Gospel Partnership
Notes
Transcript
BI: We are united by the wonderful Gospel, so lets be a loving family striving for the Gospel together.
Introduction
Well I love reading about people who are sold out for Jesus. I find figures in church history just so interesting. There was a man name George Whitefield. He was born in 1714 in England. He became a follower of Jesus at 21. that’s when he realised knowing God is not about good works, but by faith alone in Christ alone. you have to be born from above. Whitefield became a great evangelist. God used him greatly. Through his preaching, many in America came to faith. this was called the Great Awakening. in a time when preaching was dull, dense and boring, he was a man who PREACHED the word. sin hell judgment, salvation he preached with conviction. he loved the people he preached to, pleaded with everyone to come to Jesus. even when a drunken man threw stones at him, he writes in a letter, I was cut deeply nearly stumbling off the platform, but I did not lose my composure. Many say he was a force for God. He preached twice a day, 7 days a week, at 5am people came, he preached for 2 hours people stayed, mechanics closed their shops and construction workers left their job sites just to hear him. he would preach to crowds of 6000 in the morning, 8000 in the evening, in American, where many came to Christ, in Boston there were reports that 30,000 came to hear him preach. This man was sold out for Christ.
But you know what, Whitefield did not do it alone. he could not reach all these people on his own. he had partners in the Gospel. those who got alongside him to help with the mission. One such person was Lady Huntington. She was a woman of standing. She was wealthy. She was in England’s highest society. She said to Whitefield in a meeting, i have watched God save souls through the light of his all glorious gospel, and now i see the one thing worth living for must be the proclaiming of the love of God to man in Jesus Christ - i am nothing - Christ is all. to preach Christ and his blessing upon repentance over the earth is the commission. My mind is made up. I’d like to propose a partnership. Lady Huntington opened up her home, invited politicians, actors, writers, lords and ladies, even royal members came so that Whitefield could preach the Gospel to them. Lady Huntington was devoted to the Gospel. She sold her jewelry, risked her reputation to partner with Whitefield. She opened the door for Whitefield to preach to the rich. She built chapels for preachers, and Whitefield raised up preachers. She was a patron, sold out for the Gospel. They were partners in the Gospel.
Friends, Gospel ministry is always done in partnership.
Paul understood this.
Context:
As we come to the final chapter of Romans. What a book. 3 years about 30 bible talks, how does Paul end the book that has so greatly shaped the church?
Paul greets 33 people in Romans 16. He greets these partners in the Gospel. They get the Gospel.
They get that they are utter sinners who deserve God’s judgment, chapter 1-3.
They get that they saved by faith in Jesus alone. He saved them from sin and judgment by his death.
They get that have been made alive through Jesus’ resurrection in Romans 8
So they get God’s mercy. Because of Jesus and all that he has done for them, they live their whole lives to worship him. They are sold out for Christ.
1. It’s about people.
So Paul ends this letter in a fitting way. It’s about people. What matters is people. He loves God’s people.
We see this because right up front, verse 1 to 2 he commends a woman. Her name was Phoebe. She gets a lengthy introduction compared to everyone else. She’s probably the lady who delivered this letter to the Romans. See what Paul says about her verse 1
Romans 16:1–2 (ESV)
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.
Phoebe is a Gospel partner. Notice 4 things about how Paul describes her. She’s a sister. Paul wants us to know she’s in the family. Not biologically, but in the family of God because of Christ. She’s also a servant of the church at Cenchreae. Whatever else she does, she is on about serving the church. Third, she’s a saint. This is why the Romans are to welcome her in the right way. She knows Jesus. She is a believer. That’s what’s most important. And lastly, see there she is a patron. She’s a financial supporter of the Gospel. Like Lady Huntington. She uses her resources, her wealth for the cause of the Gospel. She is generous with her money to support Gospel ministry. In fact, she supported Paul and many others in the Gospel. Paul commends her to the Romans.
Paul is on about people. Here Phoebe. She is a sister, a servant, a saint and supporter. She’s a Gospel partner.
