This morning we have arrived... We have come to our last passage in our study of Romans - our “Roaming Through Romans” series which we began back in August of last year.  Today is message number 30.  The entire series is online if you’d like to go back and read or listen to any of where we’ve been.

This morning we have left behind the teaching section of Romans.  We’ve come to Romans 16 which is a long list of names - greetees and greeters - people that Paul singles out to send greetings to and to send greetings from.  Which - let’s be honest - often when we come to a list of names in Scripture we’re tempted to skip it all together - rather than laboriously working through trying to mispronounce a seemingly endless list of names of people that we have - for the most part - no clue who these people are.  Ever feel that way?

It would have been tempting to end our series last Sunday and not even look at chapter 16.  And yet, this is God’s word.  Meaning God has a purpose in preserving this listing of names for us.  There is something here for us to latch onto for our lives today.  So, here we are.

Putting all that in the context of real life…  Have you ever gotten out your old high school yearbook and looked for a picture of someone or reminisced or kinda wondered at what happened to so and so?  Did the guy most likely to succeed... succeed?

(Cartoon)  “Sometimes, I worry that I haven’t lived up to my potential.  Sigh…  Other times, I fear that I have.” 

Exhibit A here is a page from my high school year book.  You can see me there with my name misspelled as usual.

Exhibit B is from our band reunion a couple months ago up in Auburn.  People change.  People that it’s good to touch base with and find out what’s gone on in their lives.

I could share with you a list of names that probably no one here would have a clue as to who these people are.  Each of us has a list like that.  Names of people from somewhere that bring up memories - thoughts about life back then.  People that were very meaningful for the influence - good or bad - they’ve had in our lives. 

In some ways, Paul’s list of greetees and greeters is kind of like that.

Part of this list is believers in Rome that Paul sends greetings to.  People he longs to visit.  Part of the list is believers in Corinth where Paul is writing this letter from.  Those with Paul in Corinth that send their greetings to the church in Rome.  Like our lists, Paul has a connection with these people here in chapter 16 - people that were significant to Paul as he ministered around the Roman Empire. 

So we’re going to use Scripture and what we know from Church history and Church tradition to try to get a better idea of who these people are - why they were important to Paul - and to think together about what God is wanting to show us about ourselves.  Why these people might be significant for us as well.

To help us with that we’re going to divide chapter 16 into four sections.  Section one - verses 1 to 16 - is the greetees - Paul writing to Those In Rome. 

Rather than all of us reading these verses out loud together - like we usually do - which would have all of us mispronouncing names - I’m going to mispronounce the names for us and you all get to read the descriptions of the people - which are in yellow.  Together?

Here we go.  16:1:  I commend to you our sister Pheobe, a servant of the church of 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.

Let’s pause.  Cenchreae was the port of Corinth - about 9 miles east of the city.  There was a church there and Phoebe was a deaconess in that church.

The word “a servant” in verse 1 - in the original Greek is “diakonos” - “deacon.”  Phoebe was called to serve - someone who had been tested in her faith - who was consistent in her service to the congregation.   Most probably she was a women of wealth and social standing - a patron - who had used her resources to help the church and Paul.  Not in pride for recognition or controlling - influencing - what went on.  But in service.  Humility.

She was someone that Paul could “commend” - recommend whole-heartedly - to the Roman Church.  In the way that Paul refers to Phoebe here - at beginning of his greetings - commending her - it was probably Phoebe that had Paul turned to - to trust to carry this precious letter to the church of Rome.

Let’s go on - verse 3:  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. 

Prisca or Priscilla and Aquila we’ve seen Priscilla and Aquila mentioned other places in Scripture.  Yes?

They’re always mentioned together.  They’re an example of a married couple that has given their lives together in ministry for Jesus. Out of the six times they’re mentioned Priscilla is mentioned first 4 times - like here Priscilla and then Aquila.  Which we need to be careful not to read a whole lot into.  But - where and how they’re mentioned - that’s led some to think that maybe Priscilla was more known for her gift of teaching. 

They were originally from Rome.  But in 52 A.D. in the midst of persecution they were driven out of Rome by an edict of the Emperor Claudius.  They went to Corinth and became tentmakers with Paul.  Probably the first church in Corinth began in their home.

