe is doing a geographical and perhaps for a period or perhaps for a long term move is moving from Corinth to Rome. 00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:44.960 And it seems that Phoebe's problem is that she doesn't really know anyone in Rome. 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:47.780 And she needs somebody to vouch for her. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:50.740 Now, letters of commendation are quite common in this culture. 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:56.519 And so, Paul writes Phoebe a letter of commendation. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:59.940 And at the front he puts 15 chapters of rich doctrine. 00:10:00.899 --> 00:10:04.700 It seems that Phoebe is probably the courier of the letter. 00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:07.360 That she's going to deliver it. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.620 Now, that makes a lot of sense. 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:11.539 Because men lose things and women have handbags. 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:17.240 That would be slightly embarrassing, wouldn't it, if you turned up to Rome and went, oh, I've got something for you. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:19.039 Oh, I might have left it on the camel. 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:23.379 And so that gives us the background to the letter. 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:31.039 And rather than have 26 subpoints about all the different people and go through them exhaustively in some kind of almanac, 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:36.519 I just want to give you three big points that I think are really encouraging from this letter. 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:42.399 The first one is this, that there is a rich tapestry of people in the church in Rome. 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:45.919 First century names are not just arbitrarily given. 00:10:46.939 --> 00:10:54.120 Parents don't sit in the maternity ward flicking through a list of baby names and choosing Alpheus just out of hand. 00:10:54.659 --> 00:10:56.059 They mean something. 00:10:56.059 --> 00:11:01.059 And therefore, if we do a bit of digging around the name, we can find out quite a lot about the social status, 00:11:02.219 --> 00:11:05.779 the gender, and the occupation of the person being mentioned. 00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:15.399 In Romans 16, there are 26 people, 8 women, 18 men, 17 are slaves, 1's a freed slave, and there are 8 free people. 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:18.919 There are 3 Jews, 13 Greeks, and 12 Roman names. 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:24.019 There are potentially 5 house churches mentioned, possibly 3 house churches mentioned, 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:26.600 definitely 1 house church mentioned. 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:30.159 The house church that is definitely mentioned is Priscilla and Aquila. 00:11:30.539 --> 00:11:33.220 Now it makes sense because Aquila we know is a tent maker. 00:11:33.579 --> 00:11:36.519 If you're a tent maker, you need a big workshop to stretch out the canvas. 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:39.980 That would be a great place for Rome Evangelical Church to meet. 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:42.799 Because there is room for everyone you can turn. 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:46.360 The music up loud, and the neighbours won't care. 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:52.680 There are some people who are quite famous, like Priscilla and Aquila. 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:59.019 There are some people who we know nothing else about except what Paul writes about them in these bits. 00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:01.279 Some of them are quite interesting. 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:03.680 There's one or two that are a little bit controversial. 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:10.019 So, for example, Junior in verse 7 causes a lot of commentators to spill a lot of ink, 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:13.399 principally because we don't know whether Junior is a he or a she. 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:20.879 It could be a shortening of a long Roman name, or it could be just the name of a female. 00:12:21.199 --> 00:12:25.379 I like to think that it's the name of a female, and she happens to be Andronicus' wife. 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:29.659 That seems to make sense on the reading. 00:12:30.199 --> 00:12:32.939 The second person that is interesting is Phoebe. 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:37.139 Phoebe is the female equivalent of the god Apollos. 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:38.980 She tends to keep that name. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:41.120 She's described as a deacon. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.440 That causes some people controversy. 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:46.679 Does she have like an Acts chapter 6 kind of role in the church? 00:12:46.820 --> 00:12:48.500 Is that even open to females? 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:54.799 She's also described as a benefactor the word Patronus, 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:57.919 meaning someone who has been invaluably helpful. 00:12:58.500 --> 00:13:01.120 It seems that Phoebe is a woman of means. 00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:06.960 You know, you go to her house for dinner, and you've got knives and forks taking up the whole side. 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:08.080 She is quite posh. 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:13.080 But rather than stockpile her money, it seems that she is a rich benefactor. 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:18.740 She is somebody who has sponsored and supported gospel work, and particularly Paul. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:21.520 They seem to have worked closely together. 00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:24.440 And Paul describes her as a Patronus. 