And as we look through the names, don’t just zone out. it’s fascinating how Paul talks about these Gospel partners. First, Paul loves them. There’s genuine love for them.
1.1 They genuinely love each other.
Did you notice in the passage, there is so much warmth? there is so much affection? Paul loves them. He calls Epaenetus verse 5 my beloved.
Romans 16:5–12 (ESV)
Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 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. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.
Says the same about Ampliatus – great name Ampliatus verse 8 my beloved in the Lord. Beloved means so very dear, valued, prized. He says the same thing about Stachys verse 9, and Persis verse 12. Beloved. he genuinely loves the believers. These are great names if you are looking for a left of field name for your baby.
But he also uses family language in a few places. It’s a very close knit family. The Gospel brings you into a family of believers. We have already seen that Phoebe is a sister in Christ. Verse 14 he says
Romans 16:14 (ESV)
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.
they are family saved by Jesus.
And Verse 13 really struck me. I love how he talks about Rufus’ mother – lovely little line there, see it?
Romans 16:13 (ESV)
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
This strikes a cord to me. I remember there was a lady who was like a mother during my ministry apprenticeship in Sydney. I had no biological family. And as I think back, Lesley was like a mother in Christ. She was retired but she worked hard for the Gospel. She had a Gospel heart. She spent her time serving the Lord. She would open up her home every Thursday so the MTS trainees could come over for Training. She didn’t do the training. But she would provide afternoon tea, it was always a good spread. She’d provide it all. She wanted to help us to be trained for Gospel ministry. She wanted to support the ministry. Warm and encouraging, she loved us. Every time I sent a MTS newsletter, like the ones you get from Paul and Aaron if you’re on the list, Lesley would encourage me with a huge reply stating her and her husband are praying for me. I remember her fondly like a mother to me in the Gospel. In the background, gently encouraging me. Paul loves his Gospel family. Gospel partnership is about people. Love for God’s people.
1.2 They strive together for the Gospel.
But it’s not just a deep love for each other, Paul talks about how hard these people work. They were striving together for the Gospel. You see it in verse 3
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
Prisca and Aquila were Gospel partners. They worked together. In fact, they even put their life on the line for Paul. Verse 4
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.
They had his back. Paul is so thankful to them. more than that, He had fellow workers like Urbanus, verse 9 and his protégé Timothy verse 21. Paul had co workers in the trenches with him. They stuck by him, worked with him, striving together for the sake of the Gospel.
and even more than that, I want you to see that there are many women working hard for the Lord. Look at verse 6, Mary, you got Prisca, Phoebe who we’ve mentioned, and here Mary verse 6
Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
she has worked very hard for the Church at Rome. Other women who are hard workers in the Lord verse 12
Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.
It’s men and women working hard, striving for the sake of the Gospel.
It’s clear that Paul is not a lone ranger as a Gospel worker. He loves God’s people. He has many coworkers, men and women. These people are not bystanders. They are not passive. They weren’t waiting around for heaven, no, they strive hard together for the Gospel. Gospel partners.
Brothers and sisters, I wonder if you think this way. Whatever you do for a day job, that’s tent making. Actually, God wants us to do the work of the Lord. This is your work. To preach the Gospel to the lost. To support the preaching of the Gospel. You love each other, you strive for the Gospel, supporting, speaking, doing all you can for the Gospel. Doing as Paul says, 1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Friends do you know we are here to work for Christ. Do you see yourself as a Gospel partner? Do you desire to work together striving for the Gospel as brothers and sisters in Christ? That’s what I desire for you.
We went leafleting yesterday. it was encouraging. But you might be thinking, why on earth would you go leafleting on a Saturday morning? I rather sleep in. I’m tired. It’s not because of the thrill of it I’ll be honest. It’s the Gospel. That compels me to do it. to do anything right. We must believe that there are dead people behind those doors in Epping. I want those doors opened so they can hear the Gospel. This is our work, to do the work of the Lord. this is what we strive for.
But here’s the thing, what can possible make Prisca and Aquila put their necks out for Paul? Why do they go through the pain? Why the suffering? What brings them together?
It's that they are ‘in Christ.’ We are in Christ. It’s about people united by the Gospel. Nothing better than being in Christ.