When Paul went to Ephesus - what is now western Turkey - when Paul went to Ephesus Priscilla and Aquila went with him.  Again they opened a church in their home.  They had a teaching ministry in Ephesus that powerfully impacted the life of Apollos - a man who later became a missionary to Greece.

When a religious riot broke out in Ephesus they risked their lives to save Paul’s.  When they returned to Rome - again they opened a church in their home.  Paul writes that the whole church - even us today - we owe this couple a huge debt of gratitude for their faithful obedience in serving Jesus, Paul, and the church.

Going on in verse 5:  Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.  Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 

Asia was a province of the Roman Empire - not Asia as in China and Japan.

Paul tried twice to go Asia.  Finally, on his third missionary journey he made it.  Epaenetus was the first one in Asia to believe the Gospel as Paul shared it.

Which is something that we don’t forget.  When God uses us to bring to someone to Him.  When God gives us a front row seat - being a part of someone coming to salvation.  Especially after we prayed for them.  Maybe they were resistant.  But God worked in their hearts and we had the privilege of leading them to Jesus.

Mary is the third women listed.  Mary who worked hard.

Verse 7:  Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners.  They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 

Andronicus and Junias are the second couple listed.  Another husband and wife team.  They were Jews from Jerusalem who had come to faith in Jesus before Paul had come to faith.

Imagine what that would have been like.  As Christians they probably watched Paul running around persecuting the church - they had been the object of Paul’s hatred.  At yet, at some point - as fellow servants of Jesus Christ - they’d been imprisoned together with Paul.

Now they were missionaries - which is the basic meaning of “apostle” - someone sent on a mission.  They’re apostles in the broader sense of the word - sent out by the church to evangelize.  They’re specifically greeted by Paul .

Verse 8:  Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.  Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.  Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. 

These men we really don’t know any more about that what’s said here.  At some point Urbanus had worked with Paul.  Apelles was a brother who had had his faith tested and he’d stood up under the pressure.

Going on in verse 10:  Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.  Greet my kinsman Herodion. 

Notice that it’s the household of Aristobulus that Paul greets rather than Aristobulus himself.  There reason for that is because Aristobulus was probably dead.

Aristobulus was probably the grandson of Herod the Great.  Which meant that he would have come to Rome as a friend of the Emperor Claudius.  He probably died in the late 40’s A.D.  Whether he was a believer or not we don’t know.  But, there were those in his household - a royal household in Rome - that the Gospel had reached to and they were believers.

Herodian - by name may have been part of the royal dynasty of Herod - which may be why Paul mentions him here with the household of Aristobulus.

Going on in verse 11:  Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.

Narcissus we know from Roman history.  Narcissus was a former slave who became the personal secretary of The Emperor Claudius.  When Claudius was murdered and Nero took over - Nero took over Narcissus’ household and forced Narcissus to commit suicide.

Apparently there were a number of believers in this household.  Which means that the Gospel had reached even into the very heart of the Roman Empire.  Paul is sending greetings to the servants and slaves of the Emperor Nero.

Verse 12:  Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa.  Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.   

Tryphaena and Tryphosa were twin sisters who’s names mean “dainty” and “delicate.”  Probably they were anything but that as they probably rolled up their tunics and worked for the Lord.

Persis may have been a woman who came from Persia - think Iran.  A sister in Christ who worked hard for the Lord.

Verse 13:  Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.

Do you remember the name of the man who was forced to carry Jesus’ cross?  Simon the Cyrene.

In Mark’s Gospel (Mark 15:21) we read that Simon was married and had two boys - Alexander and Rufus.  Most probably it’s that Rufus who’s mentioned here.  At some point along the way - probably in Jerusalem - Simon’s wife - Rufus’ mother - came to care for Paul as his own mother.

Verse 14:   Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 

This is the Rome YMCA.  These are all Greeks - probably freed slaves - all of whom lived together with a number of other men.

Verse 15:  Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the churches of Christ greet you.

Greet Philologus - who’s name means “a lover of the word” - and Julia - probably they were a married couple involved in ministry.