00:13:25.160 --> 00:13:29.240 Phoebe has been invaluably helpful to me. 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:36.820 Second thing that potentially causes problems is back with our friends Andronicus and Junia. 00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:39.259 Look at the second half of verse 7. 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:43.399 They are outstanding among the apostles. 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:45.360 That's caused some people to freak out. 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:48.720 Are these people apostles? 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:54.139 It could be equally translated, they are outstanding among the apostles, 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:57.700 or that they are highly esteemed by the apostles. 00:13:58.460 --> 00:14:01.120 There's no problem if they were highly esteemed by the apostles. 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:04.540 Lots of people were highly esteemed by the apostles, I'm sure. 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:10.100 Lots of people have hung a lot of weight on this when it comes to women in leadership. 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:18.560 Was Andronicus and Junia, were they apostles in the way that Paul and Peter and James and John were apostles? 00:14:18.680 --> 00:14:21.300 Well, I don't think we necessarily need to conclude that. 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:26.899 Because in the New Testament, other people are called apostles. 00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:31.320 In 2 Corinthians 8, Titus is called an apostle. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:35.500 In Philippians 2, Epaphroditus is called an apostle. 00:14:36.040 --> 00:14:38.160 Literally meaning an accredited messenger. 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:41.319 Somebody who comes with a message from the apostles. 00:14:42.219 --> 00:14:44.919 The New Testament also describes other people as apostles. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:48.019 So in Acts 13, Barnabas is called an apostle. 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:52.759 Somebody who is almost fulfilling the role of a commissioned missionary. 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:56.639 If we use the apostle in either of those ways, 00:14:57.059 --> 00:15:01.399 we have no problem saying Andronicus and Junia were missionaries. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:04.839 See as well, they were in Christ before Paul. 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:12.800 Could it be that the first pioneer missionaries to the people of Rome were Andronicus and Junia commissioned? 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:17.759 To take the unstoppable message of Jesus Christ to these people. 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:22.700 Another person who is quite interesting is verse 13 with Rufus. 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:25.940 There's only one other Rufus mentioned in the Bible. 00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:32.160 And that is the two sons of Simon of Cyrene in Mark 13. 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:35.780 Simon of Cyrene has two sons. 00:15:35.880 --> 00:15:38.420 One's called Alexander and one's called Rufus. 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:40.720 Lots of people think this is the same person. 00:15:41.280 --> 00:15:44.440 Mark writes his gospel with a particularly Roman audience in mind. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:54.980 And therefore, by mentioning Rufus here, it would really strike a chord because perhaps Rufus has often told the story about his dad just passing through from the country, 00:15:55.340 --> 00:16:02.620 who happened to be told by the Roman soldiers to help Jesus of Nazareth carry his cross. 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:11.920 If that is the case, then see that Simon of Cyrene's wife, who is Rufus's mother, is also a mother to the apostle Paul. 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:14.659 It's quite a nice little package right there. 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:24.339 Lastly, as we just mentioned some names, Aristopoulos is potentially the grandson of Herod the Great, who settles in Rome. 00:16:24.579 --> 00:16:27.659 He would have taken with him a large number of Jewish servants and slaves. 00:16:28.079 --> 00:16:32.919 And therefore, that would be very conducive ground for the gospel to take root and bear fruit. 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:35.819 Narcissus was a prominent free man. 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:38.219 Let me just find Narcissus. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.819 He is in verse 11. 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:43.120 He's a very prominent freed man. 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:46.020 We read a lot about him in Roman literature. 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:50.720 He was never a Christian, but he was very sympathetic to their cause. 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:56.700 And therefore, it seems that perhaps the household of Narcissus was like a safe haven for Christians going forward. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:02.120 These may be loose ends that you don't particularly care about. 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:04.180 But I think they're interesting. 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:13.620 But I think, actually, the massive encouragement of this chapter is not the individual names, but it is all the names together. 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:20.000 Paul is writing to a church, a place he's never visited. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:24.180 When he starts Romans, in chapter 1, verse 16, he says, 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:27.420 The gospel is the power of God for everyone who believes. 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:34.299 If you wanted a personification of what power looked like at this time, it would be Rome. 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:37.159 It would be the Roman army. 