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Names In Romans 16

Introduction: Every now and then one of the children will pull out some pictures; families, friends, and Christians.  We may have trouble remembering some of the names but not their place in our lives.  It is important to remember those who have touched your life.  There are 27 names in Romans 16.  Many are hard to pronounce, some we do not know much about them but they are there for a reason.

I) Some Lessons To Learn From the Names of Romans 16

A) One’s life influences many others.

1. “It’s A Wonderful Life” shows the influence one George Bailey had on his mother, father, brother, friends, neighbors and so on.

a. We all have influence others and others have influenced us.

b. I remember a Mrs. Binus my 5th grade teacher.  I did not like her one bit but she taught me a lot that year.

2. Paul spent part of his life living as a Jew and was then converted on the road to Damascus .  He then preached the Gospel.  Think of all the people he taught.

a. Same for us and our teaching.

b. Start writing a list of all the people you had known in your life.  That list will grow more than you realize.

3.  We are to have an influence on our world, Matthew 5.14-16

a. the church at Thessalonica was noted for her influence in 1 Thess. 1.8-9.

b. Many congregations are known in far away places because of their preaching of the Gospel.

4.  You will influence people you will never personally meet.  T.W. Brents wrote “The Gospel Plan of Salvation” in 1874.

B) It is nice to be remembered

1. Regena tells me, she was often the forgotten Thompson girl.  Perhaps you have know the sting of being forgotten. 

2. To be remembered by God is most important, 2 Timothy 2.19; Phil. 4.3

3. To be remembered for the work you have done, trials you have endured, the sacrifices you have made; is important.

C) It is a small world of Christians

1. I knew Regena’s mother and father before I met her.

2. Regena know Lorna McMurray, the wife of Carl McMurray, the man I trained with in Gainesville , Florida .

3. Kevin Kay knew my parents and I knew his before I met him.

4. The Christian community is small; we have ties that binds us together.  Paul often used phrases such as “My kinsmen, by beloved, fellow workers, etc.

II) Some Specific People Mentioned in Romans 16

A) Phoebe, v. 1-2

1. Shows the openness of the Gospel to women.

a. Men considered women to be property. The question in Matthew 19 shows the general disregard that society had for women.  Jesus’ answer in Matthew 19.9 was different.

b. Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman by the well.

2. To see the role of women in the church look at Phoebe.

a. What can women do? Teach children, provide lodging for preachers, visit the hospitals, make phone calls, prepare food, bring flowers, run errands, help their husbands be qualified for elders/deacons/preachers, and a host of other things.

b. Scriptures are full of godly women of influence.  (Lea Gilbert)

B) Aquila and Priscilla, 3-5a

1. They met Paul at Corinth , Acts 18.1-3; 18.24-27

2. They risked their lives for Paul.  We don’t know when but it was done.

3. Families are of great value in the Lord’s church.  Show me a strong church and I will show you some strong families.  They train their children, they provide elders, deacons, teachers, etc.

C) Epanenetus – the first one, v. 6

1. He was brave, strong, and convicted.

2. It is hard to be the first to do something.  Children will often wait to see someone else do it before they will.

III) The Holy Kiss, v. 16

A) Mentioned five times in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 16.20; 2 Cor. 13.12; 1 Thess. 5.26; 1 Peter 5.14

B) This is a warm manner of greeting.  We need to appreciate each other, be glad to see each other.  Later on they would be persecuted and some killed.  Each time they were together was special; they worshipped God, but they also fellowshipped each other.  Let us not grow tired of our worship and fellowship.

Conclusion: God will preserve you, vv. 25-27; and Satan will be crushed, v. 20.  Good to know you are on the right side.  It is important to be one the Lord’s side for He will win in the end.

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