Nereus and his sister - who may have been the children of Philologus and Julia - and Olympas,

Nereus is someone we don’t want to pass by.  It is probable that he was the housekeeper of a prominent Roman citizen named Flavius Clemens - who later became the Consul or Rome - the highest political office in the city.  In 95 A.D., Flavius was condemned to death by the Emperor Domitian because he was a Christian.  Its possible that Nereus would have been the one to lead Flavius to Jesus.  Nereus later was himself martyred for his faith.

Those are the greetees in Rome.

We’re going to skip down to verse 21.  We’ll come back to verse 17.  But, first we need to be introduced to the greeters - Those In Corinth who were with Paul.

Verse 21:  Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.  I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.  Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you.  Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

Timothy we know.  Yes.  Paul’s child in the faith.  Pastor of the Church in Ephesus.  Recipient of 1 and 2 Timothy. 

Lucius may have been a teacher from Antioch.  Jason was probably Paul’s host when Paul was in Thessalonica.  Sosipater may have been from  Beroea.  Paul met him in Macedonia and they traveled to Jerusalem together.   Point being - these men are from all over.  But together serving with Paul in Corinth.

Erastus is mentioned as the treasurer of Corinth.  There’s an inscription on a marble paving block discovered in Corinth that reads, “Erastus, commissioner for public works, laid this pavement at his own expense.”  It’s very possible that Paul’s Erastus was a wealthy man with great influence in Corinth - the same man on that inscription.

Then there’s Tertius.

Sorry for the Star Trek reference.  But, to get Tertius we need to think about the Borg - 7 of 9.  Tertius is like his designation.

In Latin, the numbers are Primas = first, Secundus = second, and Tertius, meaning... third.  In those days they didn’t always give slaves names.   Tertius was probably a slave.  Slave #3.  Probably it’s his brother Quartus - fourth - who’s mentioned in verse 23.

Here are these men - of varied backgrounds and social status - gathered in the name of Jesus in the home of Gaius in Corinth.  Gaius who was their host.  It’s probable that the church - after Priscilla and Aquila went back to Rome - it’s probable that the church began to meet in Gaius’ home.  Probably the house that Paul was staying in while doing ministry in Corinth. 

So, in Gaius home - Paul - is probably pacing back and forth - thinking out loud - dictating as he paces - and Tertius is sitting there writing down all that Paul says - this letter to the church in Rome.

It was Paul’s habit to dictate his letters except for his greeting at the end.  A process of using and amanuensis - a brother in Christ as a personal secretary.

At some point - in the midst of these greetings - Paul stops and turns to Tertius and says, “Tertius, you’ve been writing all these greetings.  Why don’t you send your own personal greeting as well.”  And Tertius - this former slave - a man who doesn’t even have a regular name - is given the honor - along with people like Moses and David and Paul - of writing his own words in Scripture - God’s eternal word - “I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.” 

Which - as we’re going down through this list - getting to know the people behind the names - seeing them as real people in real time with real lives trying to live through the stuff of life just like most of us are real people in real time trying to live real lives in the stuff of our lives - people that God used to testify of Jesus to an empire - to testify to us of life in Jesus - it is so crucial as we’re getting to know these people - our siblings in Jesus - that we grab onto how incredible it is that the God - the sovereign holy God our creator desires to use each one of us to testify and live for Him - with all our hang ups and mess ups and however we might struggle to come to grips with the issues of our lives - God who is loving and merciful and gracious - pours out His love and mercy and grace on us - us - who have been enslaved - bound by our sin - heading for eternity apart from God forever - and God saves us and heals us and transforms us - and gives to each of us the privilege of knowing Him and serving Him and living lives of purpose and meaning now and forever.

Pretty cool.  Yes?  Astounding.  Humbling.

Finally - coming back to verse 17 - in verses 17 to 20 are Those In Contrast - what is a warning for all of us.  Verse 17:  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 person do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve. 

In chapters 14 and 15 we looked at those in the church that we might have disagreements with.

Do you remember the 3 phrases?  Lighten up.  Build up.  Bear up.

Paul was writing about to work through conflicts with our siblings in Jesus.  People we’re on the same page with.  Maybe different places on the page.  But, at least we’re on the same page.

Here in verse 17, Paul is writing about people who are physically in the church, but spiritually on a completely different page.  They’re using a different book.  Not the Bible.  They’re not on the list.  They cause dissentions and hinder the teaching the word - because they aren’t believers.