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:39.099 It would be the Roman organization. 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:45.379 In fact, in Romans 13, 1, Paul has written, 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:47.819 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities. 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:55.700 If you've got a KJV, it will say everybody be subject to the higher powers or the powers that be. 00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:58.399 Rome is synonymous with power. 00:17:58.400 --> 00:18:07.700 And yet we see here, right in the very HQ of what power looks like, we see that the gospel is more powerful. 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:13.120 That right behind enemy lines, the gospel has taken root and is bearing fruits. 00:18:14.060 --> 00:18:22.340 That actually, if you're a bit, if you have a few approximations about how big a household is and how many brothers and sisters that could be, 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:25.980 I reckon you could say there was about 100 people listed here. 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:38.660 And so right in the, there's a real church, a real church in Rome, a real church planted behind enemy lines. 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:42.980 Because Rome may be powerful, but the gospel is all powerful. 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:45.360 It is unstoppable. 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:50.279 Paul will finish the act saying that the gospel spreads unhinderedly. 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:57.740 And even the persecution, even the, the, the constraint there is on these Roman Christians, 00:18:57.960 --> 00:19:03.119 even when it comes to swearing allegiance to the emperor and they say, no, Jesus is Lord. 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:05.920 The gospel works. 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:09.500 And there is a real church. 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.779 The gospel is power. 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:21.420 And if you want to see an example of that working, these people who, where it is really tough, where it is really difficult, 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:25.180 where it really costs, Paul says, greet them because they're my brothers and sisters. 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:28.859 Greet that church because it is a real church. 00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:35.480 It's a real church that Jesus is building, that he died for, and that he will complete. 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:37.940 The gospel is power. 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:42.759 And Paul says that at the beginning, and he shows that at the end. 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.640 Milton Vince writes this. 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:51.019 Outside of heaven, the power of God in its highest density is found inside the gospel. 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:56.400 This must be so, for the Bible twice describes the gospel as the power of God. 00:19:56.860 --> 00:20:02.039 Nothing else in all of scripture is ever described in this way, except the person of Jesus Christ. 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:12.819 Such a description indicates that the gospel is not only powerful, but that it is the ultimate entity in which God's power resides and does its greatest work. 00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:20.680 Indeed, God's power is seen in erupting volcanoes in the unimaginably hot boil of our massive sun, 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:29.340 and in the lightning speed of a recently discovered star seen streaking through the heavens at 1.5 million miles per hour. 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:33.420 Yet in scripture, such wonders are never labeled the power of God. 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:38.600 How powerful then must the gospel be that it would merit such a title? 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:42.480 And how great is the salvation it accomplishes in people's lives? 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:46.820 And Romans 16 is evidence of that. 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:54.480 This list of seeming irrelevant names is a wonderful illustration of just how powerful the gospel is. 00:20:55.399 --> 00:21:02.039 Right here in the HQ of all that is anti-Jesus is a real church. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:04.619 And it's growing everywhere. 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:08.419 Among slaves and high officials. 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:15.800 It's uniting people who would have absolutely nothing else to do with each other. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:20.920 Because the gospel is so powerful that it humbles everyone under grace. 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:32.400 So that if you're a Phoebe who's a highfalutin businesswoman, you'll turn up at Rome and you'll be greeted by a syncretus who's a humble slave. 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:36.580 And the only reason they're together is the gospel. 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:38.980 But the gospel is powerful enough to keep them together. 00:21:39.780 --> 00:21:43.100 In order that a syncretus might call Phoebe my sister. 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:46.460 And that Phoebe might call a syncretus my brother. 00:21:47.780 --> 00:21:49.580 It's a wonderful picture of the gospel. 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.700 And how it works. 00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:56.580 150 years later, the church father Tertullian writing about this church in Rome. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:58.480 A century and a half down the line. 00:21:58.840 --> 00:22:01.100 And his power writes this. 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:04.579 We, talking about Christians, are but of yesterday. 00:22:05.459 --> 00:22:08.019 Yet we have filled every place among you. 