2. It’s about people united by the Gospel.
That’s the third common theme here, shared love, shared work and shared unity. It’s very clear what unites them. did you notice 9 times in the first 16 verses Paul says ‘in the Lord’ or ‘in Christ.’
Phoebe, verse 2 - welcome her in the Lord
Prisca and Aquila verse 3 my fellow workers in Christ Jesus
Andronicus and Junia, verse 7 were in Christ before Paul.
Ampliatus verse 8 my beloved in the Lord
Urbanus verse 9 our fellow worker in Christ
the family of Narcissus unfortunate name verse 11 greet those in the Lord
tryphaena and tryphosa verse 12 those workers in the Lord
Persis who has worked hard in the Lord
Rufus verse 13 chosen in the Lord
They are all united in Christ. They are not united by the fact that they know Paul, or associated with the Church.
They are united by faith in Jesus, and united through Jesus to each other. All these saints. There are men and women, Gentiles and Jews, slaves, ordinary people, high rollers, a diverse people all united by Jesus. it’s not different to what we have here right? we are Chinese, Italian, Indian, Sri Lankan, Irish, Scottish, Aussies, all united in Christ. It’s Jesus and being in Him that’s what matters. it’s Christ’s death and his resurrection that unites them. It’s what unites us. This is the truth. And that brings them together as family, striving together now to bring the Gospel to the world.
2.1 They hold firm to the truth
That’s why Paul wants them to hold onto the Gospel with a vice like grip. Never let go of the Gospel. That’s what unites them. Because he knows there will be those who will try to destroy this unity. So he makes his appeal.
Come to 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 persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery 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.
Even though Paul says in verse 19 you are obedience. everyone knows this. i rejoice over you. In fact, last week we saw that they were full of knowledge, they could teach each other the Gospel, Paul still puts a warning here as he ends the letter. Why? They must keep holding onto the truth. Never let go of the truth. That’s what unites you he says. Preserve it all costs.
He knows there will be false teachers. Just as there are today. we know false teaching can destroy the church. They will cause division. It will destroy Gospel unity. It will destroy Gospel partnership. So watch out. Watch out for liars. Be on guard. Keep on guard like a night watchman. The truth of the Gospel is so important. Guard it with your life.
But here's the thing, it’s tougher than it sounds to watch out for these people, isn’t it? No one will go, this old thing not worth it. Forget about that. That’s rubbish. No it’s not that obvious. They may speak of God’s love. They can be so very smooth. They can present well. Be so helpful and kind. But subtly they can deny God’s anger at our sin. Play it down. They don’t preach judgment. Play up God’s love. some will fall. they believe what their itching ears want to hear. Be aware.
Be aware of the message that says you can have it all, God and be rich now. Have prosperity now. It’s a false Gospel.
Be aware of false teachers who say love is love. Same sex marriage are fine. God is love. What’s the big deal? They’re not hurting anyone. God clearly teaches in Romans 1, that’s sin. In fact, we all sin. Every one of us. In many different ways. Hear that. And we all face God’s judgment. We need Christ. Be aware.
I was talking to this guy the other week, not our church. But he used to lead Bible studies, come down from Singapore now. he’s worked hard in life. It’s been a slog. That’s life in Singapore. work work work. For him, grace is hard to grasp. He would says yes I get that I’m saved by faith but I’m just not sure if that’s what keeps me in. I feel like I gotta still work. Actually it’s all grace. Not work. Be aware.
Friends, hold to the truth of the Gospel, that’s what unites us. So when someone speaks, test it with Scripture. If you are not reading the Bible how will you know what I says? Know your Bible. Test it. Second – does what is said bring glory to Christ? Or is it for their own greed? Verse 18 says these false teachers serve their own appetites. They don’t serve God. They serve themselves. Be aware, the naïve can be deceived. False teachers are smooth. They get alongside you. they flatter – praise not for their benefit but for their own evil motives. These people want to woo us away from God’s Word to flatter us. It’s masks their real motives. It’s greed. Be aware.