Just because we’re living in a garage doesn’t make us a… car.  Talk the talk.  Act the act.  But that doesn’t mean spiritual rebirth.

Paul writes - “avoid them.”  Sounds harsh.  But necessary.  Because it’s way too easy to get innocently sucked in and have our own egos twisted around.  Don’t get locked up in endless debates with them.  Don’t give them a platform to speak.  Don’t include them in the life of the church.  Leave them alone.

We need to be careful.  There may be people in the church - physically who are here - but who are not yet spiritually reborn believers.  And we praise God for those who are honestly seeking to understand about God and what God may have for them.  That’s great.

And that is totally different than what Paul is writing about.  The people Paul is warning us about aren’t honestly seeking God.  As Paul writes - verse 18 - they’re seeking after their own appetites - seeking to deceive the hearts of those who are naïve.  Those who just innocently think that others are as innocently seeking after God like they are.

Many, many, many years ago I took a summer class at Biola.  Rather than buy a meal card at the cafeteria - in order to save money - I had the bright idea that once a day I would go to Sir George’s - the all you can eat place nearby - and eat one good meal a day.  As I began the summer I was patting myself on the back for my cleverness and trying to convince others that this was the way to go.

That brilliant idea ended real quick.  One day I went to Sir George’s and piled my first plate high with vegetables.  My second plate was piled high with meats.  When I was done I’d consumed four heaping plates full of food.  Plus beverages and desserts.  I wobbled out to my car - fell in - drove back to the dorm - rolled onto my bed - stomach up - and slept until my body could begin digesting the food so it no longer hurt.

These - who are not on the list - they’re captivated by their own cleverness.  With flattering speech they deceive those who don’t realize their folly.  Ultimately they’re not serving God - only their own selfish appetites.

Verse 19 - in contrast:  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.  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

God will take care of those who cause dissentions and hindrances.  You stay faithful and continue in obedience - The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Long ago in a church far far away there was a large wooden table in a room where we used to have meetings.  Maybe 10 more of us would sit around this table… meeting.  In the center of this table was a brass plaque that had the names of those who had donated that table to the church.  Which was sad in and of itself. 

Some people come to the end of their lives and wonder how they’ll be remembered - what difference they’ve made while they’ve been here.  They try to leave a legacy by having their names inscribed on brass plaques or stained glass windows.  Some churches have brass plaques on just about everything - even the Styrofoam cups have brass plaques on them.  Some give large donations and get buildings named after them - inscribing their legacy permanently on stucco.

What also sticks in my mind about that brass plaque was that it was incredibly irritating.  Because papers and books always seemed to bump up against it.  Because of that brass plaque there never seemed to be enough room on the table for the things we needed to do the ministry of the church.  It was just constantly in the way - a hindrance to the ministry of the church.

Which is true of us - of anyone - where the focus is on us and the legacy - or reputation - or whatever we’re doing in the church that’s about us.  We make ourselves to be a stumbling block - a hindrance to the ministry of the church.

There’s a contrast here in these greetees and greeters and this warning of Paul.  A contrast between people who served themselves and of people who served God - who gave everything - serving together - working together - dying together - for their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  They didn’t do it to get their name inscribed on the pages of God’s word.  But, here they are - for eternity - examples for the rest of us of those who lived life in Jesus and through them He - Jesus - testified of Himself.

A while back there was a contest at Starbuck’s.  The prize was that Starbuck’s was going to send ten people to Costa Rica to participate in an Earthwatch Institute field research expedition to learn about conservation issues - and hopefully they’ll get free coffee too.  The contest brochure described the opportunity this way:  “Make a difference in the world while having the experience of a lifetime.”

That’s us.  That’s our privilege as the church.  The privilege of making a difference in people’s lives - a present and eternal difference - and along the way - the amazing - God led - experiences of a lifetime.

Church - together - in Jesus - we’re living the adventure of a lifetime.  May it be for God’s glory.  Together, what difference will we make?  What kind of legacy will we leave?  One on brass plaques or stained glass windows?  Or one which is inscribed in the lives of others for eternity?

We’re going to pray, sing, and then we’ll come to verses 25 to 27 - what is Paul’s Benediction. 

Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!  Amen.

_________________________

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®  (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.