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:11.619 Cities, islands, fortresses, towns, marketplaces. 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:13.599 The very camp you live in. 00:22:13.719 --> 00:22:17.199 Tribes, companies, palaces, senates and forums. 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:22.199 We have left you nothing except the temples of your gods. 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:28.459 Such is the power of the gospel to penetrate and infect the population in Rome. 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:31.240 A reminder we desperately need today. 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:35.920 Because we're all sitting here thinking Edinburgh is pretty toxic to the gospel. 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:38.059 People are pretty hostile. 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:41.399 And yet it worked in Rome. 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:44.679 And people went to the Colosseum in Rome. 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.379 And it still worked. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:48.820 So I think we can have great hope. 00:22:48.820 --> 00:22:49.860 Not in our ability. 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:52.560 Not in what we can do. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:56.900 But in the truth that the gospel really is the power of God for everyone who believes. 00:22:58.220 --> 00:23:00.220 And the testimony is seen here tonight. 00:23:01.040 --> 00:23:04.040 Because there's a pretty great diversity of people here. 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:09.279 And the only reason we can call each other brother and sister is because of the Lord Jesus. 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:12.980 And the work that the gospel has done in our lives. 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:16.799 First thing we see in Romans 16 is a rich tapestry of people. 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:20.559 The second thing is a wide variety of gifts. 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:25.000 Paul describes these people in eight different ways. 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:28.960 The only thing we know about most of these people is what Paul writes about them here. 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:32.119 How they're commended. 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:40.139 And the only thing we see is some of the traits that we are to exhibit if this church is to flourish like that church. 00:23:40.459 --> 00:23:43.839 And people would look at the panorama of this church and say that's amazing. 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:47.039 That is a supernatural community. 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:50.839 That is a really closely knitted family. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:54.819 The first one is this and you can see it everywhere. 00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:59.339 Is that there is real affection and care in this church. 00:23:59.339 --> 00:24:02.659 See Phoebe described as a sister. 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:07.059 See Rufus' mother described in family terms. 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.539 See verse 14. 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.819 All the brothers and sisters. 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.559 See also. 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:18.559 Four times in 5b and 8 and 9 and 12b. 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:21.759 Paul writes my dear friend which is literally the word beloved. 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:25.419 See how he feels about these people. 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:30.380 These people have a deep and sincere love for each other. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:33.759 The love they have for each other is tangible. 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:45.400 The love that Jesus commands his people to have for one another as a hallmark of their discipleship seems to be very much on show in the church in Rome. 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:47.840 Church is a place of family. 00:24:48.320 --> 00:24:49.740 A place of affection and care. 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:54.079 A fountain of love flowing from Jesus and now into community. 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:57.880 Seems to be everywhere in this list. 00:24:57.880 --> 00:25:04.340 It's a place where everybody goes out of their way to love each other. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.860 To show affection. 00:25:06.060 --> 00:25:07.720 To be family together. 00:25:08.760 --> 00:25:11.860 And we're all very familiar aren't we with the commands to love. 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:17.740 We're all very good at saying we should love one another. 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:20.880 But as I was thinking about this week. 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:24.700 I was thinking how easy am I to be loved? 00:25:24.780 --> 00:25:27.520 How easy do I make myself lovable? 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:31.460 Is it easy for people to love me? 00:25:32.800 --> 00:25:34.500 Am I available enough? 00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:37.500 Am I humble enough? 00:25:39.040 --> 00:25:44.400 Do I need to trust God more in order that when we interact I'm not so highly strung and stressed out? 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:55.480 Am I liable to be so thin-skinned and take offense at everything that people just take a really wide berth around me? 00:25:58.180 --> 00:26:01.540 Am I so preoccupied with other things that I'm just not accessible? 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:05.180 And though I may be listening I'm not really hearing what you're saying. 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:09.779 Because I think if we're to be a church that exhibits love for one another. 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:12.440 We're to go out of our way to love. 