This is a warning to every church in every age. Even the good solid biblical teaching churches. We must hold onto the true Gospel. In fact, he says, be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. See there in verse 19? Interesting he says that. Why does he say that? He is saying put your mind to the truth, what is true, know the truth, he’s saying know the word of God. Don’t be fooled. Stay innocent when it comes to evil.
I used to think, you’re mature if you know all the ins and outs about stuff. My mate Peter was so lame because he didn’t know that stuff. So goody too shoes. So Christian. So lame. That’s wrong thinking. Paul says be innocent about what is evil. Don’t go there. Stick to the truth. Live out the Gospel. Be wise about what is true. It’s good that you don’t know what it’s like to be drunk. That honors God. it’s good you are single and you don’t know much about sex, nothing to be embarrassed about at all. I say this to you young here. don’t be fooled. The world will mock you, but Paul says the opposite. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s shameful to be wise about what is evil. no no, hold firm to the truth – live by the truth, don’t be deceived by false teachers. The Gospel is too important.
We are to love each other striving for the Gospel together, because we are united by the Gospel. So hold onto it.
Because in the end, the devil wants to ruin our unity in the Gospel. He doesn’t want us to love each other, strive together. Preach the Gospel. It does not want Gospel partnership. He wants to deceive. But the reality is, he has lost. He has been defeated by Jesus on the cross once and for all. Jesus has died and risen again. he has defeated death. he has defeated sin. he has defeated Satan. And the next item on God’s agenda. It will be to crush Satan. and now, Paul says, crush him by holding onto the Gospel of truth, refuse his lies. Verse 20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Brothers and sisters, what have we seen this morning? The Gospel is about people. brothers and sisters who love each other, striving together for the Gospel, united by the true Gospel.
3. Implications
As we end Romans, this great letter, here in one implication I have for us. I want us to go and prayerfully reflect on this for the week in our home groups.
3.1. Be partners in the Gospel
Church, we are in Gospel partnership. So let’s be for each other. Let’s love each other genuinely. like christ has loved us. Let’s remember we are united by Jesus. He has saved us. He has brought us together as family. So let’s go. let’s continue to strive to make disciples together.
Church, if i can just bring you in for a moment. heart to heart. And as I look at what God has done at Epping. He has been good. we have 120 people here most weeks. Our church is full of people. The room is getting full again. Taken a while, post covid. As a staff we sit in meetings and we go, this is great. This is encouraging. Praise God. He continues to bring people to Epping. it’s filling up. And not only that, I’m deeply thankful you give financially. You are partners in the Gospel. Praise God.
But here’s the thing, we all know there is a lot more work to do. so much. so come be a partner in the Gospel. There’s lots of work to do for the Gospel or support for the Gospel. And on top of that, the elders got together about month ago just to analyse what we are doing well. What we can improve. And it was very clear we love God’s Word, we want people to grow in Christ. This is so important. It’s a clear strength. There’s a lot to be thankful for.
But the gap we have found was that we have barely scratched the service in reaching the community around us. we are praying about this. And I think, many of us are stretched. we’re already working hard in the Gospel. I often feel a bit overwhelmed by how much there is to do. So can I ask you to please consider how you can strive for the Gospel with us? we want Gospel partners who will come in the trenches and labor with us. come and talk to me.
If you have a certain desire to serve in a particular way to reach the lost, come and talk to me. I would love to hear from you. I would love for you to get on board to serve. Come and strive with us in the trenches. don’t sit in the background. Come and serve. Come to Epping and serve the Lord, united by the true Gospel. Be partners in the Gospel.
Let’s pray, i’m going to pray to final 3 verses of Romans 16 and praise our God for what he done for us in Christ.
Father, we praise you for only you can strengthen us for the task ahead. We praise you for the privilege to be Gospel partners, brothers and sisters striving for the Gospel. What a great privlege it is to do your work as brothers and sisters in Christ. We praise you for the Gospel. you have united us in Christ. saved us. loved us. So father, we pray you might bring more people to the obedience of faith. you are the only wise God and you deserve to be praised for your glory forevermore through Jesus christ. Amen.