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:15.900 But we're to be praying to the Lord that we might be easy to love. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:20.220 And I thought this week I'm not actually that easy to love. 00:26:21.320 --> 00:26:23.539 And so that's been my prayer over the last few days. 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:28.279 And going on that we would be a place that was both loving but easy to love. 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:33.320 I think we all need to cultivate this love within our church. 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:38.839 And I think many of us, myself especially, need to have a long hard look. 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:44.159 And persistently pray to God, how can I make it easier for others to love me? 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:50.200 Paul says one of the hallmarks of this church is love and affection and care. 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:52.579 The second thing we see is that they're workers. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:57.279 Five times Paul commends seven people for their hard work. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:27:02.079 Five of the seeming hard workers are women. 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:07.659 Paul seems to be saying that gospel work is hard work. 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:09.879 This is not let go and let God. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.819 This is roll up your sleeves and get involved. 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:19.740 Paul uses endless phrases like toil and wrestling and struggle to describe what gospel work is like. 00:27:19.899 --> 00:27:25.179 And it seems that in the church of Rome, there are some people that exhibit what it is to work hard. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:29.019 And people like Mary, verse 6, who work very hard. 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:31.740 They are fully involved. 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:37.480 Paul has used in Romans lots of pictures for what gospel work looks like. 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.500 Athletics. 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:41.519 If you watch the Paralympics, it's hard work. 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.360 Wrestling. 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:46.539 Being a soldier. 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:53.519 These people are commended in the eternal words of God for working hard. 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:56.359 Being really diligent. 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:04.920 So you look at people like Priscilla and Aquila in verse 3 who have a long and rich history with Paul. 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:07.659 And they describe my fellow workers. 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:13.700 Now if Paul was doing gospel ministry from my house, this is what I would think. 00:28:14.540 --> 00:28:16.240 I think you're the Apostle Paul. 00:28:16.340 --> 00:28:18.480 I'll just get out of your way and let you get on with it. 00:28:18.860 --> 00:28:20.900 Just ring your bell if you'd like a cup of tea. 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.620 Or some more ink for your pen. 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.960 That would be so easy, wouldn't it? 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:27.200 You're the Apostle Paul. 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:29.640 I'll step back so you can do your thing. 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:33.080 And yet they're described as my fellow workers. 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:35.920 They were involved. 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:38.100 Paul worked hard. 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.680 They worked hard. 00:28:40.060 --> 00:28:41.160 Paul worked hard. 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:43.000 Mary worked hard. 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:47.039 Hard work. 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.779 Gospel ministry. 00:28:50.060 --> 00:28:51.440 Gospel work. 00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:53.800 Church is a team sport. 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:57.200 It isn't a few working on behalf of the many. 00:28:57.200 --> 00:29:02.640 It is everyone mucking in that we too might be described by God as those that worked hard. 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:04.940 Those that worked very hard. 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:08.320 Those that were fellow workers with each other and God himself. 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:11.440 On mission with him. 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:16.480 Would Paul describe you in glowing terms like Persis? 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.900 Who I've lost. 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:21.720 Greet my dear friend Persis. 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:25.460 Another woman who has worked very hard. 00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:27.080 In the Lord. 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:29.620 These were hard working people. 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:32.039 Third trait. 00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:33.179 They were sacrificial. 00:29:34.399 --> 00:29:38.099 See that some people are commended for their sacrificial partnership with Paul. 00:29:38.699 --> 00:29:43.679 See how Priscilla and Aquila verse 4 risked their lives for Paul. 00:29:44.479 --> 00:29:46.919 Perhaps during the riot in Corinth. 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:54.659 See how Andronicus and Junia were prepared to go to prison with Paul. 00:29:54.660 --> 00:30:02.040 There is sacrificial association in these people with gospel suffering. 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:04.259 They're in this together. 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:07.580 They are for and with one another. 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:13.040 This is surely the living embodiment of what Paul teaches in back in chapter 12. 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:16.960 That the church is to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:21.220 I'm sure if his hand wasn't sore he would have said go to prison with those who are in prison. 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:23.319 Suffer with those that are suffering. 00:30:23.840 --> 00:30:25.120 Do everything you can. 00:30:25.620 --> 00:30:28.120 Associate with people in lowly positions. 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:32.039 There is no such phrase in the Christian community. 00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:34.460 Well you've made your bed now lie in it. 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:37.960 We are all in this together. 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:44.100 There needs to be a sacrificial servant hearted commitment at the core of Christian community. 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:50.379 That it really does work when every part of the body is doing its bit. 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:54.319 That everyone might grow up powerful and strong in the Lord. 00:30:55.139 --> 00:30:58.079 When everyone isn't looking to their own interests. 00:30:58.619 --> 00:31:00.559 But to the interests of others. 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.000 Look at Phoebe. 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:05.399 She could have had a wonderful life. 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:08.439 She could have owned a Greek island. 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:10.519 She could have swanned around. 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:16.240 She could have been a morningside lady who lunches every day. 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.740 But she wasn't. 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:21.660 How did she use her money to sponsor and support gospel ministry? 00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:26.319 She was sacrificial in the way that she gave. 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.619 Lastly on this. 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.460 They persevered. 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:38.819 What encourages me also about this passage is that there are some people who are marked because they just kept going. 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:40.779 Look at verse 7. 00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:42.559 Our old friends Andronicus and Junior. 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:47.379 They are outstanding among the apostles and they were in Christ before I was. 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:49.259 That's a wonderful thing. 00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:54.379 That Paul can look at those people and say you've been on this road longer than I have and you keep going. 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:57.200 That must be an encouragement when it's tough. 00:31:58.259 --> 00:32:00.159 Look at Eponatus. 00:32:01.899 --> 00:32:03.059 Verse 5b. 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:05.980 Greet my dear friend Eponatus. 00:32:06.379 --> 00:32:11.339 He was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:16.740 Just think when Paul thinks this is really difficult doing pioneer mission. 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:21.299 And he thinks back to his pioneer mission in Asia. 00:32:22.659 --> 00:32:25.879 And the first face in his mind is Eponatus. 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.759 The first convert. 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:29.940 There's something about a first convert. 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:33.839 Which is like God's seal of approval that you're not wasting your time. 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:35.839 Adoniram Judson in Burma. 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:40.579 Right waxes lyrical about his first convert that comes after 15 years. 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:44.059 But it seems to be God saying no. 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:47.079 This is working. 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.519 Look at Apollace. 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:52.920 Greet Apollace whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. 00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:54.940 He's been tested. 00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:58.660 He's had to suffer and yet he's come up saying no I love Jesus. 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:06.700 It is a massive encouragement to see people persevering through anything and everything. 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:13.580 It is a massive encouragement for me as a relatively young person to see people keeping going. 00:33:14.320 --> 00:33:21.799 People who no matter what will, no matter what happens will not turn away or give up on Jesus. 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:31.720 I remember and there's some students here walking into Aberdeen CU that first Friday night having seen some eye-opening things during Freshers Week. 00:33:32.379 --> 00:33:35.819 And thinking it is very difficult to be a Christian on campus. 00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:43.220 But as I walked into that CU meeting being met by some fourth years. 00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:48.980 Who were a lot further down the line ready to be shot at the cannon into the real world. 00:33:49.439 --> 00:33:52.279 And I'd gone all the way through still loving and living for Jesus. 00:33:52.919 --> 00:33:54.000 What an encouragement. 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:57.539 Because I thought it might just be possible. 00:33:57.539 --> 00:34:02.259 It might just be possible to love and serve Jesus even amidst this. 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:04.000 Even in Aberdeen. 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:08.099 There's a wide variety of gifts displayed. 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:12.119 And all of them we should emulate in our lives about being loving. 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:13.880 Persevering. 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:16.099 Being sacrificial. 00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:21.460 Being those who are for one another and in it together. 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:27.260 And then lastly and incredibly quickly. 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:29.380 A single source of unity. 00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:31.340 A rich tapestry of people. 00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:32.820 A wide variety of gifts. 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:35.019 But one single source of unity. 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:39.760 It would be very easy to leave today thinking I just need to work harder. 00:34:40.440 --> 00:34:44.579 I just need to text more people and phone more people and have more people around for dinner. 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:46.539 And visit more people in hospital. 00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:49.699 And I need to pull my socks up and work harder. 00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:56.000 And yet that would be to miss what is at the very core of this passage. 00:34:58.679 --> 00:35:03.799 There is a little phrase so easily to overlook that is all over this passage. 00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:09.460 A little phrase that without it this will be impossible. 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:13.859 And we'll just exhaust ourselves and fail in the attempt. 00:35:15.319 --> 00:35:16.359 Look at verse 2. 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:18.980 I ask you to receive her. 00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:19.559 That's Phoebe. 00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:20.960 In the Lord. 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:23.159 Look at verse 3. 00:35:24.199 --> 00:35:26.159 In Christ. 00:35:26.519 --> 00:35:27.159 Jesus. 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:29.759 Verse 7. 00:35:30.460 --> 00:35:31.899 In Christ. 00:35:33.359 --> 00:35:34.579 Verse 8. 00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:36.779 In the Lord. 00:35:37.460 --> 00:35:38.339 Verse 9. 00:35:38.919 --> 00:35:40.299 In Christ. 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:41.699 Verse 10. 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:43.960 Fidelity to Christ. 00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.599 Verse 11. 00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:45.259 In the Lord. 00:35:45.359 --> 00:35:45.839 Verse 12. 00:35:46.199 --> 00:35:46.879 In the Lord. 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:47.699 In the Lord. 00:35:47.799 --> 00:35:48.500 Verse 13. 00:35:48.500 --> 00:35:49.460 In the Lord. 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.219 Verse 15. 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:52.079 In the Lord. 00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:54.900 Why does church work? 00:35:55.619 --> 00:35:58.340 It's not about the giftedness of the members first and foremost. 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:59.860 It's not about the organization. 00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:03.719 It's not about the warm fuzzies we can muster from inside ourselves. 00:36:03.719 --> 00:36:09.539 The reason it works is because of the Lord Jesus who stands right at the center of it and his head over it. 00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:11.439 Who will ensure that it works. 00:36:12.319 --> 00:36:15.359 Who will ensure that the work he started is seen to completion. 00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:21.359 Who will ensure that the church is the gospel made tangible and visible to the outside world. 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:25.860 The reason that church will work. 00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:36.900 The reason that church can look like this is because the Lord Jesus unites it, empowers it, works in it and transforms diverse people into real family. 00:36:36.900 --> 00:36:39.900 It stems from him. 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:41.380 It flows from him. 00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:43.039 And it brings him glory. 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:50.200 If we are going to be a church like this. 00:36:51.660 --> 00:36:57.440 Then what we each need to do first and foremost is to love the Lord Jesus most. 00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:59.360 It's to love him. 00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:00.559 To walk with him. 00:37:00.940 --> 00:37:02.960 To listen to him. 00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:05.420 To be obedient to him. 00:37:06.599 --> 00:37:08.940 And this will be the symptoms of that. 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:12.300 This is the fruit that that will bear. 00:37:12.599 --> 00:37:15.340 But don't try and do it without getting close to Jesus. 00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:16.300 It will fail. 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:21.700 Everybody wants to be a community like this. 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:25.179 But if it's not built on the Lord Jesus it will fail. 00:37:25.179 --> 00:37:27.899 It will crash and burn. 00:37:29.219 --> 00:37:33.440 Therefore going on from here what do I need to do first and foremost? 00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:34.879 I need to love Jesus. 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:38.759 I need to make sure that all of my life is in him. 00:37:39.839 --> 00:37:43.379 And as I get closer to him I suddenly find that people really are that difficult. 00:37:44.299 --> 00:37:45.699 That he gives me grace. 00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:47.219 He gives me love. 00:37:48.039 --> 00:37:54.460 He works in me the miracle that shows me that it is better and more blessed to give than to receive. 00:37:55.179 --> 00:37:57.759 And therefore church works. 00:37:58.739 --> 00:37:59.839 And Jesus wins. 00:38:00.659 --> 00:38:04.759 Two little things before we leave which were just kind of afterthoughts that wouldn't fit into my headings. 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:12.200 I thought to myself how can Paul write so glowingly about 26 people that he maybe hasn't met? 00:38:15.100 --> 00:38:19.060 I can't even remember 26 names of people that I actually know. 00:38:19.200 --> 00:38:21.640 How can he speak so glowingly about them? 00:38:24.200 --> 00:38:27.020 And I think it's this that he's been praying for them. 00:38:27.300 --> 00:38:29.240 He's been praying for them persistently. 00:38:29.239 --> 00:38:36.919 That he's been reading Apollet's testimony about how Jesus saw him through a time of testing. 00:38:37.979 --> 00:38:43.319 That he's been praying for Priscilla and Aquila as they leave Corinth and take up residence in Rome. 00:38:44.439 --> 00:38:50.000 He's heard about these wonderful twins, Tryphena and Tryphosa, and how they're a dynamic duo who work hard. 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:54.500 And that as he's prayed for them, suddenly his heart is enlarged with love for them. 00:38:57.199 --> 00:39:03.280 And suddenly he finds himself united to them in a very real and tangible way. 00:39:04.239 --> 00:39:08.699 That as he's prayed for them and giving thanks for them, his heart has grown in love for them. 00:39:08.699 --> 00:39:12.179 And I wonder if that's not something we should do as well. 00:39:13.059 --> 00:39:17.299 That I don't think, first and foremost, the way we're going to deepen fellowship at Brunsfield is by 00:39:17.299 --> 00:39:23.239 sitting across a coffee table from one another and talking small talk until we have to go to our next meeting. 00:39:24.439 --> 00:39:32.159 I think one of the ways that unity and fellowship and this deep sacrificial love will first and foremost be cultivated in our lives 00:39:32.159 --> 00:39:38.980 is when we join our hearts in praying for one another and join our hearts in praying with one another. 00:39:39.719 --> 00:39:46.219 That I think, and it may be a bit of a stretch from this passage, that prayer strengthens fellowship more than anything else. 00:39:47.539 --> 00:39:51.039 And secondly, because I know some people are going to ask me at the door, verse 16, 00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:54.179 greet one another with a holy kiss. 00:39:54.940 --> 00:40:01.159 I remember doing a Bible study about 17, and it was the end of 1 Peter, 00:40:01.159 --> 00:40:06.199 and I asked our youth leader, what's the difference between a holy kiss and a normal kiss? 00:40:07.000 --> 00:40:08.879 And my youth leader said about two seconds. 00:40:13.519 --> 00:40:19.039 If you go to an Eastern Orthodox church, they'll stop the service and you will kiss one another, just to warn you. 00:40:20.839 --> 00:40:23.319 There's a lot of cultural context behind this. 00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:26.639 People would kiss each other as a greeting just in the normal world. 00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:28.079 They still do in Lebanon. 00:40:28.079 --> 00:40:33.420 That was quite hard to get used to when you were just walking around the supermarket and someone ran up to you who you would know. 00:40:33.980 --> 00:40:36.360 And they were a six foot five man with a huge beard. 00:40:38.659 --> 00:40:40.079 It's his usual practice. 00:40:40.819 --> 00:40:42.019 I love J.B. Phillips. 00:40:42.279 --> 00:40:44.380 In his translation, he is so English. 00:40:45.099 --> 00:40:46.940 He writes chapter 16, verse 16, 00:40:47.039 --> 00:40:49.539 greet one another with a hearty handshake all round. 00:40:49.539 --> 00:40:51.940 For my sake. 00:40:55.139 --> 00:40:56.539 I think we could apply this. 00:40:56.599 --> 00:40:57.440 Just be friendly. 00:40:58.759 --> 00:40:59.759 Be warm. 00:40:59.960 --> 00:41:00.699 Be open. 00:41:02.039 --> 00:41:05.340 Make an effort both with brand new people and people that you know. 00:41:06.440 --> 00:41:07.219 Be warm. 00:41:07.840 --> 00:41:08.639 Cross the room. 00:41:08.800 --> 00:41:09.519 Approach them. 00:41:10.699 --> 00:41:13.079 Greet them with a hearty handshake if you like. 00:41:13.079 --> 00:41:21.420 Greet them with a two-handed handshake, even if you don't feel like puckering up at that particular moment. 00:41:22.900 --> 00:41:24.179 Be friendly. 00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:25.719 Be warm. 00:41:26.360 --> 00:41:27.319 Be interested. 00:41:28.099 --> 00:41:29.279 Be open. 00:41:30.259 --> 00:41:35.319 Romans 16 is a wonderful anatomy of a supernatural community called church. 00:41:35.320 --> 00:41:39.260 A place where a rich tapestry of people are woven together. 00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:46.500 A place a whole bunch of different gifts are displayed and used for the benefit and blessing of others. 00:41:47.440 --> 00:41:55.039 And a place that finds all of its source, all of its hope, all of its power, and all of its ability in and through the Lord Jesus. 00:41:56.700 --> 00:42:02.019 Jesus who makes it all possible and profitable and glorifying. 00:42:02.820 --> 00:42:03.580 Let's pray. 00:42:05.320 --> 00:42:08.280 Father God, we want to be a church like this, Lord. 00:42:09.260 --> 00:42:11.500 We don't want to be a place of loose association. 00:42:12.400 --> 00:42:14.140 A place of rubbing shoulders. 00:42:15.200 --> 00:42:18.840 We don't want to be a place where lonely people come to be alone together. 00:42:20.320 --> 00:42:24.160 Father, we want to be a church that is really and truly family. 00:42:25.300 --> 00:42:27.720 A place that is sacrificial and hardworking. 00:42:28.640 --> 00:42:31.880 A place that is loving and a place that is persevering. 00:42:31.880 --> 00:42:35.260 A place where Jesus is the very center. 00:42:35.840 --> 00:42:38.160 A place where he is glorified. 00:42:39.160 --> 00:42:44.260 And a place where we love him so much that he transforms our lives. 00:42:45.340 --> 00:42:46.539 Transforms our community. 00:42:46.539 --> 00:42:55.980 A place that was so like this that people on the outside would look in and just be provoked by the community they see. 00:42:56.599 --> 00:42:58.460 And that would provoke them to ask why. 00:42:59.179 --> 00:43:02.539 And we would say that it's all and only because of Jesus. 00:43:03.719 --> 00:43:05.119 Lord, take our church. 00:43:05.579 --> 00:43:07.239 Take us individually. 00:43:07.239 --> 00:43:11.619 And make us what you would have us be for your glory alone we pray. 00:43:12.299 --> 00:43:12.619 Amen.